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The Beginning
Bali is, in many ways, the star jewel in the treasure
chest of marvels that comprises the indonesian archipelago. The island is
first and foremost a masterpiece of nature, formed by an east-west
range of volcanoes and dominated by two towering peaks (Batur and
Agung) that sculped by a magnificent series of deep nort - south
ravines.
Bali's volcanic soils are exceptionally fertile and the
reliable northwest monsoon brings abundant rainfall from December
to April.
Months of uninterrupted tropical sunshine complete the
vision of paradise by blanketing the island in luxuriant mantle
of green.The Balinese have done much to turn such natural blessing
to their advantage. All but the steepest land has been painstakingly
terraced with rice paddies that huge the hilly contours and mount
the volcanic slopes like steps. Each watery patch is efficienly
irrigated through an elaborate system of aqueduct, dams and sluices
that have been regulated since ancient times by intra-village
agricultured organizations (subak). The land repays these effort
with abundant harvests, which in turn have given the Balinese the
leisure and energy to devote to their justly renowned cultural
pursuits. Periods of intense labour and a high degree of
cooperation are essential to ensure this bounty. The Balinese are
ever mindful of this fact, and their culture may indeed be seen
as a primary ingredient in their agricultural succes-enhancing a
fruitful cooperation with the land, the Gods and with each other.
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