Farmers of central and south Bali, which cultivate the lion share of the rice fields in the island of Bali only need to glance up to clouds which hanging around Mount Batur to be reminded of the ultimate origin of the water that flow into their fields and become the lifeline of agriculture in central and south Bali. Yes, in the crater of Mount Batur, stretching over 1,718 hectares is Lake Batur, an immense fresh water lake that is regarded as the ultimate source of water for rivers and springs that provide irrigation water for central and south Bali.

Lake Batur is regarded as the abode of Dewi Danu (goddess of the lake) which controls all the water that flow from this lake hence all the water that flow into the rice fields in central and south Bali. Since the rice fields are greatly depends on flow of water from the lake, the farmers of central and south Bali has a strong relationship with the goddess of the lake, spiritually all the rice fields which draw their water from the lake are belong to the goddess of the lake. This relationship is succinctly defined in a sacred manuscript known as Rajapurana Ulun Danu Batur, which is kept in the temple of the lake, “Because the goddess makes the water flow, those who do not follow her laws may not posses her rice fields”.

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This shot was taken from Gumang Hill and Wikipedia says:

Mount Agung or Gunung Agung is a mountain in Bali. This stratovolcano is the highest point on the island. It dominates the surrounding area influencing the climate. The clouds come from the west and Agung takes their water so that the west is lush and green and the east dry and barren.

Gunung Agung last erupted in 1963-64 and is still active, with a large and very deep crater which occasionally belches smoke and ash. From a distance, the mountain appears to be perfectly conical, despite the existence of the large crater.

From the peak of the mountain, it is possible to see the peak of Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok, although both mountains are frequently covered in cloud.

The lava flows missed, sometimes by mere yards, the Mother Temple of Besakih. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected. However, over 1,000 people were killed and a number of villages were destroyed in this eruption.

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The wind blows quite hard recently in Bali, older people who know the characteristics of each month in a year complained: “It is already Kedasa (tenth month of traditional Caka calendar) everything should be clean and nice, but this strong wind, dark clouds, sudden downpour of rain, what all these thing all about!” Yes, of course, they are right as always; in this month, the weather should be clean and nice but what can we do with the weather except talking and complaining.

This strong wind, however, creates many beautiful things to see. There are many clouds appear in beautiful formations, fill up the sky, creating beautiful views to behold. This one for example

Or this one

These photographs are taken by my boss. He said that Bali is blessed by beautiful panorama; someone does not have to be genius to produce a postcard-quality photo here in Bali. The recipe for a good shot is just a slice of good weather, a few ounces of good gears, a few slices of knowledge of photography, preferably on composition and finding good angles and generous sprinkle of secret ingredient that is called ‘persistence’.

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This beach view was taken from Amankila Resort, overlooking Manggis and Candidasa.

Amankila (which means peaceful hill) opened in 1992 set on a cliffside overlooking the Lombok Strait in East Bali. Below the resort is its private stretch of sand and beach club. From the intimate, airy lobby, the views are already very much in evidence.

The resort is close to Manggis, Candi Dasa, Tenganan and other villages in Karangasem, Bali’s most traditional regency.

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Gumang Hill is situated in Bugbug village, on the road between Candidasa and Amlapura in Karangasem Regency. This hill overlooks the majestic Mount Agung on the north and Lombok strait on the east. During a favorable weather Mount Rinjani and the island of Lombok can be seen from this hill. Gumang Hill is not a tourist resort,so there is no such a thing as entrance fee.

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Ulun Danu Bratan Temple may seem like floating on the surface of the Lake Bratan, as a matter of fact, it is situated on a small promontory jutting out from the western shore of the lake, flooded periodically by the rising lake. This sacred temple is a historical monument of peaceful amalgamation of Buddhist and Hindu in Bali. this half-Hindu, half-Buddhist temple was built by the king of Mengwi in 1633 A.D, dedicated to Dewi Danu, the Goddess of Lake.

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