Bali and Korea -- March 19, 2012

It was a relaxing morning into afternoon with no activities planned. I spent a long time doing two days worth of blogs. Once again typeface changed, pictures moved, and layout was destroyed – for no reason that I could determine. Being a bit anal about such things, I kept redoing each blog, trying for consistency. Once achieved, I logged off, knowing that it could all change again – but not caring.

At one point while sitting in the reception/dining area using the internet connection, rains came. They were heavy, but there was no wind. It was very pleasant sitting under cover and feeling myself to be in the midst of a tropical rain forest.

At three o’clock Monte, with Ferdinando the driver, came by to pick us up for a car trip to Bukit Badun, the southernmost tip of Bali, south of the airport. Because of very heavy traffic, it took longer to get there than Monte had thought/planned. Nevertheless we were able to drive through Nusa Dua, a very upscale resort complex at the eastern tip which could be located anywhere tropical; nothing at all Balinese about it, definitely a “Disneyland” approach. We also stopped to see what Monte calls the “street of churches,” located near Nusa Dua. This was built by President Suharto to “prove” that all religions can get along. Right next to each other: a Moslem mosque, a Catholic church, a Buddhist temple, a Protestant church, and a Hindu temple. (I noticed there was no Jewish synagogue or temple!) All of the buildings are used, having their own congregations, and they do seem to get along okay. In a row. . .

The Mosque, with parochial

students exiting after classes.

The Catholic Church and its gong (instead of bells?)

Buddhist Temple









Protestant (generic, I guess) Church

Hindu Temple

We then drove from the east to the westernmost tip to Pura Luhur Uluwato and a performance of the Kecak Dance. The setting was an amphitheater at sea’s edge looking out at the ocean and up to the Pura (temple). We didn’t have time to visit the temple, but I suspect it’s one of those most impressive at a distance, known for its setting more so than the actual structure. (The flags in this picture are decoration at the edge of the amphitheater, blowing into the picture.)

Like Pura Tanah Lot this temple is famous for watching the sun set behind it, and many people were there for that event, although the low-lying clouds limited the beauty of the sunset.

There was a full crowd for the Kecak Dance, although a number of people arrived after the 6 p.m. starting time causing some annoying distraction. The Kecak proved to be quite different in style from the dance we saw in Ubud. It was developed in the early 1930s and has been modified and added to, particularly with scenes from the Ramayama epic, which this version was. Instead of their being instrumentalists (like the gamelan orchestra at Ubud), a chorus of bare-chested men provide the accompaniment with their voices. In addition to singing and chanting, particularly the chak-a-chak-a-chak sounds, which give the dance its name, the chorus does sound effects and, as it moves, serves as scenery.

The story has soap opera qualities, as most Hindu epics do. And, since the characters are stylized and one often becomes another in disguise, it is difficult to know exactly what’s happening and who the characters are. But that really doesn’t matter since it’s the spectacle, not the story, which predominates.

The heroine (on the right)

The Golden Deer is really Marica, one of Ravana's allies; Ravana is the evil demon who Rama came to earth to defeat.

And the end of this dance is quite spectacular as Anoman, the white monkey

who comes to the rescue of the heroine Sita (the wife of Rama who is an incarnation of the god Vishnu), is imprisoned in a ring of fire (literally), manages to escape, and then burns down the palace (shown by kicking the flames all over the amphitheater stage).

Given the very strong winds that were blowing and the proximity of the audience to the stage, I was planning my exit strategy! . . . All ended well, however, and the crowd left safely. If you'd like to see some professional pictures, check out the web site: http://www.bali-dance.com/english/Uluwatu.html

Because of the strong winds and the rain which looked imminent, we decided against the planned restaurant on the beach dinner. Instead we got into the van heading toward home -- a very wise idea. Almost immediately heavy rains began and continued along with the howling winds until we arrived. Ferdi dropped us off at the door to the Haven Hotel where we’d decided to dine. The restaurant area was being soaked by the blowing water. We couldn’t eat at any of the normal tables but staff set up a special table in the corner, protected from the wind and the rain, and we had a pleasant meal.

The wind and rain abated slightly enabling all of us to walk the short distances to our respective abodes. I was tired and went promptly to bed at 11 p.m.