AT SEA (day 57)

BALI, (BENOA), INDONESIA

EARLY IN THE MORNING THE SECOND DAY THT WE WERE IN BALI A TANKER TIED UP  STARBOARD AND SPENT THE DAY FUELING THE SHIP

LATE AFTERNOON THAT SAME DAY ON THE STARBOARD SIDE OF THE SHIP A FLEET OF ABOUT 100 SMALL BOATS FILLED WITH PEOPLE SINGING AND WAVING FLAGS, SOME WHITE FLAG AND OTHERS RED AND WHITE WITH A PICTURE OF AN ARM WITH THE HAND CLENCHED INTO A FIST .

QUITE A SIGHT!

THE BOAT IN THE FOREGROUND IS ONE OF MANY POLICE BOATS THAT KEPT THE FLEET  FAR ENOUGH AWAY... FROM THE SILVER WHISPER AND THE TANKER

COME TO FIND OUT THAT APPARENTLY THE LOCALS WERE DEMONSTRATING AGAINST THE POLITICIANS WHO ARE PLANNING A REVITALIZATION OF THE PORT AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. 

THE BOAT IN THE PICTURE BELOW WAS CARRYING A BAND AND THE ORGANIZERS OF THE DEMONSTRATION

From what I understand currently the Balinese people are dealing with a population that is increasing exponentially as well as increased tourism which is an important part of their economy. Their current infrastructure as well as their focus on their cultural/religious heritage are at odds with the changes necessary to make the island a "safer" more comfortable place to be.