Tirta Empul
From the rice terraces, a short drive east to Tirta Empul in Tampaksiring, one of Bali’s most important water temples. It’s built around a holy spring, and the water from it runs through the whole temple.
You walk in through a split gate, past ponds full of koi.
The spring itself is a clear pool where you can see the water bubbling up through the sand.
Entry was Rp 100,000 for the two of us. Everyone has to wear a sarong, and they lend you one at the entrance. Mine was a fetching red and brown.
It was packed by late morning: tour groups, families and people coming to pray.
Minmin at the inner gate:
The purification pools
The main event is the purification pool. You get into the waist-deep water in a row of stone spouts and go along them one by one, bowing your head under each. We didn’t go in, just watched from the side.
On the way out, the temple gates make a good backdrop for the obligatory photos.
The exit takes you through a long market of sarongs, bags and souvenirs. There’s no other way out, so you will be offered a sarong at least ten times.
Lunch at Bebek Joni
Lunch was at Bebek Joni, a restaurant out in the rice fields with huts to eat in.
Our hut looked right out over the paddies.
Bebek means duck, and crispy duck is what they’re known for. It’s good stuff, so get the duck. We also had a soup and the gado-gado.
One last look at the rice fields on the way out, then onward to a waterfall.
Information About Tirta Empul
A Hindu water temple built around a holy spring, about 30 minutes north-east of Ubud. Visitors can join the purification ritual in the spring-fed pools.
PS: A sarong is required and it's handed out at the entrance. Go before 10am if you want to get into the pools without a queue.