Canggu (Bali)eve it?

Apr 20, 2017
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

After arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, getting settled into the Koa D'Surfer Hotel, and meeting my tour group, I spent the next two days learning about Balinese culture, touring famous temples, and taking a surf lesson in Canggu.

Day 2: Temple Run!

My second day of Spring Break was dedicated to exploring the culture of Bali as I visited two of the island's most famous temples: Taman Ayun Temple and Tanah Lot.

The first temple we visited was Taman Ayun Temple, also known as the Royal Temple of Taman Ayun. Located in the Mengwi district of Bali, this beautiful temple complex features traditional Balinese architecture, gardens, and water features. Fun fact: the temple gardens were featured on the television program Around the World in 80 Gardens.

While touring the temple grounds, I saw several important features, including the Barong statue (a lion-like creature in Balinese mythology), the main sanctum, the Garuda shrine, the Meru towers, which resemble tiered pagodas, the cockfighting pavilion, and the Bale Bedong, a pavilion designed for contemplation and relaxation.

After exploring Taman Ayun, our group traveled to the iconic Tanah Lot Temple, one of the most photographed landmarks in Bali. Tanah Lot sits atop a dramatic rock formation in the sea and is home to the pilgrimage temple known as Pura Tanah Lot. The views were absolutely stunning, and I managed to take some incredible photos.

To reach the temple area, visitors walk through a pathway lined with traditional Balinese market stalls selling souvenirs, clothing, and local crafts. Nearby restaurants overlooking the ocean provide some of the best views of the temple and surrounding coastline.

Another temple, Pura Batu Bolong, is located just north of Tanah Lot and can be seen from various points along the coast.

I didn't have the opportunity to enter Tanah Lot itself because visitors typically need to participate in a blessing ceremony, which usually involves making a donation. Nearby, there was also a famous cave that houses what locals refer to as a "holy snake." According to Balinese legend, these black-and-white sea snakes protect the temple from evil spirits and bad influences. Visitors can see the snake after making a donation, but since I'm absolutely terrified of snakes, this wasn't high on my list of priorities.

After a full day of temple touring, we returned to the hotel to freshen up before heading to Batu Bolong Beach. There, I watched a beautiful sunset and saw people releasing paper lanterns into the sky. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day of exploring Bali's culture and history.

Day 3: Surf's Up!

On my third day in Bali, I hit the beach for my second surf lesson ever.

The lesson started at 10:00 a.m. with local instructors at Kuta Beach. My first surfing experience had been about two months earlier in Byron Bay, Australia. That lesson had been challenging, so I was expecting this one to be just as difficult.

Fortunately, the waves at Kuta Beach were much smaller and more beginner-friendly than the waves I experienced in Byron Bay. For some reason, I seemed to pick up the techniques much more quickly the second time around.

Surfing was even more enjoyable than I remembered. Once you're out in the water, time flies by. You don't realize how long you've been surfing until you come back to shore completely exhausted and starving. Even though it's physically demanding, it's the kind of exhaustion that feels rewarding.

One thing I've learned about surfing is that everyone looks a little ridiculous when they're first starting out. If you ever have the chance to take a surf lesson, do it, and make sure someone takes photos of you. You'll end up with some hilarious pictures and great memories.

Surfing was the perfect way to wrap up my time in Canggu. Afterward, I returned to the hotel, enjoyed a relaxing dinner, and spent the evening reflecting on what had already been an incredible start to my Bali adventure.

Overall, these two days gave me the opportunity to experience both the cultural and adventurous sides of Bali. Between exploring ancient temples, learning about local traditions, watching breathtaking sunsets, and surfing in the Indian Ocean, I couldn't have asked for a better way to begin my Spring Break.