Indonesia 2010

Thursday27October

For our next stop, we set our sights on the town of Sanur. But it doesn't excite us at all. Mass tourism takes too much precedence, encroaching on Bali's authentic atmosphere...
With night bringing counsel, we decide to go to Kuta where the atmosphere will be much livelier, shared between Australian surfers and Indonesian tourists. And although very Westernized, it has managed to retain a touch of exoticism.

The long beach of Sanur

Kuta has unfortunately been known since October 12, 2002, for the attack that killed 187 people in a nightclub.
At the very site of the former nightclub, a square renamed "Ground Zero" like in New York and a monument commemorate the event and all the victims of the deadly explosion (mainly Australians).

Guillaume Bréant, Lionel Erisey, Manuel Mordelet, and Anthony Underwood are the 4 French victims.

At Ground Zero.

We end the day on the beach. In front of us, the Indian Ocean and more precisely the Bali Strait. The sun has already set and the surfers are nothing more than Chinese shadows. The day after tomorrow we will be on time to not miss any of it!  

Friday28October

The end of the holidays is approaching! In two days, we'll have to pack our bags. But for now, we still intend to enjoy some temples and other beautiful landscapes!  

We rent the services of a friendly driver for the day and begin our "little" tour by the southern tip of Bali in this small peninsula that seems to want to detach itself from the rest of the country.

First stop at Padang Padang, a beautiful beach living up to the paradisiacal images that travel agencies dangle before us... 

We are at the very end of the island. Balanced on the edge of the cliff, a temple gazes at the horizon to the South.
This Hindu temple was started in the 9th century. It is dedicated to the spirits of the sea.

Does anyone know this flower??? 

Lots of macaques known for stealing glasses! Their loot is even displayed at the exit!  

Looking for a small fishing village, we "land" near Jimbaran, right next to Tuban where Bali's international airport is located.
In two days we will leave the ground from there!

On the beach, a bit of "jukung" to color the landscape...

We share a grilled fish in front of the beach.

Last cultural stop of the day and of the 3 weeks of travel!
The welcome is peculiar because this young boy hides a huge python in his sheet... (on the way back I'm actually almost going to trip over it...) 

This place is very popular with tourists, especially at sunset, which sublimates the temple built on the rocks of the beach.

The sea has receded so that everyone can reach the small temple perched on its wooded rock.

A kite boat sails in the sky. It's the dreamlike touch as Bali knows how to do it...

The Sun and its clouds. The sea and its waves. Everything is there for the amateur photographer's delight.

Under the temple, a ceremony takes place in a small cave.
Men place grains of rice on their foreheads and a flower on their ears. This is the blessing of Sanghyang Widhi Wasa, Supreme and all-in-one God of the Hindu religion.

The fine team in all its splendor with frontal rice grains and flowers on ears!

The spectacle of radiant and sunny nature begins!

That's it! The Sun has passed the horizon but the spectacle remains just as beautiful.

Back to Kuta.
Neon lights and the muffled sounds of nightclubs echo in the city's nerve center...

Saturday29October

A fresh morning offering (called sampian): cigarette, aperitif cake, candy. Hindu Gods don't hold back  

As promised, here we are on time for the Kuta sunset.
In the meantime, surfers put on a show!

Sunday30October

Departure day. To thank Indonesia for all it has offered us. I conclude this journal with photos of "penjar". These are offerings represented by long bamboo poles used to hang palm leaf weaves.