Tirta Gangga Water Palace, East Bali

Tirta Gangga (Tirta means blessed water, Gangga originated from Ganges, the holy river in India) is a well-known tourist attraction in East Bali. Tirta Gangga is a water palace which was built for and belongs to the royal family of Karangasem. We were told by our guide that the palace was erected as a retreat destination for King Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, (who was the the last king of Karangasem) and his royal family.

Subsequently, through my own research, I found out that the Raja not only did all the designing himself, but he also worked together with his laborers to complete this water complex. For the first time in my life, I have newfound respect for a King.

Entrance. Ticketing booth is on the right (hidden in picture)

After paying the entrance fee (10,000 IDR for foreigner visitors, 5,000 IDR for locals), we walked in and the gorgeous palace stood before me in all of its royal glory. From the entrance, the first noticeable construction is the Mahabharata pond and the Nawa Sanga fountain, and within a minute, I was standing atop the stepping stones in the middle of the pond surrounded by koi fishes and majestic stone sculptures on water.

Beyond the pond is the 11-tiered Nawa Sanga fountain tower.

Mahabharata pond and the 11-tiered Nawa Sanga fountain (behind)

Mahabharata sculptures

You can walk across the pond on its large stepping stone.

Pouring water from the tower sculptures.

Behind the Nawa Sanga fountain tower is a swimming pool (not in picture), which used to be a pool for royal baths. These days, visitors can jump in for a nominal fee. It is believed that water had healing properties since it ebbs from natural spring, and has always been regarded as holy by the locals.

Notice the clarity of water which is fed directly from the holy spring.

Koi fishes longer than an arm's length

Decorative lotus pond

Lotus flower in full bloom

Whereas the Mahabharata pond is on the right, the left side (from entrance) is occupied by the South Pond, or generally referred to as the Water Garden, with the long Demon island in the middle.

West bridge on Water Garden

Demon island

Tirta Gangga is a pleasant place to visit, and it is respected by everyone as a spiritually clean place. Besides the water palace, which is the main draw of this place, Tirta Gangga is also surrounded by hills. plantation and stunning rice paddy terraces, which makes it a photo-worthy spot.

The driver drove us to a nearby spot (also reachable on foot, approximately 10 minutes) for a better view of the terraced paddy fields. The mountain which you see below is Gunung Agung (Mount Agung), a volcanic mountain which is still active. It last erupted between 1963-1964.

Surrounded by classical sculptures and thanks to its significant historical value and beauty of surrounding (water, hill, and garden), Tirta Gangga became one of the best spot in Bali. It's not in your everyday life that you see a water palace right?

Serene and calm, Tirta Gangga is a comfortable escape from high-rise skyscrapers.

The best hour to visit is between 9am to 11am, lest you want to get a sun tan ;)

Fresh, unpolluted nature fun at Herb Island 허브아일랜드

Contrary to its name, Herb Island isn't exactly an island, but more of a lush flower and herb garden surrounded by nature. There are many indoor and outdoor gardens in Herb Island, but these gardens are mostly colored by an array of blooming seasonal flowers and natural Mediterranean herbs.

The gardens are a fragrant haven, but besides the relaxation gardens, there are also many things to see and do, and interesting routes to stroll. At the end of the day, what you get is just pure, fresh air and unpolluted nature fun.

Located in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, at Herb Island, their attractions are categorized into Villages (마을): 

1. Food Village 향을 먹는 마을
2. Aroma Village 향을 파는 마을
3. Enjoyment Village 즐기는 마을
4. Healing Center 힐링센터

At the Food Village, there is the Herb Barbecue Restaurant (must-try!), Herb Healing Food, Healing Burger, Bakery, and a Herb Cafe. At the Aroma Village, attractions include gift shops, florist shop and a Aroma Therapy Center. As for the Enjoyment Village, there's Herb Museum, Herb Studio (that allows DIY crafting), Santa Village, Trevi Fountain, Memory's Street, Venetia Village, Un Petit France, etc. Lastly, the Healing Center offers spa and relaxation services.

