New Year’s parade and Day of Silence<\/a>\u00a0have drawn major attention and international media, yet how many people have heard of Bali’s lesser-known but equally jaw-dropping\u00a0Kite Festival that takes\u00a0place on the beaches of Sanur every year? As the dry season in Bali blows the wind from east to west, thousands gather from around Indonesia to fly and challenge one another with their\u00a0specially crafted\u00a0kites. \u00a0A public spectacle that you must see with your own eyes to truly appreciate, this\u00a0international competition\u00a0boasts kites\u00a0assembled out of bamboo and fabric, ranging in shape from birds to cars\u00a0to fish, some of which have tails that\u00a0extend hundreds of meters\u00a0in length. Teams of at least 10\u00a0boys and men work together to manoeuvre their billowing\u00a0kite and keep it from nose diving into the ground, a much easier task said than done when the winds are fierce and there are hundreds of kites in the sky; the ultimate winners are judged\u00a0by\u00a0who can fly their kite the best and the longest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
More than just a competition, this festival originated out of the Hindu tradition to entertain the gods in hopes of plentiful crops the next harvesting season. Live\u00a0Balinese Gamelan music accompanies the kite flying while food vendors and drink stalls offer yummy treats for spectators to sample\u00a0and enjoy the show.<\/p>\n
The date of the 36th Annual\u00a0Kite Festival is said to take place from July 18th-20th this year, though the exact dates are never known too far in advance as the competition is subject to the mood of the weather. Look out for news of the festival anytime between July and August for your best bet of catching the massive kites dancing and fighting through the air.<\/p>\n
\nLocation:<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0front of Mertasari Beach, Sanur, Bali\u00a0<\/a>
\nDate:<\/strong> July 18th-20th, 2015 (dates are not set in stone due to the need for specific weather conditions \u2014 continue to check here throughout July and August)
\nContact:<\/strong> info@baliculturegov.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"