We went to see this Lizard park just north of Mengwi. On the map it is printed quite far away from Mengwi but in reality it is only around 3 km away (2 miles). Just north of the Coca Cola factory on the road between Denpasar and Singaraja.
This photo shows the entrance to the park. The fee to get in is high by Balinese standards, USD $11 (25 000 IDR). They do however accept credit cards, including Diners. The entrance fee covers a guide as well so you will get a personal guide for each group.
The first part of the reptile show did involve some Hindu religious show where they punish each other. It is all based on the Legend of Joko Tingkir and they perform various acts according to this. The tale goes:
Once upon a time there was an orphan youth called Joko Tingkir who lived deep in the forest. One night he had a dream. In the dream he was told that he would have to travel West to mediate. Joko Tingkir went to leave his village as he was told in the dream.
On his journey Joko Tingkir was blocked by thousands of poisonous snakes. He had no problem fighting them and kept on his journey.
Here we can see Joko fighting a bunch of snakes. They put the snakes on the floor, spitting some kind of drink over them to make them relax. Then they do various nasty things with the snakes.
After traveling for two days and two nights, Joko Tingkir arrived in a very primitive village. One of the customs of the village people there was showing their supra natural forces in a religious ceremony. Some of them were fire proof. Joko Tingkir was received as a guest in the village and stayed overnight before he continued his journey.
Here you see the village people on a spike mat.
Hitting each others with a hammer and various needles.
Putting in the needles.
Burning themselves...
Making scrambled egg on the head of a poor guy.
Keep on...
It was mostly Japanese girls attending to the show. Some of them thought it was quite disgusting and many went to the rest-room...
The story goes that Joko Tingkir finally arrived at the designated place and he immediately started to meditate there. After 40 days and 40 nights of meditation he went back to his village. On the way back he had to cross a river where there were lots of hungry crocodiles. Because there wasn't a bridge or a boat to cross the river he had to swim and fight the crocodiles. He beat all the crocodiles and safely crossed the river. The end.
Here you can see them carrying the crocodiles to the scene. Quite difficult, the crocs preferred the water...
OK, got you...
I want to get back into the water!
Picture: liz19.jpg
Here Joko is fighting the crocodiles.
OK, this baby was no problems.
Carry the crocs on your head.
MG Mia Asia 1997 Home page Keep on to part 2 Back to Ubud Village Bali home page