Well done the fast comments! Synergy is next to godliness. Speaking of which : last night I took my godson Ben to Turtle Island for the first odalan (temple festival) since Tommy & the Timber Barons new causeway (to their mega-resort, formerly the quaint fishing village of Serangan). I was the only one bemoaning the loss of the brightly-hued gondolas which ferry man, beast and Barong to the once secluded isle.
One battled through the new mall parking to an envelope of godliness and glamour (the Balinese continue to do it soooo well) to a temple festival more amazing than any I've ever seen there over the last 25 years --- The god of Uluwatu spating his siblings in full cry as two ancient androgynes in nefertitti nightgowns battled it out on the 'padang'. All gods descended (even a Sanghyang from Java who had to be sung down!) and all priests went up...... up...... and away...... Bevies of beauties fanned the flames. The witch consorts (Rangda) of the Barong of Kuta did a rare pas de deux ---- EVERYTHING but a mobnas (Timor) for first prize!!
It was an incredible night : of contrasts and contradictions : the mask dancers making an impassioned plea for respect for the environment as the multitudes rained plastic cups on the land fill; the blue laser from the fake Mt. Agung at the new TAMAN FESTIVAL theme park slashed across the night sky as the god of the real Mt. Agung hosted the best trance circle in living memory.
Going for Baroque : The Jet set descend for the August Moon