Bali Hai - Part 4 (Uluwatu temple)

Uncle Ucok is part of our family. :) He is a supporter of Spain for this World Cup. He stays up to watch football and is still able to take us around. Here we are at Uluwatu temple.

All of us are given cloth to cover our legs as it is a place of worship. Ethan and Nic did not want the sash and thankfully the people guarding the place did not force it upon them.

The cliff at the background reminds me of Australia!

The Kecak (fire) dance or trance dance. Taken from the Hindu epic Ramayana, the dance tells the story of Prince Rama and his rescue of his wife Dewi Sinta, who has been kidnapped by the evil King Rahwana. The dance has no musical accompaniment but merely the chanting of "kechak chak chak" throughout. Under a trance (administered by a bomoh) the white monkey charges through the amber. I was terribly uncomfortable, I was praying in tongues but still curious. We skipped the Barong dance the next day to limit the temple visits. Interestingly, Ucok told us he did not want to take us to the very old temples as he takes pity (kesian anak-anak) on the children who may be subject to "makhluk ghaib" (evil spirits). We asked Nic whether he understood "makhluk" which Nic responded "makhluk asing" (alien). It saddened me that people in Bali are aware they are dealing with and worshipping evil spirits but they have to appease them as they do not know Jesus who is above all gods.

As I spent my devotion this morning I sang this song "I exalt thee" which is actually from the bible verse Psalm 97:9 "For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods; ." The song goes like this and you can catch it on youtube as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-lY8VQpSTY

For Thou, O Lord,
art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods For Thou,
O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord