People

Ketut Jambrut (goes by Jambrut): We met him at our hotel and became friends. On his day off, he drove us around Bali and we've stayed in touch ever since.
Ketut Jambrut (goes by Jambrut): We met him at our hotel and became friends. On his day off, he drove us around Bali and we've stayed in touch ever since.
Women on their way to a village temple to make offerings.
Women on their way to a village temple to make offerings.
Fishermen at work
Fishermen at work
Fire dancer walking across hot embers. What a powerful display of mind over matter!
Fire dancer walking across hot embers. What a powerful display of mind over matter!

Culture

Legong Dancers at Jack and Niki's wedding dinner
Legong Dancers at Jack and Niki's wedding dinner
These temples are dedicated to various gods in the Balinese-Hindu tradition.
These temples are dedicated to various gods in the Balinese-Hindu tradition.
In Balinese villages, each family has a temple dedicated to ancesters who've preceeded them in death. Family members will come and place offerings at the temples and pray to their ancestors for help and guidance in daily affairs.
In Balinese villages, each family has a temple dedicated to ancesters who've preceeded them in death. Family members will come and place offerings at the temples and pray to their ancestors for help and guidance in daily affairs.
Statues like this one are placed everywhere in Bali to scare away evil spirits.
Statues like this one are placed everywhere in Bali to scare away evil spirits.
The Barong, a lion-like creature and character who is the king of the spirits and represents good in the etermal battle between good and evil. Barong is the enemy of Rangda, the demon queen and mother of all spirit guarders in the mythological traditions of Bali. The battle between Barong and Rangda the central feature in the Barong dance.
The Barong, a lion-like creature and character who is the king of the spirits and represents good in the etermal battle between good and evil. Barong is the enemy of Rangda, the demon queen and mother of all spirit guarders in the mythological traditions of Bali. The battle between Barong and Rangda the central feature in the Barong dance.
Children restlessly waiting for a shadow puppet play to begin.
Children restlessly waiting for a shadow puppet play to begin.
Gamelan Ensemble. Gamelan (pronounced GAH-muh-lahn) is the traditional music of Java and Bali in Indonesia.
Gamelan Ensemble. Gamelan (pronounced GAH-muh-lahn) is the traditional music of Java and Bali in Indonesia.
Gamelan musicians play in Denpasar.
Gamelan musicians play in Denpasar.
Statue of Genesh, the God of wisdom and good fortune and remover of obstacles, outside the villa where we were staying. On the morning of our wedding, Jack placed an offering of fruit at the foot of the statue for good measure.
Statue of Genesh, the God of wisdom and good fortune and remover of obstacles, outside the villa where we were staying. On the morning of our wedding, Jack placed an offering of fruit at the foot of the statue for good measure.
Pura Besakih is a temple complex in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali. It is the most important, the largest and holiest temple of Hindu religion in Bali. Locals call it "The Mother Temple."
Pura Besakih is a temple complex in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali. It is the most important, the largest and holiest temple of Hindu religion in Bali. Locals call it "The Mother Temple."
Entrance to Pura Besakih, or "The Mother Temple."
Entrance to Pura Besakih, or "The Mother Temple."
In the Balinese-Hindu tradition, legs are considered indecent and should be covered when entering a temple. Men should also wear the traditional head covering.
In the Balinese-Hindu tradition, legs are considered indecent and should be covered when entering a temple. Men should also wear the traditional head covering.
The source of holy water in The Mother Temple. Our friend Jambrut was insistent that we bottle some and take it home with us to bless our home.
The source of holy water in The Mother Temple. Our friend Jambrut was insistent that we bottle some and take it home with us to bless our home.
Curved bamboo poles called "penjors" line the streets for a celebration.
Curved bamboo poles called "penjors" line the streets for a celebration.
Roosters waiting for a cockfight. We did not watch, as the idea was deplorable to us, but it is a common pastime in Indonesia.
Roosters waiting for a cockfight. We did not watch, as the idea was deplorable to us, but it is a common pastime in Indonesia.
West meets East: Santa in Bali.
West meets East: Santa in Bali.

