GWK Cultural Park, is the kind of place name that just rolls off the tongue. If you've ever flown into Bali or found yourself on any of the beaches in the southern half of the island, you would have seen it towering above the skyline.
So it's the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, located in the southern part of Bali, literally in the middle of the bottom part and whilst I would recommend going at least one to appreciate the gargantuan size of the statue, this cultural park has by far the least amount of culture for a place with Cultural in the title.
We arrived in the carpark, jumped onto the shuttle bus, arrived at the entrance, which felt like a theme park, but without the queues. Entry was IDR125k and included just entry. We walked through the exhibition area (which feels like the parks primary purpose), and walked up the road way for about 10 mins until the arrived at the Patung Garuda Wisnu Statue. I know this blog sounds like my most cynical work, but a part of me feels like the statue is unnecessarily far to enable the park to charge for the shuttle bus and rental bicycles, scooters and go-karts.
Inside the statue was a big hall with dioramas of characters from Hindu mythology lining the sides and a set of lifts at the end.
Plus a counter, ready to sell you tickets for a tour to the observation desk for IDR125k. Yes, the tour to go have a look upstairs costs more than entry to the park.
I skipped it.
We walked back down the hill, up the stairs marvelled at the gigantic eagle. I don't understand it, but I accept it.
Walking past the eagle we arrived to the third spectacle of the GWK Park, Plaza Wisnu. A statue atop a fountain, with views of the island and airport. It's also where the mosquitoes found me...
On the way out, we popped into the Amphitheatre, which to my surprise was the place to see the cultural dances. I stayed for the three shows, the ladies with the intense stares, the men with the rosy cheeks and the comedian. To my surprise although, in hindsight I don't know why I was surprised, the comedian section had a participation element. Never have I felt luckier to be a foreigner when I realised they weren't even tempted to drag me onto the stage.
After that, we popped into the Art Museum, except it was not arty and it wasn't a museum. It was some high end photo studio that let's tourists dress up and pose for photos for the measly sum of IDR500k per person.
Tired out my guide
In the end I bought a magnet (as is customary) and then managed to not spend any more money.
GWK Cash Park, go at least once.
