hot springs – the suite life of travel

Early morning sunrise on Lovina Beach, Bali

Just as I had predicted, I had a great night’s sleep at the Aditya Beach Resort on Lovina Beach in Bali. Waking up early, I wanted to walk along the beach at dawn while the weather was still brisk and invigorating. Besides the lonely fisherman and a couple of tourists, I had the beach all to myself. I walked the short length of the coast where rowboats had been pushed up along the sand next to piles of seaweed and debris and birds were searching for their morning breakfast.

Dolphin Cruise Excursion at Lovina Beach, Bali

On my way back to the hotel, the beach began to liven up with activity. A group of sightseers were stepping into a boat for a dolphin cruise and joggers slipped past the stray dogs.

Lovina is known for its large school of dolphins and early morning cruises are a popular excursion for tourists during season. Watching the boat drift into the horizon, I met the hotel security guard, Ajit, who stopped by to say good morning. Having met him at check in last night, he offered to take me around to the local sites. Since he knows my friend Wayan, I took him up on his offer.

Hindu Offerings, Bali, Indonesia

I strolled back to my room to prepare for the day and noticed several pedestals that contained pieces of fruit, flower petals and burning incense. These are the offerings that the Balinese offer up to their gods throughout the day and are visible on the side of the road, sitting on small roadside shrines or near the large temples throughout the island.

Buddhist Monestary in Northern Bali

Ajit returned on his motorcycle and I told him that I would like to visit the Buddhist Monastery. He also suggested a nearby waterfall and the hot springs, so we had a full day ahead of us.

The atmosphere of the monastery is one of reverence and solitude. Although the island is predominantly Hindu, there are two active places of worship for Buddhists in Bali as well.

Beautiful Fountains at the Monastery

The spectacular views of the coast from the Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Monastery went on for miles. The tropical trees met up with the beaches of Lovina for a beautiful backdrop. The paintings and sculptures within the monastery were unusually lifelike and three dimensional.

Lily ponds and fountains gave the monastery a religious sense of calm. Protecting their surroundings, the monkey gods took a stand to ward off evil spirits. The soothing sound of water and gentle rustle of leaves from the wind were comforting as I searched for koi fish under the lily pads.

The Buddhist Eightfold Path of Enlightenment

The Eight-Fold Path is the final teaching of the Buddhist Four Noble Truths. A stairway at the monastery representing the steps of these teachings are said to lead to spiritual enlightenment and the end of suffering.

The Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Monastery is an exceptionally well maintained temple and open to the public as a place of worship. The grounds are exquisitely manicured and the views out towards the sea from atop of the temple are magnificent. Signs throughout the property strongly communicate that this is not a tourist attraction but rather a temple and should be treated with reverence and respect. Proper attire is required and courtesy must be given to those who visit.

Northern Bali Waterfall

Enjoying a peaceful morning at the temple, I was ready for our next excursion, a hike to one of north Bali’s most treacherous waterfalls. Ajit explained that the falls is a local favorite and is not open to tourists. He guaranteed that this hike would be a challenge but the view would be well worth the trek.

The concrete path was manageable at the start but became narrow as we closed in on the falls. The course quickly changed as the mist produced a muddy trail we were cautiously trying to avoid. Eventually the pathway disappeared and we resorted to rock hopping amidst the rushing water between the stones.

I was close to giving up and turning back when I noticed the shrines appear on the side of the hill. The water coming from the cascades was so strong and powerful that I was frightened I may lose my footing.

We sat for a few moments on a couple of large rocks so I could catch my breath. The mist from the falls felt so cool on my face, dampening my hair and clothes. I decided that I was ready to take a few more steps and as I rounded the corner, I was able to see the highlight of my hike, the larger of the two falls.

I wished I could have enjoyed the view for a while longer, but working to keep myself upright was draining my energy and I was ready to find security back on dry land. The hike back was not as difficult and it seemed as though we reached the entrance in half of the time it took to reach the falls.

Visiting the hot springs could not have been more appropriate after a long hike. Set among the hillside there are three pools of water to enjoy a moment of rest and relaxation. The first pool at the top is the hottest while the bottom is the coolest of the three. I was looking forward to soaking in the springs.

Air Panas was built by the Japanese hundreds of years ago and is said to be therapeutic for those suffering from rheumatic disease. A steady rush of water from the mouths of mythical creatures adds to the fascinating environment of the springs.

I enjoyed the resort for a couple of hours and visited the snack bar before leaving for the hotel.

The Aditya Hotel was hosting an event that consisted of a four course meal and a program which included two young girls performing the Balinese dance of Legong. Known as one of the most popular forms of Indonesian entertainment, the dance consists of intense facial expression, body movements, and intricate finger work accompanied by Gamelan music.

