Visiting the Bali Aga

Our ship anchored at Benoa Harbour on the island of Bali where we set off for the 2 hour trip to visit the famous Water Palace and Tenganan, one of 2 villages where the Bali Aga, the original inhabitants of Bali live.

We stopped for lunch at a lovely hotel in Candidasur where the restaurant looked right over the blue sea which sparkled in the sunshine.

 

 

It was another hour’s journey to the Water Palace and just before we arrived there, the heavens opened and it truly was a visit to a watery palace.  We all wore rain capes but had to walk along paths where the water flowed so we were rather wet but it was worth being wet to visit this beautiful place.  The gardens and fountains (the man made ones not those caused by the rain) were magnificent with colourful flowers and trees, pools and streams with fish and lily pads.

 

 

Again we received lavish food, comprising Balinese sweets and fruit along with our coffee – very traditional.  The restaurant was quite high above the gardens so we were able to admire the whole layout from a dry place!

 

Back in our rain gear, we walked back to the bus.  The rain was easing and the water quickly disappeared from the paths.

We drove to Tenganan, the Aga village.  It was a fascinating place and the main purpose of our trip today.  In the 1970s, Rob had undertaken an anthropological study of burial practices in Indonesia, including the Bali Aga.

The village is laid out in rows of communal houses with wide open paths between.  Unfortunately, it is now rather commercial with many of the homes housing weaving shops and souvenirs.  The people believe that their cloth, unique to the region, warded off evil spirits.

 

 

Rob was disappointed that we did not visit the cemetery where traditionally they lay the bodies out on bamboo racks.

We returned to the ship to sail on for Java.

                                        Tenganan after the rain

                                               In the main street of Tenganan

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Gail at a village house.