Bali Relaxation: 2008

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Halloween Party in Bali??

Yes, a Halloween Party in Bali!A Fundraiser, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bali Ubud, toward buying an ambulance for a local fee-free birthing clinic.

Yes, that’s Tandy “in the pink”. What’s my costume? “A clinging vine” – a long green knitted (of course!) vine braided into my almost-waist-length hair, then looped and pinned around my head and shoulders. I had fun trying out a variety of flower and leaf patterns – roses, sunflowers, trumpet flowers, sort-of-poppy, oak leaf, and more. Oh, in case you’re wondering, that is not a large-ego sized TANDY in red-and-white in front of me. It’s a Tango cookie tin – just happened to be perfectly positioned for the photo!

Who is with me? Well, Daisy from Java is in the Kabuki makeup taking money. She’s our current Treasurer. And sitting beside me is Reki of Lady Bamboo Villa – hence the bamboo leaves in her hair!
Who attended? A WIDE variety - from Bali, from other parts of Indonesia, from Singapore, Australia, India, Germany, France, USA, Canada, and more. Some who live in Bali, some who live part-time in Bali, and some who were just in Bali for vacation!
More costumes and party-ers:

Monday, August 18, 2008

Tropical Twinsets (TM) Handknit in Lace

Just completed my first Tropical Twinsets (TM) Handknit in Lace, designed and knitted by yours truly using cotton purchased here in Bali!

What's the idea? Well, I love knitting lace. Most areas in Bali are warm-to-hot during the day. Most cool off a bit at night. So, a lovely light lacey top works great during the day. And at night? Dress it up a bit and cover up shoulders at the same time!

Underneath this lace ponch is a lace tube with 2 long straps that can be worn at least 4 ways. As a spaghetti-strap top, with 2 straps crossed in the back (a bit more secure). With only 1 strap as a halter. Or thread the ties all the way around through the lace eyelets at the top of the tube and tie securely for the prettiest tube-top ever!

New building with 4 guest rooms at Bhanuswari

Mid-August, there was a Balinese Hindu ceremony to bless a new building with 4 guest rooms under construction at Bhanuswari.

The head priest and 2 assistants - Nyoman's mother is farthest from the camera.

And here is the view that guests in the 2nd floor rooms will have! You see additional offerings for the ceremony in the foreground. And on the right-hand side, there is construction for another villa.

Knitting Lessons at Yayasan Senang Hati

Attendance at the knitting group ranges from 4 - 8, a mix of men and woman, plus one boy. Ibu Ayu has attended and participated every time, and practices between lessons. As you can see from the photos, she is already doing lace patterns! Her husband has joined us for 2 of the classes, and has also continued outside of class. Both of them speak and understand English relatively well. And Ibu Ayu's husband taught himself and Wayan (the 9 year-old boy in the photos) a cast-on from notes.

At first, young Wayan observed - and then started coaching some of the others on technique! The first time he tried, he chose small needles and thin acryllic yarn - and was determined, but struggling. Recently he got knitting worsted-weight yarn and larger bamboo needles (donated by Rotarians from Australia) and it was much easier for him! He understands it, just needs some more practice.

I am enjoying visiting very much. We are having fun and learning together. Yesterday, Gusti Ayu accidentally created her own technique - inserting the needle from the top and wrapping the yarn backwards from the way I do - but the result looked like a knit stitch - and seems more comfortable for her!

Yayasan Senang Hati - Gallery

Several members of Yayasan Senang Hati (Happy Hearts Foundation) are artists who do painting, ceramic, cross-stitch, wood carving, sequined batik handbags and more which are sold in their gallery:

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Balinese Children's Dance Performance

Photos from a recent dance performance at a school near Ubud. The kids are only 4-7 years old!

Details of the makeup for a young boy.

Details of the costumes.

A young Balinese beauty in costume.

A young Balinese beauty dancing.

A young Balinese boy posed in costume.

Another young Balinese boy dancing.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

DPEX Heart of Bali Bike Tour

A group of cyclists came from Singapore to raise money for charitable organizations in Bali. Kupu Kupu and Senang Hati both assist people with handicaps.

Starting in Sanur, their path included Kekeran, Lovina (optional dolphin viewing), Amed, Candidasa, Ubud, Gunung Batur (Kintamani), Tegalallang, Tanah Lot, and back to Jimbaran - over 450km!

Arrival in Ubud and lunch at Batun Waru:

More photos:

The Gala dinner included a performance by dancers from one of the beneficiaries:

And then the donation checks were presented:

Sponsors were:

Sunday, March 09, 2008

How are Ogoh-Ogoh constructed?

The Young Men's Association in each village (desa) or neighborhood (banjar) use inspiration from the Balinese Hindu gods and goddesses for their designs.

Construction starts with a frame of wood, bamboo or rattan, and wire mesh.

(1) Here you can see "balls" being used to provide rounded buttocks and belly.

(2) Once the torso shape is established, layers of newspaper are applied.

(3) Then a base coat of paint, and the hands and feet are attached.

Examples of some of the final products...

(1) This one has the woven "balls" inside.

(2) This is the witch Rangda - shown above with newspaper applied.

And a close-up of her face and her foot.

(3) And this pair were the ones with a base coat of paint above.

Bali's own New Year - Nyepi

Bali’s Nyepi Day - March 7, 2008, marked the Balinese New Year. The exact date of Nyepi varies slightly each year, as it is based on a Lunar calendar - usually near Easter.

On the day before, each village display Ogoh-Ogoh. These are papier-mache "statues" created by the Young Men's Association in each village (desa) or neighborhood (banjar). They are mounted on bamboo platforms. In the late afternoon, you’ll hear firecrackers and small cannons made from bamboo. And around sunset, there is an island wide parade of Ogoh-Ogoh to transform negative energy and drive off the evil spirits.

Nyepi Day itself is a Day of Silence. Having driven off the evil spirits, everyone must now stay quiet for 24 hours (sunrise 7th to sunrise 8th), so that the spirits will think everyone has gone, and there is no one left in Bali for them to bother for the next year - or at least, that's the explanation for children and tourists.

Businesses are closed, except for hotels. No cars, buses, or motorcycles will be on the roads. And Bali is the only place I know of where the government shuts down the airport for meditation & introspection! Balinese stay in their family compounds, dedicating an entire day to introspection and cleansing - intelectual, emotional, and physical. The entire island becomes quiet. There are no cars, no tv's or loud radios, no lamps or fires and no airplanes overhead.