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While I know funny kind of signs aka “Don’t pee in the elevator – Fine 2.000$!” from Singapore; I wasn’t aware that other countries are worried about their citizen’s hygienic toilet behaviors as well.
It came a bit as a surprise to see a similar sign at Bali’s beautiful Water Temple – Pura Ulun Danu – near the small town of Bedugul at Lake Bratan (“Holy Mountain Lake”). Bedugul is most famous for it’s Strawberry Fields, which provide a fresh, red harvest almost all-year-round due to the higher and cooler climate…
The Temple close to the Lake’s Water is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the Goddess for all Lakes and Rivers.
Pura Ulun Danu has a 11-storey ‘Meru’ (or Pagoda) and besides Dewi Danu – other Gods like Shiva and his wife Parvati are worshiped here as well.
So this place is truly holy for all Balinese and other Hindu. 
Besides the temple there is a tiny Bamboo Forest, of the rare yellow kind, directly located at the edge of the lake. It is considered holy as well. Does the color imply here something to some people….I really don’t know. Somehow it’s kinda strange to see a small put up here, with a warning in Indonesian Language. No translation is provided at the spot, which is pretty uncommon in Bali’s touristy locations. So I assume the worries are more related to the local people, visiting this site.
So what does that sign actually say?
The letters are a bit small, they read in Bahasa Indonesia: “Kawasan suci di larang kencing diareal ini!”, which means translated to plain English the following: “This is a holy place – it is forbidden to urinate in this area!”
Ahso!
If you see the surrounding, you really can’t imagine someone dropping his or her pants here in public and doing the unthinkable. But hey – it’s seems you can never be to sure and better make your voice heard!
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October 25th, 2007 at 9:05 am
I love bamboo, and even went to the trouble to plant several varieties in a garden I had in a small yard with a pond and Japanese Koi.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:52 am
The bamboo tree has a yellow trunk…never seen that on before
October 31st, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Yes because local boy have habbit to put their pants anywhere if they want to urinate… lol
btw, salam kenal from balinese blogger
dexno ( dexno ).
Nice blog Sir.
November 6th, 2007 at 12:00 am
If there is a sign, you know it’s because somebody did it…. :P
November 14th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
If at first, there were prohibited actions being materialized, that’s where prohibitive warning signs will follow. I remember when I was in Central District in Hongkong before, seeing signs in Chinese being translated into Tagalog stating littering is not allowed. Thus, it is understood those signs were specifically addressed only to Filipinas who usually gather around the area every Sunday. That was sad for my part as a Filipino but what can I do? I can see Filipinos litter their rubbish just everywhere
Anyway, as for your post, maybe a public urinal can be erected in that place to avoid people just peeing everywhere. See this MMDA urinal that can be found in most streets in Metro Manila. Link of the photo here. Entire blog is here.
Do you think it will work there? ;)
November 15th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Haha, great picture Dodong! I’m not sure if the Balinese will put up mobile urinals like this one day, but it would surely look a bit out of place in places other than the city. And they are natural born aesthetes.
Anuj, they even have red bamboo here, which is a much rarer kind of breed. Gets stolen often though, especially when still growing in the wilderness.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
yup that indonesia incredible place to surprising people who doesnt know about our diversity different bali,different papua and that make indonesia famous around the world and everyone know that indonesia is different ;;)