From the Mountains to the Sea

Today was marvelous! The sun was shining, no threatening rain clouds,  and once again I’m treated to a wonderful morning meal of tree ripened papaya and pineapple with my banana pancake and cup of Bali Kopi.

Wayan making his famous pancakes

papaya and pineabpple

 Ever Grateful to Wayan and Karya who’ve wanted to show me Bali’s most important sites ~ not tourist driven necessarily ~ but simply because they’re beautiful and meaningful to the Balinese.

Karya and Wayan

on the road to Jatilwuth

JATILWUTH

High on my list was a tiny mountain village, Jatilwuth, meaning extraordinary, tucked into the base of Gunung Batukau, known for it’s magnificent landscaped rice terraces of Padi Bali, the indigenous Balinese rice.  It is said that you’re lucky and blessed if you visit Jatilwuth when terraces are newly planted and flooded with mountain water.  Though the season was much further along in the growth cycle, fortunate for the company, the timing and the spectacular panorama.  These rice terraces stretch all the way to Southern Bali.

The air was fresh, the water crisp and clear, free from pollutants being so close to the source.  Villagers gathered to bathe and this fellow found a place of his own. 

how refreshing!

On the other side of the valley, the views were

 even more majestic!

The long graceful stalks produce a yellow grain at harvest.

We made our way through the tiny village, winding narrow roads partly eroded from rains, and the villagers working the fields with sickle in hand.

What are these women carrying?

Since Jatilwuth was a request fulfilled, the rest of the day was a welcome surprise at each stop.

BALI  BUTTERFLY PARK

Working our way towards the sea, tiny Bali Butterfly Park was surprisingly fun.  During my daily swim at Frog Song I’d watch the parade of butterflies fluttering about from plant to plant, but not have my camera readily accessible to catch them so it was fitting to stop into a park. 

guess what these are called?

Do you know what these are?  The Dutch woman was graciously enough to allow me to photograph her while she said to the park attendant “ oh, you’re making me so beautiful!” 

PURA TANAH LOT

Pura Tanah Lot is located on a rocky islet offshore in southeast Bali.   High priest Danghyyang Nirartha founded the temple in the 16^th century having fled Java in an uproar of changing religious focus.  Tanah Lot simply means – Temple of the Land in the Sea.

The tide was low enough to walk out to higher rocks, though the waves can easily catch one off guard especially at full moon, high tide.  Several vantage points offer even greater views.  This is a tourist haven in the evenings, glad to visit before the droves.

PURA TAMAN AYUN

My escorts had one more stop in mind before heading home.   Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi is an 18^th century marvel built by King Mengwi as a royal family temple.  Unique to others temples, the vast sanctuary grounds are surrounded by a moat and soaring meru or pagodas were erected. 

The darker-topped structures were designated for royal family, the lighter topped for worshippers.

A park attendant escorted me around the property giving me a brief history lesson, of the venerated gods, and the intent of the temple grounds ~ to pray, to meditate, to fish. He also pointed out their giant spiders!

Bali HIGH

My brain was a big foggy stepping onto the deck overlooking the pool and front grounds there was Wayan to greet me with a cheery “good morning!”  In the kitchen I had discovered a case of water and an array of fruits.  Wayan had gone to the store and bought eggs and asked if he could prepare me some coffee, tea and banana pancakes.  What a way to start the morning!

Karya and Wayan seemed to have a plan for today so my participation was easily to enjoy the drive.  Twenty minutes up the road or so, we pulled to the side of the road and there they were.    

          

There’s something about Rice terraces that are magnificently breathtaking even in a National Geographic or Conde Nast travel magazine but there I stood before this wonderful site at Tegalalang, and in an instant I’m transported to childhood hearing my parents talk about he beauty of rice terraces in the Philippines. 

The stories each of them told my siblings and I about growing up – working in the rice fields where my Mom would take a small handful of grains fallen from their stalks for the daily meal, or my Dad as a young man in search of daily food in the flooded rice paddies where a small fish or two would be a the prize.

Okay, okay ~ somewhat sentimental but the realization of their young lives sharply contrasted to my own. Perhaps I finally understand the intent of those stories. I would have been content to sit under a tree all day long and watch the changing colors on the hillside, daydreaming, marveling at the landscape.

At Kintamani the panoramic view of Gunung Batur volcano and lake Danau Batur magnificent  The other side of the lake is Gunung Agung  a little shrouded by passing clouds. Pretty majestic.  The last eruption came in 1993 though it’s peak is fairly intact.

Wayan and I

coffee and spice plantation..

coffee roasting

QUIZ:  What is the name and source of THE most expensive coffee in Bali?

The Balinese say in the world, but let’s keep this simple!  What’s your answer?  If you are the first to get it right, I’ll share my stash with you!!  Yes, it was VERY costly.

coffee bean grinding

luwak beans

Down the road a bit is a holy spring Pura Tirta Empul built in the 10^th century whose waters gushing through the spouts are said to have magical curative powers.  

offerings to Hindu deity Indra

As I write, Papa and kadet Topo are playing with Talking Tom and Talking Carl on the ipad. They talk into it, wait for the replay and laugh. Sitting back doing my own work letting them have fun. No idea what they’re saying ~  enjoying themselves is all that matters.   Topo is not so shy anymore, as he’s singing rather comfortably lying on the marble floor.   Every once in awhile they break away to play Piano Duet which both are noticeably musical.

Topo

magic of iPad