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North Karnataka Heritage Trail Day 1 & 2 - Hampi

A five day car trip across North Karnataka exploring the ancient architectural wonders of Hampi, Badami, Patadkal, Aihole and Bijapur.

If you are an architecture and history buff, then this is the trip for you!!

We traveled across North Karnataka on a heritage trail end of last year in a 5 day trip including driving to and from Bangalore. Karnataka has been ruled by several powerful empires and each of these empires has left a mark on the architectural landscape of the state. From the intricate carving of 5th century temples to the giant domes of 17th century, North Karnataka has a lot to offer. So these holidays instead of visiting the tourist favorites of Bangalore-Mysore, take some time out to go see these ancient beauties.

In our 5 day trip, we covered Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole and Bijapur.

This trip is divided across 3 posts, so keep reading. Our itinerary was as follows:

Day 1 - Travel from Bangalore to Hosapete. Visit Anegundi.

Day 2 - Visit Hampi and TB Dam. Travel to Badami.

Day 3 - Visit Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole

Day 4 - Visit Bijapur

Day 5 - Travel back to Bangalore.

This post, details the first 2 days.

Of all the heritage places in North Karnataka, the most famous one is Hampi. Mythologically, Hampi is also known as Kishkinda, the place in Ramayana where Lord Rama met Lord Hanuman and Sugriva and asked for their help to rescue Sita. Historically it is famous for the group of monuments built during the reign of the Vijayanagar Empire in the 14th Century. Hampi is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is so much to see in Hampi, there are a total of 85 places listed down at Hampi. There are several large and small temples spread across a large area. It will take you a good 2-3 days if you want to explore every little nook and corner of Hampi, but if you are only looking for the main attractions, then you can cover it in one day. But it will be one tiring day. This post is laid out as follows:

What to See in Hampi:

1) Virupaksha Temple:

One of the temples in the entire complex that is worshiped till date. There is the main god and several more smaller enclosures with other shrines. There is a ticket counter at the entrance that sells tickets if you want a closer view of the god. If the temple is not crowded, you can first enter the temple and then decide if you want to buy the ticket. We did not buy the ticket and we didn't feel we missed anything.

2) Hemakuta Group of Monuments:

On the left of the Virupaksha Temple is a hill that is full of temple ruins. There is no deity in any of these structures. You can sit on the giant granite rock and relax, if the day is cool. You can lose sense of time while exploring this area. If you are in Hampi for only one day, we suggest you time yourself at this place, else you may miss out other sites.

3) Kadalekalu Ganesha:

The Kadalekalu Ganesha is a 4.5m tall status of Lord Ganesha with a stomach shaped like a chickpea, hence the name Kadalekalu. The status is in a sanctum surrounded by carved pillars. This is right next to the Hemakuta monuments.

4) Sasivekalu Ganesha:

Sasivekalu is Kannada for mustard seed. But this Lord Ganesha statue is nowhere near as small as a mustard seed. It is very huge and the details are very clearly visible even today. There is a car parking right near this monument. Also, if you are hungry, the parking lot has small shops that sell very nice Dosa and Goli Soda. If you are sensitive about the water you drink, avoid these shops. We ate and drank here and no one fell sick. They mostly use RO purified water as the water purification plant is close by.

5) Nandi or Monolithic Bull:

This statue of Nandi Bull is carved out of a single boulder. It is massive! This is a short walk from the Virupaksha temple that goes through the Hampi Bazaar Street.

6) Yanthrodharaka Anjeneya Temple:

In between the Virupaksha temple and the Nandi Statue, is a road along the river that leads to this unique Hanuman temple. This is apparently one of the only temples of Hanuman where he is carved sitting down rather than standing upright. This deity is worshiped till date.

7) Kodandarama Temple, Surya Narayana Temple, Ranganatha Temple, Vishnu Temple, Pushkarani, Achyutharaya Temple, Varaha Temple

All these temples and sites are around the Yanthrodharaka Anjeneya Temple. While a few of them are worshipped, the others are ruins. You can visit them if you like. At this point, make a decision to either walk ahead until the Vijaya Vittala Temple or return to your mode of transport and reach the other monuments from the Gejjala Mantapa side of the main road through an electric buggy.

