Rice fields of Bali

Young fields of rice


After the hustle and bustle of Java it was time to get away to the small towns and villages around  Ubud. I loved the mixture of water and the vivid green of the young rice. It was a timeless rural scene of traditional farming

                  






   

I spent a glorious morning walking through the fields. It's more difficult than it looks. The individual field boundaries are narrow and slippery. Sometimes the farmers break them to allow the water to flow. 

Then you have to take your chance and jump. Dont fall because to slip will leave you in mud and water up to your knees. 

The fields are still worked by hand and have small temples for the people to leave offerings.   

The people of Bali are very religious and almost every home has its own temple. Unlike the majority of Indonesia who are Moslem the people of Bali are mainly Hindu. They bring offering to the temples and attend in family groups and villages. Practicing their religion is part of daily life. Its good to see that even if you are dressed in your best clothes you can take your plane to the temple and enjoy yourself

                        

                 

                                                                                         

                                                                                  

A woman makes her offering for a home temple. 

A man makes individual religious wall hangings

Master craftsman making a Hindu figure

Much of life in Bali depends on traditional craft skills.

In the home it can be making offerings for the home alter.

Many people make their living by using their skills

 to make simple items for daily life or fantastic carvings

 that can take several months to make a single item.

The island is like a giant garden. Some gardens are man made bur much is down to the power of nature.