Land of a thousand temples and the world's last paradise, Bali is known as island of the Gods. With verdant mountains and terraced rice fields in one direction, and black sand beaches in another, Bali is the island paradise of Indonesia. Renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music, Balinese arts and handicrafts skills have passed down through generations.
Exploring the rich cultural heritage, flavours and daily life of the Balinese people, we were excited about our very special 'Evening at the Royal Palace of Puri Taman Sari.' Departing from the pier where Silver Nova docked in Bali for a scenic 2 hour drive to Blayu, a small Balinese traditional village in the Tabanan district, we arrived at the magnificent Royal Palace. Built in the 17th-century, this spectacular landmark of historical architecture served as the Royal Palace of the Mengwi Dynasty. Designed in the style of ancient Balinese royal compound house, Puri Taman Sari consists of an array of pavilions. Nestled in the heart of Tabanan, the wonderful Royal Palace complex includes a fantastic tropical landscaped garden, exquisite wooden shrines, beautifully caved gates, coconut palms, and surrounded by breathtaking rice fields with three rivers running through the property, the Royal Palace is one of the regions key attractions.
Arriving at the Royal Palace and serenaded by a Baleganjur musical group, we were greeted with a traditional Balinese welcome drink by Balinese women in exquisite traditional dress who performed a colourful dance, before we proceeded to the many attractions and activities housed at the Puri Taman Sari. Here we were able to observe daily Balinese activities, many of which are performed by women, including offering-making, traditional Balinese umbrella-making and wood-carving, before strolling over to the beautiful outdoor garden for a very special Indonesian dinner of Balinese delicacies.
Before and during dinner we were treated to Legong, a refined, classical Balinese dance form originating from 19th-century royal courts, characterized by intricate finger movements, complex footwork, and expressive, synchronized facial expressions. Usually performed by young girls adorned in gold, it tells stories of kings and myths, and accompanied by a Gamelan ensemble of young boys. Balinese gamelan troops featuring boy musicians are deeply rooted in the island’s culture, often organized within local village councils where children begin learning traditional music at a very young age. These ensembles, or sekaa gong, are crucial for community rituals, temple ceremonies, and festivals, fostering discipline and social harmony. The evening of Legong dance and Gamelan music was outstanding and an wholly unforgettable experience.
After dinner, we were treated to a fascinating performance of Kecak, a traditional dance that recounts the tale from the Ramayana, an epic story that found its way from India to Indonesia. During the dance, the only musical accompaniment is the chanting of men positioned in a concentric circle on the stage. As the men chant and rhythmically sway to the music, colourfully costumed dancers weave and interwtwine their way amongst them. Lit only by glowing torches, the shadows cast by the dancers, combined with the haunting chanting, creating a mesmerizing experience, especially as it was performed during a torrential tropical rain storm.
Arriving in the small village of Blayu where we were greeted with a traditional Balinese processional musical ensemble known for its loud, energetic, and rhythmic sound known as Baleganjur
The Baleganjur ensemble play intense, rhythmic music, typically featuring interlocking cymbals,
drums, and gongs to accompany the procession with Lembu the Bull
Ladies greeting us at the Royal Palace of Puri Taman Sari with fresh yellow orchids for our hair
Balinese lady offering us fresh coconuts that symbolize harmony with nature and humanity
Fresh coconut, often referred to as kelapa muda, is a a refreshing, natural welcome drink and is a gesture of Balinese hospitality
Ceremonial headdress to be held during the classic Balinese dance of Legong
Local artisan weaving a parasol using natural materials
Lovely young local woman carving local Arbesia softwood with hammer and chisel
Balinese lady making Jaja Sirat, a traditional Balinese snack made from rice flour and palm sugar, with a delicate, lace-like appearance, often compared to a bird's nest
Dipping her fingers in the batter and into hot oil, until the Jaja Sirat is golden brown and crispy
Sweet and very delicate, the freshly made Jaja Sirat is very "more-ish
A descendant of the Balinese Mengwi Dynasty, the Prince greeted us to the Royal Palace of Puri Taman Sari
A kind and gentle man, the Prince invited us to enjoy iconic Balinese Barong and the Legong, a classical court dance with detailed hand movements and expressive, fast-paced footwork
