Water Palace of Bali

On our second day, we had 2.5 hrs road trip using the east highway, along the coastal towns of: Sanur > Lebih> Goah Lawah (Bat cave) > Amlapura

Along the highway, aside from sea view, you must also look out on the mountain scene, just like this temple on a mountain on the way to Amlapura.

Arriving Tirtagangga, we had lunch at Tirta Ayu for Megibung set lunch.  It is a boodle type of dining setup.

The culture of eating style in Karangasem, Bali, is called megibung. In megibung, rice in large quantities placed on trays (place mat made of clay or wood) that has been coated with tamas (woven palm leaves). But now the show megibung rarely use trays, replaced by a tray or other container covered with banana leaves or rice paper. Mound of rice in a large portion placed on a tray and side dishes placed in special containers. 

Tirta Ayu Restaurant has the vantage view of the whole water palace complex, 

After lunch, we strolled around the Royal Garden, and there were tourist swimming in some of the pools there.

Tirtagangga royal watergarden is composed mainly by water, plants and sculptures. It is situated in the middle of rice fields around the natural springs of Rejasa, approximately 7 km north of Amlapura, the main town of east Bali, Indonesia.

Tirtagangga is a well-known cultural object of Bali. It belongs to the royal family of Karangasem.  It was built in 1940s.

The first thing one sees when entering the garden is the elegant eleven-tiered Nawa Sanga fountain which rises from the middle of the complex. This fountain together with the two ponds form the middle level.

The place is really beautiful, perfect for couples to have the pre-nup photoshoot!

The water from one of the natural springs of Tirtagangga has always been regarded as holy. It is used for religious ceremonies in the temples in the area until today. Tirta means blessed water, gangga cames from Ganges, the holy river in India.

The holy water is required for ceremonies of the temples in the surrounding as far as Tirtagangga can be reached by foot.  The springs have a huge output of pure water. The water is first led to a reservoir where it is divided in two parts. One third provides drinking water for the town Amlapura.

The remainder goes into the upper swimming pool through an underground pipe. The overflow of water goes into the lower swimming pool, the other ponds and finally to the rice fields.  Hence, these structures are not just for beauty, but with a great purpose.

On the way back to city, we had stop at Bird's Nest Shop, mostly Chinese tourist were brought here. 

Upon returning to our hotel, we had an early evening dip in the pool.