Shrines are built outside the gates …for protection

We head first to Batubulan… batik and weaving. 

Royal Temple-built originally in 1634. 

Tanah Lot built 17th century, is in the sea at high tide. 

June is high season for tourists… strange for us. Right now is rainy season but is the cruise season for Europeans and North Americans.  May to October is the dry season. 30 C+/- now …up to 90% humidity but not today…..is only75%. Still hot and sticky!

Bali is 5700 sq kilometre and almost 4.5 Million pop. 85%  are of Hindu religion. The rest being Muslim. Total of 270 Million population for all of Indonesia, the third largest country population wise in world. 

They have 2 active volcanos on the island.  In 2017 the airport was closed because of an eruption. 

Offerings “outside” of homes and businesses to feed evil outside and not come inside. Offerings inside for are for blessing. 

Entire family lives in compound. Girls have to leave to live with husband’s family. All boys remain with the family. If after all are married they may need to build a new compounds. If new compound is built …have to have priest come …use fengshui for the placement of the different buildings within the compound.  If they have no children, they have to adopt in order to keep the compound going with the adoptee having to participate in community of 100 houses or they’ll gossip about you… lol!

Every family builds a very decorative bamboo thingy that hangs over the street in front of compound, in prep for big festival, held every 210 days, was on last Wednesday… to celebrate victory over evil. Birthdays every 210 days.  New Year’s Day is a silent day… no talking, no tv, no devises, no cooking…. no tourists cuz no hotel employees. Nothing!

Free medical but you have to go to the right hospital. Public school is free too. University is not free and has to be paid in “cash”…. Not in loan business. School 6 days a week half day 7-12 o’clock… too hot otherwise. 

There are no school buses so kids drive scooter underage even if not yet 18 when it’s legal. 

Sihita is the Juliet of Bali to Romeo’s Rama. 

Rice ….2 crops a year, every 6 months. The rice for the most part has been already harvested. After harvest they turn rice fields over ….upside down and let it soak in water for 3 weeks. Each family has small field for own consumption. 1 hectare produces 10 tons of rice twice yearly. Our guides family plot produce 3 tons for 15 people.  The country still has to import from Vietnam. 

Split gates at the entrance to homes or temples etc., if together make a mountain… a place of god. 

In 1945 Bali became a republic with a president.  In 1597 the Dutch came and stayed until 1942. 

Wishnu god with 9 faces. The Balinese Hindus believe in karma and reincarnation. 

The model of scooter is status symbol besides transportation. They have taxi scooter called Grab. 

Cannot build anything higher than 4 stories or higher, no higher than a palm tree so as to not block temples and statues.