Ancient Balinese practice still holds relevance today

Fine art: The writer trying her hand at wood carving in Bali

When I arrived in Bali to shoot the first episode of my de-stress travelogue called ‘Letting Go’, the first unusual thing I noticed was the vast number of offerings that were placed on the pavement outside every shop and building on the island.

Looking out the window of my airport van, I was moved by the sight of an old shopkeeper who was waving around a few sticks of incense before carefully placing her own offering at the entrance of her small shop.