8) Sugriva Cave, Purandaradasa Mantapa:

A cave where Sugriva lived apparently. It is not really a cave but a small space between boulders, and can be skipped. It is accessible if you decide to walk to the Vijaya Vittala Temple. A short walk from here leads to an open space where you have a few stalls of sugarcane juice, ice cream, and some North Karnataka snacks. Purandaradasa Mantapa is located along the river right here.

9) Kings Balance:

If you are walking, you will reach this immediately after the short snacks stop. If you are coming from the Gejjala Mantapa side, you will find this after the Vijaya Vittala Temple. It is supposed to be a place where scales were hung to weigh the king against gold aka "Tulabhara". You can give it a miss.

10) Vijaya Vittala Temple:

This is the most famous complex in Hampi. You need to buy a ticket to visit this monument. The ticker is valid for a few more sites, so don't throw it away just yet. The Vijaya Vittala Temple can be reached either by walking from the Virupaksha temple along the river. It is around a 2 Km walk. Or you can take the bus to Gejjala Mantapa and take an electric buggy from there. Vehicles are not allowed around this monument as pollution was damaging it. The Vijaya Vittala temple complex houses the Stone Chariot that is the most photographed structure of Hampi and also found printed on the new Rs.50 currency note. Everyone wants a photo with the chariot, so you may need to wait a while to get the perfect click. The complex also houses the famous musical pillars, access to which is now blocked. You can see them, but are now allowed to play them anymore for the risk of damaging the structure. The complex has several other structures and also a Frangipani tree which some guides claim to be 100-150 years old. If you reached here walking, it is time to get back to your car/auto to see the other monuments.

The route we took:

We parked the car near Sasivekalu Ganesha and walked. Google only allows me to add 10 destinations, so Sasivekalu Ganesha is missed.

11) Ugra Narasimha Temple

This is a damaged status of Narasimha with Goddess Lakshmi sitting in his lap. The Lakshmi sculpture is no more there, only one hand is visible. The Narasimha is also partially damaged but definitely worth the visit. This temple is 350m from the Sasivekaalu Ganesha.

We visited it on our way back while exiting Hampi.

12) Underground Shiva Temple

This temple is called underground because it is below the current ground level. During monsoons or immediately after, the main temple may be filled with water and be inaccessible. It was accessible when we went. There is a Shiva Linga in the temple but the sanctum is dark and houses bats, so be careful not to disturb them. On the way from Ugra Narasimha Temple to this temple there are some more temples and 2 boulders called Sister Stones that can be visited.

13) Public Bath and Queen's Bath

These are structures with sunken baths, one for the public and one for royalty. Aqueducts and canals apparently filled these baths with water. We did not visit these as we were tired, but they are on the way out/in of Hampi and you don't have to go out of the way to visit them.

14) Lotus Mahal

This is a beautiful palace situated inside the Zanana Enclosure. The architecture is very different from what you find around Hampi. While entry inside the Lotus Mahal was allowed up to 10 years ago, it is currently not allowed to protect the monument. You need to buy a ticket to enter this complex if visiting it first, else, the ticket purchased at Vijaya Vittala Temple works here. The complex also has several other structures like the Elephant stables, Watch towers and a few temples towards the back.

15) Hazara Rama Temple

This is right opposite to the Lotus Temple. It is small temple dedicated to Lord Rama. We were very tired by this time, so skipped visiting the temple.

There are several other ruins and structures around these areas that you can visit. I have listed down all that we visited.

Route we took:

If you have another few hours, you can also visit the following:

1) Anegundi

This is a small village across the river Tungabhadra. You can drive across the river to reach it. It is almost 20Km and takes around 45 minutes to reach. Anegundi houses the Anjanadri Hills, known as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. You have to climb 570 steps to reach the top. The sunset from this point is very beautiful. You get a birds eye view of Hampi from up here. Apart from this, Anegundi also houses the Nava Brindavana, a shrine to 9 Hindu Madhva saints.

We visited this on the day we arrived in Hosapete and had only a few hours before sunset.

