Saturday, February 24, 2018, Bali, Indonesia (museum, temple, market - Larry)

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With a thriving arts scene, lush beauty and magnificent seaside vistas, Bali has long beckoned travelers in search of ultimate beauty.  The island’s rich Hindu culture has forever held that gods live in all natural things—from mountains to streams to pebbles on the leach, lending the island a peaceful air.  The capital and market town of Denpasar bustles with colorful stalls and vast emporiums.  Denpasar is the island’s thriving capital.  Founded as a market town (the name translates roughly into “north market”), it still today bustles with colorful stalls and vast emporiums selling bright sarongs and intricately patterned batik.  Because this is Bali, the city has a serene side, also.  Some of its many elegant and highly revered temples are carved from white coral harvested from the sea.
Our first views of Bali (Benoa, the city and harbor our cruise ship entered), Indonesia.


Can you believe?!  Nine 300 HP outboard motors propel this boat.


 Approaching our berth.


 Local band and dancers greeted us.

Street views on Larry's way to his shore excursion (Diane's separate on next blog).
 Our tour guide today with the "lolly-pop" with our bus number.
Today is Saturday and a religious holiday.  Students arriving to attend temple service.  Note footwear.
Larry explored the rich history and revered temples of Denpasar. He and twenty-seven other met our guide and drove to Denpasar, capital of the province of Bali. This inviting city has a rich history dating to its days as center of the Badung Empire, which once controlled the southern region of Bali. At the Bali Museum, we browsed galleries featuring local art and history.





















On Denpasar’s north side, we visited the glorious temple of Jagatnatha, the most important Hindu Kahyangan Temple in the city. Built in 1953, the temple is dedicated to the existence of the supreme God, Sanghyang Widi, and is elaborately decorated with carvings symbolizing Balinese Hinduism.




Traffic beside the museum and temple that we visited.
Figurines in a store front noticed as we traveled toward the international market.

We explored the endless colorful offerings at a traditional local market.

Pretty flower and tree gardens inside a section of the market.


Small "temples" everywhere, even at the market.
Offerings at the statue.  Notice the wisp of smoke from burning incense.


Sights along the bus ride back to cruise ship.  We got stuck in a lot of traffic; was slow going on this holiday.









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