The start of the Balinese performance features Gamelan, a traditional ensemble of young boys playingbeautiful golden Rindik xylophones with bone hammers
Young boy in colourful Balinese sarong, playing his Rindik with bone hammer, which produces energetic rhythmic patterns, called kotekan, and accompanies Joged Bumbung dance
Balinese snack with Rempeyek rice crackers and spicy tomato sambal, wrapped in a babana leaf and served in handwoven basket
Balinese snack with Rempeyek rice crackers and spicy tomato sambal,
wrapped in a babana leaf and served in handwoven basket with fresh orchid
Beautiful handmade Floral and palm leaf centrepiece
Handmade palm and rose placemats were simply lovely
'An Evening at The Royal Palace Indonesian Dinner at Puri Taman Sari' menu
One of the most prestigious and technically refined styles of classical Balinese dance,
Legong is a "dance of the maidens" performed by young girls who embody elegance, intricate finger movements, and intense, synchronized eye movements
The spectacle on stage with Gamelan and Joged Bumbung dancers
with four Balinese women holding elaborate headdresses, or gelungan
Balinese lady preparing peanut sauce made from shallots, garlic, red chiles, palm sugar, and tamarind paste, peanut sauce is a delicious staple in Indonesia
The lady chef kindly showed me how she made the peanut sauce
Balinese Salad with Peanut Sauce, or Tipat Cantok, is an authentic Balinese dish made from mixed vegetables and tofu tossed in freshly ground peanut sauce and served with crisp savoury crackers
Tipat Cantok with handmade Peanut Sauce and crisp savoury Kerupuk Putih crackers
Balinese dances are a profound blend of mythic, religious, and storytelling elements, serving as a living, breathing component of Balinese Hindu culture,
and recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
With colourful sarong, handsome Udeng head covering and exquisitely hand carved Rindik, being played with bone hammer, the boys played all evening
Verdant rice fields with palm trees and small wooden shed
was tranquil calm beside the Royal Palace
Multiple frogs, often depicted in groups of three, signify a surge of good fortune and, specifically, the promise of rain, which is vital for agriculture
Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu deity, symbolizes the remover of obstacles, wisdom, prosperity, and auspicious beginnings
Closeup photograph of the boys, with rice fields in the background
Older ladies from the village serving the first course of the Indonesian dinner
Handwoven cover for the first course
Fried sweet potato fritters known as Perkedel served with Beef Soto, a fragrant, coconut-milk-based beef soup
Legong is one of Bali’s most iconic and sacred traditional dances, known for its intricate eye movements, graceful hand gestures, and deep cultural meaning
Originally performed by young girls in royal courts, the dance often symbolizes an offering to the gods during temple ceremonies — a living expression of Balinese identity and heritage
Cone-shaped steamed rice with carrots and crispy duck
The dancers performed throughout the evening, wearing different costumes and for truly memorable experience
Platter of eight small courses
Grilled Fish served in banana leaf and fastened with toothpicks
Pork Satay, Balinese Fish Satay, and Chicken Satay with peanut sauce
Spicy Sour Chicken Stew - Gerang Asem
The beautiful outdoor garden dining is suddenly empty as thunder boomed overhead, lightning flashed and the rain started to come down in great sheets
Looking down from the covered main pavilion through a flower arbour to our rain soaked tables
The Gamelan ensemble of young boys grabbed their precious Rindik, and found refuge under the thatched lanai, then continued to perform!
Having sought a dry table in the covered dining room, the loyal and hardworking servers arrived with an array of traditional Balinese sweets
Delicious Jaja Laklak, a Balinese soft and spongy pancake dessert, green-hued from pandan leaf juice and served with sweet palm sugar
Handwoven 'cloche' over a dessert tray of Balinese sweets
Tray of Balinese sweets including Balinese Apem Cake, a steamed pink sponge cake, Kue Lapis layered rice cake wrapped in banana leaf, pineapple and papaya
Not to be thwarted by torrential rain, the dance performance of Kecak that recounts the tale from the Ramayana, was performed on a covered stage - but getting there was a challenge
Balinese dancers, with palms pressed together, shows respect, gratitude, and to thank the audience; but beyond thanking the audience, these gestures are rooted in Balinese Hindu traditions, where dance is considered an offering to the gods, and the dancers act as vessels channeling divine energy