2) TB Dam

Tungabhadra Dam is the largest Dam in Karnataka. The Dam is located on the outskirts of Hosapete. While you are not allowed on the dam bridge, you can go up to the reservoir and to the gardens. There are shuttles available for Rs.20 at the parking lot that will take you to the reservoir and up the hill and back. We visited this on the day of our exit from Hosapete.

How to Reach Hampi:

Hosapete is the closest city to Hampi and is well connected by road and by train. There are regular trains and buses from Bangalore to Hosapete. You can also drive down to Hosapete from Bangalore, the roads are mostly good and the drive may take you around 5.5-7 hours. If you are driving on a long weekend or during peak season, be prepared for long queues at toll booths, the highway has several tolls. Very soon the Bangalore-Sholapur highway will be complete and make driving even better.

There are local buses from Hosapete to Hampi. The distance is 13Km and the fares are very cheap.

We drove from Bangalore to Hosapete.

Travelling in Hampi:

There is ample parking at Hampi, in case you are driving. You can park your vehicle right at Virupaksha temple or at any of the parking spaces just before the temple.

Once you reach Hampi, you can either take an auto rickshaw, that will take you to several places giving you time at each of the popular monuments. Auto rickshaws are available around the parking space and you don't need to worry about finding them, they will find you.

You can rent also a bicycle and move around on your own. Bicycles can be rented near the Virupaksha Temple. However, keep in mind that some places can only be visited while walking as there is no motor-able track near them.

An electric buggy/van will also take you from the main road to the Vijaya Vittala Temple.

We drove from Hosapete to Hampi and walked the spots 1-9 marked above.

Where to stay:

Hosapete is the best place to stay. It has hotels for everyone - budget, luxury, family, couples etc. Make sure you book the stay well in advance as Hampi is a popular tourist destination and hotels get full fast. Especially in peak seasons like year end and school holidays. We stayed in Ananya Comforts and loved the place. The hotel has good service and a new restaurant with good South Indian food. There is a small tea/coffee shop outside that we felt was the best tea we found in our entire North Karnataka tour.

Hampi, itself has quite a few resorts that have cropped up in recent times. You can choose to stay here. But keep in mind that Hampi may get pretty lonely after dark.

When to visit:

Hampi has a hot and dry climate most of the year. The weather is most pleasant in December-January. But try to avoid the last week of December as Hampi can get very crowded. Also, a lot of school children are brought on trips around this time and they can overwhelm you with numbers.

Hampi celebrates "Hampi Utsav" usually in November. The festivities include music, dance, puppet shows and processions. It basically showcases the culture of the region. While the festivities are mesmerizing, be prepared to battle crowds.

Unfortunately we visited in December and it was extremely crowded, but the weather was pleasant.

Where to eat:

Hosapete also has several restaurants and eateries catering to all sorts of crowd. Hampi has a lot of small eateries to the right of Virupaksha temple. The South Indian food there is cheap and delicious and there is relaxed seating.

We ate in several restaurants around Hosapete - Naivedyam, Ananya Comforts, Shanbhag Hotel etc and most places will give you decent South Indian food. Also, we ate Dosa in Hampi and it was delicious.

We filled up on goli soda, sugar cane juice, salted fried peas and sunflower seeds, mirchi bhajji, mandakki, buttermilk, ice creams, and bhoochakra gadde while we walked around in Hampi.

Some pointers...

Hampi is open to public from 6am to 6pm. Plan to start the day early to beat the crowds and the sun. Breakfast is available in restaurants around the Virupaksha temple in Hampi from 7-7.30 am.
There are lot of monkeys around Hampi, be careful around them. Hang on tightly to your belongings.
You can hire guides at Hampi, but we did not feel the need. Just read up on the monuments before going or purchase a book near the Virupaksha temple.
The government tourism counter (KSTDC) is located around the Hampi Bazaar area. Approach them for any help.

5 activities you cannot miss in Phuket, Thailand!

