Smoking volcanoes and tropical landscape! Great food, friendly people!
Bali is volcanic and many of its volcanoes are active. Occasionally they explode and wipe out a lot of people.
The Balinese response is to placate the volcanoes. The religion is a type of specially adapted Hinduism. Everything is alive with spirits. They have to be placated. Offerings are everywhere – in little bamboo dished on pavements. Taxis have dangling deities. There are gargoyles to frighten off bad spirits.
They build temples to the deity of the volcano.
A meal on the terrace overlooking Mount Agung – often smouldering.
Ceremony at Lempuyang Temple (Gate to Heaven)
Cleansing in volcanic waters.
Offerings to the gods.
Gongs, Gamelan and other instruments.
It all worked. The volcano didn’t erupt and kill us!!
Opher's World 