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A photographic look at the Balinese nights through the lense of Kirk Owers Brownie. |
Not necessary THE place to be – but definitely a place to be.
I had a night to spare on Bali recently and took to the streets camera in hand (see photos above and below). Bali’s changed remarkably in the last ten years. Wether you approve or not it goes without saying you can have a very fine time on the Island of the Gods. Once known as a Bogan Paradise, today the nicer parts of Bali (like Seminyak and Ubud) cater for the cosmopolitan traveller with designer bars, opulent villas, vego cafes and boutique fashion stores. While you can still do Bali on the cheap, many international travellers now see it as a luxury holiday destination. In fact US travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler voted Ubud Asia’s best city (despite it being a village) recently.
Hindu parade.
Ku De Ta is a beachside bar in Seminyak where the international hipsters like to play come sundown. When I pulled by it was closing early because of a Hindu festival. You see Ku De Ta lies directly opposite Seminyak’s main Hindu Temple. Instead of a caprihina I was presented with a photo opportunity as the bars elegantly wasted clientele took to the street past a procession of locals in traditional dress carrying offerings to their temple. The contrast was vivid. After thirty plus years of western influence – much of it crass, decadent or both – the Balinese culture seems remarkably healthy and resilient. Or at least it did on JL Laksmana on this particular evening.
Cont…
Girls and guys on bikes.
Drifter for sale.
Night riders.
Dusk surf check.
Words and photos by Kirk Owers
