Friday, April 25, 2008
Balinese Observations
The Balinese people are truly social and warm hearted beings. Without fail, every passing person acknowledges your presence and greets you with an infectious smile and hello. They also live in a very orderly world and don’t take kindly to disorder. Therefore, should someone ask you where you are going, the proper response to avoid throwing them into a world of chaos, would be a very specific place that you’re headed to. Telling them that you’re just out roaming the fields would freak their freak! They are also fastidious about their leaves. I’ve never witnessed any culture that cares so deeply about leaf removal. It seems as if they rake around the clock. Families use scooters as their mode of transport and it’s somewhat shocking to watch a family of four in transit. They all jam themselves on to one scooter – no helmet except for the driver. There are babies younger than I am holding on to their mamas for their precious lives. There’s a level of insanity to it! As for the critters, they are gynormous and that would be putting it mildly. And there are enough bugs to go around for a lifetime. Night time is not a quiet event around the rice fields. In fact, there’s more activity here than the Amazon jungle, according to mommy. My final observation and a very important one at that would be that the Balinese women know how to take care of their fellow women. Mommy just returned from a trip to the spa where she indulged in a massage and body scrub. In fact, the woman even watched her hair– how’s that for attention to detail. It was decadent and the best part….it was only $15 for an 1.5 hour treatment. Now it’s daddy’s turn – they take turns so that I’m not left to my own devices. He’s off getting a massage now. I’m passed out on the bed at the moment…there’s a phantom blogger at the wheel. The ducks are quacking away outside. Wayan, our lovely cook/caretaker has prepared dinner which awaits us on the stove. Mommy could get used to dinner on the table that was prepared by someone other than herself!
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2 comments:
Oh my goodness Jake, it sounds like you have been having a grand adventure, at the same time as my own, although Maui hardly compares to the exotic lands of Bali. Give a big hug of congratulations to your mom and dad for me, you will be the cutest little ring bearer in the land. Be careful of the big critters in Bali (yikes!!!) and keep of the crawling, you will be walking before you know it.
Love and kisses,
Cousin Sandy
Jake, now that you made it to Umbud, you may want to try the following restaurant:
Cafe Wayan
Monkey Forest Road, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 975 447
Web description:
Cafe Wayan promises a delightful dining experience--the garden extends all the way to the back, with Japanese-style and standard seating. The conducive lighting, complemented by exemplary service, makes for a romantic evening. The menu covers all kinds of Indonesian and Western dishes, along with a full range of Balinese-style pizzas. Go with the chef's daily specials or try the chicken satay and fried noodles. Alternatively, spend only IDR75,000 and you can get to enjoy the Sunday buffet of Balinese delicacies--the only one of its kind in Ubud. I ate there I think at least twice.
Make sure you tell your parents you want to visit Monkey Forest where you can see lots of monkeys watching tourists!
And the evening Kecak dance and Fire dance is always spectacular--but don't sit to close bcause the sparks will fly!
Let your Mom go to the central marketplace. She can spend all day there just negotiating prices let alone shopping.
Jake, if you get tired, taxi's are generally very cheap--a couple of bucks. If you are going back to say Kuta, then negotiate with the cab driver before hand--also check out their car before you agree!
By the way Jake your Balinese name starts with Wayan--that's my name too! It is generally used for the first born of the family.
When Marty just came in, I had better get back to work!
See you later,
Wayan
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