The girls headed toward a large, open structure.
It was one of seven buildings that made up Nyoman's family's home.
"Now we can prepare the offerings," said Nyoman.
"What offerings?" asked Mandy.
"To give to the temple," she explained.
Nyoman held up some coconut leaves and different kinds of flowers.
"I will show you how to make it."
Meanwhile the boys were running down the mountain.
"I think the rumbling stopped," gasped Vinnie, out of breath.
When they finally reached the village, the mountain was quiet again.
In fact, no one in the village seemed to know that the ground had shook.
They were all getting ready for the Iron Fence festival.
"That mountain is a volcano," said Wayan.
"According to our ancestors, it has erupted several times.
Who knows when it will happen again?"
"Well, I'm glad it didn't erupt today!" cried Vinnie.
Meanwhile Nyoman and Mandy finished making three offerings.
Then Nyoman wove some flowers through a bamboo comb.
She put it on her head.
"That looks so pretty," remarked Mandy.
"I will make you one too, Mandy," said Nyoman, "since we will be going to the temple."
"Oh, thank you!" said Mandy.
Nyoman began to weave flowers into a comb for Mandy.
"Why is it called the Iron Fence festival?"
Mandy asked as Nyoman put the comb in Mandy's hair.
"It is a time when we imagine an iron fence around our minds.
The fence protects us from evil spirits and bad thoughts.
We try to think only good thoughts so we can be better people.
We celebrate by making offerings at the temple, like these.
There will be music and a special dance too!" she added.
"That's so interesting!" Mandy said.
"You look wonderful, Mandy!" said Nyoman.
"Now let's go see the dance."
The girls went to meet Nyoman's parents in the center of the village.
The area was already filling up with people who wanted to see the performance.
Everyone was smiling and looked happy.
"The dance is about to begin!"
cried Nyoman as she led Mandy close to the stage.
"Who are those men?" asked Mandy.
A large group of musicians were sitting on the ground.
Some of them had drums and gongs.
Mandy did not recognize the other instruments.
"That's the band," explained Nyoman.
"They will play music for the dance."
One of the musicians began to beat a drum.
Soon the others joined in.
Mandy liked the music a lot.
"I wish Vinnie could hear this," she thought to herself.