Culture, temples and the arts (page 4)
Ceremonies, temples, dance, galleries, language and history.
Balinese ceremonies in May 2006
Here is a list of Balinese ceremonies in May 2006 . It is a good idea to glance at this list if you are visiting Bali and are interested in observing a temple ceremony. May 3rd .
Transportation in Bahasa Indonesia-part III
Here are some useful phrases in Indonesian relating to transport This road is under repair - Jalan ini sedang diperbaiki This road is very slippery / Look out - Jalan ini sangat licin / Hati-hati My…
Transportation in Bahasa Indonesia-part II
Here are some more handy phrases in Indonesian for transportation Go back to the intersection, then follow the sign - Kembali kepersimpangan jalan, lalu ikuti tanda arah. My address is...
Transportation in Bahasa Indonesia
Here are some useful phrases in Indonesian for transport What are the tourist places I should visit? - Apa nama tempat pariwisata yang harus saya kunjung?
Shopping in Bahasa Indonesia-part II
Here are some more useful phrases in Indonesian, to use when you are shopping. Let's go to the market - Mari, kita pergi ke pasar What is this? What are you making? - Apakah ini?
Shopping in Bahasa Indonesia
Here are some useful expressions for shopping in Indonesian I want to buy... / Where can I buy...? - Saya mau beli.../ Dimana saya bisa beli...? Where's the shopping center in this town?
Time in Bahasa Indonesia
Here are a few example of questions you might ask relating to time in Indonesian. I find these phrases very useful and locals will use these phrases with me on a daily basis. What time is it?
Let's take the 'G' - test in Bahasa Indonesia
You've heard of the IQ test, well here's the 'G' - test, a quiz on words starting with the letter G. I'm going to number the questions, then give the answers at the end.
Restaurant lingo in Indonesia
Time right now is 6.15pm and by stomach is growling. Since starting to workout again my weight has dropped by a kilo!
Ika Bali tour
Ika came to me the other day and asked my opinion about doing a Bali tour . 'Sounds great', I said. She meant doing a tour herself for other Javanese people.
Bahasa Indonesia: Drug stores, clinics and hospitals
Here are some expressions in Bahasa Indonesia covering drug stores, clinics and hospitals. Where is the nearest drugstore? Hospital? - Dimanakah apotik (toko obat) yang terdekat? Rumah Sakit?
Useful phrases in Indonesian - part II
Here are some more useful phrases in Bahasa Indonesia. Don't... / I don't like that.../ I don't want - Jangan.../ Saya tidak suka itu... / Saya tidak mau I like Indonesia. Fine, Okay.
Useful phrases in Indonesian - part I
Here are some phrases you might use on your first trip to Bali. Yes - ya No - tidak This / That - Ini / Itu I do not have - Saya tidak punya... There is... / there is not - Ada...
Street signs in Bahasa Indonesia
Here are a few examples of signs you might see in Bali. Parking - Parkir No parking - Dilarang parkir Cross here - Menyeberang di sini Women / Men - Wanita / Pria Keep Out - Dilarang Masuk Entrance -…
East java gets new Hindu temple
East Java has a brand new Hindu temple to be proud of and its a big one. The temple is located in Karangpandan village, Pakisaji district, Malang, in the cool of the mountains.
Quest for Global Healing II in Bali
Trying to make a difference in the world is a noble thing, especially if its in others people's best interest.
Catholic church in Bali closes for Nyepi
Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence is over. People are back to their daily activities and Bali is silent no more.
Selamat Hari Raya: Special occassions in Bali
Bali has a whole calendar of special days, including, Nyepi, Galungan and Kuningan.
Balinese kissing ritual flys in the face of anti-porn bill
Balinese culture has some great rituals and Nyepi is one of them. Nowhere other tourist location in the world totally shuts down like that.
Nyepi goes off without incident in Bali
The Day of Silence is over and from my perspective it seemed like the island was completely dead yesterday.
Nyepi night in Seminyak Bali
The time now is 9pm on Nyepi night. Looking out my window its pitch black with no noise, quite cool actually. Awang, Ika, Ningrum and I have just bbq'd, cooking steak. brats, kebabs and chicken.
Ogoh Ogoh scare away ghosts in Seminyak Bali
Sitting in my house in Seminyak I feel lucky. The ghosts that normally hover over Bali have been scare away by the extravagant offerings made the Balinese and given a final kick out the door by the…
Taking Jevon to see Ogoh Ogoh in Seminyak Bali
Wednesday night around 8pm I got a message from Ika who was out on Jl. Seminyak with Jevon and her sister Ningrum.
Ogoh ogoh's in Seminyak Bali
A big part of the Nyepi pre-game show is the parade of ogoh ogoh's, the large monsters that scare ghosts away from Bali. Riding around this afternoon I saw all kinds.
Seminyak getting ready for Nyepi
Wednesday afternoon I rode down to Blue Ocean beach at the end of Jl. Double Six for my last workout before being house bound for 24 hours.
