Tanah Lot & Kecak are Must-See in Bali

Tanah Lot & Kecak are Must-See in Bali
by travelwisdom from Mary Esther, Florida

Tanah Lot is the best known temple in Bali. Linked in a series of pagoda-like structures, it perches literally in the sea on a rocky outcropping. Caves beneath the temple are believed to be inhabited by black and white snakes protecting the holy site from evil. The best time to visit Tanah Lot is at sunset when the pagodas are silhouetted by dramatic colors of the sun as it drops into the sea…an exceptional photographic opportunity.

The story is a simple subplot of the Hindu epic Ramayana. In this version, Sita, the wife of Rama, is kidnapped by the evil king of Lanka. Rama recruits assistance from Sugriwa, a red monkey, and Hanoman, a white monkey, to find Sita. Hanoman finds Sita and attempts to destroy the palace of the evil king, but is captured and bound in a ring of fire. At the last minute, he is rescued by an army of monkey warriors (the chorus). Good once again triumphs over evil.

What makes the performance unique (besides the dramatic clifftop setting) is there is no Gamelan orchestra typical of other forms of Balinese dance. The only music is provided by a large chorus of 100-150 men and boys who sit bare-chested in a circle chanting a "chak-a-chak-a-chak" rhythm. The sun has set. In the deep night, the only light comes from the large bonfire in the center of the "stage." The combination of sound, light, and sight leave you feeling you have stepped into a National Geographic special.