Bali

Bali is a place where art is not an expression, it is a way of life.   Every aspect of life is inundated with aesthetics and appreciation.  The greatest part of it all is that it makes us wonder where our spirituality lies.  That wonder can lead to very constructive though.  And, of course, there are places to think everywhere.  People welcome you into ancient temples to meditate every few kilometers.

The dances are absolutely entrancing.  Balinese women learn the art form over their entire lifetime, and it is a beautiful sight. Don't miss the Kechak, Legong, and Ballet dances.

Above is a phreatic vent of the dormant volcano "Gunung Batur" on Bali, "The Island of the gods"...

Like Taal, it is a volcano within a volcano.  You enter the park by driving over the outer crater rim which is about 30 km wide.  The new cone is in the northwest and is venting sulphurous gas and steam regularly.  It is a humbling and awesome experience.  The sheer force that rips through holes such as the one behind me is enough to cultivate deep respect for the earth's opinion. The molten red hole here opened up a week before this shot.

Adrenaline Park in Kuta.  This is an Aussie run operation with a 50 meter high cantilever tower overlooking the entire island of Bali.  It is my final memory of an island that I left thinking that anybody would love to visit.   I almost lost courage after the long walk up, but by the time you finish the second (free) jump, it is just another memory of a beautiful country.