Bali 2.0 VI: Kuningan

The sixth day of our trip coincided with Kuningan, a major religious celebration in Bali. Everywhere we went, the locals were dressed in either yellow or white. Started the day with mass at Denpasar Cathedral, a fairly new structure with a bare brick facade and white statues. Above the altar was a rotunda with a mural of the Pentecost.

While in town, we were dropped off at a shopping mall to do some shopping, and grab a cup of coffee. Shopping never fails to work up an appetite and the choice of lunch at Warung Ikan Goreng Renon was excellent. The fish was fresh and spicy, paired with super crispy bakwan jagung.

Evangelisation in Bali was pioneered by two Dutch priests, and through their efforts, the first Catholic church was established-- Gereja Tritunggal Mahakudus. The design is very traditional, and has a Balinese style bas relief above the altar with traditional script describing the Last Supper. The parish priest welcomed us, and even paused an altar aervers camp so that we could visit the Grotto. Truly amazed by the amount of children who wanted to serve.

Tanah Lot was abuzz with activity due to Kuningan. Droves of women were dressed in yellow lace kebayas, with ornate offering baskets on their heads. We went down to rocks to get close to the temple. The sun was scorching and the waves crashed mercilessly on the rocks. Asked my tour guide whether she prayed at Tanah Lot, and she replied that it was not the temple of her ancestors. 

Another strange dinner option was Javanese food at Kurnia Seafood. Pretty lousy in my opinion. The staff design to serve gado-gado without the peanut sauce, and when the sup asem tasted completely wrong. Luckily they didn't screw up the grilled chicken.