Today was a lovely day for meteological and spiritual reasons.
The weather was wonderful, sunny and clear and the occasion was Kuningan, where the spirits of visiting relatives return to heaven. The great thing about being Balinese is that after you are dead people will pay tribute to their connection with you and celebrate your spirit coming down once a year to visit them.
I spent my afternoon in Internet Outpost which was very quiet. People told me that Tanah Lot was going to be a big place for worship so in late afternoon I rode out for a quick look. I have been to Tanah Lot a few times before and know the route, which past Canggu up the coast. Price of admission is 4,000rp at the gate.
Today was the busiest I’ve ever seen it and if the Gods weren’t smiling, the vendors were. It seemed to me that the big ceremony must have already finished and by 5pm the tourists from Taiwan outnumbered the Balinese.
Down at the temple the tide was out and people locals and tourists alike were lining up for their blessing from the priests.
I snapped a few shots and made ready to ride home. Paying a visit to the ‘little boys room’ I had to photograph this sign. Only in Indonesia is there a price list on the toilet! I think they got their pricing structure wrong actually. In my opinion a good ‘berak’ is worth half a dozen ‘kencings’.
Riding out of the parking lot and up the hill I saw a lovely site, the volcanoes were in the distance and across the rice terraces locals were heading for another ceremony at a smaller temple close to a hot spring.
People parked and were walking down there. I liked their good nature and of course the kids are always little stars.
The ride home was about 25 minutes and the only hiccup was getting stuck between 3 Pariwisata tour buses. The front one was kicking out so much toxic fumes that I had to pull over and let them get out of sight.
Arriving back at my house I found an offering placed at my front door, probably by my neighbors. The incense was still alight so I added my own condiment.
Sean will be here tomorrow and I am getting things straight for him. My next post will be with him, exciting eh!
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share             
|
Get your sleep in now before the whirlwind hits town.
G’Day Nick,
Nice day out!. That sign was a ripper and is a bit rough concidering there are so many trees around!.
Don’t let Sean outdo you in the surf!
What are the specs of the camera you use, Nick?
Michael,
I use the Canon A60 Powershot.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0302/03022706canona60a70.asp
Its small handy, has 2 megapixel, a 3.5 optical zoom, up to 7.5 digital.
Has a ton of features. All in all a decent little package.
Thanks. I appreciate it.
Just got back from Dooley’s pub in Brissie for a good-bye drink with folks. It’s 2 am in Brissie. Leave in about 3 hours for the airport. See you soon pal.