Raj recently went with his sister and parents (my in-laws) to Phuket on a long pending family vacation. The last time Raj and I went to Phuket was in 2011 and we both loved it so much. But I did not have a blog then and I had a lot going on then in my life - we'd just gotten married, I was to start a new job, that I had no inclination to note down anything about that trip. So when he planned this vacation, I begged him to write a guest post for One Teaspoon Of Life.... My very first guest post ever. So handing it over to him..

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Pristine beaches and crystal clear water - two things that always fascinate me. Given a choice I will any day prefer a place with a beach than a place with a mountain as my holiday destination. Well.... it all started the same way with my parents. We have been planning a vacation for more than 2 years now, but never succeeded. Then came the options, some snow capped mountains in Europe or the beaches of Thailand. So in the end, Thailand it was!! Now you know from where I inherit my taste buds :-p.

Previous travels and a lot of googling around helped me to sort out all the details needed for the vacations. Thailand, an amazing country with its lush natural beauty and humble people had a lot to offer us than just a trip. We wanted to stay away from the hustle and bustle of a big city, so we chose to stay at Patong in Phuket. Patong offers a good mix of both, peace and a tolerable level of hustle-bustle.

Firstly, I traveled with my parents who are both over the age of 60 and my younger sister. And they tried most of the activities mentioned here. So, really, age is not a factor. As long as you are young at heart and in a moderate state of health, you can experience almost all of what we did. I did not want to bore you off with detailed itinerary or a full description of the travel, so I'm only listing down the top 5 activities you should do when in Phuket. For any other details, leave a comment, and I will get back.

1. Island hopping [Phang Na Bay, Koh Phi Phi Don, James Bond Island, Monkey Island, Khai Island, Maya Bay]

One of the activities that this archipelago offers its tourists is a vast stretch of sea routes for island hopping. You have a lot of options to select from when it comes to island hopping. Be it a relaxed ride on a big boat or a rush through a splash of water in a speed boat. Trips and boats are available in all budgets and options. We chose the more relaxed [slow and steady] and yet pretty sturdy boat ride. Out in the open waters for the first time, it was a time well spent with family. A lot of boats take you to places where you can do snorkeling if you have previous experience. They also allow you to swim in pristine aquamarine water.

Tip 1: If you have a specific diet preference, mention it while booking the trip. We had to mention we were vegetarians, else we could have missed out on lunch.

Tip 2: Book a smaller boat that seats 20-25 people if possible, than a huge one that seats 50+ for a more personalized experience.

Cost: Around THB 1600 per person for a 20-25 seater boat.

2. Canoeing [Viking Caves, Pileh Cove]

Canoeing is another experience that Thailand has to offer to it tourists. The big boats are equipped with canoes that they use to show bat caves and calcium formation around a few lagoons. They let you take out the canoes by yourself near a sparsely crowded beach. All operators may not allow you to do so, please confirm before you book the tour if you are very keen on doing so. While it is fun, rowing a canoe is not as easy as it looks. I had to flex a lot of muscles to steer it. Also, I struggled with directing the boat where I wanted it, hopefully, you are better at it than me. My parents just enjoyed being passengers in the canoe and did not row.

Cost: FREE. It is a part of the island hopping package.

3. Scuba Diving [Koh Phi Phi Don Island]

This was definitely not in my list of planned activities. For a non swimmer like me, first time scuba diving was an awesome experience. A 5 min crash course & basic sign language to communicate with my diving instructor was all that took to get me started. The weight of the diving gear + oxygen cylinder was near zero once I jumped into the water.A few gasps later I got accustomed to breathing under water and open my eyes too. It felt like I was living in a documentary of National Geographic channel. Upon touch down to sea bed [approx 25 - 30 ft] we could see fish of different colors & shapes circling around us. It made a good scene for an under water photo. After a few minutes I could figure out the calmer side of myself [so much better than talkative side above water]. Overall it was an adventure that cannot be described, but to be experienced. So whether you are an expert swimmer or a novice like me, do not give this activity a miss.

Cost: Around THB 1600 per person.

4. Tiger Kingdom [Kathu, Phuket]

Tigers, one among the feline family have always fascinated me. So majestic in their stature and looks; Tiger Kingdom gives a unique opportunity to get close to this endangered species. Depending upon your choice of the tiger [big/medium/small] the entry fee varies. You are allowed to pet the tigers under the careful guidance of the caretakers within their enclosed living quarters. Don't be scared, the tigers don't mean any harm.

