I forgot to metion that when we were in Denpasar on Sunday for the night market we went into a fabric store and bought two batik style sarongs to wear at the ceremony in Denpasar later on. They were beautifully made and in a heavier weight than most and the lengths of cloth only cost Rp15000 !!. Also that coming back from Kintamani a lot of the trees along the roadside were jackfruit, these strange fruits came in many sizes the largest we saw like three footballs in one but oblong in shape.
Tues 5th oct;
Started theday after breakfast looking at the shops on the outskirts of Ubud, many different types and prices were less than in central Ubud. Bought some lovely pottery incense bowls with koi pattern for around Rp3000 and could have bought so much but weight would have been a problem when returning home, maybe next time have a big shop and use part of container to ship home. There's so much made here that we would like to have for home use.
After a lazy day we went into Denpasar to spend some time at the temple were the week long ceremony was taking place, I think it was at Pura Maospahit, we first changed into our sarongs and ceremonial shirt/blouse and with me wearing traditional had scarf and Liz in waist one we went up the steps and down into the main suare, this had the musicians on the left in their large bale with another bale for the priests and elders. All around were raised small temple buildings with ornate carvings in stone and wood which were decorated in red and gold paintwork with the black and white cloth around the base of the smaller statues of Gods, there were many tower offerings of fruit etc. The priests were dressed all in white some had scarves that covered all of their heads some just with with the type around the forhead. There were villagers from outside coming up in their groups to put their offerings infront of the temples and to be blessed all had their village name written on paper pinned to their blouses. All colors of the rainbow were apparent in their dress. We were made very welcome by all we met and our repectful dress was appreciated by those priests and elders whom we made eye contact with, we spent about two to three hours there.
After wards we went around the streets looking at the night life of this city, we were not in the main shopping area but there were many stores open quite late. As we walked we received positive comments from local people as to our drss, we passed the fabric store were we had bought our sarongs from and they called to us and said we looked wonderful, we felt good , even Eka & Koman in the music store shouted their approval. Shortly after a Balinese lady came up to us and asked were Liz she had bought her blouse from, she had noticed her at the temple and thought it superb, you just don't get this friendly attitude back home.
We ate back in Ubud later at Miros, had to move from outside to cover as it started to rain, had a exceedingly good meal. I had a couple of years ago made a contact through the Bali Advertiser and Ian Hollingsworth in UK recommended Miros to us and even sent me a recording of gamelan from there. So we had to try it and very glad we did.
When we returned to Santi the staff were in casual mode so we had a good time chatting by pool side late into the evening. Ketut who is the restaurant manager has six staff at the moment but it would double by Nov/Dec when they were at their busiest. Rained heavily that night.
Weds 6th ........
Waited on verandah to catch site of Alu but it did not appear today, oh well , tomorrow maybe.
Went back up the road towards Kintamani stopping at many places on the way to do some shopping for gifts for home.
Bought three displays of wooden flowers, amazed at how they all came in kit form each piece numbered to.
Stopped at one of the many road side fruit sellers and bought rambutan,salek,pine/a,mandarins,bananas and passion fruit, so much more flavour than at home and of course so much cheaper.
Eventually made it back to Ubud to eat in the evening at Bumbu Bali again, another good feast, and this time I booked up for the cooking class on Saturday, can't wait.
Thurs 7th;
Up early, Liz heard and saw the Alu swimming away from our villa, we went and told Ketut when we went to breakfast.
After breakfast we went back to our villa got ready to go out and as we were walking across the bridge towards the restaurant area Ketut came and said that they had caught the Alu. He/she was just over a metre long, like a minature komodo, they had him with a collar and lead(of rafia) tied to a tree, dark silvery grey in color with amzingly broad feet, so pleased we had finally seen it, they later released him.
We then went up to Bedegul by Lake Bratan, a really good drive up there so much varied scenery, but again like Kintamani such a tourist area, they fool you, as you drive up towards Bedegul from the south you come across a massive big sign pointing to Bedegul, so, down you go only to arrive in a large car park with the many stalls/shops etc plus a large supermarket type shop and of course restaurant. Many coaches there to, we had passed by a few years ago but had not been there before, we however were picked up by a local who said he would take us across the lake to the Ulan Danu Bratan temple, we could spend a couple of hours there and he would return for us . We then looked over the lake towards the temple to see cars passing behind it and realising that you did not need to boat it !!. So we drove round parked and went into the temple, oh, such a disappointment, they use the towers so much in advertising photographs you think there are many, no only two !. We felt deflated, however the grounds are well kept. We left (no way could you spend two hours here) and drove through Bedegul turning off to Lake Buyan there is temple Ulan Danu Bulian this is small but exquisite, heavily painted/gilded triple doors lead into the court yard and the same decoration is on all of the raised balesw etc. Lovely stone carvings of Gods you must see this one it is worth it. And although we could not go in it didn't matter, you could see all over and through the walls, plus no one else there.
Stopped off at Cafe Wyan in Ubud for kopi and cake then went up towards Sangeh to eat at the Warung Bali on Jl Raya on the Sangeh road, this raised bamboo built/thatched restaurant has optional seat or floor eating tables, they catch your snapper'koi for you so it's as fresh as you can get. We had ours grilled with a wonderful sambal and cap cai followed by banana pancakes,beer,fruit juice and kopi all for Rp63.000, simple but heavenly food, one of our favourite meals this time. And there's Rindik Gamelung playing in the background we will return here if not this vacation but next time.
So then back to Santi to relax by pool with kopi, been a good day again, so to bed , started to rain as we drifted off.
More later .........