Sunday, 12 October 2014
Friday, 10 October 2014
Sunday we head off by car
Not much to report....
Bella did a runner on October 7 and came back today (11th). The first 36 hours was tense but things reverted to near normal when they found out she was safe and well. They're now deep into another ceremony which is doing my head in.
We've had the pushbikes out and the tyres pumped up. Haven't travelled too far, of course.
Weather has been fantastic as expected. Swimming in the pool. Today may be an opportunity to hit the ocean.
We've been to Ketut's Beach Bar on a few occasions. Nasi Goreng cooked and eaten at the beach is a treat.
Tomorrow we head off on a road trip around Bali. First overnight stop is Negara on the north west coast. Then it's two nights at Lovina Beach on the north coast. Accommodation has been booked via airbnb.com.
From Lovina I expect that we'll head to Amed on the east coast and after that to the Bukit Peninsula which lies south of Kuta.
Bella did a runner on October 7 and came back today (11th). The first 36 hours was tense but things reverted to near normal when they found out she was safe and well. They're now deep into another ceremony which is doing my head in.
We've had the pushbikes out and the tyres pumped up. Haven't travelled too far, of course.
Weather has been fantastic as expected. Swimming in the pool. Today may be an opportunity to hit the ocean.
We've been to Ketut's Beach Bar on a few occasions. Nasi Goreng cooked and eaten at the beach is a treat.
Tomorrow we head off on a road trip around Bali. First overnight stop is Negara on the north west coast. Then it's two nights at Lovina Beach on the north coast. Accommodation has been booked via airbnb.com.
From Lovina I expect that we'll head to Amed on the east coast and after that to the Bukit Peninsula which lies south of Kuta.
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
A day out with Kade
October 7th saw us travel to the village of Payangan which lies in central Bali, just beyond Ubud. Here we stopped at the upstream location of Bali Adventure Company and from here they operate a business of white-water rafting. Kade worked here for many years and the business is owned by his aunt and her Australian husband.
The property runs from the road down to the Ayung River and this includes 632 steps. We didn't go all the way to bottom but went far enough to appreciate the beautiful revegetation and site chosen by Yanie and Nigel to eventually build a villa for their own use. Hopefully the photos the we took do justice to the beauty of the area and the work that has been done.
From Payangan we travelled further north to Kintamani where we had lunch overlooking the active volcano known as Mount Batur, and Lake Batur. The following is from Wikipedia:
Mount Batur (Gunung Batur) is an active volcano located at the center of two concentric calderas north west of Mount Agung, Bali, Indonesia. The south east side of the larger 10×13 km caldera contains a caldera lake. The inner 7.5-kilometer-wide caldera, which was formed during emplacement of the Bali (or Ubud) ignimbrite, has been dated at about 23,670 and 28,500 years ago [1]
The southeast wall of the inner caldera lies beneath Lake Batur; Batur cone has been constructed within the inner caldera to a height above the outer caldera rim. The Batur stratovolcano has produced vents over much of the inner caldera, but a NE-SW fissure system has localized the Batur I, II, and III craters along the summit ridge. Historical eruptions have been characterized by mild-to-moderate explosive activity sometimes accompanied by lava emission. Basaltic lava flows from both summit and flank vents have reached the caldera floor and the shores of Lake Batur in historical time. The caldera contains an active, 700-metre-tall stratovolcano rising above the surface of Lake Batur. The first historically documented eruption of Batur was in 1804, and it has been frequently active since then. The substantial lava field from the 1968 eruption is visible today when viewed from Kintamani, a town that stradles the southwest ridge of the greater caldera.
The caldera is populated and includes the four main villages of Kedisan, Songan, Trunyan and Toya Bungkah. The locals largely rely on agriculture for income but tourism has become increasingly popular due to the relatively straightforward trek to the summit of the central crater.[2]
The lake, Danau Batur, is the largest crater lake on the island of Bali and is a good source of fish.
After lunch we went down to the edge of the lake where there are hot springs. A number of pools have been constructed, each with water of a different temperature.
http://www.baturhotspring.com
As the battery in the camera was exhausted, you'll need to refer to the above website to see photos of the hot springs and the supposed healing powers they hold. I feel better already! Well worth a visit.
The property runs from the road down to the Ayung River and this includes 632 steps. We didn't go all the way to bottom but went far enough to appreciate the beautiful revegetation and site chosen by Yanie and Nigel to eventually build a villa for their own use. Hopefully the photos the we took do justice to the beauty of the area and the work that has been done.
From Payangan we travelled further north to Kintamani where we had lunch overlooking the active volcano known as Mount Batur, and Lake Batur. The following is from Wikipedia:
Mount Batur (Gunung Batur) is an active volcano located at the center of two concentric calderas north west of Mount Agung, Bali, Indonesia. The south east side of the larger 10×13 km caldera contains a caldera lake. The inner 7.5-kilometer-wide caldera, which was formed during emplacement of the Bali (or Ubud) ignimbrite, has been dated at about 23,670 and 28,500 years ago [1]
The southeast wall of the inner caldera lies beneath Lake Batur; Batur cone has been constructed within the inner caldera to a height above the outer caldera rim. The Batur stratovolcano has produced vents over much of the inner caldera, but a NE-SW fissure system has localized the Batur I, II, and III craters along the summit ridge. Historical eruptions have been characterized by mild-to-moderate explosive activity sometimes accompanied by lava emission. Basaltic lava flows from both summit and flank vents have reached the caldera floor and the shores of Lake Batur in historical time. The caldera contains an active, 700-metre-tall stratovolcano rising above the surface of Lake Batur. The first historically documented eruption of Batur was in 1804, and it has been frequently active since then. The substantial lava field from the 1968 eruption is visible today when viewed from Kintamani, a town that stradles the southwest ridge of the greater caldera.
The caldera is populated and includes the four main villages of Kedisan, Songan, Trunyan and Toya Bungkah. The locals largely rely on agriculture for income but tourism has become increasingly popular due to the relatively straightforward trek to the summit of the central crater.[2]
The lake, Danau Batur, is the largest crater lake on the island of Bali and is a good source of fish.
After lunch we went down to the edge of the lake where there are hot springs. A number of pools have been constructed, each with water of a different temperature.
http://www.baturhotspring.com
As the battery in the camera was exhausted, you'll need to refer to the above website to see photos of the hot springs and the supposed healing powers they hold. I feel better already! Well worth a visit.
A strange ceremony at Karangasem Desa Pemuteran
Most readers will know that Chandra lived with us in Melbourne for two years whilst undertaking studies. In addition to an older brother he has a younger sister named Bella, age 18. Whilst Chandra and his brother seem to be compliant with family expectations, Bella seems to be a little rebellious.
Some time before we arrived in Bali, Bella disappeared for six days. She was found with the help of Hindu priests. Her mum and dad suggest that she was abducted as opposed to simply staying out without telling them. She had been hypnotised!
With that background information, today we headed off to see THE priest that found Bella, for a ceremony that would mark her Balinese birthday and her untimely disappearance.
About 20 of us headed off in a mini bus and a car to a location that was deep in the mountains, beyond the chaos of Denpasar, past the terraced rice fields and into the cooler climate where vegetables are grown. Probably a 2 hour drive.
For a non-Hindu person who doesn't speak Indonesian, it was impossible to understand what was happening but it was interesting to note that the priest commenced with a palm reading for Bella, Chandra and their brother.
Despite my scepticism it was an interesting experience and it is fascinating to observe their (apparent) absolute belief in the priest.
Photos to follow.
Some time before we arrived in Bali, Bella disappeared for six days. She was found with the help of Hindu priests. Her mum and dad suggest that she was abducted as opposed to simply staying out without telling them. She had been hypnotised!
With that background information, today we headed off to see THE priest that found Bella, for a ceremony that would mark her Balinese birthday and her untimely disappearance.
About 20 of us headed off in a mini bus and a car to a location that was deep in the mountains, beyond the chaos of Denpasar, past the terraced rice fields and into the cooler climate where vegetables are grown. Probably a 2 hour drive.
For a non-Hindu person who doesn't speak Indonesian, it was impossible to understand what was happening but it was interesting to note that the priest commenced with a palm reading for Bella, Chandra and their brother.
Despite my scepticism it was an interesting experience and it is fascinating to observe their (apparent) absolute belief in the priest.
Photos to follow.
