Republic of Indonesia
Never mind Indonesia, welcome to Bali, the Island of Gods
Rama Bungalows
Comfortable, new double room with breakfast for IDR 220,000.- or US$ 23.30 per night.
Testing both (i) the famous local black rice-wine aka dark brem (IDR 25,000.- per 0.5-litre bottle) and (ii) the golden arak of almost grappa quality (IDR 20,000.- per litre) and afterwards exploring the Taman Tirta Gangga at Tirta Gangga, a traditional but still relatively young water palace with pools, moats, canals, fountains and statues which had been built by Amlapura’s water-loving rajah in 1948 CE but was heavily damaged (a) in the 1963 CE eruption of Gunung Agung and (b) during the state-instigated political killing that rocked Indonesia only two years later.
“If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now, and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”
Watching the graceful, typically Balinese legong dance, characterised by flashing eyes and quivering hands, performed by a young girl elaborately made up and dressed in gold brocade.
"Dance me to the end of love
Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the end of love..."
Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the end of love..."
Dawdling along the secretive country roads and hidden back lanes of East Bali (i) where green rice terraces spill down hillsides under swaying palms, (ii) where wild volcanic beaches are washed by pounding surf and (iii) where age-old villages soldier on with barely a trace of modernity.
Click below for more blog posts about fantastic dance performances
22 May - 04 Jun 2013 Seoul (Sajo Dance)
27 Apr - 01 May 2011 Chidambaram (Bharathanatyam Dance)
01 Jan - 03 Feb 2011 Madiha (Devil Dance)
26 May - 02 Jun 2010 Siem Reap (Nymph Dance)
19 Nov - 18 Dec 2009 Lovina (Legong Keraton)
Click below for a summmary of this year's travels
Recommended books - click below for your Amazon order from Germany
22 May - 04 Jun 2013 Seoul (Sajo Dance)
27 Apr - 01 May 2011 Chidambaram (Bharathanatyam Dance)
01 Jan - 03 Feb 2011 Madiha (Devil Dance)
26 May - 02 Jun 2010 Siem Reap (Nymph Dance)
19 Nov - 18 Dec 2009 Lovina (Legong Keraton)
Click below for a summmary of this year's travels
Visit the Konni & Matt Online Albums and order high-res travel photos
Konni & Matt Travel PhotosRecommended books - click below for your Amazon order from Germany
