Much has happened since the last post in September, including a computer crash and a trip to Bali, Indonesia. One of the most powerful characteristics of travel, is its ability to allow us to challenge assumptions about life and living that we take for granted. When a fish is out of water it suddenly notices the lack of water that it never noticed before. The featured photo is of Tanah Lot, Bali, which is a world heritage site. It is a Hindu Temple site, but Muslims and Christians as well as others visit it in peaceful coexistence. Besides a being beautiful, the rock has a fresh water spring welling out of it. In Bali, temples are built where there are unusual, auspicious things. In our western way what do we become jaded to? Why can’t we have coexistence and cooperation rather than one up, one down?
On this trip, I went with Spirit Tours. Usually I travel on my own without the pampering that I received from this tour. However, more importantly, this tour encouraged me to examine my beliefs and grow spiritually as a result. In Bali, there are statues EVERYWHERE! Here are some examples. The statues always seem to have a cultural/spiritual reference. I guess this isn’t surprising; statues always seem to have this, or at least historical significance. The statues everywhere reflect the cultural importance of religion in everyday life.
Carved in the rock
Pool at first hotel, the elephant a figure of wisdom in Bali
Another character from the Ramayana, as depicted in Bali
Rama and Sita, in Bali
Gryphon in Bali
Similarly, everyday, offerings of flowers are made. What would our culture be like if we lived it with a spiritual perspective pervading all that we did?
Everyday beauty, Common offering of flowers in Bali
Everyday beauty, Common offering of flowers in Bali
Everyday beauty, Common offering of flowers in Bali
Common offering of flowers in Bali
Bali is caught between the old and the new. Tourism is 70% of its income, however about half the population is still rural subsistence farming, as seen in these photos.
Rice paddies and mountains
Otherwise a typical scene in Bali
Terraced fields in Bali
Village fields in Bali
Typical house and plot
Getting ready for planing
As a tropical location with all of the humidity, there are beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Sunrise and fishing
Sunset
Sunrise
Sunrise
For more images of Bali visit my Bali album.