Important people in Balinese history: Gusti Ngurah Rai
One of the most famous figures in Balinese history is Gusti Ngurah Rai. Bali had been part of a Dutch colony with the roots of colonization going back to 1595 when 4 Dutch ships arrived in Kuta (on…
Melasti in Kuta Bali
While sitting at a street side table in Made's Warung, I noticed the pecalang clearing the street of motorbikes, obviously a procession of some kind was on its way.
Pura Durga Kutri
Around the backside of the temple was a set of steep stone steps. In all cultures the higher you get, the more important something is, so I didn't need a guidebook to tell me there was something…
Pura Bukit Dharma Durga Kutri: Inner courtyard
A jaba tengah (middle courtyard) was off to the left side, which I bypassed. It was marked with a sign saying 'Pura Puseh / Desa - Desa Pekraman Kutri' (the village temple and temple of the founders…
Pura Bukit Dharma Durga Kutri
Pura Bukit Dharma Durga Kutri, located a few kms west of Gianyar is a temple I have never visited. My guidebook says "The small village of Kutri is home to the Pura Bukit Dharma Durga Kutri.
Ogah ogah at Pura Bukit Dharma Durga Kutri
A few kms west of Gianyar is the town of Kutri , home of Pura Bukit Dharma Durga Kutri. Pulling into the parking area I immediately saw an old man and 2 kids working on a couple of ogah ogah's.
Playing with the pembantu in Seminyak Bali
Having kids in Bali definitely requires shifting gears, but it is way less hassle than I have been led to believe.
Learning to live with the Balinese
Living in Bali has its pluses and minuses. For me its mostly good although I sometimes whine about minor irritations. Talking to other expats in Bali I get a wildly different picture of the locals.
Ladies preparing for the odalan in Seminyak Bali
Sitting either side of the entrance on raised steps were offerings to the Gods, consisting of canang, bananas and other items of traditional Balinese offering.
Full moon in Seminyak Bali
Tuesday night was purnama (full moon) and on the way to Sanur we saw many Balinese people in traditional outfits, heading down the Bypass for a local ceremony. This morning outside a shop on Jl.
Temple ceremonies in Bali
On many occasions you will be able to observe at close range the going's on, if you come equipped with a sarong and a sash.
Odalan & Purnama in Seminyak Bali
Each temple has a birthday, called an odalan , which according to the wuku calendar happens every 210 days. Full moon ceremonies called purnama , are important for Balinese, who use a lunar calendar.
Jevon crawling in Seminyak Bali
Jevon is now 8 months and 10 days old. No I don't have it memorized, I just checked my watch.
Ayu: Friend of Ika's
Ika has many friend from all over Indonesia. She met them in the various jobs she did in the Kuta area. This morning her friend Ayu stopped by. Ayu is from Kalimantan and has that Kalimantan face.
Local ceremonies in Seminyak Bali
Balinese culture is strong an resistant to change because of the intensity and regularity of the festivals and ceremonies.
Nyepi Day in Bali: What's your plan?
Ana our pembantu brought up something this morning, Nyepi Day. Nyepi is the day of silence, where Bali undergoes a spiritual cleansing, with literally everything shut.
Balinese culture: A highlight of living in Bali
In my gang which is one of the gangs behind party street, Jl. Dhyana Pura live many Balinese families. Unlike their 'bule' neighbors, most are not party animals.
Tumpek Landep: Time to honor your motorbike in Bali
Barrie sent me an article about an annual Balinese festival that is coming soon. Tumpek Landep was all about honoring weapons, but that has come to include motorbikes and other metal objects.
Accommodation words in Bahasa Indonesia
Here are some words associated with accommodation in Indonesian. Is there a room available? Ada kamar kosong? How much is it? Berapa harganya sehari? Is breakfast included?
Sharing the OJ in Seminyak Bali
Coming home from the gym today I staggered in the front door after a great workout. Ika and Jevon were on the floor and I offered he a glass of my pasteurized OJ.
Pierre Guillaume: Artist of true life in Bali
Bali has had a number of famous expat artists dating back to the 1920's. The long list includes, Walter Spies, Rudolph Bonnet and Donald Friend.
Songket: Traditional Balinese cloth
Bali has a number of traditional cloths including batik , ikat and songket . The art of making these is passed down from generation to generation and they are used for daily life and religious…
Bahasa Indonesia: Words to use around town
Here ar some words to use around town in Indonesian bank - bank immigration - immigrasi market - pasar police station - kantor polici post office - kantor pos public telephone - telepon umum public…
Bali Arts Festival to feature foreign groups
The Bali Arts Festival in June / July will feature 15 groups from overseas. The annual event, which takes places in Denpasar is extremely popular with local people.
Time in Bahasa Indonesia
Here are a few words realted to the time in Indonesia Minute - menit Hour - jam Day - hari Week - minggu Month - bulan Year - tahun When? - kapan? What time? - Jam berapa? How many hours?
