Bali-2)North Ubud highlights: Tirta Empul Temple, Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Bill hired a driver for our day trip.  We told him where we wanted to go and he make the drive plan.

The driver behaved like a travel company, first stop, he took us shopping where a local woman explain how their manufacturing fabric is colored as well and manual labor waving process.  Then took us to the store.  

After wards, he took us to Tirta Empul Temple*. 

After Tirta Temple, we visited a Rice Terrace, another tourist set up.

After wards, the driver took us to another place for shopping at a coffee plantation.  We did not see the plantation but only were introduced to their special coffee Kopi Luwak**.  We did some tea and coffee tasting there but did not buy anything.

From there, the driver took us to a Rice Terrace, Tegallalang Rice Terrace (also spelled Tegalalang).

Typical Driving Experience

First Stop for shopping

A woman explaining how the fabrics were colored

Tirta Empul Temple 

Dressed up for the purification ritual

Tegallalang Rice Terrace

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*Tirta Empul Temple is one of Bali’s most sacred and spiritually significant Hindu temples, best known for its holy spring and purification rituals.

Located in the village of Manukaya near Tampaksiring, about 30 minutes north of Ubud, Tirta Empul was founded in 962 AD during the Warmadewa dynasty, making it over a thousand years old.

“Tirta Empul” means “holy water spring.” According to Balinese Hindu belief, the spring was created by the god Indra, and its water is considered sacred, possessing cleansing and healing powers. Locals and visitors alike come here to perform melukat, a traditional water purification ritual meant to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit.

The purification ritual: The heart of the temple is a long stone pool fed by 30+ water spouts, each with a specific symbolic meaning—such as purification from negative energy, healing, or blessings for prosperity. Worshippers enter the pool wearing sarongs and move from spout to spout, bowing their heads under the flowing water in prayer. Some spouts are traditionally reserved for locals, and guides or signs help visitors follow proper etiquette.

**Kopi Luwak is coffee made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by a small animal called the Asian palm civet (a cat-like mammal, but not actually a cat).

"Kopi" means coffee in Indonesian. "Luwak" is the Indonesian name for the civet

Bali - 1) Baruna Beach front Resort

The resort I stayed at Baruna Bali is about 5 min drive or 20 min walk from the airport.  The beachfront resorts in Baruna, Bali feel like a parade of leisure and beauty. A long stretch of well-maintained beach lines the coast, and in October the weather could not be more pleasant. You can stroll along the pedestrian walkway, but be aware that motorbikes also use it, which can be quite annoying at times.

For a more peaceful experience, walk directly on the sand along the shoreline. Swimming in the ocean is refreshing, but there are no lifeguards on duty, so swim at your own risk.

Bars and restaurants line the beachfront, bustling with tourists throughout the day. In the evenings, some resorts host cultural performances by local artists, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. It’s easy to imagine spending an entire vacation simply relaxing at one of these resorts.

Here are some photos taken along the beach. I especially love the sunset hours. Enjoy!

Indonesia Impression and Experience

Why I Wanted to Visit Indonesia 

 

A couple of years ago, I saw photos of Borobudur Temple shared by my friend Harris, an expert in rice agriculture who had visited Indonesia for research. From the moment I saw those images, I was captivated by the temple’s unique architecture. A seed was planted then—one day, I knew I had to visit Indonesia and see Borobudur for myself. 

In 2025, while I was traveling in China, visiting Indonesia felt like the most convenient and logical next step. From China, Indonesia is relatively close, making the decision feel almost effortless. 

 During my travels, I had also heard countless stories about Bali. Everyone I met who had been there spoke of its beauty and charm. Naturally, curiosity got the best of me. As a result, my Indonesia trip included two destinations: Bali and Yogyakarta (where Borobudur Temple is located). 

My Impressions and Experiences 

Indonesia reminded me of what China felt like before the 1970s—poor and underdeveloped, yet full of life. In both Bali and Yogyakarta, I often saw rundown houses lining the roads that led to major tourist sites. 

 Public transportation is essentially nonexistent. The only practical way to get around is by hiring a car with a driver. Most roads are single lane, except in central Bali and Yogyakarta, and the majority of vehicles on the road are motorcycles. Unlike in Kunming, China—where almost all motorbikes are electric and relatively quiet—motorcycles in Indonesia are loud. The constant noise can become unpleasant at times. 

