Category: Nature

Feeling little adventurous?

On By namitadashIn Entertainment, Nature, places, Travel, Uncategorized2 Comments

Never thought that an ATV ride can be so thrilling and super adventurous. When we talk about Bali, we only visualize rice terraces, temples and beaches. But it offers so many adventure sports and sea sports that will blow your mind. Although we did many water sports, but the one we are talking about today is ATV ride in UBUD. Honestly speaking, I wasn’t very keen on going for it especially after experiencing amazing river rafting. My kids wanted to go so my husband and I decided why not!

It started with us recieving instructions on how to use brakes & handles of ATV and yes they also asked us not to overtake each other at any time and not race. We were all 10 to 12 ATVs together and it all started with giggles and laughters of kids and ladies involved. They took us around beautiful village which looked straight out of a coffee table book – So clean & asthetic. Then they manuvered us towards farms with rice growing and beautiful mountains setting as ideal backdrop. Mind it, the ATVs are quite heavy and not very easy to handle. There were inital hiccups but we were managing well.

The rice farms were scenic and it was all nothing short of a movie scene when the instructer flagged us to stop at a curve and started running passing us without saying anything. We thought the last ATV might have stopped working so he is going to help them. A farmer then shouted ” Fsy2ihdwhdhkbc,naskhdshdugskdjsbaklnjdlsjhldhskdhsl’ Of course we did not understand 🙂 But he kept showing two fingers upwards and then down thumb. Little did we know that our dear friend alongwith his wife had jumped the ATV down around 5 Ft in the rice paddies. Fortunately they were not hurt and they were able to pull them out.

Watch Full video –

An ATV ride in Ubud will take you through some of the most stunning natural environments in the world. You’ll travel through lush jungles, rolling hills, and picturesque rice paddies. Along the way, you’ll get to experience the sights and sounds of Bali up close and personal. Not only that, but you’ll also get to enjoy some thrilling off-road riding, making the experience even more exhilarating.

When you’re looking for an ATV tour, be sure to find one that fits your skill level and interests. There are beginner tours that are perfect for first-timers, as well as more challenging rides for those looking for a more extreme adventure. No matter which tour you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a blast.

So if you’re looking for an exciting way to explore Ubud, then an ATV ride is definitely the way to go. Just make sure you book a tour that fits your skill level and interests, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.

Exploring the Jungle

On By namitadashIn Nature, places, Travel, Uncategorized12 Comments

We recently had the opportunity to visit Simlipal for a short trip. Simlipal National Park is situated in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Honestly, we were not expecting too much from this trip, but we were pleasantly surprised by the abundant nature and simplicity of the place. I don’t know how many of you have heard the name of Simlipal, but the forest area is one of the largest in India covering 2750 km (1,060 sq mi)

Watch part-1 now.

Simlipal, which is adorned with lovely flora and wildlife, gets its name from the Simul Tree of Bengal. The Simlipal region, which is proud to be the largest wildlife sanctuary in India, was a crucial component of the Tiger Project in 1973. In terms of both faunal diversity and biological diversity, the Simlipal National Park is a gift from nature. Simlipal, which borders the Santhal Tribal village, offers us a full ecosystem that is favourable for flora, animal, and human habitat. This region is a traveler’s heaven since it is filled with plateaus, meadows, rushing rivers, waterfalls, and lush forests. It is nothing less than a gift from nature.

In addition to having the highest concentration of tigers, the Simlipal National Park is also home to elephants, leopards, Sambar, barking deer, hill mynah, more than 300 kinds of birds, and 60 different species of reptiles. Most of the trees in this area are Sal and Simul trees. Simlipal is the epitome of nature’s beauty with its National Park.

Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are..

