Kuta, Bali (ANTARA News) - Hollywood actor Richard Gere accompanied by his wife and son, arrived in the Indonesian tourist resort island of Bali from Central Java where he visited and performed religious rites at the Buddhist Borobudur Temple.

Gere arrived at Bali`s Ngurah Rai international airport at 10.05 am local time aboard a Garuda plane which flew him from Yogyakarata`s Adisutjipto airport.

Accompanied by airport officials, Gere took his luggage and directly boarded a hotel car which had been waiting for him.

Gere who played in the film "Pretty Women" opposite Julia Roberts was not prepared to be interviewed because he had come to Bali for a vacation.

On Sunday, Richard Gere arrived in Yogyakarta to meditate at the ancient Borobudur temple.

He performed "pradaksina", a ritual where the faithful circle the temple as a token of respect. After offering prayers, he meditated in front of the Borobodur temple`s main stupa.

Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratuboko Tourist Park Manager Purnomo Siswoprasetjo said Richard Gere had canceled a plan to ride an elephant to go around the temple and surrounding villages due to the presence of a big crowd and the media that made him feel uncomfortable.

A practicing Buddhist, Richard Gere also skipped a bodhi tree planting ceremony and planned visits to Mendut and Pawon temples.
(Uu.A014/HAJM/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011