Java, Bali and Lombok

Dancing horses are ridden by boys, in colourful costumes, and wearing makeup. This is what manhood looks like in Indonesia. There is a live band marching with the horses, crowds are dancing, a feast is prepared and gifts are given. The boy is given a parade to help him take his mind off the painful event and to help him celebrate his transition from boyhood to manhood. Many Muslims wait until the around age 7 or even later, before puberty. We witnessed the “kuda renggong” circumcision parade which started around mid day today and it was quite a celebration. The garishly costumed horses danced, bobbed and wove to the music. The entire town took part. This ceremony brings deep meaning to the parents but can carry a hefty price tag, costing up to $1,500 USD. It is said to bring them peace as it means they are successful as a parent and most little boys ask for this ceremony since they are old enough to talk.Read more

After the hot springs, we headed to Bulian Village where we enjoyed an Balinese Experience which included a welcome fresh coconut water in the shell welcome drink, followed by a buffet lunch with local Balinese dishes, a superb dance show with 3 different stories being played out, dressing up in traditional costume for both men and women, making a basic offering with coconut leaves, bamboo, flowers and grasses, receiving a blessing and then walking to the temple in town to pray together. So many people took part to give us a very memorable experience and we were taught a great deal more about local customs and traditions, directly from the source of the providers. It was a very unique experience which we all gave great thanks to have been able to participate in. In Hinduism, happiness is reached by focusing on 3 aspects; your relationship with God, your relationships with other humans and your relationship with nature. They also practice balance in their offerings; those on the ground are for the bad spirits and the offerings placed up higher are for the good spirits. We left the village mid afternoon and headed for Kintamani where we are staying near Mt. Batur for one very short night.Read more