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One of the tourist attractions in Bali is the rice terrace. The beauty of rice terraces is caused by Subak organization that attracts the members to have terracing from mountain, as high as possible as long as the water is there.

The cultural landscape of Bali consists of five rice terraces and their water temples that cover 19,500 ha. The temples are the focus of a cooperative water management system of canals and weirs, known as subak, that dates back to the 9th century. Included in the landscape is the 18th-century Royal Water Temple of Pura Taman Ayun, the largest and most impressive architectural edifice of its type on the island. The subak reflects the philosophical concept of Tri Hita Karana, which brings together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature. This philosophy was born of the cultural exchange between Bali and India over the past 2,000 years and has shaped the landscape of Bali. The subak system of democratic and egalitarian farming practices has enabled the Balinese to become the most prolific rice growers in the archipelago despite the challenge of supporting a dense population.

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Tirta Gangga literally means water from the Ganges and it is a site of some reverence for the Hindu Balinese. Strictly, the name refers to the water palace built here from the late 1940's to the 1950's by Gusti Gede Djelantik, heir to the former Kingdom of Karangasem.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace

Featuring a variety of instruments, a gamelan is a traditional musical ensemble from Indonesia, typically from the islands of Java and Bali

Gongs from

Gamelan

Gongs from Gamelandetail

Be aware of Balinese sensibilities. Visitors who wish to visit the temple compound should dress appropriately and wear a sash when entering a temple. A sash over shorts and a T-shirt or a very brief top is not adequate. Make sure you have a sarong and sash handy for temple visits and ceremonies and wear long pants or a skirt and a decent shirt when leaving the beach areas.

Detail of a temple relief

Offerings to the gods are mostly made out of palm leafs and decorated with flowers, but sometimes also enriched with rice, banana or biscuits. They are found everywhere

Bas-relief in Hindu temple Pura Jagatnatha Denpasar

Gates of Jagatnatha Temple Denpasar

Jagatnatha Temple Denpasar

Jagatnatha Temple Denpasar

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Balinese masks are of ancient origin and act like lightning rods in the sense that they attract the spirit of the person to be portrayed. They are sacred.

The gateway to Pura Maospahit, Denpasar's oldest Hindu temple dating from the 14th century

Pura Maospahit, Denpasar's oldest Hindu temple dating from the 14th century

Gunung Agung and Mount Batur (Gunung Batur)There are two active volcanoes in Bali. The most prominent is Gunung Agung which, at over 3,100m, can be seen from many points around Bali.

Never use your left hand when giving or receiving objects, which is considered taboo; do not beckon people with your finger which is very rude.Don't cross your legs exposing the bottom of your foot to anyone

COCONUT (nyuh): coconuts are widely used in Bali, for making sugar, alcohol, housing, utensils, temple offerings and charcoal. The grated flesh of the coconut is frequently added to food; it can also be squeezed in water to make coconut milk. If freshly grated coconut moistened with warm water can be used as a substitute. The best substitute for fresh coconut milk is instant coconut powder.

Fresh palm sugar! The palm sugar is cooked and boiled down until it creates a thick syrup.The syrup is left to solidify in coconut halves.

Monument in Denpasar: Royal family puputan (suicidal fight to the death) in the struggle against the Dutch in the early 20th century

Don't pat people on the back or head, go for the elbow instead

The Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud.

In Bali, sanctuaries such as the Monkey Forest are usually in sacred village areas, often surrounded by temples.Monkey Forest Pool Ubud

Ubud monkey parenting

The Pura Meduwe Karang is a Hindu temple dedicated to the male counterpart of the rice goddess Dewi Sri. The name of the temple means "to whom the earth belongs", and the local people come here to beg for a rich harvest in the surrounding coffee, maize, fruit and vegetable plantations.Although the local people believe that this carving is at least 400 years old, it is thought that the figure on the bicycle represents the Dutch ethnologist W. O. J. Nieuwenkamp, who rode on a bicycle (a means of transport previously unknown to the local people) when working in northern Bali around 1904.

The relief of the Pura Meduwe Karang is not now in its original condition: it was badly damaged in the 1917 earthquake and was altered during the process of restoration.

Pura Meduwe Karang, Kubutambahan

Pura Meduwe Karang

Pura Meduwe Karang, Kubutambahan

Pura Meduwe Karang, Kubutambahan

Pura Meduwe Karang, Kubutambahan

Pura Meduwe Karang, Kubutambahan

Text: InternetPictures: Internet & Nicoleta Leu Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Gending Genjek Pasubaya