Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
retreat to the god of the sea and transformed his scarf into poisonous snakes to protect the
place.
The site
Because of its sacred status, only devotees are allowed to climb the stairway carved from the
rock face and enter the compounds; everyone else is confined to the grey beach beneath the
rock (which gets submerged at high tide). When the waters are low enough, you can take
a sip of
holy water
(
air suci
) from the spring that rises beneath the temple rock (donation
requested). Otherwise, your best option is to climb up to the mainland
clifftop
for the best
viewing angle.
During the day, most people loiter at the cliffside restaurants immediately south of the
temple rock, but if you follow a clifftop path northwest instead, you'll get a panoramic view
of the Bukit plateau on Bali's southernmost tip. The coast path continues north past small
shrines and wild grey sands to eventually reach Yeh Gangga, about two hours' walk away.
Every evening at sunset (6.30pm; Rp80,000) the temple complex hosts a performance of the
Kecak dance
in its wonderfully atmospheric setting. Good luck trying to see that from be-
hind the massed visitors.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: PURA TANAH LOT
By bemo
You might find a bemo direct from Denpasar's Ubung terminal, however you're
more likely to have to go first to Kediri, served by Ubung (Denpasar)-Gilimanuk buses and
bemos. From Kediri bemo station (at the crossroads where the road branches left for Tanah
Lot and right to central Tabanan) Kediri-Tanah Lot bemos (35min) run fairly regularly in
daylight hours, more frequently in the morning.
By taxi
You can charter transport around the parking area or telephone for a metered taxi -
enquire at the information office. Prices to Kuta-Legian will be around Rp200,000.
On a tour
Every tour operator in south Bali and Ubud runs a day-trip that includes Tanah
Lot.
Information office
This is located in the parking area (daily 7am-7pm; 0361 880361,
Services
There's an ATM plus several moneychangers among Tanah Lot's surrounding stalls.
Pejaten
About 6km northeast of Tanah Lot, signposted west off the Kediri-Tanah Lot road,
PEJATEN
village is known for manufacturing Balinese roof tiles and roof-crown ornaments
(
ketu
). Of more interest to tourists is the Pejaten
ceramic ware
, designed with cute frog,
gecko and monkey embellishments and glazed in pastel greens, blues and beiges. You'll find
Pejaten ceramics sold in the big resorts in southern Bali, but should get better prices and a
bigger choice here; kilns are all over the village, each fuelled by coconut husks, which lie
