Lake Batur and its surrounding area is a fascinating part of Bali in which to visit.  The lake itself sits within the crater of the Batur Volcano and has many fascinating stories to tell as it laps the outer rim of this volcano.  The scenery is quite picturesque as there are several large hills that frame the landscape.  Depending on the time of day; if you visit in the morning,  you’re sure to see a clear blue sky and with a backdrop of a rugged landscape, for the afternoon the landscape will most probably be adorned with wild clouds that cling to the hills obscuring their peaks, they themselves make for a wonderful  image as you snap your way around this area.

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The weather is very pleasant as you will have climbed some considerable height/distance to visit this crater making a day out here a welcome experience and respite from the wonderful Balinese sunshine.

Sitting on the far side of the lake and sandwiched between the water’s edge and the rim of the mountain is a mysterious village.  It is mysterious not because its inhabitants are known to be the indigenous Balinese as they predate the Hindu settlers to this island who arrived in the 16^th Century from the Hindu Majapahit kingdom.  This village is famous for the Pura Pancering Jagat temple, sadly visitors are not allowed inside this temple.  The villagers of this historic island only contact with the outside world is by wooden boats as no roads are able to reach this village.

They, like most cultures have customs of their own which are unique.  Most notably, unlike that of their more in touch neigbours, they bury their dead (bury being the operative word here) above ground wrapped in bamboo, the body is then taken by wooden boat across the lake to an area which is at the foot of a large Tree called the Taru Menyan.  Taru means “tree” and Menyan means “pleasant smell" there the body is left to decompose naturally.  It is said that there is no smell from the decomposing body as the Taru Menyan tree more than compensates for these odors.

It is also said that the area around this tree can only be visited by the men folk of the village, a visit from a women would bring untold disaster upon the village, such as an eruption from the volcano, therefore women are prohibited from visiting the area. 

This area is a must see for anyone wishing to have a more rounded knowledge of the region - stay with a licensed villa agent.

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