March 26th, 2010:

Bali. When employed, people referred to evoke images of killer waves, night clubs and beaches crowded with small flourishes tanned revelers. But beyond the surface and you are a country rich in tradition, superstition, and a people whose devotion to witness their faith has helped keep the island with its ancient traditions. Enduring the onslaught of tourists invading their beaches each year to continue their lives of Balinese life deeply rooted religious, family values and importance of respect for the spirits of the dead. Pious Hindus, the Balinese off every morning offering similar structures. Fruits and flowers beautifully arranged in palm leaves in front of their shops displayed with rich perfumes, to bring good luck and try to appease the spirits. We attach great importance taken to preserve its tradition and young and old continue to practice these beliefs. Every day you see an event occur. Whether a wedding anniversary or a cremation developed, the Balinese life filled with festivities. Only a short drive from the main tourist destination of Kuta Beach is the quiet town of Ubud. The picturesque village located in the interior of Bali, between the green rice terraces is a place where time stops. Farmers tend their rice fields by hand for their flocks of ducks waddle painted on their land. If, by peaceful means, you can be stopped by a local boy, who continues to climb a tree to give you a fresh coconut. The artists sell their masterpieces qualified for the elusive buyer or seasoned collector’s treasures and homemade masks and statues are found in many family run shops to be bought. Or you can find a real bargain at the colorful market in the center of town to find, selling sarongs and t-shirts to handicrafts and paintings. It was made famous for her dances every night in one of the many beautiful temples. . Artists masked dressed in colorful costumes to tell their history and folklore in the open air festival in the vault of heaven. Many of commitment dedicated to the study of this difficult job and is highly skilled Balinese dancer made revered throughout the country. Quiet street cafes along the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a protected part of the jungle with a long-tailed macaques. Unlike other shrine I visited in South Asia, do not put the monkey on their own. Vendors sell bananas and peanuts, which are for-profit, so that tourists can feed these feisty creatures. They get their deals regularly cause conflicts between monkeys and tourists. Enjoy a luxurious massage in one of the many spas. For the low price of $ 12, you enjoy half past one in the sky. Qualified masseurs to work your muscles tired Travel with very old techniques, finishing with a scrub made from plants and flowers warm bath. Pure decadence. The choice of a meal in one of the many restaurants can be a difficult task. With food from traditional Indonesian Guling babi (pig roasted on a spit and must be ordered a day in advance.) Italian pasta and pizza, or roast duck. There is a playground for the taste buds and food in the candlelit setting while the Balinese music plays softly in the background gives a sense of calm. You relax, while a Bintang beer and think you can leave this tropical paradise. Ubud has traveled the routes of many nations in Bali, but the relaxed atmosphere of tradition and a vibrant community of artists dedicated to giving you the facade of the “real” Bali. Many say that the real Bali is gone, it has gained through tourism and Western influence has been. But I see that it flourishes in the daily lives of local people and Bali real, it is in their hearts.