Saturday, 4 October 2014
First few days in Bali
We arrived at Melbourne Airport with plenty of time to spare, and surprisingly, the flight left slightly ahead of time. The flight path took us above Cooper Pedy, Ayers Rock and Derby.
Heather had booked seats with legroom so I was extremely pleased to be able to stretch out. A pleasant benefit was that our seats were not outside the dunny so we didn't have to watch people entering and exiting!
Just reverting back to Melbourne Airport, there was a woman waiting for the flight who, we both agreed, looked remarkably like the sister of an infamous Australian boogy board owner. She went on board when the first class and business class passengers were called. Upon arrival in Bali we were able to observe that she came out of the first class section as we were seated at the exit row in the front of cattle class. Seems there's good money to be made from a surf shop in Bali!
BTW, Mercedes is not very tall in real life. We recognised her by her teeth!
Despite arriving quite late at night, around 10pm, the queues were massive. Fortunately we had pre-purchased our visa so could go straight to Immigration, where there must have been more than 500 people queued. We still managed to get through in about 30 minutes.
Then we collected our luggage, jumped in a taxi and headed to Legian (Rp 100,000 is approx. $AUD10). By now it's 11pm and Ayu and Nyoman welcome us to D'Kubu.
Since then we've visited most of our friends and celebrated Chandra's Balinese birthday, which occurs every 210 days. The Hindu ceremony, and the general level of celebration, seemed a little extravagant to occur every 210 days. Upon enquiring, it seems that it also marked Chandra's progress into another stage of his life following his college graduation and entering the workforce.
In terms of the ceremony, we were able to join the gathering in the family temple where a Hindu priest conducted various rituals. At one stage his female assistant went to each person and splashed holy water over their head and face before they drank the water from their hands. We were all seated on the ground, and when she got to me it seemed like I copped a bucket full. She had everyone laughing, even the priest.
While in the family temple, phones were going off with the whistling sounds advising that a message had been received. Heather was glaring at me thinking it was my phone, fortunately it wasn't. A couple of the young girls were using their iphones during proceedings. Imagine that in a Church??
Tomorrow, Monday, we're off to another temple. Seventeen on a mini bus and the ceremony os for Chandra's sister, Bella. Will explain more when I know more.
Heather had booked seats with legroom so I was extremely pleased to be able to stretch out. A pleasant benefit was that our seats were not outside the dunny so we didn't have to watch people entering and exiting!
Just reverting back to Melbourne Airport, there was a woman waiting for the flight who, we both agreed, looked remarkably like the sister of an infamous Australian boogy board owner. She went on board when the first class and business class passengers were called. Upon arrival in Bali we were able to observe that she came out of the first class section as we were seated at the exit row in the front of cattle class. Seems there's good money to be made from a surf shop in Bali!
BTW, Mercedes is not very tall in real life. We recognised her by her teeth!
Despite arriving quite late at night, around 10pm, the queues were massive. Fortunately we had pre-purchased our visa so could go straight to Immigration, where there must have been more than 500 people queued. We still managed to get through in about 30 minutes.
Then we collected our luggage, jumped in a taxi and headed to Legian (Rp 100,000 is approx. $AUD10). By now it's 11pm and Ayu and Nyoman welcome us to D'Kubu.
Since then we've visited most of our friends and celebrated Chandra's Balinese birthday, which occurs every 210 days. The Hindu ceremony, and the general level of celebration, seemed a little extravagant to occur every 210 days. Upon enquiring, it seems that it also marked Chandra's progress into another stage of his life following his college graduation and entering the workforce.
In terms of the ceremony, we were able to join the gathering in the family temple where a Hindu priest conducted various rituals. At one stage his female assistant went to each person and splashed holy water over their head and face before they drank the water from their hands. We were all seated on the ground, and when she got to me it seemed like I copped a bucket full. She had everyone laughing, even the priest.
While in the family temple, phones were going off with the whistling sounds advising that a message had been received. Heather was glaring at me thinking it was my phone, fortunately it wasn't. A couple of the young girls were using their iphones during proceedings. Imagine that in a Church??
Tomorrow, Monday, we're off to another temple. Seventeen on a mini bus and the ceremony os for Chandra's sister, Bella. Will explain more when I know more.
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