Uluwatu, a town in the Bukhit Peninsula, is about 30 minutes drive from Kuta on a winding road and depending on the curiosity of individuals to discover this southern most corner of Bali, can take a full or half day and even overnight. Renting a car is the most common way of getting there but a motorbike may be more suited to negotiate the smaller roads and dirt tracks which provide access to pristine beaches and other little known corners of the area.
Almost all tours cover the Pura Luhur black coral Hindu Temple, one of the oldest and among the six most important temples in Bali. Perched on the edge of a steep cliff, with a forest full of monkeys on one side and the roaring surf below the temple premises offers spectacular views of the ocean. Besides the temple itself the other attraction is the daily kecak or monkey dance performances at sunset in the temple premises. A group of about 150 bare bodied men wearing checked loin cloths move around a fire chanting ‘cak’ over and over again, enacting a story from the Hindu epic Ramayana accompanied by clashing gongs, thrumming of drums and the high whine of traditional wind instruments. It is also said to have roots in an exorcism dance.
The other great attraction are the beaches, some of Bali’s best. Enjoying the Uluwatu beaches and exploring the caves beneath the temple may involve more than a day tour. Some areas are well known for their surf breaks off shore, generating powerful barrel shaped waves popular with a host of surfers from around the world. However the sandy white quiet stretches of beach are a treat to experience by themselves although getting there may be a bit difficult due to the precipitous terrain.
Wayside ‘warungs’ or small nameless local restaurants atop the steep cliffs that are good vantage points to take in the dazzling scenery offer simple Indonesian dishes and are the most inexpensive, interesting and popular places to have a bite and mix with locals and visitors.
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