 Before the trip, I did my homework and downloaded Grab, Indonesia’s equivalent of Uber. I also downloaded Gojek, another popular ride-hailing app, but never had the chance to use it. Once I got used to Grab, I saw no need to confuse myself with another app. 

 I booked a hotel in Bali near the beach, attracted by its ambiance and beachfront resort setting. What I didn’t realize was how inconvenient this location would be for sightseeing. Reaching most tourist attractions took anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours one way. My advice to future travelers: always check the distance between your hotel and the sites you plan to visit. Traveling by car in Indonesia can be exhausting. 

 The good news is that hiring a private driver is a major industry in Indonesia. Most drivers speak decent English and are responsive, reliable, and well accustomed to working with tourists, which makes the experience far more manageable.

Indonesia Arrival Card (e-VOA)

You need to fill it out online 72 hours before arrival

2026 Norwegian Jewel Experience

From January 4 to January 15, I boarded the Norwegian Jewel (NCL) in Miami for an 11-night journey through the Caribbean and Central America. The itinerary included Cartagena, Colombia; Colón, Panama; Puerto Limón, Costa Rica; Roatán, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico, before returning to Miami. During this trip, I also experienced a partial transit of the Panama Canal.

Throughout the voyage, the ship docked directly at port at every stop except Colón, Panama, where it remained anchored offshore. Passengers were transported to land by tender boats, and without booking an excursion, there was no independent way to disembark.

Of all the destinations on this itinerary, Cartagena stood out as the only true city worth exploring. At the other ports, there was little sense of an actual town or urban life—activities were mostly limited to the cruise port areas themselves.

In Colón, Panama, I especially appreciated the opportunity to learn about the Panama Canal and its operations, including a close-up look at how the locks function. Seeing this modern engineering marvel in action was one of the main reasons I chose this cruise in the first place.

Another motivation for taking this January trip was to escape winter at home—and the weather could not have been more ideal. Each day brought comfortable temperatures ranging from the low to high 70s.

Puerto Limón, Roatán, Harvest Caye, and Costa Maya offered an abundance of beaches and natural beauty, making them enjoyable stops in their own way. That said, from the limited time spent ashore, it was also clear that these regions face significant economic challenges.

Some Sunrise and Sunset Photos taken on the ship

Colon, Panama (Transit through Panama Canal)

Visiting the Panama Canal is like stepping into a living story of engineering, history, and adventure. 

This was my second visit to Panama and my second time experiencing the canal, but this time we took a partial transit, traveling from the Atlantic Ocean into Gatun Lake before returning to the Atlantic. The journey began with the ship entering the Gatun Locks, where chamber by chamber we were lifted nearly 85 feet above sea level. Watching the water rise and the electric locomotives—known as “mules”—guide the ship with quiet precision was mesmerizing. 

Emerging into Gatun Lake, surrounded by calm waters and lush tropical forest, felt like entering the heart of the canal itself. While the ship was paused in the lake, we went ashore by tender boat to Colón and joined a bus excursion to the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center. From there, we watched massive modern ships glide through the new Panama Canal locks, marveling at the wide chambers, tugboats guiding the vessels, and the water-saving basins that recycle millions of gallons of freshwater with every transit. 

On the way to Fort San Lorenzo, our guide made a special stop at a viewing platform overlooking the Gatun Locks, giving us the rare opportunity to see our own ship moving through the historic locks from land—a perspective that made the canal’s scale and precision even more striking. 

At Fort San Lorenzo, perched at the mouth of the Chagres River, we explored the centuries-old ruins, taking in sweeping views of the Caribbean and jungle below before returning to the ship.

The ship is approaching the Gatun Locks

The ship is entering Gunta Locks (there is another ship move the opposite direction)

Locomotives ("mules") on the side guide the chip to keep it centered

The ship is inside the Gunta Locks

Agua Clara Visitor Center

Posters at the center showing the new locks and ship transit

Up close and personal with the new locks' in actions

Old Lock Observation Station

Watching our own ship transiting

San Lorenzo Fort

Harvest Cave, Belize

When we arrived at Harvest Caye, I was feeling tired after catching a cold at the beach earlier. I decided to skip the snorkeling trip and instead spend time relaxing at the port and beach.

The only photos I have are the ones taken at the port.

From the ship to the port, there is a long covered boardwalk. You can either take a golf cart or walk along it to reach the port.