Since this was our first weekend with the option of transportation, we decided it was time to visit Goa Gajah (lit. Elephant Cave) which is only about 30 or 40 minutes away from our house. First things first, we had only made it a little ways down the road before Tim realized we were almost out of gas. But we quickly found a station and figured out buying gas without much trouble at all. Compared to Hawaii, gas is pretty cheap here (about $2.50/gallon).
We made a loop on the scooter, coming in through the heart of the Ubud restaurant scene and trying to return the same way but finding that the traffic was so impenetrable that it was just easier to turn around and find a back road.
We'd come through the back roads of Tegalalang when Wayan and Bagus took us to set up Tim's bank account and were pretty sure we could find them again. The best thing about this was that we passed a storefront covered with cutting boards. I have been coveting a fullsized cutting board since we moved to Payangan. Bagus looked at my sliced up thumb (from trying to slice vegetables in my hand) and gave me a small (10x20cm) board to use. But the vegetables shoot all over the kitchen if I chop fast and so I was thrilled to find this shop. They also had nice wooden spoons and pretty soap dishes -- all of which are helping to make the house feel more like home.
Goa Gajah doesn't have any elephants but is an interesting 9th century Hindu temple which has been carved into the natural tuff (I think it's tuff, should have asked Dad before I started writing this blog!). In any case, the natural rock must be relatively soft in order to dig out a cave like that. The big draw for most tourists is walking through the enormous mouth (or, in reality, to get that crazy Instagramable shot -- it's pretty funny to watch the contorted poses that must get IG clicks).
There has clearly been a lot of restoration done on the cave (and a lot of pieces that can't find homes!). The sides are less restored and, I thought, really interesting. Also, I didn't realize that the guardian demon has his foot up near his head until returning to the cave after walking through the nearby forest.
The entrance to the cave is obviously spectacular but the real importance was inside. There were several empty nooks and I imagine that a lot of what was left behind has been moved over the centuries. However, today there are two important statues inside: Ganesh on one side and a trio of Shiva linga on the other
In addition, before you get to the cave, there is a large pool/bath area. It is divided into two with three statues on each side pouring water into the baths. The way water is moved in Bali, is really amazing.
In addition, before you get to the cave, there is a large pool/bath area. It is divided into two with three statues on each side pouring water into the baths. The way water is moved in Bali, is really amazing.
In addition to the Hindu temple, there were some Buddha statues found in the area. The temple complex also includes a walk down to the river where they have some beautiful ponds and some pretty forest. I tried to find Trigona but did not see any on any of the flowers or vegetation. I did find an Apis dorsata in the mud near a lily pond along with some white-lipped frogs and a super-cool mantis. We met a really interesting Aussie couple who started talking to us after they saw us crouched down taking damselfly photos. Turns out he is an honest-to-God snake wrangling instructor (how cool is that??!!?) and they are here doing photography for an upcoming book on snakes that they are writing.