Emergency phrases in Indonesian
Here are some emergency terms in Bahasa Indonesia Help - tolong Fire - kebakaren Police - polici Doctor - doktor Hospital - rumah sakit Chemist - apotek Call a doctor - Panggilah doktor Call an…
Made Wianta at the Jenggala gallery, Jimbaran Bali
Moving over to the buffet (and this was actually a buffet!) we enjoyed the Indonesian snacks, which included ikat laut (shredded fish on a stick), something equating to lumpia (spring roll), chips…
Art show at Jenggala: Jimbaran Bali
Friday night my friend Ebong invited me to join him at an art show. The location was Jenggala , on Jl. Uluwatu II, in Jimbaran, the artist Made Wianta.
Interview with artist Ketut Arsana in Lodtunduh Bali
While sitting at the babi guling stand at the crossroads at Lodtunduh, I was joined by a Balinese fellow in his 30's named Ketut Arsana.
Interview with Putu at Pawitra Sari Gallery in Bali
The owner and operator of Pawitra Sari Gallery in Mas , is Putu. He was kind enough to show me round and explain a few things.
Pawitra Sari Gallery in Mas Bali
Riding home after checking out the temple, I swung round a bend and saw a sign that said 'Pawitra Sari - Visual Art Center'.
Temple equipment in Ubud Bali
While checking out the cute little pura (temple) south of Ubud the other day, I got to check out some of the priest's equipment.
Padmasana: The Lotus Throne
Every Balinese temple has a slightly different layout. There are similar features and also features that are significant to the local history.
Balinese temple south of Ubud-part II
Admiring the unique sculptors (leopard & pig, tree gargolyle and female temple guardians) that were outside the temple, I decided to check inside.
Balinese temple south of Ubud-part I
Riding home and still marveling and the chance of meeting Linda Garland and checking out her hotel, I took an assortment of local streets.
Pura Saraswati: Ubud Bali
Ubud is known for its strict observance of everything Balinese. Whether its be painting, carving, dance or ceremony, the Ubud version is usually the top of the line.
Exploring Pura Gunung Lebah in Campuhan Bali
Following the excellent advice of my Rough Guide, I decided to take a look at a temple in Campuhan overlooking Campuhan ridge .
Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women: Ubud Bali
Balinese art seems to be dominated by male artists, with names such as Nyoman Lempad, Nyoman Mundik and Ida Bagus Rai. Balinese women are often seen in idyllic paintings but are rarely the painters.
Asking directions in Balinese
Learning some Basa Bali (Balinese) will win you friends and also help you travel in Bali. This is especially true when in village areas and talking with old people.
Balinese directions
The Balinese use a system of directions which is based on their ancient animist culture. They believe the God live in the mountians, the demons live in the ocean and the people live in between.
Balinese numbers over 100
With Balinese numbers over 100 you indicate the last 2 digits at the end. There are also some anomalies.
Balinese numbers over 30
Continuing our little journey into Basa Bali, here are the numbers from 30 to 100 For numbers over 30 the basic form of the word for 1 to 9 is used, for the last digit.
Balinese numbers 10 to 30
Balinese numbers are related to numbers in Bahasa Indonesia, but have extra complicating factors. In most languages that I've seen, once you've mastered 1-10, and 11-20, you are home free.
Balinese numbers: 1 to 10
Balinese (Basa Bali) is an interesting language and even the number system takes a while to figure out.
Pura Purwasidhi Ponjokbatu in north Bali
Bali's temples are little pockets of the mysterious, often located in amazing places.
Here is a guide to Balinese names according to caste
Balinese names run according to caste and position within a family. Its a compicated affair and here is some explaination.
Balinese greetings
Yesterday I was sitting in Bamboo Corner on Poppies Lane I in Kuta reading my Balinese phrase book. It occured to me that Balinese is a whole different animla than Indonesian.
Pura Meduwe Karang: Bicycle carving in NE Bali
Next saturday morning Ika and I are planning to go up to Tejakula in NE Bali ( check it out on the new size maps ).
Joged: A mating dance ritual in Bali
Out in the provinces in Bali there is a local dance called a joged . This dance is a mating ritual that is very popular with locals.
Traditional fishing on Seminyak beach Bali
Bali has had a downturn is tourism after the October bombing which will take a while to recover from. Some people are really feeling the pinch, but others simply go about life as usual.
Wedding in Bali
Bali is a place that makes memories. Having your wedding in Bali is something to consider, especially if you want to keep those pesky relatives away.
Bahasa Indonesia: A skeleton key to Indonesia
Bahasa Indonesia, the national language of Indonesia, is one of the little miracles here.
Pura Luhur Batukaru: A bit of history
Pura Luhur Batukaru is one of the kayangan jagat (directional temples), that protect Bali from evil spirits. Pura Luhur Batukaru protects Bali from the west.
Pura Luhur Batukaru: Exploring the outer courtyard
Heading inside the outer courtyard, I passed through a candi bentar (split gate). Balinese temples usually have either 2 or 3 courtyards (outer, middle, inner).
Pura Luhur Batukaru: Arriving at the temple
Heading down the dead end road that leads to Pura Luhur Batukaru I overtook at a tour bus with 4 people in.
Pura Luhur Batukaru: The way to the temple
Bali has tens of thousands of temples and they come in all sizes. Often the larger temples, or pura, feel like a tourist trap with tour buses and drink stalls lined up or hundreds of meters outside…