High on the slopes of Gunung (Mountain)
Agung sits Besakih, the Mother temple of Bali. The Balinese
are Hindu Animists in a nation that is mostly Muslim. In fact
Indonesia has more Muslims then all of the Arab world combined.
I first became interested in Indonesia, especially Bali in 1995.
I had a sailboat & wanted to circumnavigate, but I first
had to find an sustainable income. What better way then to buy
and sell my way around the world? I had read about the arts
& crafts of Southeast Asia & the masks of Bali. So off
to Bangkok & Bali. Bangkok was hot & humid, but I thought.
"Bali is an island".
When my plane landed at Nugrah Rai Airport on Bali's southern
coast I wasn't sure I'd made the right choice. Bali was
as hot & humid as Thailand.
I found a driver to take me to Ubud in Bali's central highlands.
After arriving in the famous cultural heart of Bali it didn't take long to find a
beautiful little home stay with a nice little pool at a
very reasonable price. After a dip in the pool and a nice lunch,
I made my first friend in paradise.
Made was one of the employees of my little home stay & the
first of many, friends I was to make in Bali. The Balinese are
some of the friendliest people I've ever met & it didn't take
me long to fall deeply in love with their island. Black &
White sand beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, Music, Dance
and art are everywhere.
If you ever get to Bali, I'm sure you'll join me in my fervent
love of the "Isle of the Gods." -Al
