March 20:
Watched docking in Benoa from balcony.
Group playing music and four girls in costume. ********************************************************
 
                            BALINESE CULTURE EXPERIENCE Tour (6 hours)
About 30 people on the tour bus to discover the fascinating and vibrant culture of Bali. During the 30-min bus ride to each place, the tour guide explained Bali's religion, art, culture, and traditions. 80% of the people in Bali are Hindu. So many customs and symbolism. Amazed at all the different architecture, ornaments, carvings, even statues that people add to their houses and buildings. Almost every building has an umbrella over the daily offering, which may consist of "coconut leaves, roses, jasmines, frangipanis, sometimes with some biscuits, dimes, rices, candies, and a few stalks of incenses." Traveling along the streets is a tour in itself; so many cars/motor bikes going every which way. Can't believe how well the bus driver can maneuver though these crowded, narrow streets.



Singapaua Village to tour a Traditional House Compound
Interesting walk to the house compound. Since the village was preparing for a festival, watched a craftsman working and saw figures made of paper mache.
"The Balinese home is often viewed as a living organism. Much like a human being, it has a head (the ancestral shrine), arms ( the sleeping quarters and living room), and legs and feet (the kitchen and rice granaries)." Beyond the busy street, the living area is another world. Amazing beauty and tranquility with plants, flowers, and detailed carvings depicting traditional stories that are a reminder of some important moral. A Family Shrine in the northeast corner to pray and give offerings, which can give them more luck in life, more prosperity, health, and avoid bad luck and danger. These compounds are passed down from generation to generation. Impressive!
  
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Kemenuh Village to explore the wood carving gallery; intricate statues and masks and huge carved statues depicting mythical figures.

Nyuh Kuning "Lala Leke" restaurant.  Welcomed by a group of women wearing their exquisite traditional dress, musicians and traditional dance, and given a flower to wear behind the ear.
 
Continued into the spectacular compound where fruit drinks were served and the Joged Dance Group made up of children ages 5-9 were performing. Local craftsmen demonstrated carving, painting, weaving; then assisted us in creating something of our choice. Lois painted; Randy talked with dance group. The dinner was amazing; served on woven palm leaf plate with tiny, boat-like palm baskets containing about ten different kinds of food. All during dinner the children performed many different dances. Such a wonderful experience! 
  
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The tour we signed up for was supposed to be the Bali Classic Culture Center. Checked with Destination Services on the ship. Tours are changed, and a paper brochure is put in the room. Sure enough, there it was under another stack of papers. Wish we were told this; would have changed tomorrow's tour, since it sounds similar to the one we just took.