Rose Brooks

Episode 626 – ABC: Amazing Balinese Culture, Day 1, Part 2

5:00 p.m. February 21, 2025.

After a VERY quick return to the ship to freshen up, we were off to one of the highlights of our cruise so far: a traditional Balinese al fresco dinner and spectacular ritual Kecak dance show at Bali’s Bird Park.

Our drive began at dusk, and it was dark by the time we reached the park. looking out the front window of our coach made use really glad that we weren’t the ones driving!

At times, especially for the scooters, lane markings seemed to be just suggestions.

The park is home to more than 250 species of birds from Indonesia, South America, Africa and Australia. Since we arrived after dark, we couldn’t wander the park, but we did get to interact with some gorgeous birds! The Bird Park rescues, rehabilitates, and breeds birds.

A very friendly ara ararauna macaw that really loved Ted. He wouldn’t let me hold him at all, but would give me kisses!
Maria, a palm cockatoo, native to New Guinea and Australia
Top: a grey parrot, native to Africa.
Bottom: Rudy, a green-winged macaw, native to South America.
The white (aka umbrella) cockatoo is endemic to Indonesia.

After a truly delicious dinner, in a lovely open-air restaurant with servers in traditional Balinese dress, we walked down a torch-lit path through lush vegetation to the outdoor theatre where we would be watching the Kecak. The venue thought of everything; en route, we were offered mosquito repellant!

The Kecak is a ritual dance that recounts an epic tale from the Hindu Ramayana. On a stage lit only by glowing torches, around 60 men chant and sway in a trance-like rhythm while colorfully costumed dancers weave their way among them to tell their story. Our guide likened the chanting to beat-boxing, since it is the only “music” accompanying the dance. She also shared that it was the inspiration for parts of the soundtrack for the 2010 movie The Last Airbender.

Preparing the outdoor stage.
The performance is introduced by one of the park hostesses.
The “musicians”. In the centre frame, their efforts are being blessed by a Hindu priest.
The star-crossed lovers, Rama and Sita.
Rama’s brother, Laksmana, who is supposed to protect Sita.
Rama tries to scare away Marica, who is disguised as a golden deer.
Laksmana tries to convince Sita that he can keep her safe, even after Marica’s trickery.
Sita, inside the protection of her magic circle.
The demon Rahwana, King of Alengka, makes his first appearance.
Kidnapped!
Hanuman, the Monkey King, offers to help free Sita.

Hanuman’s monkey army battles Rahwana’s demon army, vanquishing them so that Rama and Sita can be reunited.

After the play was over, a “horseman” was placed into a trance by a priest and rode out to quench the fires left by the final battle. It was thrilling!

After the performance, I was able to get a picture with the cast.

This legend is so much a part of Balinese culture, that there is even a huge set of statues along the highway in Denpasar depicting the monkeys, under Hanuman’s instruction, building a bridge across the water to rescue Sita from her imprisonment.

We returned to the ship around 10:30 p.m., tired but having had a wonderful day filled with Balinese food and culture.

Tomorrow: more temples! This is, after all, the land of 10,000 temples.

3 comments

  2. How fabulous, Rose. But, that poor man in the fire – I would not want to have drawn the short straw for that part of the show! Loved the bird pics, too. Such beautiful birds; to have them that close must be quite magical.

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  3. How fabulous, Rose. But, that poor man in the fire – I would not want to have drawn the short straw for that part of the show! Loved the bird pics, too. Such beautiful birds; to have them that close must be quite magical.

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