Bali (Indonesia) Photographed and presented by Jair (Yair) Moreshet, 2009 © ( Website: Music : Traditional Bali Gamelan

 The relatively small island of Bali is a part of the Indonesia archipelago (of 17,508 islands).  With their own unique variation of Hinduism, Bali is an exception in the predominantly Muslim Indonesia.  With 20,000 temples and shrines, Bali is known as the "Island of the Gods".  Bali is famed for its exceptionally rich art and beauty which is rooted in its rituals and spiritual symbolism: Sculpture, carving, and performing arts.  The island’s landscape provides a picturesque backdrop to its colorful, deeply spiritual culture.

The combination of colorful, deep spiritual culture and picturesque landscape with warm beaches, makes Bali a vacation paradise. Here: the Puri Santrian Hotel resort on the tranquil coast of Sanur.

The bamboo xylophone is central in the Bali traditional Gamelan music. Here and in other hotels it is provided as background music during breakfast, etc.

The Puri Santrian Hotel’s beach.

Relaxation Spa and massage are standard offerings.

A sunken bar in one of the Puri Santrian Hotel’s pools.

Public landscaping in a village.

A shrine in the village.

The entrance to a typical family yard in the village. Notice the ornamented private small shrine in the yard, which is typical, too.

The entrance to a temple on the road.

The Bali culture/religion not only recognizes the existence of evil forces, but also animates/personifies them as demons, ogres and witches, expressing them artistically in sculpture and maintaining regular rituals to appease them. Notice the flower offerings laid at the feet of the statue.

A “retail” shrine on the road, and its busy owner.

The toll entrance to the Tanah Lot Sea Temple, a pilgrimage destination and cultural icon.

Tanah Lot is actually a rock formation on the ocean shore that is the home to the pilgrimage temple. At high tide it is surrounded by water.

One of the inhabitants of the caves in the rock in the light of the day…

A procession of worshippers/pilgrims come out of the Tanah Lot Sea Temple.

A private clan’s temple in session.

The lobby pavilion of the Matahari Beach Resort near Pemuteran in the northwest.

Matahari Beach Resort: The lily pond and stage in the restaurant area. Notice the musician in lotus posture playing the bamboo xylophone during breakfast.

Matahari Beach Resort: The bar.

Matahari Beach Resort: The beach.

Matahari Beach Resort: A typical guest room/bungalow unit.

Matahari Beach Resort: Dinner is accompanied by a performance of traditional Legong Dance.