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Bali. When mentioned, people conjure up images of killer waves, busy night clubs and overcrowded beaches running rampant with young suntanned partiers. But look beyond the surface and you will witness a land rich with tradition, superstition and a people whose dedication to their beliefs has helped the island to maintain their centuries old customs. Enduring the onslaught of tourists who invade their beaches each year, the Balinese continue to live their lives of deep rooted religion, important family values and respect for the spirits of the dead.

Ceremony

Devout Hindus , the Balinese put out offerings each morning resembling works of art. Fruit and flowers beautifully arranged in palm leaves displayed in front of their shops with rich incense burning to bring good luck and to appease the spirits. Great care is taken to preserve their tradition and young and old alike continue to practice these beliefs. Everyday you will see a ceremony occur. Whether it be a wedding a birthday or an elaborate cremation, the Balinese enjoy a life full of festivities.

Cremation Ceremony

Just a short ride out of the main tourist destination of Kuta beach is the peaceful town of Ubud. This picturesque village situated in Bali’s interior, among lush rice terraces is a place where time stands still.

Farmers tend their paddy fields by hand as their flocks of painted ducks waddle on their land. When walking through a peaceful path, you may be stopped by a local boy who will climb a tree to offer you a fresh coconut.

Rice Farmer

Skillful artists sell their masterpieces to the casual buyer or to the serious collector and handmade treasures of masks and statues can be bought in the many family run shops. Or you can find a real bargain at the colourful market in the centre of town, selling sarongs and t-shirts to crafts and paintings.

It is famous for its traditional dance performed each night in one of many ornate temples.. Masked performers dressed in colourful costumes telling stories of their history and folklore in the outdoor theatres under the canopy sky. Great dedication is given to the study of this difficult craft and a highly skilled Balinese Dancer is revered throughout the land.

Dancers

Quiet cafes line the road leading to the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a protected portion of jungle containing long tail macaques. Unlike other sanctuary’s I have visited in south East Asia, this one does not encourage the monkeys to fend for themselves. Vendors sell bananas and peanuts for profit so that visiting tourists can feed these feisty creatures. They come to expect their treats regularly causing fights among the monkeys and tourists alike.

Monkey Forest

There’s nothing like 200 macaques grooming each other, snuggling together and nibbling on small bananas to make you realize you’re not in Kansas anymore. To find the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary ( www.monkeyforestubud.com) drive an hour north of Kuta Beach to the town of Ubud, often called the cultural heart of Bali. The monkeys, the town’s most beloved residents, live in a dense, jungley stretch of green at the southern edge of town, complete with its own temple. A word to the wise: Leave your snacks at home and don’t buy any bananas on the way in unless you enjoy being mauled by possibly rabid little tykes. When it comes to bananas, the monkeys will win. Admission is 10,000 rupiah, or about $1.10 at 9,270 rupiah to the dollar.

Fire Walker

Bali is brimming with fire dances, mask dances, trance dances, monster dances and puppet shows, all of which have been refined over the centuries to the point that eyeballs, fingertips and toes all move in elaborate choreographed precision. On a typical night in Ubud you can take your pick from a half-dozen different shows. It’s worth ducking into the Ubud Palace to watch good and evil duke it out in the Barong dance. Set in a Balinese-style pavilion, the dance is performed by two fat guys whose choreographed fight scenes draw inevitable comparisons to the WWF.

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