National Holiday

17 August

This is the day that Indonesia celebrates the fact that it became an independent democratic republic in 1945, after having been colonized by the Dutch for three and a half centuries. Even though we did not see any of the special ceremonies, we did see plenty of women wearing the tradional Balinese dress, carrying offerings on their head (I was too shy to ask if I could take pictures), most likely to take to one of their temples or the ceremonies.

Flying kites

A favorite pastime during this national holiday seems to be flying kites, and so we were treated to quite a spectacle on one of the beaches. Little boys were trying to capture my attention for their kite all the time. Too cute.