Friday, Mar 23rd, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Greetings!

This morning we attended a traditional Barong Dance, held in a village not far from Ubud.  The village was selected by the government a few years ago because of its high concentration of batik painters, mask carvers, dancers, weavers, and musicians.  All are essential for, and fully in display in, the Barong Dance.  A Barong is a mythological animal (usually much like a lion) that represents good in a continual battle with Rangda (Demon queen and mother of all spirit guarders). 

In a five-act presentation, the plans of Rangda to devour the son (Sadewa) of Dewi Kunti are foiled by witches, a Hindu god, servants of Dewi, a mischievous monkey, a boar, a bird, and finally the Barong.  Supported by the music of a Gamelan orchestra, the performance is well worth seeing.

Later in the day, we stopped by a Batik outlet, a museum of Balinese Art (Museum Puri Lukisan), and the Ubud Royal Palace.  In the latter, we watched a troupe of dancers, accompanied by another Gamelan orchestra, perform.

This evening ends the organized sectio of the Malaysian/Indonesian part of our trip.  Tomorrow, we start a to days on our own at a southern Bali beach town, and then fly to Singapore for five days o our own.  After that, we fly to Tokyo and start another tour.

To see all of the photos taken today, click on Friday, Mar 23rd, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.