We knew that if you wanted to experience true Balinese culture, you should head for Ubud... Upon arrival we found out that the cremation of a member of the Royal family was being held tomorrow, 2 months after he had passed!!! They kept the body within the palace & every other day doctors would attend to the corpse.. Until These huge floats, covered in intricate details were built ready to carry his body to the designated temple for the final cremation... The town was packed! it took me 1 hour to even find a hotel room... we witnessed the ceremony which took 6 hours, i was expecting a mourning but instead it was more like a celebration - loud music, beer being sold, food stalls, it resembled a carnival type atmosphere...
I can only describe it as extremely different, even surreal in comparison to what I have witnessed a funeral to be like...
Coffin carried through the town at great heights
Members of the community all play a part in the ceremony
Professional or Novice a like no one was without
some kind of recording device
Durian - A fruit that tastes of Garlic & Onion
Placeing offerings into the structure
Took 2months to Build
Took 30minutes to Burn Down
The Body was on show for all to see...
