Monday, August 17, 2009

a youth ceremony in Bali

It was the weekend before our wedding in April 2007 and my fiancée and I were wandering around Bali. On a whim, I decided to go to Seminyak, a beach that is increasingly becoming popular as its neighbor, the overwhelmingly commercial center that is Kuta.

Seminyak


boy crossing the bridge


We were to get married on an auspicious day in the Balinese calendar (near full moon I remember) so the days around it also tend to be ceremony-heavy. Sure enough, when we dropped by the temple at Seminyak, there already was a crowd hovering by the beach. Practically all were teenagers, with nary an adult guiding them. Too bad I forgot to ask what the occasion was. Maybe it was the commemoration of Saraswati, when students would offer gifts to the goddess of the knowledge and learning. Or perhaps not.

Seminyak foot bridge


from the beach


Regardless, I can understand why Bali’s culture remains safe from the dilution of modernity and influence from the external world. Even the youth knows the wisdom of tradition. The heartfelt and easygoing manner they went by the ceremony, from the beach to the temple, showed that custom and faith are in safe hands.

to the temple


boys about to enter the temple

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Farl,

Came across your blog and the amazing photography. I wonder whether you could drop me a line at bespoke@tionlondon.co.uk.

Look forward to hearing back.

Siobhan :)

Unknown said...

helloo !! :)

after blogwalkin so far, i found your amazing blog (and photos of course)..
:)
i'd love to if you could visit mine back..

keep posting nice places. :))

love,
nandini

theweekendwarrior.id said...

hi bro..
I'm very like ur photograp in indonesia..i come from indonesia..nice to see ur blog..i hope ur visit my blog too at fajjar-nuggraha.blogspot.com, but sorry, all of articel in indonesian..

Reymos said...

Hi Farl, Merry Xmas!

What happened to your blog? You are not writing anymore after your wedding? You have to continue it. Sometimes it is tiring but if you want to share your thoughts and your talent in photography, you can continue blogging! Maybe you are buy with family life, but having a blog could be your way to relax and enjoy life... All the best!

Flights to Bangkok said...

Bali is beautiful destinations in the world. It looks like heaven on the earth. I love Bali.
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Flights to Kuala Lumpur said...

nice and informative blog. Thanks for share.

Radjawali said...

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