Come on a Date With Me to an Ancient, Balinese Temple, Hidden Away Among the Palms!😎🌴🌴(+Drone Photos)

Well, look! We're here! The welcome station sits in front of the gate collecting ticket money and offering this great big stone to read a little about what we're about to see! All along the sides of the road are vendors selling everything from dresses to bottle openers to cold coconuts!

Just through the first gate, there is a team of men waiting to dress us in sarongs, the beautifully pattered 'skirt' you'll see me wearing coming up in the photos! Above them, is a beautiful look down below- do you want to see?

Beyond me, there is a gorgeous view of the rice patties! Here's some snaps from my handy drone who was looming overhead!

Back down on the ground, there is a sign that says the best view is 'this way', let's follow it! Do you see that boat out in the field? It's actually a restaurant! Isn't it cute?

Below, there are some stairs... I read reviews that complained of many stairs but it wasn't bad at all, there was too much beautiful going on everywhere to even notice! When I got to the bottom of the steps, instead of following the path, I took off through the rice fields, unsure of where I would end up, taunting my drone to follow me as I danced into the palmy fields! Come with me!

After a little bit of green (and mud) there was another path! Where would it lead?

I am really fascinated by temples, relics and ruins. I spent almost two years in Central America and spent much of that time at ancient sites, studied them, looking upon them in admiration. I love seeing the history and the energy in these structures. I think it's magical. This entry way caught my heart and I spent a long time hanging around at the entry before going in. I'll take you along inside with me whenever I finally go! ;)

On the other side, there were steps going down. Down where though? Should we continue to see? There's a gentle sound of falling water... where could this be leading us to?

A waterfall was visible through the trees to the right of the footpath. Being adventurous, I took off into the forest to get up close and personal with the beautiful water feature!

Isn't it beautiful? A little bit chilly though! ;)

Feeling rejuvenated after the slashes of fresh water that managed their way onto my skin in my attempts to capture these moments, I couldn't keep my feet on the ground!

The 'ancient shrine' wraps around this path to the other side with a locked gate at the end.

I sat here as though trapped, breathing in the fresh air around and admiring the natural greens everywhere around!

What if we're stuck?

No, we're fine, this is the gate we came in! I just closed it for this silly photo! Now if we take the same path we came down, back to the rice fields and to the entrance, we can take the path the other way and see the rest of this beautiful place!

This bridge gives such incredible views from every direction. I got lost looking into the flowing, healing waters below!

Following along, on the other side of the bridge was this fairy-tale looking, Avatar-type, out of this world, natural beauty!

I just love how the vines make this place look so magical.

I climbed down the ledge to be in this shot, among the hanging vines, above the rushing water.

To the side of the path are more of the 'ancient shrines'. Apparently, they are royal funeral monuments dedicated to the former king, his queen and his concubines. You can read more about it here:

The bridge told me it wanted a picture taken of us together... so naturally, I had to do it ;)

And that was our lovely trip to Gunung Kawi! I hope you had as much fun as I did! Even though it wasn't super sunny and the rain was coming, it was so fun to see this site and especially get some aerial action with my cute little flying camera!

I love that I am able to bring you along with me! This is so much fun! I can show you the world....

Sending love to all over the world, wherever you may be! Check me out if you love travel, food, stories, love, sunshine, happiness and everything else in between the heart and a smile! It's my goal to inspire a light in your heart and a smile to your face and I am always trying to find new ways to do that!

FUN FACT ABOUT ME: If you'd like to get to know me better, see if I'm someone you want to keep going on these'dates' with, check out my fantastical travel confession series from Dominican Republic here!

Here's a kiss goodbye, you've been a wonderful date! I am off for now, let's do this again soon!
Until next time!
XO,
😘