Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is one of the important directional temples in Bali. The temple is located on a rock just offshore. It is said to be the work of revered 15th century Hindu priest Nirartha and forms an important element of Balinese spirtualism and mythology.

This is an extremely popular tourist destination and the whole area is often very busy indeed. Both getting to and from sunset at Tanah Lot brings massive traffic congestion. One road in and one road out. You will need to be patient. The area between the car park and the beach adjacent to the temple is a maze of souvenir shops selling just about every Balinese trinket imaginable.

Once you have fought your way through the souvenir vendors to the beach, you will see the magnificent temple perched on a rock just a few metres offshore. There is a footpath to the raised cliff area just to the south from where the views of the temple and the sunset behind it are outstanding. Photo-opportunities abound.

The pathways and grounds were pretty well maintained and I really enjoyed it from the get go. It was really nice from the clifftops looking out to the sea, the temples and the beaches. At low tide visitors can walk to to the base of Tanah Lot. You have no better view of than from that on the sand. The only advantage being that you are standing on the base of Tanah Lot itself.

The superb Nirwana Golf Course is adjacent to Tanah Lot, just to the south. This Greg Norman designed course is consistently voted as one of the very best in the whole of Asia. Stunning cliff top setting.

Pejaten village is the centre of the ceramics manufacturing business in Bali, and well worth a visit.