Up the overgrown stone steps, and we come to the top of the temple complex. The view from the top is absolutely glorious. No wonder this is the most important place in all of Bali.

Thanks for journeying with me through Besakih temple!

The upper tiers weren’t quite as well-kept as the lower ones. Here, the weeds were slowly overtaking the place – it’s as if the jungle wanted to reclaim its long-lost territory.

The individual temples are made of local stone and tiered thatched roofs. It also contains some intricate masonry. Given that much of this was first constructed 500-600 years ago, I say that everything’s been pretty well-maintained.

I glimpsed part of a funeral ritual – praying for the soul.

I like the thatched roofs and the Bali dogs wandering around. These dogs are a pretty close relative of the dingo, don’t you think?

A behind-the-scenes glimpse at the preparations for the festival. The checks make another appearance, this time on umbrellas. Gold signifies prosperity, and so is also in great abundance. These umbrellas will be carried in procession.

We pass through gates guarded by dragons. They dressed in chequered scarves – not sure why chequered – perhaps because it symbolises light/dark/good/evil?