Tip 1: The gift shop is great for shopping tiger souvenirs. Especially for kids.

Tip 2: You can hire a professional photographer to take your photo with the tigers that can later be printed onto mugs and t-shirts. Charges extra.

Cost: THB 900 to THB 3700 depending on the tigers you want to see. If you take a day tour of Phuket, then it is inclusive in it.

5. Parasailing in Patong

You can fly, and see the beautiful seas of Phuket from the sky! Well, not really, but you can get pretty close to it. A phrase from a nursery rhyme 'up above the world so high' was all I remembered when I flew like a bird or rather a bird with a parachute. The Patong beach and the perfect weather allowed us to do parasailing. It was exhilarating to be so high up. To ensure your safety, there will be an instructor sailing along with you. They control the parachute and the steering allowing you to experience the magic of being up there. This was an activity that my mom also enjoyed doing.

Tip 1: Avoid if you have a fear of heights or water, unless you are trying to conquer that fear.

Tip 2: Preferably, plan for this activity before eating a heavy meal.

Cost: Around THB 1000 per person.

Hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences. If you have any comments/questions, leave it below in the comments section and I'll get back to you.

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Find more travel posts here. Bon Voyage!

BEST CERAMIC SHOPS IN UBUD

This is my 3rd and final post on Bali. If you have followed me on Instagram, your feed was possibly flooded last month with my Bali pics. I've already posted the Top 5 Places to see in Bali and the Top 5 Tips for Bali, so if you are visiting Bali or planning to do so, go check them out. Now my third and final one is mainly for all those Ceramic lovers out there , especially food bloggers like me.

Bali is a Ceramic lover's paradise, so much variety - white and colored, plain and textured, old fashioned and modern. Ask, and you shall get. I made sure I was wayyy under the baggage limit when we flew from Bangalore. I knew I wanted to come back with a lot of plates and bowls. I went with an empty bag and came back with a full one. Raj could not believe I had accumulated so many pieces by the time we flew out of there.

We walked and rode around quite a lot to get some of the beautiful pieces at the best rates possible and I really wanted to share it with you. While you will get a few of these stores as you walk along the main market of Ubud, not all of them are as easy to find. Some of the best places are tucked away and you really need to know what you are looking for to find it. I've added Google Map references to help you out. If you visit any of these stores, click pics and tag me on Instagram/Twitter, I wanna see which piece of art is now yours.

1) ART ON THE TABLE

This has to be my most favorite store in Ubud. It is a big store and has a lot of choice. From colored to plain whites, you can buy almost anything here. Of all the stores, this was definitely the most pocket friendly one out there. I bought the maximum here. It is on the way to Goa Gajah and very easy to find. They have a pretty collection of Batik prints on plates that you may want to check out. The wooden ware here is also cheaper compared to what you will find in other places, so shop guilt free.

Website: https://www.artonthetable.com

Address:

2) KEVALA HOME

A famous name in Bali, not just Ubud, Kevala is a must on the ceramic shopper's list. While it is a tad bit expensive, the pieces are pretty exclusive, hand made and gorgeous. You will find tableware, decorative wares and bathroom collection. They have 4 shops all over Bali and they cater to some of the biggest hotels in Bali. The store in Ubud is very close to the market and super easy to find.

Website: http://www.kevalaceramics.com

Address:

3) GAYA CERAMICS

Gaya has to be one of the most popular ceramic stores in Ubud. They have a beautiful store and it appears they have an even prettier archive collection. I was unaware of this archive collection and a tour of their factory that they organize. I just found out about that on their Instagram account. You can ask the staff at the store to organize this tour for you. If you were a ceramic fanatic like me, you would not miss this. They have a pretty unique collection in store too. Gaya is slightly away from Ubud center, but definitely worth the visit.

Website: http://www.gayaceramic.com/

Address:

4) UBUD CERAMICS AND WOODCRAFT

There are multiple outlets of Ubud Ceramics all over Ubud market. We ran into 3 of them. The stock is the same in all 3 of them. They have a lot of tea sets with kettles and cups in various colors. While the prices are slightly high, I've heard you can bargain out here. They have cheeseboards and other wooden wares too.

Website: None

Address:

5) BaliZen, Setia, Nava Ceramics and more:

There are several small stores all over Ubud market that have a limited collection, however interesting pieces. Some of the stores I visited and purchased stuff from - BaliZen, Setia and Nava. The Ubud market also has wooden ware to offer, but make sure to bargain out here. Read my tips on shopping here.

TOP 5 TIPS FOR BALI

If you've been following me, you know I'm just back from a lovely vacation to Bali. For a small island, Bali has a lot of variety - it has a wonderful clean long coastline as well as picturesque hills and lakes. It has so much to offer for every kind of traveler. You can read about what to see in Bali right here.

We had a relaxing, stress free vacation, and we wish you could too. Hence, a few tips that we feel will make it easier for you and give you a feel of Bali before you even arrive.

Currency:

Indonesian Rupiah or IDR is the official currency in Bali. Since it is a non-tradeable currency, you cannot exchange for it in your own country. It is best to travel with USD, AUD or EUR or any tradeable currency. There are a few Forex counters right at the airport, but if you don't need it immediately, you are better off converting in the city as the counters in the city offer you a better exchange rate. USD may be accepted at certain stores/restaurants, however, they will not give you a good exchange rate, so advise you to convert to IDR as soon as possible. Cards are accepted too, but you may need to bill a certain amount before they do. Counters in Kuta/Legian gave a better rate than Ubud.

It is good to know that when the locals say for example, 50 or write the rate of anything as 50, they actually mean 50,000 IDR. The smallest denomination we encountered was a coin of 200 IDR and the largest was 1,00,000 IDR.

Shopping / Cost of Living:

Bali is not too expensive, but I would not call it cheap either. A meal for two in Ubud can cost you around 1,25,000 to 2,00,000 in a mid-range restaurant, while in Kuta, you may be paying appx 2,00,000 to 3,00,000. The same supermarket may price the same item differently in the 2 cities with Kuta being more expensive.

Ubud is the center for art and handicrafts. You may want to pick up wooden artifacts on the outskirts of Ubud, mostly on Denspasar-Ubud road. Bali is famous for its ceramics/pottery and Ubud is the place to buy, watch out for my next post on the best ceramic shops in Ubud. Batik clothing and Silver jewellery are other things Bali is famous for, you can pick up both in Ubud. However, all the shops I frequented for Batik were very expensive in comparison to India, so I did not pick up any.

Ubud closes down early, the market closes by 6.30-7pm and the shops close by 8pm. Kuta closes later than that. Bargain in the market for sure. You may want to start at 50% the price and move up. You can try asking if you will get a discount in the stores as well. Buy beaded jewellery outside Legian beach, they are really cheap and there are many stores.

Ride

There is literally no public transport in Bali. You can easily hire a cab - Uber and Grab are the app based taxis available in Bali. There are other local taxi companies too, but they are slightly more expensive than Uber or Grab.

But your best way of transport is actually a two wheeler. Priced at 50,000 IDR to 1,20,000 IDR per day depending on the type of motor bike, this is your cheapest mode of transport. Indonesians drive on the left side of the road. Fuel is considerably cheap at Fuel stations/Petrol bunks. Within villages, you will find small shops selling you fuel in bottles, however, they charge you more. The northern part of Bali is hilly and most of the roads in and around Ubud are narrow. Google maps works really well, so you won't get lost. so rent a two wheeler only if you have experience riding one and are not scared of the terrain.

There are 10-13 seater shuttles available between major towns and to the airport at really reasonable prices. A cab from Ubud to Kuta will cost you around 2,50,000 IDR while a shuttle will cost you 60,000 IDR per person. So if you are single, it really works out financially. You will be picked up from your hotel or the closest main road and dropped at a single point. There are fixed time departures, so use this only if the time works out for you. You need to book these in advance.

