March 23rd - Bali, Indonesia

Because our scheduled visit to Bali was delayed, there was not an open berth
for the ship, so we had to make a very long tender into port. Made it off
the ship on the first tender, but could not get off for over half an hour
because the ramp the Bali port had set up was not even close to being safe.
Our wonderful crew figured out a solution and moved it themselves and we
finally got off the tender.

First stop after meeting up with Dean and Webee was to a local Batik and
weaving establishment. It was fascinating to watch these very talented
people work.

Next stop was to a wood carving place. The items here were stunning. I fell
in love with an amazing 10-12 foot long table that was made from a solid
piece of antique wood. They had even carved intricate designs in the top
that one could see through the glass top. It was only $25,000 US (not
including shipping). Such beautiful craftsmanship.

Had an early light lunch at Kayu Restaurant, specializing in organic and
natural food. All of the vegetables are from their own garden and they had
a traditional outdoor Bali kitchen. Here I had some dragon fruit juice with
a bamboo straw (did not cause dragon's breath).

The volcanic cone of Gunung Batur and the lake it created, made for a
dramatic change and stark contrast in the lush landscape seen elsewhere in
Bali. The people who live here dig, haul and grind lava rock into sand with
no machinery. It did not look like an easy life.

Last stop was to Ubud to view the Ubud Palace. Otherwise, the once, quaint
artist community was now a very touristy place jammed with shops and people.


During the day we observed many police preparing for the arrival of the
President of Indonesia, people were starting to line the streets so they
could view and wave as he passed by.

Another long day, looking forward to a sea day tomorrow.

March 22nd - Bali, Indonesia - Part Two

It was time to start heading South toward the port in Benoa. Along the way
we came upon a procession to celebrate the "Blessing of the Metal" and the
upcoming New Year. One of the towns that we drove through was arranging a
mass blessing of everything in town and had all the bikes, cars and wheel
chairs decorated and lined up for the priests' blessings.

We also came upon hundreds of motorbikes and cars parked everywhere, for
blocks and blocks in a small village to attend a local (and illegal) cock
fight. We were never able to determine exactly where it was and obviously
they were not worried about being busted.

We stopped at a mountainside restaurant where we had lunch and I bought some
locally grown red rice for one of my room stewards to give to his wife when
we arrive in Surabaya.

Next we stopped to feed the monkeys. These were very friendly, even though
there were so many with babies.

Our last stop before heading back to the ship was an abandoned temple in an
idyllic lake setting.

Could not resist posting the whimsical "!" sign - which here means danger or
caution.

Our guides dropped us off back at the ship and then they were off to get
their vehicles blessed!

March 22nd - Bali, Indonesia - Part One

Got off the ship bright an early and found our guides for our time in Bali,
Dean and Webee from Drivers with Distinction (deanbalidean@gmail.com. What
a great two days!

There was not much of this beautiful place that we did not explore. And
talk about off the beaten path; we really got immersed into the life and
culture of the Balinese people. Community and family mean so much to them
and is evidenced in how they lead their lives. According to the Lonely
Planet "the version of Hinduism practiced with great fervor in Bali is found
no place else in the world." There are temples in every village and many
homes. And every home, business, street corner or field has a shrine filled
with offerings.

First stop was to a "regular" tourist attraction which could not be missed,
a Temple "floating" in the sea on the coastline.

Today was a special day in Bali - The Blessing of the Metal. Special
offerings to the Gods were being made and priests were everywhere blessing
all things metal - cars, motorbikes, wheel chairs and musical instruments
with metal.

We were fortunate to be welcomed into a private compound to see how they
lived and witness the blessings of their metal by the local priest. We also
got to see the statue they had constructed for the New Year to ward off the
evil spirits. They are quite elaborate, and everywhere we went we saw these
being constructed.

We then headed into the mountains in the northern most part of Bali to view
the largest rice plantation in Bali. The views were magnificent.