Kecak fire dance You cannot go to Bali without seeing at least one of the traditional dances.

Of all of these, the Kecak fire dance is probably the most amazing. These dances are real theatrical events involving large groups of men and women.

The Kecak, like most dances in Bali, tells stories from the Ramayana. Men make the most enthralling chants while dancing and the women act out comedic characters.

The light is supplied by torches and a large candle-like torch in the center. Once the actual Kecak ends, the walking on fire part begins. A man who is in a trance comes out wearing a costume like a horse. He walks directly on hot embers of burning coconut shells in his bare feet. It is absolutely breathtaking! Then, a priest comes and splashes the man with holy water and revives him from his trance. Afterwards, the fire dancer accepts donations. You can see the fire dance every day at the Uluwata temple starting at 5pm. It costs about $5. You will sit in plastic chairs with a lot of tourists for the show.

Try to sit up front. However, the real Kecak dance is only performed twice a month during a full or new moon. We were lucky enough to see the dance while in Ubud, which differed a from the one at Uluwata.

This one was even more intense. What must have been 100 men all chant until they enter a trance. Then, they actually pick up the burning embers and toss them between themselves while dancing.

There is a great finale with shooting flames dancing around with the men.