Sarong:

Bali is predominantly Hindu in religion and most of the attractions, other than the beach are actually Hindu Temples. You have an entry fee at all the famous temples and tourists are not allowed inside the main temple. However, a few of them expect you to wear a sarong even to enter the premises (men have to wear one too). You will find a lot of hawkers trying to sell you sarongs outside the temple, before you even buy the ticket, but be aware that there are free of cost sarongs given at the entrance of the temples, such as Goa Gajah. But there are a few temples where they will rent it out to you. My suggestion would be to carry one if you already have it or buying one if you plan on visiting a lot of temples.

Cell/Wi-fi:

You can buy pre-activated SIM cards in Ubud/Kuta or at the airport. The one at the airport is really really expensive and you are better off pushing it until you get to the city. You have several plans and different service providers, so select what works best for you.

Most of the restaurants offer free wi-fi, ask the staff for the password and stay connected.

TOP 5 PLACES TO SEE IN BALI

Ever since I saw Julia Roberts prance about the lush rice fields of Ubud, Bali, I've wanted to go to Bali. After "Eat, Pray, Love" Bali has more or less come to signify Love. Don't you agree?

We were so keen to go to Bali for our honeymoon, but the dates we had and my absolute ignorance about how transit visas work, led us to change our destination to Phuket. We loved the blue seas and golden sands of Phuket. And when you get so much Thai curry to eat, how can you not love it? But Bali always remained a destination that we wanted to vacation in. So it happened, 6 years late, but it did. We were in Bali for our 6th wedding anniversary , last week and it was awesome. The perfect stress free relaxing week that we were both craving for.

But all was not hunky dory in the start. Two days after we booked our tickets, we found out that Mount Agung was on high alert for eruption. Imagine a volcanic eruption pouring magma on to your vacation plans. How often does that happen? It was supposed to erupt in hours to days after the alert, it is still sleeping and lets pray it continues to do so. So after a lot of will it or won't it, we went ahead and booked our stay - 4 days in Ubud at Villa Loka Pala through Airbnb and 2 days near Legian Beach.

UBUD:

You cannot go to Bali and not go to Ubud. I simply loved how cute this place is. A small, yet fashionable town with some of the prettiest restaurants. You will be spoiled for choice of where to eat and what to eat. Ubud thrives on tourists and there is something for everyone - Indonesian, Italian, Thai, Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian, Ice creams, Gelato, Fro-yo - just take your pick.

And you get more than just food for the soul here, you get some of the prettiest clothes here too. Big brands, local designers - the market has everything. Check out the famous Batik Indonesia has to offer. The heart of art and culture, you definitely want to pick up some wonderful wooden articrafts from here. You also get some of the best ceramics here, watch out for my post on the best ceramic shops in Ubud.

Those lush rice fields I spoke of before are all around Ubud and definitely need to be visited. Goa Gajah - the Hindu cave temple is another site that is close by from here. The famed Monkey Forest that is teeming with monkeys of all sizes is another attraction Ubud has to offer. You can spend the night watching the local fire dance at the palace.

I personally recommend staying in Ubud as it is closer to all the other attractions. The crowd here is well behaved and courteous. English is well understood and spoken, so no communication gaps there.

Recommended Restaurants -

Moksa - You definitely want to try out Moksa if you are vegan or don't mind eating vegan. They grow their own fruits and vegetables and have a very interesting menu. The best and most expensive meal we had during our entire stay!! They are closed on Monday. Plan accordingly

Mamma Mia / Warung Citta Ovesta - Both serve good pizza and bruschetta. The pasta at Citta Ovesta is a definite must try as is the Pomodoro Bruschetta at Mamma Mia.

Gelato Secrets - The favorite Gelato shop in Ubud, they have branches all over the town. Plenty of flavors to try from. They allow you to taste the gelatos before ordering one, so give them a try.

Breadlife Bakery - You have to have their red velvet cake. The most sinful cream cheese filling ever!!! You get a variety of bread here too. Be aware that their products contain egg.

Other places we ate at - the raw chocolate factory, Healthy Juice Warung.

You also want to definitely try the local fruits available in Ubud.

