Sunsets in Bali are breathtaking. The sky is usually clear there, so the sun is very evident. While many people go to the beach for sunset, try watching the outdoor Kecak and Fire Dance show in Uluwatu Temple for a unique sunset experience.
Uluwatu Temple is located at Pecatu Village Kuta, an hour (or more) drive from Seminyak. It is a small temple on top of a cliff that faces the beautiful Indian Ocean. It may be a long climb to get there at the top, but it was definitely worth the sweat. This temple is notable since it as one of the nine directional temples that are said to protect the people from evil spirits.
Wearing a sarong for both men and women is required before entering the temple. There is a small booth at the entrance where they lend it. Entrance fee is 20,000 IDR (around 70 PHP) per head.
After the temple, I recommend that you see the Kecak and Fire Dance at the amphitheater. There is a separate fee of 150,000 IDR (around 500 PHP) per head. Booking in advance is preferable but for us, our guide just bought our tickets at the venue.
The show is an excerpt from the famous epic Ramayana. It is divided into four acts that generally tells the story of Rama, the protagonist, who searches for his beloved Sita who was kidnapped by King Rahwana, the antagonist.
The entire show does not have any dialog. The story gets unfolded by the convincing movements and shouts of the characters. The all-male choir sang everything without any orchestra. I truly find them very talented as they continuously chanted throughout the one-hour show! Even though I don't know what they were chanting, it was very catchy. The "cak cak cakacakcak” is still in my head. LOL.
The show that runs for one hour (from 06:00pm to 07:00pm). It’s best to be there 30 minutes earlier to get good seats. For me, find a seat where you can best see the sun. Also, the show involves fire and smoke, so be mindful if you wish to sit at the bottom next to the performers.
Apparently, the sunset plays a good part in giving drama to the show. It’s really an awesome idea that it is held outdoors and runs right before the sun goes down. The sun amazingly produced some shadows, an orange background and dramatic rays that all came together to give a spectacular performance.
