Wednesday, Mar 21st, Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Greetings!

We took a drive today from where we're staying on the beach past ancient rice fields into the interior of Bali up the mountain to the Ulan Danu Temple on Bratan Lake.  A wonderful journey past monkeys begging food, vendors asking where we are from, and billboards displaying the photos of the candidates for public office this year.  Our fellow travelers had just gotten back from an early morning boat ride to see a large group of dolphins, and I was basking near the waves in my kind of temple.

On the way, our guide (Putu) helped us understand the history and culture of each village.  As we passed the village roundabouts, each with their own statue in the center, he told us the translation of the name and the many uniquenesses of the locals and their territory.

If there was a connection to the major periods of historical conflict (Independent Kingdoms, Dutch occupation, Japanese conquest, New Republic of indonesia, Dutch re-control, Independence, Sukarno, Suharto, Tourism), he helped us integrate it into what we saw.  We competed with dozens of cruise line busses for the first time on our trip, but thankfully we had more patience (and time to spend), and they were gone before us.

On the way back home, we visited a popular market to sample fruits and look over clothing.  I bought a hat to replace one I'd lost, and Pat bought some durian she'd been eager to have where she wouldn't have to bring it back to the resort (really stinks, but delicious).  Our main guide, Pam, bought us lots of other exotic fruits.

We have the bulk of the afternoon to ourselves before dinner.  Some will use the pool, others wander.  Pat and I are chilling out in the room.  The photos just ended being sent to my Google Album for the day - the earliest time ever (5pm).  I may add some more after dinner, as there is reported to be some dancing later.

On the shore of Bratan Lake is a special temple, said to be where the last Hindu ceremony to purify through a final cremation occurs.


To see all of the photos taken today, click on Wednesday, Mar 21st, Lovina, Bali, Indonesia.