PURA ULUN DANU BRATAN:

The most photographed temple in Bali and I definitely know why. Nestled up in the mountains on the banks of Lake Bratan (Beratan), this temple will take your breath away. The terrain to reach the temple isn't flat and there are several steep slopes along the way (almost like our Indian ghats). If you are not comfortable riding a two wheeler in such terrain, you may hire a cab/taxi from Ubud/Kuta or you can take a shared shuttle up to Bedugul and then take a two wheeler from there.

There is an entry fee here, about 50,000 IDR per person. And like almost all other temples in Bali, tourists are not allowed to enter the temples, just the outer campus. But this still warrants a visit and nothing can change that.

You can go on a boat ride on the lake. The twin lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan are close and you can visit them too. The most photographed gates - the gates of Handara Golf Resort is also on the way to the Pura Ulun Danu and makes for a good click. The Munduk waterfall is close by but the ride has several steep ups and downs, so go only if you dare.

Recommended Restaurants -

Warung Classic - Set amidst the hilly terrain of Munduk, it is very easy to miss this little place. Rated high on Tripadvisor, this restaurant definitely lives up to its reputation. They have a decent sized vegetarian menu as well. The food tastes really good and is reasonably priced. But the best thing here, is the view.

Terrasse Du Lac - Again, this place is highly rated on Tripadvisor and is reasonably priced. It mainly caters western cuisine. Vegetarian/Vegan options are available.

TANAH LOT:

This temple in the sea has become the landmark destination of Bali. Carved like a boat from rock, this temple is especially famous for the sunset. Since most of the tour operators, get tourists here for the sunset view, the place may be overly crowded. We went around mid-day and the place was reasonably crowded and we could squeeze in some good clicks. Tanah Lot looks awesome during high tide, although you may not get to go close to it. Check out the tide information before visiting. The entrance fee is appx 60000 IDR per person and like the other temples, tourists are not allowed to enter the temple. The cliffs around the temple are equally spectacular, so walk around.

The temple of Taman Ayun is on the way to Tanah Lot from Ubud, definitely make a stopover there.

Recommended Restaurants -

Warung Disini - Famous for its Indonesian cuisine, this restaurant has a few vegetarian/vegan options. There is quite a feast for non vegetarians.

You also have a lot of good restaurants very close to the temple offering seafood that are highly recommended on Tripadvisor. There is a Starbucks close by too for those who prefer tried and tested western food.

LEGIAN BEACH:

The west coast of Bali is awesome. A huge coastline with golden sand and one of the best surf. While Kuta is the more famous beach among tourists, I recommend Legain over it. Kuta tends to get extremely crowded. And Semniyak is way too exclusive. Legian falls somewhere in between. The beach is clean and the water is shallow for a long distance with a strong surf a little into the sea. You have instructors teaching you to surf here. You can rent out the boards just outside the beach. Legian has more families visiting as compared to Kuta, so the crowd is lot more well behaved. There is a sort of flea market right near the beach where you can pick up clothes and beaded jewellery and other souvenirs. The sunset here looks amazing. Head out to Kuta for the night life and malls. Beach Walk mall is pretty close to the beach and houses a lot of big brands.

Recommended Restaurants -

You have a world full of options on where to eat here. Look at the displayed menu and make your choice. We tried a few places, but nothing worth recommending as they were just "okay". The meals around Legian/Kuta cost more than Ubud. Keep in mind there may be an added government imposed tax on your meals.

PURA BESAKIH:

It is the holiest temple in Bali. It is not just one temple, but a complex of temples. It contains the temples of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as well as temples for all castes. There are also family temples in this complex. The humongous campus is located on the slopes of Mount Agung - the tallest peak in Bali. The ticket costs around 60,000 IDR per person and while you are not allowed to enter the temple, you are expected to wear a sarong to enter the complex. Either carry your own or rent one outside.

Mount Agung has been on high alert for a volcanic eruption for over a month now and there is a 9-12 KM radius exclusion zone around the mountain. Due to this, Besakih is no longer accessible to tourists, until the government shrinks the exclusion zone, one cannot visit Pura Besakih. Unfortunately, we could not visit due to the Volcano alert.