Lions and Tigers and Teeth

At the Bali Safari and Marine Park, we got to see two white tigers up close and personal - they are really gorgeous animals - with really big teeth - big, fierce, strong teeth that would make a tasty little snack out of my lovely little daughter. Which is why I was a bit hesitant (ok, totally freaked out) when we were invited to pet a tiger. A big tiger. Not one of those little tiger cubs that are held firmly in a trainer's hand, but a big one that could turn around and devour a little girl in a second. Not wanting to appear the totally paranoid mother that I was at the time, and after watching entire families go up with no one disappearing, Ariana and I made our way up and sat while baba-san, much too slowly for my taste, took pictures of the experience.

If you think I am smiling, I'm really not. I call it more of a grimace, in the "take the damn picture before we get eaten!!!! " kind of grimace. If that wasn't bad enough, a little later on there was a lion and we had to repeat the process. Even Ariana is starting to catch on here - big animal, big teeth - let's move along please!!!


She did have a fine time taking the Safari ride, where we saw all kinds of animals. Safely behind the windows of our Safari van. The rest of the day was spent visiting Temples:


This is the entrance to the Pura Gunung Kawi. Wherever you drive, temples are in view. In tradition Balinese homes, there are the family temples. For those not living in a traditional home, there are small shrines in a corner of a room. There are town temples and finally, the most important, the seaside temples. Religion is very important in Bali and there are always celebrations. We passed several town celebrations in our travels around Bali - the participants dressed in colorful sarongs, with the women carrying food and offerings on their heads:

And yes, always the motorcycles - Edy referred to them as mosquitoes - always buzzing about.



I leave you again with another beautiful sunset...........