Lempuyang

Lempuyang, or the east side of Bali, is known for the Lempuyang Temple which shows off the powerful Mt. Agung volcano with the temple gates in the foreground. This is very much a tourist attraction but it fulfilled making me feel like I was in Bali to take the iconic picture between the “gates of heaven.”

What To Do

Lempuyang Temple

A very popular touristy place for the mirrored picture of the temple with Mt Agung in the background. You might think it is a pool (I was a little underwhelmed when I realized that there was no pool of water, but that the photographer uses a mirror underneath of your camera phone to reflect the picture). Even still, it makes for a great picture, and I loved the setting. Be sure to get here SUPER early (wake up call at 5am) so you can beat the crowds, the heat, and the afternoon storms. I got there around 10am and waited for about 4 hours to get a picture. My driver/tour guide was great and kept me busy with taking other pictures around the waiting area, and got me coffee as well which made it more enjoyable.

Tirta Gangga

This former royal palace is now a water garden. It was built in 1946 but was mostly destroyed by an eruption from Mt. Agung in 1963. It was a beautiful spot for picture taking and wandering around the gardens. My time here was rushed due to the heavy rain that began when we arrived, but I think my tour guide and I made the most of it!

Where to Eat

Dewata Agung Tirtagangga

This restaurant was a very quick drive from the Tirta Gangga to get you out of the touristy area and into a more quaint spot with views of a rice terrace. The food was great too!

Where to Stay

Lempuyang Boutique Hotel

This was one of my favorite hotels. I could’ve just stayed at this resort and not left! The food here is some of the best I’ve had on the island, and the hazelnut ice cream is also the best I’ve ever had. I still dream of that ice cream… haha! I got a facial here as well and it was fantastic! We went way over the allotted time since I was the only one using their services that day, which I greatly appreciated!