Bali, Indonesia

3/1/2023 – Day 1 – Denpasar & Singapadu
Our first day in Bali was a mixed bag. Cruising into the harbor, we saw beautiful beaches and all types of water sports underway. Oh, we are in the beautiful Bali that we’ve heard so much about, we thought. When we disembarked from the ship and climbed aboard the tiniest bus we thought we had ever seen, we found ourselves in stand still traffic in Bali’s capital and largest city. As we crept along into this city of over 650,000, we began our three-day introduction to and observation of, the real Bali. First stop was at the Pasar Badung market, an open-air, four-story market with tiny stalls carrying almost anything you might need. The weather was extremely hot and humid, but we trudged along trying to be “in the moment” which turned out to be the moment two enormous rats crossed our path. Between “OMG” and “Get a picture” (we failed at that attempt), we finished our tour of the market. As we walked back towards the bus, we watched some kids swimming in the river and noticed all the small Hindu offerings in front of businesses & statues. Balinese Hindus’

attendance at one of their 10,000 temples is woven into the fabric of their lives, but more tightly woven are the daily offerings – small hand-woven baskets with rice & other foods, flowers, incense, or whatever works & fulfills their offering intention. Our visit continued on to the Pura Agung Jagatnatha temple where we also visited the museum. After purchasing a hand fan for $1 (best $1 spent so far) and experiencing a slight breeze, we began to feel better. Heading back to the ship, we noticed the thousands of motorcycles on the road (very few cars) and how polite all the drivers are. After a little recovery time, we headed out for the evening to the Bali Bird Park, located just north of the city in Singapadu. Great dinner with a bottle of Bali’s own Bintang pilsner beer. Got to visit with some of the beautiful birds – although it was too late to visit the rest of the bird park – and then the grand finale was a performance of Kecak and Fire Dance: A Traditional Balinese Dance with the Story of

Ramayana. The performers were beautiful and talented. The male musicians, who provided the music with only their voices for 45 minutes without stopping, were amazing.

3/2/2023 – Day 2 – Denpasar & Tanah Lot & Tabanan & Sobangan
First stop was at the Popiler Batik Factory in Denpasar. After watching demonstrations of the batik process and seeing their many stamps and designs, we wandered around their store and art exhibition. They even batiked the sleeve of my blouse as a memento. It will last for several washings – even more if I stop putting it in the dryer…. Then we headed to the beautiful coastal Tanah Lot Temple, which is reachable only at low tide. As tourists we were only allowed to view the temple from a distance. Then I had a sudden hankering to hold a python. So, we did! My many years of weight lifting came in handy when trying to hold on to the neck of the snake around our necks.

Then Mike got to hold the snake’s head and was a good sport about my sudden inspiration. Next, we traveled up into the hills a bit to have lunch on a terrace overlooking rice paddies at Puri Taman Sari in Tabanan – a small beautiful resort. Our last stop of the day was at the Taman Ayun Temple in Sobangan, the Mother Temple to the Mengwi Kingdom, built in 1634. Every temple is constructed in the same layout with a split open first gate followed by gated second and third areas. We were allowed through the split gate and the second gate at each temple we visited. Only the priests go through the third gate.

3/3/2023 – Day 3 – Denpasar & Celuk & Batuan
Today we ventured north and east of the City, stopping first at the Duta Orchid Garden. Many beautiful plants, including lots of orchids, as well as a look at an Asian Palm Civet (mongoose). They are famous for “making” Kopi luwak, or civet coffee. It is a highly prized &

very expensive coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries which have been eaten and then defecated by the civet. We didn’t get to taste any of that coffee…. Next stop was the Dewi Sitha Jewelry Collection in Celuk, where we observed a silversmith making jewelry and then were able to shop. Yay! Our next stop was at the Puseh Batuan Temple where everyone had to wear a sarong in order to enter the temple. I brought the one I had purchased in Bora Bora and Mike borrowed one at the temple. They wrapped it around his waist pouch, so he looked about 8 months pregnant. This temple was founded in 1020 AD and incorporates a Village Temple (place to worship God Brahma – Creator), a Puseh Temple (place to worship God Vishnu – Preserver) and a Dalem Temple (place to worship Lord Shiva – the Destroyer). While we do not pretend to begin to understand Balinese Hinduism, we have had some very good introductions. Our last stop of the day was at the Yana Art Gallery in

Batuan to watch some talented woodcarvers and, of course, to do a little shopping.

Final thoughts on Bali – What at first seemed like a crowded, dirty, noisy, disorganized place really grew on us. Yes, it is both beautiful and ugly; crowded & dirty; interesting; overflowing with temples; overflowing with motorcycles; overflowing with people. But, oh the people. So nice and kind and quiet and calm and so genuinely and naturally spiritual. To be a Balinese Hindu for one day would be an honor. So, no we never visited a resort in Bali, but we got to see the “real” Bali.

Final fun facts – Primarily Hindu, but there are also Buddhists, Muslims, Catholics, & Protestants. Tolerance and respect for each other’s religion is practiced. The Hindu New Year is a public holiday

for everyone. The night before there are parades with 25’ tall frightening statues (we saw some being made) – to vanquish negative elements and create a balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. After dancing, drinking & feasting (all to drive away evil spirits), the Day of Silence (Nyepi) begins at 6 am the next morning, which will be on March 22 this year. March 22 is the day after the dark moon of the spring equinox when day and night are of approximate equal duration. On that day, the country shuts down. Everyone stays home. All lights are shut off. Everyone remains quiet. No one is allowed to be outside. Even the airport is shut down. Non-Hindus and tourists also “participate” as the entire island is shut down for 24 hours.