On arrival in Benoa Port and when you arrive into Bali by plane, the most prominent monument visible on the skyline is known as GWK. Garuda Wisnu Kencana is the correct name for a huge monument built in the grounds of a country park which we visited one hot and humid day.
We boarded a shuttle bus from the car park to the entrance, once through the gates you enter a calming water plaza thats home to a statue of Lakshmi with everyone posing in front of her. Lakshmi in Hindu belief, is the mother of the universe, Goddess of prosperity, happiness and wellbeing and is the Consort of Vishnu the Protector.
We follow a carefully planned path around and next up is a massive statue of Vishna, surrounded by water. Here Graham was inundated by facts from a tour guide who took a liking to him.
Eagle like Garuda is mounted into a hillside, the 18 metre high statue of Vishna’s mount is made of metal and copper, we wound our way through impressive gardens and alleys cut out of colossal limestone pillars, an area used for concerts and events.
Finally we get to the summit and wait in the queue inside to take a guided tour to the 9th floor then the 23rd floor. Its size is unimaginable until you are at the base of the statue then you see how tall it is – its the tallest statue in Indonesia and the 4th tallest in the world!
Taking 4 and a half years to build, starting in July 2014, it originally began as a community project but a company took over the build, using over 1000 workers (with a Zero accident rate) to build this copper plated steel and concrete structure, testing its wind strength in the UK and officially opening in 2019. The information given on the tour was overwhelming, but fascinating if you were an engineer!
You get to see the inside of the structure, all steel frames and panels, and then at the 23rd floor is a viewing platform out through some eye shaped windows, with amazing views over the countryside. There is also aviewing platform at this point that’s glass floored, looking down through the structure to the base at the 9th floor.
We meandered back through the gardens and headed back to the car for a sandwich lunch and to chill in the aircon!
Next stop was a hillside temple at a place called Uluwatu, right on the coast. Records suggest it dates back to the 9th century, built as a sea Temple to protect Balinese people from the negative spirit forces of the ocean. Balinese temples are recognised as sea temples, village or mountain temples, Uluwatu is one of 6 strategically placed temples on the island, offering protection for the southwest coast and is dedicated to Shiva Rudra, the manifestation of Lord Shiva as the god of transformation and dissolution.
It was far too hot to explore the whole temple grounds, especially as we had to cover our knees in a tasteful mauve nylon skirt so we climbed bits of the external walls before heading back to the air con in the car! However, the monkey kept us entertained and on our toes, all on the lookout for the thieving blighters who take a liking to sunglasses, food, handbag contents and anything they can grab 😀
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