When in Bali, Again and Again
by shz
One of the things I learned from one of my stop during biking tour was the community concept in Bali. All families have family leader (normally a couple of man and woman) who acts as representative in their group of social community. Their full-time job is to contribute man power in gotong-royong for activities like wedding ceremony, funerals, refurbishing temples, road, cleanliness of the area, security protection and do all the activities together in economic, social and ritual field. The other family members are obliged to contribute financially to their family leaders, because these people work for the community – for free!
Those who do not contribute are said to be banished from their villages. No wonder tradition and culture still runs like the old days with them. The community kinda make them!
I am especially amazed at Balinese landscapes. Everything seems to be blooming and more alive there. Like Nizam said, even the palm trees that we see almost everyday here in Malaysia are more beautiful in Bali. I did ask our tour guide, Ketut Bagi, whether they usually plan before they plant something in their gardens. He said they simply plant and maintain. Its part of what they value in life, to be creative and artistic with everything they do.
And OK, I admit. I think I have a thing with paddy fields. Or in case of Bali; terraces – carved hills that form beautiful green steps that makes the amazing landscape. There’s something about being in the middle of the greens and feel at peace.
Kecak Dance. In Pura Luhur, Uluwatu.
It does make a lot of difference to see the performance at a great setting, on top of cliff, overlooking the sea, during sunset. Not only the setting was breathtaking, the Kecak ritual is almost as good as any other music with instruments! Even now I can still hear it in my head. I still remember the eye-play of the dancers. The comic of it, the suspense when they lit up the fire, the curvy bodies of the girls and the curl of their fingers. Watching that was even better than those theatre shows I saw in London. And I’d pay to see that again, anytime.
And then, there’s the rest of it. The friendly faces, the polite gestures, the white washes at the beach, the beautiful light, the unforgettable sights… that makes up my memory of Bali. That will make me ache to return again. Because quite truthfully, I don’t think I will ever be done with it.
Or how can anyone, really?
Wonderful photos, they do make Bali and its people look unforgettable.
Gambar cantik. Cerita indah.
Komen manis.
Bali is just…beautiful. Funny because before I actually went there, how I see people portray Bali is…Kuta. Clubs and some hot chick? Tapi rupanya ada banyak lagi!! I’m so glad I spent most of my time at Bali admiring it’s nature, it’s beauty, like how you capture it. I love how people there are soo spiritual and artist is like everyywheere. Rumah kampung pun semua ada stone carving.
And yes. As soon as I leave Bali, I know I want to come back just to admire the beauty again.
Very, very nice pictures btw. 🙂
I think the real Bali is everywhere else outside Kuta. Hahaha
Owh! I always love your work, (*ur photos) love how u see the world, how’s shaliza mokhtar see bali and you can see the different view of Bali, instead of just static photos, u actually can see life throughout your photos 🙂 *LOVE
Thank you Nadia.
amazing foto set. wonderful story. 🙂
Terus setuju J ajak pegi Bali. 😛
chitpodah la As…hahahah
Love your photos, ada cerita, as always. 🙂
Hi Ras. You’re not my gynae, Dr. Rasliza of KPJ Kajang right? Hehehehe
Bukan, bukan. Huhu. Just a fan, since your fotopages days and before your blogspot days. 🙂
gagaga,jajaja…arghhhh,I lurve this entry soooooo so much!Pics awesome seeyotttt!!nyeh nyeh
Hohoho hahaha, thanks
Wow finally, you are back. Am happy to see this collection after a long time. The first picture, they allow you to be in the kitchen too? And the one with the fire, were you that near? Cause it seems so. Did you in any chance take with film too, since you were child hands-free? : ) Oh ye, I have an enlarger set just in case you are finding one for your future darkroom. i’ve read somewhere that you plan one day. Never got to use ’em actually and might probably would not use at all.
Hi Rokhmah
The first picture – the kitchen was in an open temple at one un-touristy neighbourhood and they were welcoming enough to let us in. Unfortunately I was only there with digital, couldn’t see the point of shooting in films when I can’t develop! And the one with fire – wasn’t that near, was using a longer lens.
How much are you thinking of selling the enlarger? I still can’t find space for my darkroom though 😦
Hihi you really like to type out my real name out loud.
Oh, longer lens. Thought you’re loyal with prime lens only. Your pictures do have these velvia/provia/astia look. I wonder if it’s the weather or, hmm.. fill in the blank. hehe, either way it’s stunning i must say.
okay, enlarger. Hmm i think i bought at a price ranging rm400 to rm600. Alamak tak ingat. I just wanted to let go to someone whos really going to use it one day. So later when you find a space, or when i have to let go of mine, we’ll get in contact, ok.
Haha, that IS your name isn’t it?
Longer lens, in this case an 85mm. Still prime. I only have two lenses and both are primes. And of course as obvious as it is, I edited these pictures. 😉
very nice photos. n very nice words…