Visiting Bali

One is never quite prepared for the reality of Bali. Emerald hillsides curving spectacularly against  azure skies, satin-ribbon beaches, the sensual fragrance of frangipani and jasmine, timeless temples and a culture of slow grace… for a very small island, Bali packs a huge punch as a travel destination.

Arguably the best known island in the Indonesian archipelago, Bali on a map, looks rather like a large, exotic fish facing westwards. Its central and eastern regions are mountainous. Mount Agung, the highest point is a volcano, last active in 1963. Coral reefs rim the island. Southern Bali has white sand beaches while those on the northern side have black sand. Just eight degrees south of the equator, Bali enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures averaging 88° F(31° C). The best time to visit is in the drier months between June and September when humidity is low and fresh, cool breezes temper the daytime warmth.

In predominantly Islamic Indonesia, Bali is a Hindu enclave. Over 90 percent of the population is adherents of Balinese Hinduism, which is a fascinating amalgam of Hindu, Buddhist and native deities, besides local practices like ancestor worship and animism. Religion pervades every aspect of existence here.

Life has never been the same since the twentieth century traveler stumbled upon Bali. The island makes more money from tourism than the rest of Indonesia, with agriculture now taking second place in the local economy. It’s not hard to figure out why.

From sinfully luxurious hotels to quaint, family-run outfits, Bali has a wide range of accommodation. The western coastline boasts of world class surf spots; the eastern side is better suited for family vacations. Kura and Seminal are towns synonymous with Bali’s happening nightlife. If you’d rather poke around off the beaten track, visit smaller islands like Nusa Lembongan with quiet beaches and no vehicular traffic

The drive through mountains to the northern coast is manna for the tired, urban soul. Terraced paddy fields interspersed with coffee, vanilla, cocoa and spice plantations make a pretty picture. Exploring the misty trails around the volcanoes is a must-do (you can take a walk across the crater lake at Mount Batur).

Art and life are a seamless blend for several of the locals. Many Balinese work in their fields by day and turn into artisans at night. Religious beliefs are an intrinsic part of artistic traditions. Gold and silver jewelry, textiles, woodcraft, stone carving, painting and metalwork – Bali has it all. A visit to artisan villages like Batubalan, Mas, Celuk, Pengosekan and Sukawati will leave your pocket lighter. Most travelers also do the rounds of art galleries and shops at Ubud, the cultural center.

If you’re lucky, you could catch a religious festival in progress involving community dances and worship. If not, there are staged performances for visitors.  Typically, a Balinese dance performance is a heady combination of theater and entertainment based on mythology; often, there’s a fun, interactive element with performers dressed as exotic creatures bounding into the audience.

There are around 20, 000 temples in Bali of which Besakih or the “Mother Temple”, on the way up to Mount Agung, is the largest and most revered. A trip to the seventeenth century Taman Ayun temple can be combined with a tour of the Monkey Forest, home to around 300 Balinese macaques.

The Thing to Wear In Japan

The word kimono literally means ‘thing to wear’. It cannot get more beautifully simpler than this! This stunning garment that brings to the mind elegant ladies gently sitting down to a ritual of tea was probably introduced into Japan from China as an undergarment. It has changed every now and then to conform to the lifestyle of the people of each age. Kimonos have altered over the years to keep pace with the changes in Japanese society. This one garment synonymous with Japanese culture is comfort, ease and grace rolled into one.

Traditionally kimonos were worn by both men as well as women with variations in the design of the garment. It had two distinct upper and lower pieces in the very beginning. It was during 794 to 1185 (during the Heian period) that the kimono morphed into a single long flowing garment from its prior avatar of two pieces. After this it became elaborately layered. Layer upon layer of kimonos were worn as a fashion statement. The royals and the glitterati of that age were wearing up to sixteen kimonos one under the other! The color of each kimono was tastefully exhibited at the sleeve edges and the collars.

As the warrior class rose to power from 1185 to 1133 (the Kamakura period) the intricate layered kimonos of the earlier age gave way to functionality. Kimonos with small sleeves are a development of this time. Bright colors were used in kimonos from 1192. A sort of class distinction was apparent now in the styles and the color of the kimonos. For instance, Samurai warriors could be recognized by the color of their kimonos and their allegiance to a particular leader was easily broadcast.

In the Edo period which followed (from the year 1600) the obi or the belt caught the designers fancy. It became more elaborate with sophisticated dyes and weaves.  Kimonos were becoming an artist’s canvas during this time with embroidery and dyes used to create gorgeous pieces of art. These were treasured as family heirlooms. As Japanese attire is traditionally not accessorized much, the garment has to express taste and elegance on its own while making a fashion statement.  The women’s kimono became very decorative.

With the introduction of electric weaving and the knowledge of chemical dyes from the West during the Meiji period (beginning in 1868) the kimono, as expected, changed. The fact that women now started to work outside the house also resulted in change in design. The free-flowing garment of yore was now tucked and that became the new style. The kimono became much simpler when silk production was restricted and the economy went into military buildup mode during the Showa era of 1912.