Ocean Resort Amed, Bali, Indonesia

 

Ocean Resort Amed, Bali, Indonesia

Ocean Resort Amed adalah penginapan menawan yang terletak di kawasan Amed, Bali, sebuah destinasi yang terkenal dengan keindahan pantainya dan kehidupan bawah laut yang memukau. Resor ini menawarkan suasana tenang dan nyaman dengan pemandangan langsung ke laut, menjadikannya pilihan sempurna untuk pelancong yang mencari relaksasi atau petualangan snorkeling dan menyelam.

Fasilitas dan Kenyamanan

• Akomodasi Nyaman: Beragam kamar dan bungalow bergaya tradisional Bali dengan sentuhan modern, dilengkapi dengan fasilitas seperti AC, Wi-Fi, dan balkon pribadi yang menghadap ke taman atau laut.
• Kolam Renang: Kolam renang outdoor dengan pemandangan langsung ke Samudra Hindia, ideal untuk bersantai.
• Restoran: Menyajikan hidangan lokal dan internasional, dengan menu seafood segar dan pilihan vegetarian.
• Aktivitas: Resor ini menawarkan akses langsung ke pantai untuk snorkeling, menyelam, atau sekadar menikmati matahari terbenam yang memukau.

Lokasi Strategis

Ocean Resort Amed berlokasi strategis di sepanjang pantai Amed, dekat dengan lokasi menyelam terkenal seperti bangkai kapal USAT Liberty di Tulamben, dan hanya beberapa jam berkendara dari Bandara Internasional Ngurah Rai. Area sekitarnya juga dipenuhi dengan desa tradisional Bali yang menawarkan pengalaman budaya autentik.

Dengan pemandangan indah, pelayanan ramah, dan berbagai aktivitas yang bisa dinikmati, Ocean Resort Amed adalah tempat yang ideal untuk menikmati keindahan alami dan ketenangan Bali.

Mangening Temple

When we think of Bali, the island often conjures images of pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and numerous temples steeped in history and tradition. Among these sacred sites is Mangening Temple, located in the tranquil village of Saraseda, Tampaksiring, in Gianyar Regency. This temple is not just a spiritual landmark but also a cultural heritage site that offers visitors a peaceful retreat and a glimpse into Bali’s rich religious and architectural history.

Mangening Temple is nestled in a serene environment surrounded by cool air and natural beauty, providing a calm and quiet atmosphere for those who seek a more tranquil experience in Bali. Officially recognized as a cultural heritage site under Bali Provincial Law No. 05/1985, Mangening Temple has become a key destination for both spiritual pilgrims and tourists alike. As visitors approach the temple, they are required to descend a series of steps to reach the outer courtyard. This area is home to crystal-clear pools of water, which are fed by natural springs that flow from the roots of towering trees and surrounding cliffs. The purity and tranquility of these pools offer a peaceful introduction to the sacred space ahead.

To reach the main temple, visitors need to climb another set of stairs, as the Utama Mandala (the most sacred area) is located at a higher elevation. Inside the temple, one of the prominent structures is the three-tiered Meru, a multi-roofed shrine, which was once the site where a lingga-yoni statue was discovered. The lingga-yoni represents the harmonious union of male and female energies, a central symbol in Balinese Hinduism. The temple's architectural layout follows the traditional Balinese concept of Tri Mandala, which divides the temple into three distinct zones: Nista Mandala (the outermost zone), Madya Mandala (the middle zone), and Utama Mandala (the innermost and most sacred zone).

In the Nista Mandala, visitors can enjoy the sight of a lush garden adorned with five fountains, creating a serene and meditative environment. Moving deeper into the Madya Mandala, several traditional Balinese structures can be found, such as the Bale Gong (a pavilion for musical performances), Bale Kulkul (which houses a wooden drum used for communication), Bale Pegambahan, and Bale Pegat. The Utama Mandala, the most sacred part of the temple, contains important shrines, including the three-tiered Meru, Gedong, Bale Paselang, Bale Pecanangan, Bale Saka Ulu, and Bale Penganteb. Each of these structures plays a significant role in Balinese spiritual practices.

