Sanur

05.11.11

We had quite a leisurely start as Bobby arrived quite late

and then headed down to the beach. We hired a sunbed each

as there is no shade otherwise. It was exciting for Martin

and I as so far on the trip we had only been swimming together

once before as usually we play ti safe and one of us stays with

the bags. Very boring!

The water here is very shallow and there is loads of seaweed so

we just bobbed around in the shallows, picking up shells etc.

Again there is so much coral washed up on the beach, it's really

sad to see.

As we were leaving the beach, we noticed worshippers all dressed

in white sarongs, with gold underneath, gold sashes and white

sashes walking enmasse towards the beach. Some were carrying baskets

on their heads and colourful umbrellas. On the beach a

teepee types structure had already been built and some offerings

left. We decided to stay and see the ceremony. A large congregation

arrived and seated themselves in rows facing out to sea. Umbrellas

were closed and lent up against the 'tee-pee'. They all sat

quietly waiting while the odd couple of worshippers took small

baskets of offerings to the shore and laid them down. After about

15 minutes a gentle murmur of song began. There didn't seem to

be anyone leading the ceremony. We were sat a fair distand away

on the pier and already felt a little intrusive, especially as

we didn't know what the ceremony was about. But other tourists

were walking straight in to the corregation and snapping away with

no respect. We decided we didn't want to be associated with this

kind of behaviour so continued out walk along the beach!!

When we came back 30 minutes or so later the ceremony was still

going on. I keep meaning to find out more about this religion,

I've only read a little in a Lonely PLanet guide that we borrowed.

I'll update the blog once I have more info!

This evening we headed to a sports bar for happy hour and something

to eat. I had my first cocktail of the trip! There were about 8

people in the bar when a 6 piece band came on and began

playing western 'hits', they were suprisingly good. But not

really what you want when you're in a sports bar trying to watch

the football!