ID: Jalan-jalan Island (3)

Our day started at 8.30am for a pick up to watch Bar0ng dance. From my observation, more audience for Bar0ng as compared to Kec4k. I guess one of the reasons is the timing. Bar0ng is only performed in the morning while Kec4k in the evening, close to dinner time for some.










After Bar0ng, we proceed to the one of the Balinese family house for a cremation. There were two cremation ceremonies that day. Since we were a bit early (before noon), the ceremony not yet started. It was an experience to be part of it. The family members were nice and trying their best to explain the cremation process and their beliefs.











Cremations ended before 2pm in which we moved to Tegallalang. En route, we stopped by few local shops for handicrafts. I would recommend to see the rice field terrace. It is wonderful. In fact there are cafe overlooking the terrace. Good place to wind down. And lucky for us, the rain just stopped and the weather was nice. And for the handicrafts, since the owners are selling them from their own home, you can bargain directly.

We stopped and bargained at few shops before realising that it was into late afternoon already. Tegalallang to Tanah Lot is not near and with narrow roads across the island, we needed to rush. But our driver is good. All the short cuts (to avoid traffic jam) and within an hour, we reached Tanah Lot. And guess what??? It was raining at Tanah Lot!!! aaarrrgghhhhhh.........

We had no choice to rent two umbrellas (which cost us Rph10,000) -> which not doing any good since it was a heavy rain! Braced ourselves in the rain and decided to stop by at one restaurant a hot drink - hoping that the rain would stop.

The rain did stop after 30mins and we missed our sunset -> the cloud blanketed the sky and we just too tired to wait until sunset.... but we did watch the sunset on the way back to the villa, in the van :-))

VERDICT:
1) Personally, Bar0ng is more entertaining. If you have plenty of time to spend, go for both Kec4k and Bar0ng. If you have to choose, I would recommend Bar0ng.
2) Try to slot a time to go to Tegallang - and dont forget to stop by the shops/local homes along the route. As usual, bargain like crazy. :-) There is also another place to see the rice terrace. Quite nice too. I can't remember the name.
3) Good to experience the cremation ceremony if you have a chance to watch it. Do check with the driver the actual time the procession to take place. Normally, it is done after 12 noon (before or at noon, it is not favourable according to B4linese belief). If you reached there too early before noon, you will die of waiting! The tour operator regards the cremation ceremony as an event to get more money. I think they are charging around USD19 per head -> for us, we made a deal earlier to include the cremation into our itinerary for the day.
4) Do pay a visit to Tanah Lot whether it is for sunset or not. It is nice.

~ M T @ Ind0nesia
~~ Seminy4k, B4li

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~