Ketut Liyer Ubud Bali Indonesia
Thursday, February 05, 2015
Walk with Cham at Ketut Liyer's Place
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| Ketut Liyer |
Our first day in Bali was spent walking around two temples- Besakih Temple and Tirta Empul. Being in Bali on a rainy season our first day was indeed gloomy and tiresome. So on our second day I hoped for a sunshiny weather. I'm glad it happened. And our very first agenda- visit the famous medicine man of Eat, Pray, Love, Ketut Liyer.
Ketut Liyer is a medicine man/palm reader who became famous for his major role in Elizabeth Gilbert's life after divorce. Elizabeth Gilbert was the best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love that became a major motion picture played by Julia Roberts. Having read the book I longed to see Ketut Liyer. More so when a friend of mine who visited Ketut told me that his predictions were quite accurate, at a time when the film was not yet released and Ketut had not asked for a fixed rate yet. After the movie was released Ketut then started asking for a fixed rate which was the said reason why a lot of visitors said that he had lost his magic [either that or he was too old already]. But what the heck! I really didn't care, I just wanted to see Ketut Liyer in person at least even before he dies. We went there via rented van first thing in the morning as to avoid the long queue, the driver had no difficulty finding it because Ketut is quite famous in Bali.
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| Early birds at Ketut Liyer's place |
Because we were early, my sister and I were the first ones who were there, we were given plastic cards with numbers 1 and 2 and were asked to wait at their receiving area.
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| Numbers 1 and 2 |
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| One |
So while waiting for Ketut, who was having breakfast when we arrived, we roamed around the area and we were quite surprised with what we saw. Ketut Liyer's place is not just for palm reading but is now a spa and hotel. How clever!
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| The area expanded- hotel and spa |
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| ChaMike <3 |
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| One of the rooms |
Because Kuya, Mama and Papa had no plans of having their palms read they tried the massage and according to them it was quite good!
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| Spa |
So while they were having their massage, the moment had arrived, the staff called my number and I began walking toward Ketut. It was an open area right outside his bedroom. Ketut was sitting on a banig and beside him was his son. Before the session started I was asked by his son to give a fee worth Rp 250,000 (P872). I knew about the fee even before I went there so it wasn't a shock.
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| Your eyebrows, very lucky! |
I was not actually prepared with what to ask or say. I just wanted to enjoy the 15 minute session with high hopes and no expectations. When I sat down beside him, he immediately gave me a big grin and asked for my name, age and if I'm married or not. And afterwards he started praising me (like what he says on all of his costumers)
'Your eyebrows, very lucky!'
'Your chin, very influential'
'Your eyes very pretty'
Here were something different…
'Your mole, like mine very blessed!' - Same mole!
'You will get married soon' - Ows?
'Your boyfriend, very handsome!'- So TRUE!
When he was about to check my palm, he told me that he could no longer read it because he was very old- I like that he was honest, he was about 90 years old I guess.
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| 'I can't read your palm, I'm too old' |
He then checked my back and uttered words I don't understand (I guess sometimes he forgets to speak in English) But he kept on telling me the same phrases.
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| Trying to understand him |
He also checked my knees but same story. Nothing really new.
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| Knee reading :) |
He sometimes joked about his age that he's old and that I wouldn't fall for him and kept on telling me to kiss him and then he would begin to remind himself that I had a boyfriend and my boyfriend might punch him if he did. Ketut had a sense of humor, he seemed fond with girl customers which is funny for his age. 'Lucky, pretty, blessed and influential' are the adjectives he kept on describing me or should I say all of his girl costumers. So just like that the 15 minute session ended. Of course I told him that I read the book and I am very happy that I was able to finally meet him. We wrapped up the session by having a photo op with him.
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| Thank you Ketut! |
If you are seriously looking for someone who can read your future, visiting Ketut Liyer may not be the best option for you. But if you are just a fan of the book, the movie, or just want to meet the famous medicine man, visiting Ketut can actually be fun. I tried to ask for an autograph but his son didn't permit. So at least I was able to take a photo of him while this famous Balinese is still alive :)
5 comments
Hoping to visit Bali next year. Planning on Airbnb for place to stay. Any suggestions? Or advice on must-dos? Thanks!! Megan
ReplyDeleteHello there Maganrae,
DeleteFor the place, I would recommend to rent around Ubud area.
Must do, kindly read this - http://www.walkwithcham.com/2015/01/things-to-do-in-bali-indonesia.html
Thanks!
Hi read your blog. Planning to visit Ketut Liyer's place. Would you know if they have a schedule like upto what time do they normally allow tourist for a palm reading season? :)
ReplyDeleteThank you
Not so sure. But I recommend to go here early in the morning because it gets jam-packed
DeleteKetut Liyer has died at age 100 on June 8, 2016
ReplyDelete