- Creating reality
- +351 919468833
- alexribeiro.photography@gmail.com
my travel blog
In between paid works and life enjoyment, I've covered some events, festivals, and dives. Have a look at my last adventures through these blog posts.
February 16, 2020
Having said so, most of the Sumbanese I knew (despite on most cases, verbal communication not being so great), were good-hearted, loyal, reliable people. It was far easier to get invited to a party or a family celebration than in Bali – not to say the Balinese, aren’t hospitable! Indeed, they are, but I found Sumbanese society to be far more open.
November 25, 2019
On the opposite side, the gambelan orchestra played in a different way than I was used to listen: it was, somehow, hypnotic. Sometimes, slow and quiet, and then speeding up to a frantic loud rhythm. Soon I realised there was, at least, a man and a woman in trance, dancing, and I found myself a shooting position.
August 10, 2019
On an effort to attract tourists to Tulamben, there was the Festival Pesona Tulamben, (9-10) August 2019, with a few activities like the jukung boat race: […]
July 21, 2019
They are becoming quite touristic, with a fee that must be payed on the main access road and increasing prices on accommodation and food. On the other hand, the trails are clean (and clearly identified) and there are options for different levels of stamina. With a little research you can even avoid most hiking (if, like me, you are carrying heavy equipment, or are just lazy) and access the most interesting points by motorbike.
June 9, 2019
In fact, cock fighting is a “multi-million dollar business”, with events happening periodically in every small villages, daily in the major cities, and yearly on Balinese Hindu ceremonies. Business man bet hundreds of dollars in each fight and roosters are bread in every corner, sometimes illegally imported from Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.
April 5, 2019
After many years waiting, finally I had the chance to attend the “World’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims”. It is an indescribable, overwhelming, experience - something that shook me in every possible level. Here is the photo report, along with the information I could collect on the festival.
March 19, 2019
There is incense and flower, and often food, smell; there are the colourful parasols, flags and penjors; the ladies’ kebayas and sarongs; the gambelan music sound, the bells and mantras, the crowd and the children chatting, the women dancing, the numerous offerings… There will be people eating outside (some temples inside, as well), smoking… It not just part of life – it is life!
March 3, 2019
It started before sunrise, when the “Ratus” (holy men, in Marapu religion) gather at Wanukaka beach, along with a considerable crowd. They all come to fetch the Nyale (a worm named Palola viridis – a Polychaeta species whose reproduction involves involves mass spawning on a few specific days,
February 25, 2019
It is performed on a full-moon night, prior to the collection of Nyale and the Passola festival. It is not a staged show, there are no tickets
January 8, 2019
People go up the stairs and wait for their turn on the external yard. Once the previous prayer is finished, people leave and give room for the new comers. There is not much to see apart from each others, and three giant offerings: two elaborate sculptures made from pork skin, fat, meat, and internal organs, and one made of different fruits.
December 20, 2018
Eating was an interesting experience, as well: I remember going to a sushi place where the shrimp were still alive when served, fish was immaculate and tasty, prices were comparably cheap, and atmosphere was sober and appropriate. The funny part was, when the desserts came, they looked (and tasted) like junk food. A nonsense, among such exquisite fishes and sea-food.
October 25, 2018
Odalan is a temple anniversary, according to the lunar Balinese calendar (210 days). On this occasion, there are 3 day festivities, including praying ceremonies, processions, when deities are paraded from one temple to another, and dancing on the temple’s courtyards.
