Bali remains peaceful and calm, a Hindu sanctuary where prayer and offerings to the gods are a part of daily life. Halfway around the world, at the tip of Java, just south of the equator, lies the little island of Bali. Green and undulating in its mountainous areas, yet flat and moody along its coasts, Bali is hauntingly beautiful. Its atmosphere is primeval and permeated with magic. The sacred volcano, Gunung Agung, veiled in clouds, dominates the island. According to legend, the gods live on the exalted peak of Agung. From there, the holiest place in the world, they watch over the pageant of Balinese life.