Goa Gajah and Tirta Empul, Bali

From Ubud it's a short journey to both Goa Gajah, the elephant cave, and Tirta Empul, the holy water temple. We were lucky enough to hire a driver for the morning, but you can also do the trip with your own transport or as part of a tour group. 

Goa Gajah, otherwise known as the elephant cave is an 11th century temple around 6km from Ubud. Entry to Goa Gajah is 15,000 RP per person ($1.50) and car parking is 5,000RP (50c). After a short walk from the carpark you find yourself at the top of some steps down to the main site, the cave itself is incredible and there's long walks to take around the tropical gardens also, beware there's a lot of steps though. Despite the name elephant cave, there's no elephants and no one can agree on where the name came from either.

Our next stop was Tirta Empul, the holy water temple, which is in the town of Tampaksiring around 15km from Ubud. Tirta Empul is another Hindu temple, where locals head to be cleansed by the holy spring waters which rise in the temple grounds. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Entry is 15,000 RP per person and full temple dress should be worn, spare sarongs and sash's are available. If you wish to bathe in the holy water this must be done clothed and a donation should be offered. 

If you've got more than a morning a trip to Gunung Kawi is also a great way to spend some time, sadly we had to give it a miss due to the 300 or so steps to and from the temple complex. 

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Tanah Lot, Bali

Tanah lot is one of the most famous landmarks in Bali, a 16th century temple built on a small rock formation in the sea, around 20km north of Kuta, Tanah Lot is best visited first thing in the morning or in the evening for sunset.  After paying and parking the car there's a short walk through hoards of shops and down a hill before you meet the entrance to the temple grounds. 

Stories say that a high priest visiting from Java fell in love with the area, and thought it was the perfect place to worship the sea god Baruna. He told all the local people but they disagreed with his ideas so tried to banish him from Bali. The high priest resisted their efforts and forced the spot where he'd been meditating out to sea, throwing a sash into the water which formed a giant sea snake to guard it. The locals saw the high priests immense power and decided to follow his teachings after all. 

We visited at high tide, when the temple is an island with no access. However, at low tide a small path way is revealed which allows visitors to walk to the base of the temple (you can't go inside). 

Entry for tourists is 30,000 RP ($3 / £1.50) and car parking is 5,000RP. 

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