Finally I did it! I returned to the magickal Island of Bali after an absence of 26 years. It was only 5 days this time. In 1981 I was there for 5 weeks, and each day was a Technicolor dream overflowing with adventure, romance, and delicious sensations. I'm gathering my thoughts and feelings so I can blog in greater detail about the invigoration and inspiration I felt - but, meanwhile, I'll share some photos I took with my dinky digital camera (a Sony Cybershot, believe it or not!)...
In Bali you'll always find a majestic old tree beside every temple. This magnificent green sanctuary that had shaped itself into a perfect archway was spotted on my way to Ubud, just outside Batubulan (what a romantic name, Moonstone!).
On both sides of the road leading to Ubud you'll find the finest artisans in Asia, a rich legacy of the Majapahit Empire which produced stonemasons comparable to those that built Angkor Wat, Khajuraho, and Tiahuanaco.
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| A colossal statue, presumably of Rama, greets every visitor to Ubud |
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| Painters, painters everywhere in Ubud; modern as well as traditional |
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| Mask-makers too! |
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| Member of the Balinese Royal Household at the Royal Temple in Ubud |
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Five minutes outside the bustling tourist hub
that Ubud has become, soothing sounds of running water
and ducks romping in lush paddy-fields |
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| Ceremonial cow presides over ritual cremation of Balinese royalty |
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| Women in Bentuyong, near Ubud, so alike the Orang Asli among whom I live |
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| Hokkien chef in Ubud with two of his Balinese angel waitresses |
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| Daily offerings to the Unseen Beings are an integral part of Balinese culture |
PART TWO
[Originally published 12 September 2007]
In Bali you'll always find a majestic old tree beside every temple. This magnificent green sanctuary that had shaped itself into a perfect archway was spotted on my way to Ubud, just outside Batubulan (what a romantic name, Moonstone!).
On both sides of the road leading to Ubud you'll find the finest artisans in Asia, a rich legacy of the Majapahit Empire which produced stonemasons comparable to those that built Angkor Wat, Khajuraho, and Tiahuanaco.
