The Big Day: July 15th Pelebon

Where in the world on one day would you experience laughter, energy, brute strength, ingenuity, creativity, respect, dignity…only in Bali and only once every five years, with their cremation cycle.

Today, Tuesday July 15 was something special. Today thousands witnessed the Royal Cremations, nothing which has been seen here in Bali for the past 20 years.

Creativity overwhelmed the day, with Balinese creativity outshining all in the design of the 70 odd floats
Dignity for the manner in which the bodies and ashes of the deceased were handled
Respect by the thousands of on-lookers, foreigners and locals alike, who dressed appropriately in sarongs, kebaya and head gear
Brute strengths from the 250 000 local men who carried the two 11 ton, 7 meter tall Bades with the coffins atop; and the others who carried equally heavy sarcophagus bulls, dragons and around 70 other floats
Ingenuity by the way the human bodies twisted and manipulated their giant responsibilities around trees, power lines and the many other obstacles along the narrow Ubud streets
Energy was everywhere, not only from within the human wheels, but also from the crowds willing them on
Laughter….masses of laughter from all, when floats took the wrong turn, or hit the pole or obstacle. Cheers and clapping when they solved the problem and moved forward

A day to remember…. And as I write this, we have only just begun our journey….

*from the point-of-view of CML