Bali

	In September, 1992, we (I'm Glenn, in case you didn't arrive here via my home page) flew to Bali. Our daughter, Kelly, was only seven months old then, but we didn't let that stop us. Still, because she was so young, we had to travel a little differently; we rented a van for the entire time and drove it all over the island, taking picnic lunches with us every day. It was a great way to see Bali, as it turned out. In 1992 I hadn't been introduced to diving and snorkeling yet, so I didn't as much as stick a toe into the water. Sorry, but no dive info on this page.

	What kind of images do you conjure up in your mind when you here the word "Bali?" Something exotic? Then you've got it right. Bali is definitely the most exotic place I've ever seen. It seems that the entire island is a temple, and everywhere you turn there are flowers, offerings, and rituals. This is the temple of Besakih on the side of Mt. Agung. It is the spiritual center of Bali, from what I can gather, and chances are good that it will be on the cover of your guidebook. It's a couple hours north of the main tourist haunts.
This is another view of the same temple area. When you go to Besakih (not if), if you are wearing shorts you will need to rent a sarong to enter the temple grounds. Once you get inside have plenty of film with you, because you will want to photograph everything you see. This picture is a cropped section of a panorama photo.
	This is a section of alters I happened upon at Besakih.
To the northwest of Mt. Agung is an even larger cratered volcano, with Lake Batur inside. The area where this picture was taken is Kintamani. This picture doesn't really do it justice, but it is so beautiful it will take your breath away.
	The streets were alive with people going to temples or coming from temples. This picture, believe it or not, I shot through the windshield while driving down this road.
Most of the tourist development is in the southern part of the island, but if you rent a car and drive north into the heartland you will find some amazing rice terraces. We came by them on our way back to Kuta Beach after visiting Kintamani.

Lest you think that all is a temple in Bali, here's a picture of Kuta Beach, across from the hotel we stayed in. Personally, I don't look to Bali for watersports, but there are those who do.
	On the east coast of Bali, past Candi Dasa, you will find some beautiful black beaches from the lava of Mt. Seraya.
The temple of Bedugul is in north central Bali, straight north of the tourist beaches. This was the only day we got rain, which disappointed us at the time. Now that I look bad at the pictures, it might look better against a white cloud backdrop.
	When you think of Bali, you naturally think of Balinese dancers. I understand they begin very, very young, and train all their lives to learn their art. They really are lovely to watch, while dancing or not!
The hotel we stayed at had dancers, accompanied by these musicians, as the floor show on Saturday night. The show was in the restaurant, open on all sides and facing Kuta Beach on the west for a view of the sunset. It certainly was a lovely evening.
	On the west coast, just up from Kuta Beach is the temple of Tanah Lot, built on an outcropping that is an island at high tide and accessible on foot at low tide. Call it Bali's version of the Mont Saint Michael.
To the south, on the west coast of the bulbous part of Bali, you'll find Ulu Watu. I guess it isn't entirely obvious here, but there is an entire temple complex there with a pagoda at the end of the cliffs. I was standing on loose soil and there were no railings, so my heart was pounding when I took this shot. The grounds here have rather tame monkeys, and the locals will sell you a bag of potato sticks to feed them.
	We had a variety of tropical fruits on Bali that we had never tasted before and haven't since. Bali is a fascinating place, with architecture that changes from region to region. I'm afraid these pictures don't afford a very balanced view of the island - too many postcard shots of temples. I guess you'll just have to visit Bali to experience it for yourself. It certainly is an enchanted island, one of my fondest memories.