Faces of Bali (title borrowed from MY man)

What impressed us most was their culture: it appeared that the Balinese haven't lost their traditions and their identity. And they don't just have their culture, they still live it. Yes, they do wear modern clothes, i.e. pants, skirts, and tee-shirts, but we noticed that the Balinese men, even the younger ones, still wear their sarongs and head cloth (udeng)> The women use traditional clothes of bright-colored long-sleeved lace or silk, and sarong, even when driving their motorbikes! On the way back from the volcano, we encountered a religious procession--we had to slow down and inch past them on the shoulder of the road for they occupied most of the road. These Balinese men and women were dressed in their finest clothes as they walked to their temple. The women were carrying offerings on their heads, while the men played musical instruments which enlivened the procession.

People in Bali are hospitable and friendly. MY man and I discussed these traits at length, in an effort to distinguish Thai friendliness from that of the Balinese, and we came to the conclusion that Thais are still more on business-like friendly. Not the Balinese. They really stop to talk to you, and really appear to be interested in you. MY man said they're genuinely friendly, emphasis on the genuine. You chat with them and you get this sense of belonging, like you are a part of their warm community, and not a stranger. They introduce themselves, shake your hand, and ask you your name in turn. Everywhere you go, the Balinese (with the exception of the hawkers, I have to add) greet you with this amiable smile on their faces as they call out a hearty "Hello!"

The Balinese are also very helpful. Even in the rural areas where they could hardly speak a word of English, they try their best to help lost tourists. One even got his motorbike out and drove ahead of us for like two to three kilometers just to lead us to the place we wanted to go. Then on a couple of incidents, we witnessed two motorbike accidents where quick as a flash, pedestrians and onlookers rushed to help the motorists like they were their own family members.

One thing that really stood out in comparison to Bangkok, or Thailand for that matter, was the Balinese' use of helmets. Real ones. It's either the police are very strict about it, or they are really just concerned about their safety. A majority of them use motorcycles, and most of them stay on the motorbike lane. Sure there were a few strays who wove in and out through mainstream traffic, and a handful who instead of wearing helmets, were using their udeng, but for me who comes from a place where people don fake helmets to "comply" with the law, it was quite impressive to see the majority using real helmets! Even the little ones who ride with them have their own helmets, too!

Visiting photographers, I imagine, really have a blast taking pictures of the people of Bali. The Balinese are very comfortable around cameras--when you ask to take their picture, they're only too happy to oblige. MY man didn't know this. The first time he spotted an interesting subject--the man in charge of parking near the volcano viewpoint, he asked me for 1,000 rupiah. He was going to offer the Balinese money in exchange for a few snapshots. Turned out he didn't have to. The guy readily agreed and smiled into the camera.

Here's a picture of him and the rest of the faces of Bali:

Parking attendant at Mt. Batur viewpoint

Close-up view

Religious procession to the temple

Balinese women carrying offerings

Balinese men carrying some stuff we didn't really recognize

Pink must be their favorite color, don't you think?

Never thought of this before, but doesn't this position look so much easier for the child to hold on?

Check out these boys, they even walk around in their helmets

Balinese boys hanging out at the deserted Jimbaran beach

Boys at Jimbaran beach