BALI-UBUD-Cultural Events/Dances

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We were ambling down the main street of Ubud and passed the Cultural Center where a dance performance was being presented that evening. What an evening! Basically, different dances were presented with various themes: there was the Dara Dara which depicted the refined movements of the goddess of heaven; the Baris, a high point for me, where the sole male dancer presents themes of heroism and bravery. The movements are extreme and depict, in part, the moment a soldier leaves for battle. The Oleg Tamulilingar duo with the dancers being a butterfly and a bumblebee in a garden; and, the Kebyar Bundrung which reflects the spirit of a young child.


After staying in Bali and touring around the island we headed back to to Bangkok and then down to the Rayong area of Thailand about two hours by car from Bkk.

After a few weeks it was time to head back to Canada. The total time spent out here is SE Asia this time was 4.5 months. The last time I was out here, about 2 years ago, the stay was for five months and involved visiting Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, an extensive exploration of Thailand and a very brief "visa run" to Burma. I had missed Vietnam and wanted to explore that country. Bali started as a "visa run" but since it is a significant distance from Thailand, decided to make the most of it and stayed longer.


The weather turns very hot in April in Thailand around 35 degrees. Just before the flight back to Canada I received emails from friends about the "snow!!" in Victoria, B.C. where we are headed. Actually, very nice!

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Photos

Hiking Around Ubud, Bali
Took a hike on the "ridge" outside of Ubud; basically this involved walking between two small valleys.

Batur
If a volcano can be called beautiful, this one certainly was so.

Barung
And this is the good guy.

At the Cultlural Centre
This dancer is depicting the emotional state of a warrior just before going to battle.

Out For A Walk
These folks appeared just out for a stroll; the cloths are the standard dress for Bali. We are in Ubud in central Bali

Rice Fields
In preparation

Terraced Hills on the way to Batur volcano
These terraced hills reminded me a little of Sapa in northern Vietnam although they weren't as extensive as at Sapa.

Pool at Puri Mango in Sanur
Started pretty well every morning with a swim. Since the room was on the first floor at the far left in this picture, we could come out the back door and walk a few feet and swim at 2:00am which we often did, under the stars.

New Friend
I met a new friend in Thailand and here we are in Bali. This is in the Ubud area

At the Cultlural Centre
We enjoyed the various dances and presentations throughout Bali.