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Verdict: Bali Photo Expedition

Image Copyright © Tewfic El-Sawy- All Rights Reserved
I’m returning to blogging after the hiatus of leading a photo expedition in Bali from July 15 to July 28. I’ve just arrived in London after spending 16 hours in flights so this is only a brief overview.

The expedition consisted of 7 photographers wanting nothing else but to photograph the island’s cultural and religious rituals all day long. Our timing was perfect since it included a whole week of innumerable temple anniversaries all over the island of Bali, and a calmer second week gave us the opportunities to focus more on non-religious activities, which are plentiful on the island. Some of us also opted for a day in Borobodur, the fascinating Buddhist monument, in Java.

It is extraordinarily difficult to set up a rigid itinerary for such a photo expedition in Bali as temple anniversaries are all scheduled to the lunar-based Balinese calendar that has only 210 days…temple anniversaries (known as odalan) are frequently 3 or 4 day-long events, while others only last one day….some have their crescendo just before noon (a time of day that is terrible for photography), and others have it later in the evening. Thrown into this confusing mix is that some temples will not allow non-Hindus in certain sacred areas, but others will welcome them with open arms (provided they wear the appropriate clothing such a sarong and sash).

Notwithstanding, because of our perseverance and quick-witted drivers/fixers, we were able to immerse ourselves in temple ceremonies, cremations and other sacred rituals occurring on the island. We were extraordinarily lucky when we were allowed to photograph a small group of white-clad Balinese performing a mewinten, which is a sacred ritualistic purification ceremony attended by only a few relatives of the devotees. Among the best odalans was held at Pura Puseh in Perancak conducted by a high-ranking female pedenda.

The Balinese people are extraordinarily hospitable and generous, and I regret having seen many foreigners abuse this hospitality. At a private cremation, I overheard the head of the family requesting some other photographers not to approach the remains of the deceased and not to use flash, and yet they did so repeatedly until I intervened.

The above rather quirky photograph is of rejang dancers during a ceremonial procession in Pura Goa Lawah.

I will address the expedition's logistics, accommodations and related matters in another post.