This brought us new freedoms as the ‘back route’ to N Ubud was just 20 minutes on 2 wheels (vs 40 on 4), and took us through gorgeous countryside, and across a rather unnerving bridge (which is sometimes even more unnervingly ‘closed’ resulting in a splash through the ford instead).
It was one way traffic only!
On our way home we made a planned stop to hang out with Arya the son of Made (our cycling guide) who had kindly agreed to take us kite flying – local style. He was just back from University (hospitality school) for the day, and it was about that time in the late afternoon when the skies fill with kites. They are all made from bin bags and light bamboo, stuck together by piercing overlapping pieces of plastic with lit incense sticks (now that’s a trick we’d never have guessed!). Arya had learned how from his grandfather. He gave us all sorts of tips like the right weight of thread/wire for the wind strength, and size of kite, and also how to string it properly (apparently we’d tried to string ours upside down – doh!
Our kite was a bird, and it was so artfully created that when it flew it really looked like it was flapping!
Its really hard to describe the sense of space and serenity when there are dozens of these kites flying so high in the sky (length of string released definitely appears to be a source of pride!).
There are big kites…..
…..and swan kites…..
…..and then there are the ‘rocket’ kites?!?!?! The young likely lads were giggling a lot when the released their ‘rocket’ near us.
To continue our inadvertent day of local experiences, we were relaxing by the pool and Augus shinned up a tree, not for coconuts this time, but for a fruit which we have still yet to identify, but enjoyed tasting with him! Eating from the Arcadia Villa garden has been such an unexpected bonus.
For dinner Robin, James and I headed to Gianyar to the night market (leaving BMB (Bob, Millie, Bella) at home with a safe packet of pasta. In comparison with Ubud which is artistic, sophisticated and vey much catering for tourists, Gianyar is a local local town, and we were the only gringos in the market.
Colourful from a distance, like many of these places you get close and see that the colour is often the trash. Having said that, as ever in Bali, cheerful bright offerings abounded, and there were plenty of Bali dogs curled up awaiting for whatever pickings would come their way.
….and so we opted for the pig…
….along with a side of entrails….
Neither of these faces look convinced to me!
And here’s why….actually it probably wouldn’t have been too bad if it had been hot, but actually the fat had congealed which made it tough to swallow.
Balinese martial arts that involves similar physical techniques to those found in self-defense traditions around the world. But Mepantigan extends the form by also drawing upon Balinese drama, contemporary dance, and gamelan music, fusing fighting with the performing arts to create an entirely new cultural phenomenon. Participants wear uniforms consisting of traditional Balinese clothing, and can compete on the beach, in the mud of rice fields, or in any open space.
in compounds together. You can count the number of families by the number of water pipes in leading in from the street! Within the compound, sub-families have their own detached rooms or small houses, and often contain 3 or 4 generations. As Sarah explained in her guest blog, the older generation are usually taken care of by their eldest son, who’s wife comes to live with them. If a couple only has daughters, they need for one of their daughters to find a husband who is willing to come and live with them vs staying with his own family. There is no dumping old folk in ‘homes’ in Bali!
360° of rice paddys, and we have had the privilege of watching almost an entire cycle of rice production. From this vantage point, and the with help and insights of our wonderful staff Wyan, Augus and Gade, we now understand more deeply how rice acts as the life blood of Bali. It permeates every aspect of Balinese culture and has for at least 2000 years. The ‘Subak’ system of growing rice is much more than a simple agricultural methodology, its simultaneously spiritual and communal.
let the soil (and themselves) rest for up to a few weeks and then they ensure that the fields are flat and properly retaining water.
Bali is an island famous for being laid-back. People work slowly, and have a tenuous relationship with time-keeping at best. This all changes when it comes to rice! When it is planting time, the air is electrified with determination, and everyone comes together to work in the fields and make sure that Bali gets set up for yet another successful rice harvest. The usual relaxed pace is replaced with speed that seems almost impossible. An entire crop can be put into the ground in just a few hours. Planting involves taking shoots that have been cultured in ‘baby beds’, and ‘sticking’ them in the mud.
