Dateline Bali

The rice terraces of Bali are even more stunning than I imagined. They are now a UNESCO Heritage site

Day Two Bali.  What a day. Maurauding macaques, picturebook rice terraces and a live animal sacrifice.

Sacred Macaques

They got their status because of the Hindu Epic Ramayana.  Long story - but in Bali they cavort in the Monkey Forest Temple and generally behave rather badly, stealing anything they can lay their hands on. Glasses, hearing aids, earrings.

Touristy? for sure, but I could not leave without seeing them. This one posed on a wall of the temple.  8:30 am is feeding time and they arrive on the dot.

Temple in the Lake

One of the most picturesque temples, so the guide book says is in a lake in the crater of an old volcano. The water was low, and it was not quite surrounded by water, but there was a ceremony in full force, so plenty of photo ops. Every day there are myriad ceremonies in Bali. However this one turned out to be one which happens once in 100 years. We were lucky - maybe.

Worshippers at the lake temple ceremony

I took pictures and walked around a bit.  Then all of the worshippers processed from the temple and headed to the water.  Some got into boats others lined the shores in anticipation.  My driver found out from some of those attending that since this was once in 100 years they were sacrificing a live goat.  They were planning to take the goat to the center of the lake and dump him overboard. "Look," said the driver, "You can see it!"  That was it for me.  We left, I think my driver wanted to stay but I simply could not be part of it.

After the ceremony in the temple there was a procession to the lake.  Everyone watched as the goat was loaded onto the boat and the journey to the center of the lake commenced.

Tomorrow evening I fly to Singapore and so will begin the slow process of returning to the real world. Jetlag may take a week or so and will be relatively easy.  I think the culture shock will take longer.  Java, Borneo and Bali.  A heady trio.   TTFN

Lotus in a pool in Ubud, Bali