Atop Gunung Agung
November 19th, 2020
After our overnight at Sacred Mountain Sanctuary, today we’re climbing Gunung Agung in Bali.
The good news is that even though we started at 3:00 a.m. to get to here by sunrise, it’s been an easy virtual journey to the top. We encountered a little rain at the beginning of the hike as the trail snaked through the damp jungle full of dripping leaves and slippery tree roots. We moved gradually up the slope of the mountain until the terrain transitioned to solid rock with no plants or trees. We scrambled up the surface with hands and feet, being careful in the light of the moon. We reached the top as the sky warmed with sunlight and Gunung Agung threw a sharply defined shadow toward the horizon. From the top, Bali looks so thoroughly green.
It was 2002 when I climbed this volcano and it certainly shows in the grainy quality of the photos. Two guides led the way and we encountered a handful of other local climbers on their journey to the top of this sacred mountain. When we were there, the last major eruption had taken place in 1963 but Gunung Agung has more recently erupted between 2017 and 2019, disrupting travel and air traffic around Bali. Doubtful we would do this hike again, knowing the potential danger.
Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple of Bali, is located on the slope of Gunung Agung, west of where we made our journey. I can’t believe we didn’t pay a visit but at the time I was only starting to realize my interest in world cultures, traditions and beliefs. We did begin and end our hike at Pura Pasar Agung Sebudi, where a split gate at the top of the stairs marks the entrance of the outside world to this holy realm of the dragon god, Besakih. The top of the volcano reaches nearly 10,000 ft/3,000 m and upon arrival, our guide made an offering. In Balinese culture, Gunung Agung is strongly associated with Mount Meru, the center of the universe in the cosmology of several religions.
Enjoy the views! Tomorrow we’re going back to the future.
Kelly
Post of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
Refreshing morning walk showing a different face of Bali. Interest in the cultures of the world, this is what to keep in mind when visiting a country to try to see it beyond the surface prepared for visitors.
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You are both an inspiration; absolutely pure magic. 💕
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Thank you so much, Andrew!
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On top of the world!!!! You need to do commercials — don’t they always show people on those precarious rocks????
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Ha! This peak would make a great commercial!
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Memories of Bali in 1976 when I had taken a year off to travel the South Pacific. What a magical place it was then. Didn’t climb any mountains, however. 🙂 10,000 feet is getting up there in Bali! –Curt
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Wow, Bali in 1976 must have been splendid and quiet and amazing!! I envy you seeing it way back then.
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We stayed in Ubud, Kelly. It was absolutely magical…
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I totally relate to this as we did a climb in the dark up Mt Batur for sunrise. Epic! We also got invited to participate in a huge annual ceremony at Besakih Temple – our guide and his wife took us. That was such a special experience.
Grainy photos or not, they still show what an amazing experience it was.
Somehow we totally missed Pura Pasar Agung Sebudi!
Alison
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Wow, the ceremony at Besakih temple must have been an incredible experience!! I can’t wait to go back someday and explore more of Bali. Thanks Alison!
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Hi, Kelly, lovely post. I posted on mountains today too. 🌞
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Just hopped over to see you. Thanks for the escape to the mountains!!
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So transporting to see your beautiful photos! And lucky you to have climbed those heights and seen the world from that vantage point.
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Thanks Mimi! Yes, I feel very lucky to have been to the top of this mountain!
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Amazing adventure this. Climbing a live volcano in moonlight! The photos are beautiful and show the experience perfectly. That shadow of the mountain is magical, I never saw anything like that ever!
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Thank you! That shadow was really memorable — such a sharp profile and pointy mountain. I had never seen anything like it either!
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Over from Jo’s. That’s quite the morning walk. In Bali? Wow … shows how little I know about it. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks for visiting from Jo’s place, Frank! Yes, in Bali. A trip I did many years ago. I’ve re-posting old content during the pandemic. Thanks for your comment.
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Stunning photos!
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Thank you!
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You got some good shots from up there, it must have been a truly memorable experience 🙂
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It was! Definitely a highlight seeing Bali from that perspective. So green and lush! Thanks Eunice! 🙂
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Bali looks magical from the mountains and the plains. You’ve got some great shots! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Elle! Yes, Bali is beautiful everywhere.
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You capture the best views from above!!!!
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