Text and Photos by I.B. Andi Sucirta.

Since they first started coming to Bali in 1924, the Kintamani area, and specifically Penelokan, has been an important part of the travel agenda for adventure-loving tourists. From here they can gaze at the beauty of the caldera of Gunung Batur, which was formed by a massive volcanic eruption around 30,000 years ago.

Based on what Id heard about the beauty of Baturs crater, I was interested in exploring the area from a different perspective, by going directly down to the mountain and observing the daily activities of the villagers living near the caldera. Gunung (Mount) Batur is actually a fairly small volcano in the middle of a     More..

Text and Photos by I.B. Andi Sucirta.

The people of Mengwi in Bali enjoy the distinction of possessing a living heritage site and ritual venue called Taman Ayun. Bali, famous as "the island of the Gods," is also an island of a thousand temples. Nearly everywhere in Bali, we find Hindu holy structures, ranging from small temples for family worship to the huge ones used by the entire population of Bali, known as khayangan jagat.

Temple architecture varies as well, from the simplest to the most complex. One of the most monumental temples in Bali is Pura Taman Ayun, which has just this year been no     More..

Text by Sari Widiati Photos by I.B. Andi Sucirta

The greatest event in the last three decades, a display of community collaboration, dedication, and a living culture.

The last major cremation ceremony in Bali was in 1979, for a well known artist from the royal house of Ubud, Tjokorda I Gde Agung Sukawati. This year's ceremony, even larger, honored Tjokorda Gde Agung Suyasa, also one of Ubud's most respected citizens.

Text and Photos by I.B. Andi Sucirta

Based on my experience, photography is not only about gears. Photography is closely related to how you wisely and correctly use your gears, resulting in good photographs. The secret does not lie behind the technology utilized. Technology changes, but good photography is eternal.

On my journey in photography, I always hold one value dearly: shoot it right from      More..

Text and Photos by I.B. Andi Sucirta

Pura Tanah Lot is located in Beraban village, Kediri subdistrict, Tabanan regency, just a 30-minute drive from Kuta. Facing west, it offers a lovely view, especially in the late afternoon, with the temple in dramatic silhouette as the sun sets in the Bali Strait. There are always visitors, both domestic and foreign, and it's even busier in the afternoons and during school holidays.

The temple, Pura Tanah Lot, owes its existence to a religious leader from the Javanese kingdom of Majapahit in the late 15th century     More..

Text and Photos by I.B. Andi Sucirta

The Melasti ritual precedes the Nyepi holiday celebrated by Indonesia's Hindus
Most residents of Indonesia are probably not as familiar with the Melasti ritual as with Nyepi, which is celebrated by Hindus in Indonesia every March or early April and is also a national public holiday.

Nyepi is celebrated at Sasih Kesanga each year, based on astronomical calculations in the Hindu Saka calendar, which differs s     More..

Text and Photos by I.B. Andi Sucirta

Where nature tourism is integrated with conservation efforts

Indonesia, as a tropical island nation, has around 17,500 islands with a coastline totaling 81,000 kilometers-a distance equal to twice the circumference of the earth. With this extensive coastline, Indonesia has the world's greatest mangrove forests: 4.5 million hectares,      More..