We stayed at Lulung, Aranya Nivas which is one of the finest jungle resorts here. Parked at the banks of Palpala river, the resort offers beautiful view & services. Rooms at Lulung Aranya Nivas are laid out well, and simply and tastefully furnished. There are vast green spaces enclosed by the forest. Experience comfort, luxury, wildlife beauty as you will be cuddled and pampered by nature. This is a no network zone and they do not offer wi-fi also. We gained a lot from this digital detox. We walked, cycled, trekked, saw waterfalls, dams, played with kids. It was a refreshing change from the routine life and forced digital detox helped in rejunivating the minds.

Watch Part-2

Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Bali

On By namitadashIn Nature, places, Travel, Uncategorized2 Comments

Kecak, also known as tari kecakilolahhe in Indonesian, is a type of Balinese Hindu dance and music theatre that originated in Bali, Indonesia, in the 1930s. Since its inception, men have performed it almost exclusively; the first women’s kecak ensemble established in 2006.

We had a chance of watching this incredible performance this time when we visited Bali. The set up is against the backdrop of gorgeous setting sun in Uluwatu Sea Temple. The most interesting fact about this show is that there is no music. All the sounds are created by the performers. I was amazed at their lung capacity and the enthusiasm never dropped.

Watch the amazing performance on my Youtube channel here – https://youtu.be/B5g9qQXcLgQ

The clips in my video includes the parts of Hindu epic Ramayana. You will see the scenes of Sita sending Ram & Lakshman after Gold Mrig and Ravan Kidnapping Sita. Jatayu tries to save Sita but gets killed. Then comes Hanuman and the best part of the show when they capture hanuman and set his tail on fire. He escapes and sets Lanka on fire.

The Kecak Dance of the Uluwatu temple is a pioneer in drawing a sizable part of tourists from all over the world among all the major traditional arts, theatre, and dance in Bali. One of Indonesia’s most recognisable glimmers of its rich cultural past is the Kecak Dance of Bali. It is a type of classical Hindu dance that is based on the tales from the well-known epic “The Ramayana.”

At around 6:00 PM, the Kecak dance performance begins in the sparse light of the setting sun. A big group of approximately 75 male dancers enter the stage and perform the first five chapters of The Ramayana at varied tempos depending on the atmosphere of the scene. The performance concludes with a magnificent rite that involves lighting up the central torch against the deep, dark sky while gradually singing in unison. The atmosphere is too compelling to pass up the opportunity to experience at least once in a lifetime when the silhouette of the fire against the night sky and the sound of the ocean combine.

Due to the dense jungles that surround the Uluwatu Temple and are home to numerous monkeys and long-tailed macaques, it is imperative to carry food and other necessities in fully covered bags or backpacks to protect them from the animals’ teeth.

Obtaining dancing tickets is not at all a difficult task. One to two hours before the dance starts at around 5:00 PM, you can walk up to the ticket booths without making an appointment. Because to the presence of many guarded routes, wild animals, and extremely steep slopes, the route to the temple may be difficult for pilgrims from the plains. Therefore, it is usually suggested to wear proper shoes and stay away from slippers to reduce any unwelcome incidents and the amount of trouble while travelling to the temple.

Image From Internet

Tanah Lot – A Blissful Coastal Temple in Bali

On By namitadashIn Nature, places, Travel, Uncategorized5 Comments

Bali excels in every category, whether it’s the beautiful bluish blue ocean, the massive Hindu temples, or the sheer untouched virginity of the countryside. Tourists who visit throughout the year have the time of their lives and are relaxed beyond their wildest dreams. Variety is the spice of life, and Bali has a plethora of tourist attractions and getaway locations where one can recharge after months of strenuous work and strain.

It will take many blogs to cover my trip to Bali this June. So I plan to take it slow and introduce you to the place, one attraction at a time.

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot, also known as Pura Tanah Lot Temple, is a well-known and sacred Hindu temple in Bali. As a popular tourist destination, Bali attracts a large number of enthusiasts and adventure seekers who make it a point to visit this location each year. This holy temple is well-known for its beautiful sunset views and even more soothing cold breezes that flow throughout the beach.  This beautiful temple is situated about 20 kilometres southwest of Kuta in the Beraban town of the Tabanan Regency. This location may be reached in around an hour and a half if you’re travelling from Kuta. It takes around an hour to get there from Bali’s Ubud.

