A Family Adventure at Bendungan Benel

One afternoon, I finally had the chance to visit Bendungan Benel (Benel Dam), which is about a half-hour drive from my home in West Bali. I had tried to visit during the COVID times, but it was closed, so this was my long-awaited opportunity to explore it.

Bendungan Benel is located in Manistutu village, West Bali, and was built to help with irrigation for nearby farms. On the way there, we passed beautiful rice fields, setting the scene for a peaceful visit.

When we arrived, there was a friendly staff member at the entrance, and I asked a few questions before driving up closer to the dam. I parked my car, and my family, including my wife, 11-year-old son, and 17-year-old daughter, enjoyed a simple lunch from a picnic basket that my wife had prepared.

After lunch, we began exploring the area around the dam. We walked along the road nearby, taking in the calm water and the lush greenery. The coconut trees and the forest beyond the dam added to the stunning scenery, making the walk feel relaxing and refreshing. My son and I ventured to the end of the road, while my wife and daughter stopped midway to take a few selfies and enjoy the view.

As the day grew hotter, my daughter mentioned how warm it was, so we decided it was time to leave. Before heading back, we spotted a small stall nearby and stopped for a break. At the back of this small stall was a different view of the dam, which is also beautiful.

My wife and I had coffee in that stall while the kids had ice cream. The breeze made the day much more pleasant, and we all felt relaxed.