Nature

The rice terraces of Bali are extraordinary for their irrigation sytem called Subak. The system was developed in the 9th century and consists of the forests that protect the water supply, terraced paddy landscape, rice fields connected by a system of canals, tunnels and weirs, villages, and temples of varying size and importance. The water managements is under the authority of the priests in water temples, who practice Tri Hita Karana Philosophy, a self-described relationship between humans, the earth and the gods.
The rice terraces of Bali are extraordinary for their irrigation sytem called Subak. The system was developed in the 9th century and consists of the forests that protect the water supply, terraced paddy landscape, rice fields connected by a system of canals, tunnels and weirs, villages, and temples of varying size and importance. The water managements is under the authority of the priests in water temples, who practice Tri Hita Karana Philosophy, a self-described relationship between humans, the earth and the gods.
Another view of the rice terraces.
Another view of the rice terraces.
Bouganvilla grows everywhere in Bali.
Bouganvilla grows everywhere in Bali.
Fishing is one of the biggest industries in Bali outside of tourism.
Fishing is one of the biggest industries in Bali outside of tourism.
The beach below The Ritz-Carlton Bali resort.
The beach below The Ritz-Carlton Bali resort.
Fishing boats
Fishing boats
Seaweed crops
Seaweed crops
Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach
The lake near the active volcano Mount Agung
The lake near the active volcano Mount Agung
Kuta Beach at sunset
Kuta Beach at sunset
Gorgeous sunsets are the perfect backdrop for a wedding photo.
Gorgeous sunsets are the perfect backdrop for a wedding photo.
The silouette of Ganesh and the sun setting into the Indian ocean.
The silouette of Ganesh and the sun setting into the Indian ocean.

A Wedding in Bali

Wedding processional beneath the penjors.
Wedding processional beneath the penjors.
We were married by a Presbyterian minister.
We were married by a Presbyterian minister.
Even though we eloped by ourselves, we made friends at the resort who were happy to see us get married.
Even though we eloped by ourselves, we made friends at the resort who were happy to see us get married.
Wedding photo on location at The Ritz-Carlton Bali.
Wedding photo on location at The Ritz-Carlton Bali.
Wedding photo on location at The Ritz-Carlton Bali.
Wedding photo on location at The Ritz-Carlton Bali.
Wedding photo next to Niki's favorite location of Bouganvilla at The Ritz-Carlton Bali.
Wedding photo next to Niki's favorite location of Bouganvilla at The Ritz-Carlton Bali.
Yes, it's a cheesy wedding photo. But who can resist doing what the photographer asks when this is the backdrop?
Yes, it's a cheesy wedding photo. But who can resist doing what the photographer asks when this is the backdrop?
One of our favorite photos.
One of our favorite photos.
Our wedding reception (phenomenal dinner for two) was here.
Our wedding reception (phenomenal dinner for two) was here.
To this day, this remains the most exceptional dinner we've ever had.
To this day, this remains the most exceptional dinner we've ever had.
Dinner with a moonlit view
Dinner with a moonlit view
Balinese dancers perform after dinner
Balinese dancers perform after dinner
Photo op with the dancers following their performance.
Photo op with the dancers following their performance.
The next day, our friend Jambrut was insistent on taking us to The Mother Temple for a wedding blessing where we drank holy water and said a special prayer for longlasting love. We thought it was a wonderful way to acknowledge his culture and friendship.
The next day, our friend Jambrut was insistent on taking us to The Mother Temple for a wedding blessing where we drank holy water and said a special prayer for longlasting love. We thought it was a wonderful way to acknowledge his culture and friendship.
Making and offering and praying at The Mother Temple.
Making and offering and praying at The Mother Temple.