I'm not exactly sure why, but I like this photograph a lot. It was taken near Canggu in Bali of an elderly woman walking to her house among the lush vegetation of her family's garden. In common with other Asian nationalities, Balinese families have considerable respect and affection for their elderly. Grandparents are cared for by their extended families, and this woman lives either with or near her children and grandchildren.
Traditional Balinese family compounds have a system of design that is in accordance with adat (traditional law and custom), and it is the norm to have three generations living together in one compound. Moreoever, the alignment of the 4-5 separate buildings and shrines within the family compound must follow strict rules involving the direction of Gunung Agung, the largest peak (the most sacred place on the island) and the ocean. Priests as well as master builders are consulted to pick the correct positions of each of these buildings....almost like feng shui.
For more photographs of Bali, check out my new multimedia gallery Bali: Odalans & Melastis....and details of my forthcoming Bali photo expedition.