There are also lodging pensions in Herb Island for visitors who wish to stay overnight.

The first Village you see upon entering Herb Island is the Venetia Village; and the theme of this village is Mediterranean. Just look at their landscape aesthetics in the following pictures.

Venetia Village

Gondola stream in Venetia Village

Mini gondola rides are available

Sidetrack: If you follow Running Man, you'll probably find this venue familiar, and that's because the episode that Park Taehwan and Son Yonjae (both national sportsman) guests in are filmed here.

What beautiful landscaping!

Inside the Herb Museum, there's Souvenir Hall, History Hall, Aromatherapy Hall, Library, Craft Hall and Experience Hall.

Outside the Herb Museum

(L) Herb Museum (R) Herb Studio (DIY crafting)

Inside the Herb Museum

Inside the Herb Museum

On weekends, various performance are shown for free.

Outdoor performance hall

Moving ahead, you'll see the outdoor flower gardens. At night, the garden is dressed up in landscape lightings which enhances night walks and transforms into a magical garden that is not seen in daylight.

Outdoor gardens

Outdoor gardens

Indoor garden

Un Petit France (France Village)

To Santa Village

At Santa Village, one of Herb Island's main attraction, you can feel the warmth and joy of Christmas all year round. At night, the village is draped in colorful lights arrangements and with a long light tunnel beautifully illuminating the village, it is truly a spectacular sight at night. Illuminated Christmas trees, Santa sculptures (aplenty!), gigantic present sculptures, and themed Santa booths are placed all around Santa Village which  further brings out the magical festive feeling. Between December to January of every year, Santa Village becomes a winter playground.

Welcome to Santa Village

Studious Santa

Light Tunnel is brightly illuminated at night.

Trevi Fountain

Running Man (the episode that featured Park Taehwan and Son Yonjae) was filmed here.

Aroma Centre

Aroma Centre (indoor)

Healing Center

At the Herb Studio, visitors can learn and enjoy DIY crafting (i.e. soap, perfume) for a minimal fee.

Herb Studio (DIY crafting)

Herb Studio (DIY crafting)

Now, after all those walking, let's talk about food! :)

When you pass by Herb Bakery at the Food Village, try as you might, you just can't seem to resist the aroma of freshly-baked herb breads.

Herb Bakery

On their website, it says that 200 types of herb breads are baked on a daily basis

Besides the bakery, there is also a Herb Cafe that offers a selection beverages and desserts, infused by flavors of natural herbs.

Herb Cafe's interior

www.herbisland.co.kr (Korean only) is the correct website.

(clockwise) Mango & Rosemary Cake, Herb Tea, Herb Lemonade

A mini garden outside the cafe

When it's time to feed the growling stomach, I highly recommend the Herb Barbecue Restaurant. Unlike other barbecue restaurants, this place offers a selection of meat dishes (their specialty is ribs) that are (also, obviously) marinated and infused with herb flavors.

Herb Barbecue Restaurant

Outdoor dining

Indoor dining

Waiting for the grill pan to heat up

Pork Ribs with herb flavors

Full moon

Herb Island, has a different face in daylight and after-dark. If possible, stay until night time, but you will be hard-pressed for time if you are coming here by public transportation. Reasons below.

It's best to come here by car, and parking is free.

General admission fees are KRW6000 for adults, KRW4000 for children and senior citizens, and free-of-charge for children below 3 years old. Herb Island is open all year round.

How to get here?

[SUBWAY]
Soyosan Station (Seoul Subway Line 1).

Take Bus 57 or 57-1, and get off at Samjeong-ri (삼정리). Bus ride takes approximately 20 minutes.

Go straight on Samcheongol-gil Street to arrive at Herb Island.

Note: The last bus leaves Herb Island at 7.25pm. I didn't know about this and left the island only around 8pm. It was a painful, not to mention, scary (very!) experience. As Herb Island is rather secluded, taxis are a rare sight.