Million Air Fall 2024

Left, from top Legong dancer preparing for a performance; inside the Pura Batu Pageh temple This image and below The amphitheater on Melasti Beach; the Kecak dance

It is a riot of color, drama and spectacle — bales of hay are set alight and performers dance right through the fl ames

to the in fi nity pool, and the soundtrack of the ocean waves had me asleep in minutes. The beach is a very short drive away (as I type, a pathway from the resort down to the beach is being created for those who would prefer to walk) and Umana has a dedicated space with lounge chairs, chilled white wine and watermelon juice. Melasti Beach is also home to an amphitheater — don’t miss the Kecak dance show. A hugely popular event, the traditional dance originated in Bali during the 1930s and was created by a Balinese artist named Wayan Limbak in collaboration with Walter Spies, a German painter and musician. They developed the Kecak dance by drawing inspiration from ancient Balinese ritual dances and including elements from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. No musical instruments are used throughout — instead, a large group of male performers chant ”cak“ in various rhythmic patterns. The dance depicts the story of Prince Rama and his quest to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king