My childhood may be over, but that doesn’t mean playtime is. ~Ron Olson
This water palace near Candidasa in Eastern Bali was our last stop of the day and a perfect way to wind down. We didn’t have to don ourselves with our sarongs and waist scarves to be admitted.
Tirta Gangga, “Water of the Ganges,” is a maze of pools and fountains, surrounded by lush gardens with stone carvings and statues throughout. It is possible to walk on some of the carved stone pillars in one of the pools as my daughter and Photographer Ron quickly found out.
Like giant chess pieces, these statues dotted the pool while dragons and cows watched over or spewed their steady stream of water. Fountains added to this lush and refreshing scene.
This shadow of my daughter makes me smile. Oh to be a kid again.
On the Go with Lynne 
What fabulous photographs of a fabulous spot–I can actually smell the water as I view the pictures. Gorgeous, Lynne and Ron.
Thanks VB. I expect you to do a poem on “being a kid again”. 🙂
What a beautiful description. I love your “way” with words. Makes me want to jump in the pool of water and splash around among the fountains.
The water features and stepping stones were definitely a welcome surprise after a long day of visiting sacred places and temples…being respectful and wearing the appropriate attire. This was the Disney of temples.Waiting for people to not be in my pictures was a challenge. Everyone having a good time.
This is absolutely gorgeous!!! What a setting! Such beauty! I have been wondering: is it possible to have a beautiful holiday in Bali that is not beach focused or solely beach focused? More in the peace and tranquility of the island and the happiness of the people. But somewhere a little extravagant or also lush for a special occasion … Can you suggest anything please or does anything come to mind Lynne? We are open to the same in Indonesia or Malaysia or around abouts! I would appreciate your and Ron’s expert tips! 🙂 And our best to you both! xo
Gigi, yes it is possible to enjoy Bali w/o the beach. In fact we didn’t stay or visit beaches. Drove through a fishing village. We stayed in Ubud for 10 days. Three days at a B& B in a rice field and 7 days at the Oka Wati, just off the main street. Ubud is very touristy, but has a lot to offer in the way of lodging and food. We hired a driver/guide who took us around the island. As for luxury resorts, they are dotted around Ubud. Just search online through their tourism websites and go to trip advisor to get recommendations. We haven’t traveled to Malasia or Indonesia (other than Bali) and hope to some day. We encountered many Australians on our trip, Bali being a favorite destination. I do hope you and Pete go. Sounds like you have a “special occasion” in mind. 🙂
Thankyou so much Lynne! Yes, we are looking for something special and now that we are so close to Asia, it is very possible! i just love the people that we have met there and the cultures, although I know them very little! But when we stopped in KL for a bit of luxury R&R on our return to here, the staff at the hotel could not have been sweeter! So sweet, in fact, that we barely left the hotel! But we did … and of course they chucked us out in the end … hehehe! We went to a street famous for its reflexology treatments and massages etc! Everyone was sooo nice and they were experts in their work! And so generous!! The same thing happened in HK on our way over 8 years earlier! Bali is so close and your photos make it look gorgeous! And Bali … that just means dreamy, doesn’t it? 🙂
What great fun.
It was fun! 🙂
What a fantastic place!! So very glad you three got to enjoy it!!
The trip was a great time for the three of us. Thanks for commenting, Margie. 🙂
What a lovely place! – It looks so Bali (at least what I imagine Bali should look like).
Definitely Bali. I could and should do more writings about Bali. Thanks for commenting, Carol.
Lovely to see you all looking so relaxed and happy, Lynne. I could play for hours in a garden like that 🙂
Relaxed and happy we were. Unfortunately it was near closing time and off we went, again. Am glad we had a pool where we stayed. That’s where we headed. 🙂
wow!! what a lovely place and pond its looks amazing .
Thank you, Amresh.
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What a pleasant surprise. Thanks, Sylvia. Am glad you enjoy the blog.
Super post again, Lynne. I loved Bali too. Those statues are so amazing, and the reflection of your daughter in the pond, is such fun. 🙂
I couldn’t resist the shadow picture, Sylvia. Every time I see it I am reminded of our great trip together. Bali is beautiful.
