Bali: Water Temple and Farewell

Taman Ujung water palace near Amlapura was our last sightseeing stop, a slight detour on our drive back to the airport. It had few visitors besides ourselves, but the area seemed a bit out of the way of the tourist tromping grounds. It was built in 1925 by Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, the same King who made the water gardens at Tirtagangga.

Before leaving the mountains and rice paddies behind, we made our driver stop so we could inspect the rice plants up close. We had realized that though a staple of our diet, we didn't really understand how it grew. I was surprised to see how the little buds of rice formed on the stalks. OD spotted a spider in the stalks; he wondered if it was deadly poisonous, but that didn't keep him from taking the shot. 

Though our trip was short, we snorkeled, visited the mother temple at Bekasih, saw water gardens, explored village life, ate delicious food, and relaxed in our bungalow. We are certain to come back someday and explore the rest of the island. Before departing, we killed time by taking cheesy shots at the airport and filling up on coffee and french fries. Though we love to travel, our love of Starbucks and McDonald's will always mark us as Americans.