Yesterday I went on a tour with my guide Nehgah, whose name I still can't pronounce after numerous trys and laughs so I call him Ric.
First we went to a little village called Tenganan, the inhabitants live according to their ancient Bali Traditions and ceremonies (which include fighting against each other). They do geringsing (double Ikat) cloth weaving with a wooden machine. It takes about one week to complete one of these shawls and they are hoping to sell them for about $150,000 Rupiahs which is about $15 to us. Makes you feel kinda bad about bartering over the price when you see the work involved in a literal sweatshop!
An earthquake destroyed the village about 6 years ago and they along with neighboring villages all rebuilt it, that is their culture.
Then off to the Kings Palace we went. It's called Puri Agung Karangasem my the town called Amlapura. (are you keeping track of all this? Maybe get a map....) King Anak Agung had 10 wives, 16 sons, 19 daughters and just passed away in 1967.
After that we went to a Water Palace called Tirta Gangga. This is where all the villages get their holy water for any of their ceremonies. It's absolutely beautiful with all the fountains, water lillys and pools and statues of the good gods and the evil gods.
After that we went to a Water Palace called Tirta Gangga. This is where all the villages get their holy water for any of their ceremonies. It's absolutely beautiful with all the fountains, water lillys and pools and statues of the good gods and the evil gods.
At the end of the day we headed down a bumpy road to Partai Putih (White Sand Beach). Here Ric introduced me to his buddy whose name I love and can actually pronounce, Santa! Santa took me snorkeling and we saw all kinds of colorful fish, coral reefs and one really big turtle! I wouldn't have noticed him cause he was laying on the bottom of the ocean and blended right in but when Santa dove down and nudged him a little he swam away. He was probably about 3 feet long. Maybe I didn't notice cause I was too busy watching Santa with his spear that he asked if I minded if he brought along. I was making sure I wasn't going to be the catch of the day! As a result he didn't catch anything but when we got back to the beach he cooked me up an awesome snapper with vegis and rice (of course). Santa owns his own restaurant business on the beach that he runs all day and then comes and works as a chef at 6pm in the homestay that I am at. The people here work so hard, 7 days a week and 2 jobs. They laughed at me when I said we work 8 hour days.
Well my last night here, I'm off to Gili Islands, Lombek which is like another province in Indonesia but I will be back to Bali soon!
Cheers!
2 comments:
I'm enjoying your blog so much...thanks for keeping us all in the loop, its all so interesting.
Things here are exciting today, I'm having some people over to watch Calgary win the Grey Cup (hopefully)!!
Otherwise, I am planning to go to the Twilight movie this week, have you read that series of books yet? I had no idea I could be so hooked! I've read the first two and really have to get Christmas cards out and some shopping done before I commit to #3...I get nothing done when I read them...can't put them down! If you haven't read them I'm sure you'd have the time to enjoy them on your beautiful balcony with the fresh flowers at your side! I'm just not sure you can buy them in Bali!
Take care Ali!
Yes, this is your island girl again!
I took your advice and went to a map to see exactly where you are. There are so many villages with such similar sounding names. I just happen to be reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and I am at the point where she is in Bali. The culture and history are fascinating and the book does explain why they want to know where you are going or where you come from. Also, you may not want to mention that you are divorced as it is distressing to the Balinese. Like you are a boat adrift with no sail. I have a lead on a good medicine man if you need one while you are there.
Post a Comment