Bali I

Greetings! We have returned from Bali alive and well. Our connecting flights were through Singapore each way. I would have to say an excellent airport...almost like Somerset Mall in Michigan...you name the brand and they have it. There was plenty of security in both Singapore and Bali. The radical Muslim element is alive in these areas so a pretty significant show of force was noted in the Singapore airport...well equipped for sure. The pictures for this entry focus on an Ancient Hindu Temple in Bali. Our guide said it was the oldest temple in Indonesia. It has vacillated between Hindu and Buddhist over the years but primarily Hindu. The guide was Hindu but said they vary in their practices from the Hindu faith elsewhere in the world...primarily because they eat beef and pork. I was amazed. I am sure there are other differences but I'm not sure what they are. Chris and I donned a skirt/wrap before entering the temple grounds because we wore walking shorts that day. I noticed SOME of the tourists....I won't name which ones weren't very respectful...just wore their 'daisy dukes'....(hint: Not US, Japan or Canada)..:-) The grounds were spectacular with natural waterfalls, plants, offering areas to place your flowers/food (available for purchase in shops leading to the temple and a few on the grounds). I believe this is still a place utilized for worship...with the oldest part of the temple being a small cave (see picture for entrance) where they burn incense and leave offerings in 3 different areas of the cave.