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Bali, Indonesia

You arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport if you fly from outside the country.  The airport is named for an Indonesian freedom fighter who fought the Dutch that ruled this archipelago for 300 plus years.

The airport is in Denpasar also the capital city of this island.  Located 8 degrees south of the equator the climate tends to be tropical year round and when we visited this summer it was largely hot and humid during the core hours of the day with heavy downpours at night.  Unusual this time of year since July is a dry month.  That said it is a very green island shaped life a fish swimming left to right with a hammer at the bottom representing the resort towns and beaches where we stayed.

The island residents are Hindu although the Balinese flavor of Hindu are much different than the ones that claim to be so elsewhere in the world including India.  For one they are devout and seem to have a temple for every three blocks.  In fact for a population of 5M people I suspect they have the highest per capita temple density.  The affair can be a simple volcanic stone structure measuring 50 sq ft with some flowers and palm fronds to an elaborate affair resembling an open gate with lake front vistas.

The open gate idea is a metaphor that represents an idea that the devotee open their heart as they worship and allow the god to see who they are and for them to be open with the lord.

The airport's architecture itself has one built in as you walk out through the gate.  Literally from gate to gate.

DPS Bali
Tanah Lot (lot of beauty at this temple by the sea)

Arch at sunset next to Tanah Lot

Another curious observation is that in spite of the crowds people are largely tolerant and have more patience than a desi.  You do not hear much honking in the streets no matter how crazy the traffic and at rush hour when tourists are arriving by plane loads it is crazy.

The Balinese language is spoken on the island and is much different in sound and phrases than the national language called Bahasa.  Balinese ads or vendor signs it turns out can also be amusing.

To drink or not to drink?  I just went Nuts!
They are also very laid back and make flavorful food.  We enjoyed shrimp preparations the most.  The resorts we stayed at typically had a massive breakfast buffet that catered food from the local cuisine, western egg and bread preparations as well as some Japanese food.  Japan was an ally in its war against the Dutch.


'Dadar' is a train station in Mumbai - here it is on a plate 

Spicy Egg Curry - no 'Pedas' (a desi dairy based dessert) here

They are also quite (kite) crazy when it comes to local entertainment - dances and kite flying competitions are part of their summer fun.
Kite vendor

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