What a perfect title for these photos, Lynne! Traveling is such a wonderful way to see the world in a new way again, to interact with the world anew – so a real chance to be a child again and play! And then we can bring back that spirit with us – love it!
I love how you said that…”interact with the world anew”. There was such a diverse group of cultures at the water palace that day and it was fun seeing how everyone was engaged in having fun.
giardino incantato…difficile non ritornare a giocare
Enchanted Garden … hard not to return to play
ciao
Ahh…yes, it is an enchanted garden and difficult to not want to play in it. Thank you for your comment. 🙂
The whole time I was reading this I was thinking how much it reminded me of Bali… And then I realised it was Bali! We visited quite a few temples there… hired a driver for a day to get away from the usual tourist scene. But one thing I loved about wherever we went – the fountains. They have such a calming affect, and this just brought it all back. Beautiful 🙂
Glad this jolted fond memories. 🙂 I agree. The fountains as well as a walk in the rice fields was an experience in peace and tranquility. One has to get away from Ubud and the beach scene to feel that. Where did you stay?
We stayed in Seminyak – definitely not the most tranquil, though better than Kuta. Also in the hills near Ubud (at the Elephant Safari Lodge), which had a peaceful vibe. Next time will plan a more remote trip – there’s only so much shopping I can take!
Beautiful pictures! What fun! BTW Sylvia or AD sent me.😃
Thanks for visiting me and am glad you liked what you saw. 🙂
🙂
A delightful opening quote and set of images, Lynne. Ron must have especially enjoyed being able to photograph these gardens given the unique vantage points that the stepping stones offered.
It’s almost been two years since we were in Bali and I miss it! My parents’ friends are now there and promised to bring back some suji plant so that I can try my hand at making the green banana pancakes that our b&b homestay owner in Ubud so expertly made. Thanks for bringing back such fond memories of our time there.
Hi Tricia,
I wish you well with the green banana pancakes. They were what we ate every morning while there. This water temple was enjoyable and relaxing. Actually, Ron didn’t take many of the stepping stone pictures but concentrated on other objects. I was having fun watching them both and just clicked away.
What a gorgeous spot! These photos are great.
Thank you, Sarah. 🙂
How beautiful! Your enjoyment of this delightful place comes through in the photos and your evocative words Lynne. Your daughter’s reflection made me smile too 🙂
We just saw our daughter last week and Bali came up. We have never traveled together before and it was a delight to have her with us on that trip. That was a fun way to end the day.
Lovely photos, Lynne – I don’t remember visiting this garden when we were in Bali – but it’s a while ago now, so I might have forgotten. Love the fun shot of your daughter’s reflection in the water 🙂
Thanks, Marianne. I’m glad our guide/driver took us here. It wasn’t part of the day’s plan, but an after thought on his part. Glad we went. The picture of Kim was worth it.
The reflection of your daughter. How utterly delightful. I could meander through this garden for ages and ages. Lovely post.
Definitely a place that all ages can enjoy. Thanks for your comment, Tahira. 🙂
Oh Lynne, I just love this place! It’s so playful. Although we’ve spent lots of time in Bali, I don’t know how we managed to miss this wonderful water palace. Must go back! 🙂 ~Terri
Hi Terri. Definitely a place to check out. So laid back…playful and peaceful at the same time. Hopefully, next visit, you’ll make it there. 🙂
Hi Lynne 🙂
Haven’t seen you around for a while so just checking all is ok? I assume you’re travelling. If so, enjoy!
Hi there, Lynne. I recently started my blog afresh, and am just getting around to notifying all my precious blogging friends of my new link. http://anotherday2paradise.wordpress.com/
I was wondering what happened. Thanks for the notice. I look forward to catching up. 🙂
Gorgeous shots, Lynne!! What part of Bali is this? Thanks for sharing these pics…what a beautiful site. Ahhh – I miss Bali so much…I think I have to go back someday (soon would be nice!).
Thanks for your kind words, Desiree. This is near Candidasa in Eastern Bali. I hope you get back.