On this, the only Hindu island in mostly Islamic Indonesia, you either practice art in order to make a living, or you adorn your environment and your spirituality with manifestations of artistry and beauty. Every niche and cranny in the village of Ubud seemed to be enfused with aesthetic touches, be it countless exotic statues of Hindu gods or a perfectly arranged floral incense offering anonymously placed at your doorstep every morning to ward away evil spirits. There is also a healthy smattering of Buddhism enfused with this Hinduism, and icons of the Buddha abound. This particular Buddha smacks more of the Thai and Indonesian style, with elongated earlobes and ultra-sheek hair nobs, as opposed to the bald, rotund, smiling Buddha you generally see from China. Even the Buddhas here are slaves to fashion.

© Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli