Bali Java 2010

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Day 5 - Day of the Cremation
There are two ceremonial kings of Bali, one in Ubud and one in the northern part of the island. Indonesia is a republic, but some of the ruling families have retained inherited leadership symbolically. Burial tradition on Bali is to have a ceremonial cremation months after a person has died; the body is kept in the home until then. The burial area for royalty is a short distance from our hotel in Ubud. We went to the cremation ceremony of the northern king today. A kingly cremation only happens about once a decade. I am glad I went, but the next cremation I go to will be my own. The cremation was a short distance from our hotel in Ubud but we decided to take the cars to the ceremony. This was our second mistake of the day. It was at least 110 degrees F and 98% humidity. The cremation started at 11 AM. We saw the funeral pyre, a tall papier mache tower and a huge bull, down the street. It was to be carried by hundreds of men past our station. By 1 PM it had not moved, but our group, standing in the sun, was well boiled. We escaped down the street and arrived at our cars which were pinned in by 2000 motorbikes.
We then sought out a restaurant only to be faced with our first casualty of the cremation. Carol Hall passed out in the restaurant. Fortunately, Patt, Patricia and Kay were able to revive her. We finally made it back to the hotel and into the pool. Mary Anne was sick the following day or maybe she just wanted to go shopping by herself.

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Photos

Cremation
Just a few people at the cremaion

Cremation
Cremation Linda & Lan

Street Vendor
Street Vendor

Day 5
Cremation Women

Patt, Made & Louise
Patt Farness, Made (Head Guide) and Louise Iseli