Rice protection

Rice paddies full of fluttering, shimmering golden fabric stopped us, on the road to Klungkung. The full rice heads were drooping under the weigh of the ready to harvest grain. This keeps the birds from eating their fill and adds a festive air.

 

Opportunity

Interesting sign passed on a morning walk in Jasri, Bali. My imagination wonders at the opportunities!

Perfect

I was stopped in my tracks when I saw these leaves growing on this vine in Bali. To me they were just perfect- the shape, colour, graduation, contrast on the stone- Mother Nature thank you!

They adorn the base of the shrine.

Midnight Garden

Above detail is from my quilt Midnight Garden which is in the exhibition Evolution, Change, Challenge: A Contemporary Quilt August 29- September 8 at the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre, Gymea NSW. The exhibition was initiated by the Quilters Guild of NSW and was juried.
I can't make it to the opening but if you are there and photos are allowed please email me some gallery shots, thanks.

Jasri

Jasri is a small area on the east coast of Bali, to the north of the better known tourist area of Candi Dasa. We stayed at the Aashaya Jasri Resort, a very relaxing spot. I'm standing in front of one of the accommodation houses in the well manicured grounds.

An oasis of shade awaits on the verandah.

The pool was cool and inviting and we didn't have far to move for an onsite dinner.
 

Sunrise and sapi

Sunrise at Jasri on the east coast of Bali near Candi Dasa seen while out on an early morning walk.

Also encountered were the beautiful sapi [cow] of Bali, tethered to palms or pandanus.

Tenganan

This is the oldest village in Bali and known for double ikat or Geringsing. More shopping mall/tourist attraction now, it is hard to find the textiles that drew us here more than 25 years ago.

An example of the tying and dyeing hangs in the street.

The rest seems to be about the coloured roosters watching the world go by.

These not artificially coloured.


 

Threads of Life

I was really interested in visiting Threads of Life in Ubud as I have been on their mailing list, reading about their efforts to sustain  weaving traditions in the Indonesian archipelago. It was an overcast morning as we walked up Jalan Kejang to find number 24.

Inside this small shop is work of museum quality.

Downstairs the pieces are hung gallery style with information about the origin, the motifs used and the maker. It was a thrill to be in the presence of these beautiful pieces.

A detail of Lau Pahudu Padua from Sumba by Tamu Rambu Hamueti.

A detail of Tais from Timor by Antoneta Sae.

Binding of the threads for ikat dyeing with one section open, revealing the white areas.



 

Inviting

Room available, free wifi- hard to resist this doorway leading into the accommodation.

Colour to fill the senses on the magical island of Bali. This jostles with the urban chaos and motorbikes parked just out of the shot- island of juxtaposition.

The last 3 are photos taken in the Ubud Palace grounds.

 

Driving to Ubud

The biggest change we noticed in Bali was the increase in motorised traffic congestion. Short distances take a long time to travel and a lot of the usual traffic rules don't apply. All our drivers were slow and steady and we got to our destinations safely. The road to Ubud is narrow and jammed with traffic. Luckily our driver Ketut knew of another way in and we were greeted with green rice paddies and the traditional Bali lifestyle behind the strip of shops lining the road.

Memorable meals

Lots of wonderful memorable meals in Bali with our friends, so luckily I took a few photos to share with you. This was Nasi Goreng [Indonesian fried rice] and Mee Goreng [fried noodles] along with Pisan Goreng [fried banana] for our first breakfast.

Served on these delightful plates painted with shadow puppet figures.

This is part of a seafood buffet lunch at The Laguna Hotel Nusa Dua. Sitting on the sand, a sea breeze and with a 3 piece band playing in the background it was such a beautiful Sunday.

Café Mocha was a favourite stop on our travels.

Our Ubud lunch at Terazo near the palace complex was Italian inspired or old favourites.

Ayam sate [chicken sate] and rice.

Saltimbocca chicken and gnocchi- all delicious.

 

Kites in Bali

We saw many kites flying in Bali and particularly loved this pirate ship kite at the beach.

Later in the afternoon we came across 2 boys with a very large kite that had no trouble flying.

The launch and it was away, soaring high above us with a whirr.