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.
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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.
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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.
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Mount Batur and Lake Batur in 1925.
Photo via Balimediainfo
A cockfight or Tajen in 1940. This tradition still survives.
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Galungan circa 1936.
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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.