Bali has changed rapidlyover the years under a storm of modernization and the influences of foreign culture brought in by the millions of tourists who have touched down on its shores.
There are still solid cultural roots linking the Island of the Gods to its past, but that island paradise was very different to the destination we know now.
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The photos below show the serenity of earlier days.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Temple in Sangsit, Buleleng, in 1910.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Tanah Lot Temple in Tabanan without tourists. Date unknown.
Photo via infobagussite - Woman in front of a traditional house. Date unknown.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Goa Gajah in Gianyar. Some of the ancient statues were stolen and are still missing. Pre-World War II.
Photo via infobagussite - Girls pound rice. Date unknown.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Ngaben ceremony for deceased Balinese king. Early 20th Century.
Photo via Balifornian Tours - Karangasem Palace, now known as Taman Sukasada, Taman Ujung or the Ujung Water Palace. The royal seat of the 17th-Century Karangasem Kingdom in eastern Bali. 1925.
Photo via Mantrahindu - Pelataran Agung Besakih Temple circa 1930.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Beratan Lake with Ulun Danu Temple in Bedugul. Date unknown.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Lawah Cave and Goa Lawah Temple in Klungkung. One of the Sad Khayangan, six most important Balinese temples. Date unknown.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Ngaben ceremony for deceased Balinese king. Early 20th Century.
Photo via Motaw - Kuta beach in 1920. This is the exact location of today's Discovery Mall.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Tirta Empul Water Temple in Tampaksiring, Gianyar, near the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace. Pilgrims perform the melukat ritual.
Photo via Pinterest - The magnificent Gunung Kawi tombs in the middle of lush rainforest. 1930.
Photo via Balimediainfo - A statue watches over the Ujung Water Palace. 1925.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Mount Batur and Lake Batur in 1925.
Photo via Balimediainfo - A cockfight or Tajen in 1940. This tradition still survives.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Galungan circa 1936.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Ngaben ceremony. Early 20th Century.
Photo via Wikimedia - Tirta Empul Water Temple. Date unknown.
Photo via Balimediainfo - The Ujung Water Palace from afar. 1925.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Balinese dancers. Pre-1950.
Photo via Balimediainfo - A village temple in the middle of a rice field. Pre-1950.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Worker makes traditional clay roof tilesl. Circa 1930.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Fishermen on an unknown beach in Bali. Undated.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Balinese temple in Sukawati. 1930.
Photo via Balimediainfo - A village circa 1930.
Photo via Balimediainfo - Traditional market circa 1930.
Photo via old-indische - Rice transport circa 1920.
Photo via Sejarahbali - Ruins of an old temple in the hills.
Photo via Sejarahbali - Main road of a village.
Photo via Balimediainfo - A water temple in Bali for the melukat ritual.