During the 16th century, Bali became a refuge to many Hindus from Java. Our tour guide told of a priest who set sail with a group of his followers from Java to Bali. Bali was then inhabited by spirits and for human beings to settle down there was a definite no-no. The followers of the priest had thus mysteriously died and the priest had to return to Java. Later, however, the priest had returned with another another group of followers but this time round, he had some sort of prayers or ceremony performed and the rest, they say, is history. Hinduism took root in Bali and today, the religion pervades nearly every aspect of life there. It was not surprising then that when strolling a beach in Nusa Dua, we chanced upon a tree with an altar for the Gods. There are about 20,000 puras or temples and shrines in Bali, but I suppose it was the altar for the Gods that really convinced us that this was indeed the Island of the Gods. Traveling Tip: Enjoy the trees!
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