Bali Photo Gallery - Rice Terraces

Near Ubud are a number of rice paddies cultivated in terraces along hillsides. These areas are well-touristed and there is no shortage of locals stopping by offering photography opportunities for a fee. Small streams and gullies run through these terraces for irrigation, and coupled with water temples, the whole "subak" system dates back to the 9th century and is recognized by UNESCO. These fields can support 2 rice crops a year.

Over-tourism in Bali has also prompted some locals to be exceptionally greedy, staging photo opportunities for the curious tourist. But can you really blame them when such earnings can be much higher than traditional farming and handicraft production?

Back on level land, rice grows in flooded soil. The plants in aggregate hide the fact that the soil beneath is wet and treacherous.

This is the local speciality, a "dirty" duck served next to a rice field.

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