Three temples make up the Tanah Lot complex, which is situated on a massive offshore rock on the beach. The main Tanah Lot temple is one of the three, while the other two serve as a spiritual stand-in when it is closed due to high tide because they are inaccessible. The ‘guardian’ sea snakes that live in the cracks around the Tirta Pabersihan fountain can be seen at low tide by crossing to the base of the rock. It is one of Bali’s main attractions and welcomes everyone, regardless of caste or creed.

Fun and interesting details regarding the history of the Tanah Lot Temple can be found in its legends. It is stated that in the latter half of the 15th century, a high Hindu priest from the Majapahit Kingdom in East Java travelled to Bali to propagate Hinduism and related ideas. He built a shrine to honour the Sea God Varuna, and despite objections from the village leader, he successfully used sea snakes to secure the rock where he meditated. That is how the eponymous temple in Bali, Tanah Lot, got its name, which means “land in the sea.” The priest is said to have gained Nirvana, or enlightenment, at this holy location.

 

The tranquil Tanah Lot temple site was properly protected and repaired thanks to assistance from the Japanese government, despite a serious erosion threat. As a result, the magnificent temple continues to welcome visitors today. On the approach to the temple, you’ll pass by a number of tropical gardens and rest areas where gift shops, art galleries, and sculptures are on show. Traditional drinks and sumptuous  snacks using coconuts are available here.

Pro Tip :

When you see the scene in all its splendour, the Tanah Lot Temple sunset view speaks for itself. In order to avoid the crowds, try to make this sight your final stop for the day and come well before nightfall.

 

When the earth decided to rock

On By namitadashIn Humour, Nature, Uncategorized1 Comment

They say, animals are the first to identify the natural calamity. “Not True”. Just as I was about to unwind after lunch with a book, our building started trembling. I looked at my Dog sitting near me and he had this ‘please scratch me’ look in his eyes. I looked towards my kids; they were happily running around with the ball. I thought, may be I should stop over eating. It’s causing dizziness. It took me a while to realize that this was an earthquake. I wouldn’t lie, I did panic for a bit as it had been just a few hours since I was reading the news about devastating earthquake in Italy.

I quickly sent out some sms & whatsapps (lol…it’s true) and announced we should go down. While kids and the dog seem to be excited by the suggestion of getting out of the house, my maid wasn’t so keen. She said, “Aami ekhan theke ei dekhbo”. I was startled, this isn’t a snowfall that you will watch from the 6th floor!! “Let’s go down”, I reinforced. We rushed through the stairs. You know, such events bring humans closer. The Aunty from upper floor really came close to tumble me on the stairs while sprinting downstairs. The timely pull from my Dog hustled me to the side or I would had rolled down with her. I knew all those early morning walks to make him poop will pay off some day.

The trembling had stopped by then, but the shaky feeling was still lingering in the minds. Everybody in the complex had gathered in the ground. Some half dressed, and some with purses and bags. Everyone seemed to get the smartphones with them though. While an elderly lady apprised us that Mother Nature is very angry that is why this earthquake has occurred, her daughter-in-law smartly shifted to other group where they were discussing a 4 weeks diet plan. Everyone had their own story of the event and dramatic version of how they escaped death.

I excused myself on the pretext of a call. My kids were nowhere to be seen and the dog by then had pulled the maid to his choice of shrub. I also decided to take a walk. The initial panic and tension was consoled as I saw people talking, laughing and greeting each other. Thankfully, the earthquake was not a major one and everyone was safe and together.  I was elated seeing the various flowers in bloom in our complex. Such is the power of life. Walking down the shaded pathways, I felt rejuvenated at the sound of excited chatter of my children playing in the park.