Tanah Lot Sunset

One of the most popular things to see in Bali is Tanah Lot sunset.

Before we could even reach the entrance of Tanah Lot, we had to pass through a maze of souvenir shops. While it was not surprising to find hundreds of “I love Bali” t-shirts, we found some weird ones with “I love Ketut” printed on it. Ketut is one of the ten most popular Balinese men’s name, and it also happened to be the name of our driver. I wonder how our driver would react if I got my hubby to wear that t-shirt.

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot is a large rock near the ocean with a 15th century hindu temple (pura) at the top for balinese to worship their sea gods. For those who have been to Tanah Lot, did you know that part of the rock is covered with artificial rock? Back in the 80s, when the rock’s surface began crumbling, the Japanese helped with the restoration of the rock.

The Holy Water that puzzled me

Walking to Tanah Lot was possible at low tide. Many visitors queued up to receive water found at the base of the rock. Balinese hindus believed the water was holy. The thing that puzzled me was the flow of water. Where did the water come from? If it was from the ocean, how did it flow upwards and then down? I asked our driver and he did not know. Do you know?

Mysterious Holy Snake

Just across the Tanah Lot rock was a cave with a signboard that said “Ular Suci” and “Holy Snake“.

Balinese hindus believed that all black and white striped sea snakes near Tanah Lot were holy and would guard the temple from evil. Visitors were allowed to touch the snake. The Balinese hindus believed that it would bring the person good luck. Apparently, these snakes do not bite. Do you dare touch a snake?

The Tanah Lot Sunset

Lots of people who came to Tanah Lot waited for the sunset.

There was a row of eateries where visitors could sit back, sip on fresh coconut drink or have dinner and enjoy the sunset by the Indian Ocean with the silhouette of Tanah Lot in the foreground.