Visit Bali in Indonesia Part 1/3

Bali is a gem among the 17,000 Indonesian islands which has become one of the most beloved destinations for tourists looking for exotic places. The picturesque beaches of the island are favorable for surfers and sunbathers while the groups of churches offer ample experiences in religion, culture, art history. When the Dutch occupied the island in 1906, the three rulers of the city Denpasar destroyed their own palaces and committed ritual suicide. It’s almost the same as the Japanese seppuku from the point of its moral basis and the method itself, but here it’s called paputa. A group of statues commemorates the three dukes in Denpasar which became the capital city in 1958. Purayaganata Church built in 1953 may be the most visited holy place on the island. In Bali, in fact in all of Indonesia, religion plays a more important role than anywhere else in Asia. All activities of everyday life are intertwined with the communication with gods and as far as sanctuaries go, there are more here than anywhere else in the world. Purayaganata was built for the god Shang Huang Vidi. Every new moon and full moon, a glorious festival which tourists are allowed to watch is held here. The shrines in Denpasar and the relics of the palace are displayed in the museum of Negari, the neighboring town. Denpasar means the city next to the market. The settlement has always been an important commercial center. Its biggest traditional market is Pasar Badung which is on the east bank of the river with the same name. Everything that is typical of Asian markets is available here. There are animals especially birds in small bamboo cages, sweet-scented flowers, fresh colorful vegetables and tempting fruit. While poultry is bought to be eaten, small monkeys are to become pets. Some songbirds are bought to let them free and in this way the locals do their good turn of the day as demanded by Buddhism. Denpasar is known for its night markets which are open from sunset to late at night. The emphasis is on clothes and craftwork here but we can find a wide range of souvenirs, carvings, ceramics and homespun.