'What a strange place', our friend said. And indeed Masceti beach is a study in contrasts. Some 15km east of Sanur, it has a few drinks vendors and one of Bali's nine sacred directional temples, Pura Masceti . Right on the beach, the temple is built in the shape of a garuda (a large mythical bird) and enlivened with gaudy statuary.
There's a certain irony to the bird-shape as both the temple grounds and a huge building nearby are used for cockfights. The feathers of losing birds are everywhere. On days with no cockfights or ceremonies, the large pavilion is used for other gambling activities.
