Archive for November 7th, 2006
Bali is a mecca for arts and handicrafts. The way they do it over here, is that a particular village will specialize in one thing. I guess this started in the good old Bali tradition of ‘my neighbor is having success doing this, so I should copy’. One expat I talked to said it doesn’t occur to locals to sell other stuff. For example, in Celuk, the silversmith village, they don’t sell woodcarvings. But imagine if you were the only one selling woodcarvings, you might actually sell some!
You can take bus trips to villages that specialize in various products, its easy to get the places mixed up.Here is a list of villages with handicrafts:
•Bangli - Coconut & Bone carvings / Silver
•Banyuning - Pottery
•Batuan - Baskets / Painting
•Batubulan - Stonecarving
•Bedulu - Painting (traditional calendars)
•Belayu - Weaving (Songket)
•Beratan - Silver / Weaving (Songket)
•Blahbatuh - Gongs / Gamelan
•Bona - Bamboo furniture & Baskets
•Budakaling - Silver & Gold
•Celuk - Silver & Gold
•Gianyar - Weaving
•Jati - Woodcarving
•Kamasan - Painting (Wayang style)
•Krambitan - Painting
•Mas - Carved masks and other items
•Mengwi - Weaving
•Patean - Pottery
•Pejaten - Pottery
•Penarukun - Carvings
•Puaya - Carved masks / puppets
•Sawan - Gamelan instruments
•Seminyak - Blogging
•Sempidi - Ceramics
•Sideman - Weaving
•Tampaksiring - Coconut & Bone carvings / jewelry
•Tegallalang - Woodcarving
•Tenganan - Weaving (Geringsing, double-ikat)
•Tihingan - Gongs
•Tohpati - Painting
•Ubud - Woodcarving / Painting
•Ubung - Pottery
source : www.baliblog.com
November 7th, 2006
Bali has a million and 1 food places, that are tucked away down narrow streets. This lunchtime I rode down Jl. Mertanadi in Seminyak and spotted a new place. Jl. Mertanadi runs alongside the jail and is a virtual ‘furniture alley’.
When I arrived the place was empty except for the 2 staff. Pili Pili is half art gallery, half warung, serving Indonesian food. I asked for nasi campur (mixed rice) and a teh panas (hot tea). The dish contained white rice, chicken, beef rendang, vegetables, potato cake, fiery hot sambal…delicious. The bill was 21,000rp.
Pili Pili Warung is tucked away and I can’t imagine this place getting busy, perfect for anyone wanting a quiet meeting for some privacy.
Pili Pili Warung
Jl. Mertanadi 63
Seminyak
Bali
(0361)8444765
source : www.baliblog.com
November 7th, 2006
Today I talked with a Euro guy who is opening a restaurant in Seminyak. He asked me if, when I go to a restaurant, do I prefer the service and tax, to be built into the prices, or added at the end. Which do you prefer?
From a customer’s point of view, I like the nasty surprise at the start, so I can make a decision, as to how badly I want to get burned. Many a time, have I gone to a nicer place, and been stuck with the 21%, (or whatever each place decides to charge) on the bill at the end.
Of course if you are the restaurant owner, its in your best interest to make your menu seem value for money. “Its like a kick in the nuts,” said the guy after I answered, “Imagine the bloke who is on a date, and only has 100,000rp, then the extras take him over that.” Here in Bali they have whacked rules for many things. Warungs don’t pay tax, so don’t charge tax, restaurants do. I’d have a monster, double decker restaurant, with strippers hanging out the windows, and call it ‘Warung Kacil’.
Anyway, I look forward to checking the place out. I don’t know the name, but its going be a Japanese place on Oberoi.
Another wacky thing is villa rentals. The Euro guy who was renting across from me moved out. The whole time he was there it was ‘benchong city’, with many guests coming and going. Doesn’t really bother me, except I don’t want thieves hanging out near my house. The guy told me our landlord is crazy, “these are bad people.” he said. The deal out here is ‘bules’ often rent and sub-let places. When a Balinese owner hears of this, they try to jack up the rent. ‘Why doesn’t the Balinese owner, rent to the higher paying tourists?’ you might ask. The answer is they don’t have the marketing capability, and they are lazy. They prefer to let a place sit empty, rather than drop their price 10%. They resent the fact that outsiders, can rent their place, for double what they can, so try to cause trouble when it happens.
Will be interesting to see who moves in next.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 7th, 2006
This morning had a lovely downpour in Seminyak. The heat and the dust taking a beating for a short time. My Aussie hat stood up ot the rain as I strolled down Jl. Seminyak for a coffee. Visitors to Bali are best advised to wear sandles and shorts, along with carrying a cheap umbrella, in the wet season.
Some expats I have talked to, hate the wet season. I actually like it, as what would a tropical island be, without those dark clouds and sudden showers. When a storm hits, it can seem like a shower being turned on full blast. However strong the rain is, there is a likelihood it won’t last more than an hour or 2. The locals all know this, that’s why you never see them wearing heavy waterproof gear, just sandals and shorts.
Regular footwear is no good for the wet season, as when streets flood, you have almost no choice but to get wet. I’m toying with the idea of getting a pair of Crocs. They are ugly plastic shoes, that make the wearer look like a patient in rehab. The good thing is they are desgined for a wet environment and dry fast. My Teva sandals are okay, but the straps retain moisture. Next time I put them on, I get that cold slimey feeling.
The next couple of days might see a light shower or 2.
Here’s the 10 day Bali weather forecast.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 7th, 2006
Writing about travelling in Bali from an internet cafe, I can get detached from what actual traveling in Bali is like. Jacinta is a young lady who recently did an 11 day trip to Bali. Here’s her account.
Recounting the arrival and the first morning, it brings back memories. I remember the intense sunlight, the heat and humidity and especially the serene manner of the gardeners and guest house workers, who would place offerings and bring breakfast.Jacinta’s account of her Bali trip, is documented on TravelPod, I like their cute little maps, that show the route. For more travel blogs and travel stories, check out BootsnAll.com, quite simply the best site on the internet!!!
Jacinta visited Besakih, was wise to the scams that go on there, as well as how to bargain. She seems positive about her Bali experience, which shows that a bit of local knowledge, combined with a relaxed attitude is the way to go.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 7th, 2006