Bali...Week Two

Our second week in Bali began with a tour of another part of the island.  We made arrangements with the taxi driver who brought us to Ubud to tour us around the island for the day.  When Gede came to pick us up, we told him we were interested in seeing the east side of the island.  Lance had read that it was much quieter, and that it was a chance to see the real Bali, with fewer tourists.  Surprisingly, that was where Gede had grown up, and he knew exactly how to get us there.  Even more surprising was the restaurant Lance picked out to stop for a drink belonged to Gede's uncle.  We saw many beautiful sights along the way.        

Many roundabouts have large statues in the middle

Above and below...terraced rice fields

When we arrived Gede (on the left) saw his brother making a fruit delivery to the restaurant.  His brother kindly invited us to come to his home later in the day for a drink of coconut water.  

We finally got the chance to see the ocean.  

We stopped for a nice lunch on the beach...then headed over to Gede's village to meet up with his brother.

His brother shares a home with his uncle, wife, and newborn son.  His uncle owns the house.

His wife is holding the baby...the other woman is a visiting friend.

Like many people in Bali, his home had a family temple, plus several outer buildings.

He also had a pig and chickens.

His brother prepared the coconuts, and we enjoyed a drink.  I was given a cup...Lance was not.

It was interesting to see how the local people live in much more humble surroundings.  We were very honored to be invited to his home.

Along with our tour of the island, we saw two different temple dance shows.  The first one involved a group of one hundred male singers and a small group of dancers.  It was very dark inside the theatre so my pictures aren't very good.    

At the end of the show a fire was lit and a man came out to do a dance that involved walking several times through the flames.  It was incredible.  At the very beginning of the video below, you will see him jump into the flames.    

The second show took place at one of the more beautiful temples in town.  

These decorations made from bamboo were at the temple.   On the way home from our visit to the far side of the island we came across a small city lining the street with them.  Gede told us a festival was going to take place there on the weekend.    

Some of the instruments used for the temple show.

Unfortunately, minutes before the show was to begin the skies opened up and it began to pour.  We were directed into a building where the show was put on...but it was a disappointment not see it performed in front of the beautiful temple under a star lit sky. 

We've had a hot, but interesting time in Southeast Asia.  During our visit we have seen many fascinating things...the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia...the lumbering elephants at Chai Lai Orchid lodge near Chiang Mai, Thailand...the colorful lanterns and beautiful beaches in Hoi An, Vietnam...and the luscious gardens and tranquil atmosphere at Murni's Houses in Ubud, Bali.  All of it a delight for two curious travelers.