Depart early in the morning to watch the Barong Dance performance in Kesiman, 20 minute drive from Sanur. Barong is a lion-like creature and character in the mythology of Bali. He is the king of the spirits, leader of the good hosts, and enemy of Rangda, the demon queen and mother of all spirit guarders in the mythological traditions of Bali. The battle between Barong and Rangda is featured in the Barong dance to represent the eternal battle between good and evil.After this beautiful spectacle, drive up to Sangeh - the sacred monkey forest, where hundreds of them comfortably encounter with people.
Drive northward on a back road that meanders through stunning rice terraces, to the village of Jatiluwih. This rustic and rural hilltop village is pleasantly cool and set amidst striking scenery. Next visit the charming Taman Ayun Temple of Mengwi Empire. Built in 1634 by a King of the Mengwi Dynasty, this impressive complex stands on an island in a river, its inner temple surrounded by a moat and is part of a network of directional temples that protect Bali from evil spirits; Taman Ayun was built as a series of garden terraces with courtyards on different levels.
The entire complex was designed to symbolize the mythological home of the gods, Mount Meru, floating in the sea of eternity. An eleven-tiered meru is dedicated to the rice goddess Dewi Sri. Tanah Lot will be the last stop, popular and the most photographed temples on the island for good reason. Tanah Lot means "Land in the Sea" in the Balinese language. The temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.
Tanah Lot is claimed to be the work of the 16th-century Dang Hyang Nirartha. During his travels along the south coast he saw the rock-island's beautiful setting and rested there. Some fishermen saw him, and brought him gifts. Priest Nirartha then spent the night on the little island. Later he spoke to the fishermen and told them to build a shrine on the rock, for he felt it to be a holy place to worship the Balinese sea gods. This full day trip lasts till late afternoon.