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Travel<br />
If you're looking for a quick getaway,<br />
Indonesia's much famed Bali island is<br />
just a three-hour direct flight from<br />
KL International Airport (KLIA). Pack<br />
your sarong for temple visits, spend<br />
the weekend here and discover the<br />
tropical island's soulful side.<br />
ULUWATU TEMPLE<br />
To the Balinese, visiting temple sanctuaries is a special<br />
pilgrimage. To tourists like us, perhaps not too much. But, be<br />
prepared to be floored by the beauty that emanates from the<br />
famous cliff-hanging Uluwatu Temple (Pura Uluwatu) perched<br />
70 metres above the roaring Indian Ocean waves. The steep<br />
headlands on either side and sunsets over the temple are<br />
definitely a sight to behold. One of Bali's nine key directional<br />
temples, the structure was significantly expanded by a Javanese<br />
Hindu priest, Empu Kuturan in the 11th century.<br />
However, if you think this temple is just like any other tourist<br />
attraction filled with... well, tourists, you're wrong. The temple<br />
is inhabited by a large number of monkeys who are extremely<br />
adept at snatching your belonging including bags, cameras<br />
and sunglasses. So, carry a stick and keep a very close grip on<br />
all your belongings.<br />
KECAK DANCE<br />
The name of the dance is actually an onomatopoeic title for<br />
the sound of the chant. It is based on a traditional Balinese<br />
ritual and follows the tale of the famous epic Hindu story of<br />
the Ramayana. Essentially, the performance which is held at<br />
the temple daily around 6pm, follows the story of a woman<br />
who is stolen from her prince husband by a demon. The<br />
narrative follows the challenges and tasks the young prince<br />
and his brother must overcome to rescue her. But, the dance<br />
that takes place at the temple is said to be extremely packed.<br />
If that happens, you could always catch the performance<br />
elsewhere as it is a popular form of entertainment.<br />
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