The unique music and vibrant performance were entrancing. Although I was exhausted, I felt satisfied that I had accomplished so much physically, religiously and culturally in one day. I reflected back from the start of my journey and could not have been more pleased. I am ready to do it all over again tomorrow!

Have you visited northern Bali in your travels? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading about my fun day in northern Bali! Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Monastery
Banjar Tegeha Buleleng Buleleng
Lovina Beach, North Bali, Indonesia

Banjar Air Panas – Hot Springs
Jalan Banjar, Buleleng,
Singaraja, Bali, Indonesia

Where to Stay:

Aditya Beach Resort
Jalan Raya Lovina, Lovina Beach, North Bali, Indonesia
Phone: +62 362 41059
Email: info@adityalovinabali.com

Where to Eat:

Banjar Air Panas – Snack Shop
Jalan Banjar, Buleleng,
Singaraja, Bali, Indonesia

Aditya Beach Resort – Restaurant
Jalan Raya Lovina, Lovina Beach, North Bali, Indonesia
Phone: +62 362 41059
Email: info@adityalovinabali.com

What to Eat:

Babi Guling: Suckling pig, which is similar to BBQ pork in the US.
Bakso Soup: Indonesian soup made with meatballs, noodles, spices, vegetables and broth
Gado-Gado: A cold salad of vegetables served with a peanut sauce
Nasi Goreng: Fried noodles with lots of vegetables and a choice of meat, topped with peanuts and an egg.
Pisang Goreng: Fried Bananas, served with palm sugar, honey, flaked coconut or ice cream
Sate Ayam: Chicken on a stick usually served with a peanut sauce
Spring Rolls: Crispy pastry filled with minced meat and mixed vegetables and then fried, usually served with a chili sauce

What to Read:

Balilicious, by Becky Wicks
Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
A House in Bali, by Colin McPhee
Love and Death in Bali, by Vicky Baum
Snowing in Bali, by Kathryn Bonella
Under the Volcano: A story of Bali, by Cameron Forbes

Photo Guide for North Bali:

Git Git Waterfall
Mount Batur
Sekumpal Waterfalls
Tamblingan Lake
Twin Lakes Viewpoint

A photo of the Dalai Lama that was given to the monastery during his visit

Exploring the beautiful grounds of the monastery

Buddhist Statues

From the trailhead of Fairy Trail, I checked my backpack, tightened my boots and took out my water bottle in preparation for my hike. I could see the steam coming off of the multiple springs to my right and would soon be able to climb above the Middle Geyser Basin for a spectacular view of Grand Prismatic Spring. Distracted by my surroundings, I hadn’t notice the furry Bison standing within a few feet from me. While he appeared to be docile and more interested in grazing, I quickly passed, giving him plenty of space.

Within about twenty minutes, I reached a path leading upwards through the woods but I wasn’t quite sure if I was heading in the right direction. The woods were thick with fir trees that had fallen and blocked the trail but I decided to push forward. The climb was intense, but soon I noticed a small clearing and what seemed to be a natural bench of rock. I took a seat and looking out towards the spring, I was not prepared for the beauty of one of the most surreal sights I had ever seen.

One of the most surprising features of the Grand Prismatic Spring was the colorful rainbow of rings bordering the circular pool. Not visible from ground level, the vibrant primary colors and the orange-flamed runoff radiated like the sun.

I sat in amazement of the largest hot spring in the United States and realized I was looking down on a dormant volcano. I watched the steam slowly leave the geyser, disappearing into the air. Understanding that the mist is due to the boiling water reaching temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, I also thought about how this silent volcano could explode at any moment. What an eerie thought.

Leaving this peaceful place on the hill, I returned back to the trailhead, curious to find the bison I saw at the start of my hike. I was surprised to notice that he was standing in the midst of Middle Geyser Basin. Concerned for his safety, I said a little prayer and hoped that he would escape from any harm and make it home safely.

Did you know that the Fairy Trail leads to a beautiful view of the Grand Prismatic Spring? Have you hiked the trail? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading my post about my visit to Yellowstone! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7381

Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle: $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. Check out their website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; Refer to the Yellowstone National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and llama packing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
Scenic View: Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead. For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls: Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes. The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
Length of Visit: Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
Tips for Your Visit: The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Where to Stay:

I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone. I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.

Where to Eat:

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7311

For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers. It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.

Tag Archives: hot springs

Exploring Bali: Singaraja and Lovina Beach

Hike the Fairy Trail at Yellowstone for an Amazing View of Grand Prismatic Spring