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Interesting character on the streets of Ubud. Check out the "big" hair.

Procession to welcome the gods at the Hindu temple. Most other pics were too dark, darn it.

I have been in Ubud several days and this is far more what I had expected when I envisioned Bali. I am not sure what elevation this is but it is significantly cooler than other places. I do not have AC in my room and I am perfectly comfortable.

Ubud is known as the place which preserves Balinese culture. On Friday night when many of the people in Valdosta were attending the Father Daughter Valentine Dance, which I have heard from several sources was another tremendous success by the way, I got to see the birthday celebration of one of Ubud's biggest Hindu temples. There was dancing, incense, music and then a procession of the temple's gods. I expect more than 100 people in costume welcomed the gods who were bigger than life size figures which were carried on palanquins around the temple grounds. I never really understood what was going on and no one I asked could explain to me. Well I just observed and sometimes that is the best you can do.

Last night I attended a professional performance of Legong dancing. There was a huge orchestra of drums, flutes, bells and percussion instruments. In other settings the sound might have been called racket but here it was quite pleasing, at least for a while. The dancers used their eyes as much as their arms and legs. Balinese are known for large, beautiful eyes.

I had planned to depart here on 10 February but now I have learned there will be a royal cremation that day and I should not miss it. I have to see what I can do about my flights.