BALI, Indonesia – This week, we're traveling to Bali, inspired by an incredible trip to Ubud we're giving away with Como Shambhala Estate, Cathay Pacific Airways, and L-Atitude.
We thought a little armchair travel was in order. To whet the wanderlust.
Balinese woman in Denpasar, provincial capital of Bali. Photo: John Yavuz Can / FlickrPhoto: David Stanley / Flickr
Young Balinese watching a ceremony at the Panti Timbrah temple in Pakse Bali village, Klungkung, Bali. Photo: Riza Nugraha / Flickr
Hard to tell what's cooler: the gold headwraps or the colorful textiles.
Preparing for odalan at Panti Timbrah in Klungkung. Photo: Riza Nugraha / Flickr
For example, there's odalan (Temple's birthday), the Hindi religious festival celebrated every 210 days in Bali to commemorate the anniversary of a temple's consecration.
Traditional sword dancing. Photo: John Yavuz Can / Flickr
Bali is home to Indonesia's largest population of Hindus. That translates to lot of religious festivals celebrated with elaborate costume and dance.
Tanah Lot is one of seven sea temples along the Balinese coast, built on a rock formation near Denpasar in southern Bali.
Ulun Danu Temple by Lake Beratan, Bedugul. Photo: Jennifer Phoon / Flickr
Ulun Danu is a major water temple ("pura") in Beratan primarily used to make offerings to Dewi Danu, the Balinese water, lake, and river goddess.
Temple complexes in Bali support surrounding agriculture through the traditional irrigation system, subak, which is tied closely to the Hindu religion.This temple serves as a main source of irrigation in central Bali.
Surfboards for rent. Photo: Rolling Okie / FlickrOld village in Bali. Photo: John Yavuz Can / FlickrSunrise at Benoa beach in Nusa Dua, south Bali. Photo: Adhi Rachdian / FlickrPhoto: Brett Baugher
Here's the scene at the Uluwatu temple: Monkeys approach tourists, who in turn feed them nuts. Some people also give the monkeys bottles of water or soda, and the performing monkeys open them and drink up. It's all super cute. Until, that is, the monkey snatches your purse, sunglasses, phone, and wallet — and runs off with them. And you find yourself trying to bribe the monkey with more food to get your stolen goods back.
Photo: Brett Baugher
Monkeys run free around the island. They're largely harmless, but highly playful (read: naughty). This preening monkey only looks innocent. Please do not feed.
Traditional Balinese fishing boats at Jimbaran, a popular tourist spot on the southern tip of Bali. Photo: CazzJj / Flickr
We make every effort to ensure the information in our articles is accurate at the time of publication. But the world moves fast, and even we double-check important details before hitting the road.