While there is no precise historical record of Mangening Temple's origins, inscriptions and artifacts found at the site suggest that it dates back to the Masula-Masuli period in Pejeng, which points to its ancient and long-standing cultural significance. This connection to Bali’s past makes it a meaningful site for those interested in the island’s religious heritage.

The local community around the temple primarily relies on agriculture for their livelihood, although many also work as traders or employees in other sectors. In recent years, with the temple’s growing popularity as a tourist destination, several facilities have been established to accommodate visitors. These include food and drink stalls, temple guides, and ample parking space.

If you're planning a visit to Mangening Temple, it is about a 90-minute drive from Denpasar, covering a distance of roughly 37 kilometers. The journey offers a scenic route through Bali’s countryside, and once you arrive, the temple’s cool air, natural beauty, and serene atmosphere provide a refreshing and peaceful escape.

Mangening Temple is not only a place for spiritual reflection but also a destination where visitors can appreciate the harmonious blend of nature and Balinese architecture, making it a must-see for anyone exploring the cultural treasures of Bali.

The Nyepi Rituals

NYEPI (Day of Silence)

IS NOT JUST A RITUAL MEMORIAL

Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) according to Bali's calendar (in 2014, it will be on March 31). It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New Year

Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires; no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TV’s and radio’s, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.

Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. Even tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another, and to perform certain religious rituals together.

Rituals

• First, The Melasti Ritual is performed at the 3-4 previous day. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa and is performed at the beach to respect them as the owner of The Land and Sea. The ritual performed in Pura (Balinese temple) near the sea (Pura Segara) and meant to purify Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belongs to several temples, also to acquire sacred water from the sea. For area that are located far from the sea,the ritual was carried out on the lake or river that is The Melasti Ritual is a symbol of respect for the water which serves to purify the body and mind as well as to providing welfare to all beings

The Melasti Ritual

• Second, The Bhuta Yajna Ritual is performed in order to vanquish the negative elements and create balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. The ritual also meant to appease Batara Kala by Pecaruan offering. Devout Hindu Balinese villages usually make ogoh-ogoh, demonic statues made of bamboo and paper symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits. After the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Ngrupuk ritual takes place, which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh. Bhuta is a sysbol of strength of the two characters that are good and bad t the same time, a ritual to remind people that there is a force to be selected and used as needed, bed power should be kept away even eredicated from the human, specially on the ave of Nyepi day, the form of this ritual is ogoh-ogoh parade aroud the village, which ended with the burning of those ogoh-ogoh on the beach.

The Bhuta Yajna Ritual

Ogoh-ogoh

• Third, The Nyepi Rituals is performed with the following conditions:
• Amati Geni: No fire/light, including no electricity
• Amati Karya: No working
• Amati Lelungaan: No travelling
• Amati Lelanguan: Fasting and no revelry/self-entertainment

The Nyepi Rituals

A day after the Bhuta Yadnya ritual, it is believed that the evel spirit have been far away from the human, which left only the noble qualities, so at the time of Nyepi the body and the mind are appeased by yoga meditation, providing opportunities for godlikes qualities to ties of body and mind are free, free to unite with pure power of universe.

• Fourth, The Yoga/Brata Ritual starts at 6:00 AM and continues to 6:00 AM the next day. The goal of spiritual achievement is awareness, awareness is the third elements among the element of body and soul. Body consist of several elements that mattually bind themselves to each other where necessary the axistence of two opposite caracters of positive and negative, and element of the soul also has such two caracters of devinity and the evil.Spiritual activities can be started by learning body awareness , followed by learning of mind awareness that will ultimately transformed into soul and permanent awareness at the end, and the Nyepi Day is dedicated for universe awareness activities.
• Fifth, The Ngembak Agni/Labuh Brata Ritual is performed for all Hindus to forgive each other and to welcome the new days to come. On this day, Hindu community in Bali is usually held an impromptu market where people meet with relatives and neighbors to forgive each other with joy.
• Sixth and finally, The Dharma Shanti Rituals is performed after the Nyepi Day or "Day of Silence.". Community groups or componies often invite religious speaker to provide spiritual enlightenment to equalize the differences between their perceptions that  occur in the last year, as well as to talk about the significance of religious and moral teachings and how its implementation in the global life and career.