Oz Adventures: Lazing in Legian

These are photos from the grounds of our hotel, the Bali Mandira in Legian, where we stayed for our second week. With little cottages spread around the grounds, it gives the feeling of a traditional Balinese family compound. However, we stayed in the tower which was more hotel-like.

The statue at the left depicts one of the many gods representing the Supreme Being, Shiva. Bali Hinduism is unique. The Balinese have been ruled by many other people with other religions and they managed to incorporate aspects of these into their belief system while retaining their core beliefs.

Balinese are very devoted as witnessed by the sight of their offering baskets strewn everywhere. At first, I was very careful to avoid them on the sidewalks until we learned that once the offering is given, it is no longer sacred. You can step on them but it is still frowned on to touch them. Dogs and cats eat the food in the baskets which is acceptable since they are also god's creatures.

We love their practical view of religion. For instance, one Balinese told us that he eats beef because he figures god gave cows to us to eat and who would refuse a gift from god? Another story we were told is that tradition dictated the sacrifice of a pig once the rice crop harvesting was completed. The Balinese solution? Always plant a new crop before harvesting the next so that no sacrifice is needed.

Black and white are used to dress the statues of the gods and are popular colors in Balinese designs, representing good and evil. They figure you have to pay respects to both good and evil dieties in order to stabilize the world. We weren't there for it but apparently there are a couple of days and nights where no one is supposed to be out and about because the evil spirits are flying over and will not stop if they can't see you. I guess the a spirits are easily fooled into believing no one is home.