Fresh Breezes at Legong Keraton Beach Hotel Canggu
by balisunshine
A fairly recently renovated hotel
on the beach in Brawa, Canggu is
Legong Keraton Beach Hotel.
This property is conveniently located
for those beach lovers that
like to be away from it all
and its also a great spot for
those who like to surf.
The rooms are fairly new
and very clean with new furnishings
at the time of my visit.
Each room has a small terrace
where you can sit and enjoy
the sea breeze and
the sound of the ocean waves.
There are different standards
of rooms for different budgets.
The property has plenty of
garden space for those
traveling with children.
The swimming pool faces the sea.
The is an open air restaurant
if you prefer not leave the grounds.
If you do desire to go into town,
transportation is definitely needed.
But you can walk to
the more popular areas via the beach.
Balinese dances
by picknick
With over 1000 troupes, dance is at the very center of the Balinese life. Dancers on Bali perform for the pleasure of the gods, prestige, and the entertainment of friends and family.
In Balinese dance, considerable Indian influence is evident. Balinese dance costumes, with their glittering headdresses and elaborate jewellery are clearly of Hindu-Javanese origin and, as in Java, Balinese dancers adopt the basic Indian stance.
But, unlike Javanese, who developed slow, controlled, continuous movements performed with eyes downcast and limbs close to the body, the Balinese dancers are charged with energy, eyes agape, dating this way and that, high-stepping, arms up, moving with quick, cat like bursts that would startle a Javanese. The Balinese distinguish between dances that are sacred (wali), ceremonial (bebali) and simply for watching (balih-balihan). The last category of dances appears to have developed exclusively among the nobility, but they are now performed by villagers as part of ceremonial repertoire.
The legong keraton was originally a court dance developed for royal amusement, but it is now seen frequently at village temple ceremonies through out Bali. Traditionally, legong was performed by two young girls, introduced by a court attendant (condong) who sweeps the stage clean and present the dancers with fans. Sheated in glittering gold costumes, with headdresses crowned by frangipani blossoms, the two dancers then enact one of a dozens or so possible stories. Today, more than two women may perform the dance, and they need not to be very young.
The baris or warrior dances on the other hand, seem to have developed out of old ritual battle dances. A good baris performance is a true test of wits for the dancers and the musician for they must respond to each other’s signals to produce the quivering bursts of synchronized energy that are the essence the dance.
Gambuh, wayang wong and topeng are dance drama. Gambuh is the oldest known dance drama in Bali, it is inspired by the Javanese literature.
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