Kiwi & Papaya Travels: Bali: Bekasih Temple

We had done very little planning for the trip, figuring we would spend most of our time just snorkeling and relaxing. At the same time we wanted to make the most of our short time in Bali, so we took up our hotel owner’s suggestion for a day tour. Bekasih is the largest temple complex in Bali and is built on the southwest side of Mount Agung, the highest and holiest mountain in Bali. The Balinese have their own version of Hinduism and are known as a very spiritual people.

Though we did realize that we should be modestly covered to enter the temple, we didn’t know that sarongs were specifically called for. Our driver stopped at one of the vendors at the base of the temple area, where we proceeded to get ripped off. Though OD managed to get the price down to a third of what they originally asked for, we still paid about twice as much as we should have. Oh well, although we are pretty sure they are machine dyed and not handmade batik as claimed, we still like the patterns we picked out.

Next was a stop at the tourism office, where they insisted we would need to hire a guide to do more than just stand at the base of the temple area. They even showed us a book recording the visits of recent foreign tourists, listing their nationality and donation price paid for a guide (quite high at 400,000 rupiah/US$44). We declined and proceeded to the temple entrance, where again we were dissuaded from going up the steps without a guide. Apparently, people sometimes just barge ahead past the officials, but I didn't want to do that, I just didn't want to get swindled anymore. I was starting to feel we had made a mistake coming here with all the hassle, but we then found a guide who would take us in for only 40,000 rupiah (1/10 of the recorded price!). Many of the temples and inner chambers are closed to visitors, but it’s mostly an open design going up the mountainside, so there is still a lot to see.