June 7th to June 26, 2015
3 more weeks in Ubud
Inata Bisma Hotel 500000Rs ($38)

Day trips:

• Pertenunan Setia Cap Cili in Gianyar
• Tegalalan Rice Terraces &
• Pura Gunung Kawi / Gunung Kawi Sebatu temple 18 km north east of IB (Selamat Datang)
• 150 year old teak house jogio (house) - It was moved here in 2011 

Bali Crafts

Bali is known for craftsmen of all types; stone, wood, textiles, acrylic on canvas, etc.. We journeyed to a woodworking workshop on the south end of Ubud. Dave is a sucker for wood.
 
Teams of carvers were gnawing away at gargantuan wood figures made from single slabs. Pieces here are made on commission. The guys said these were for a hotel. They seem pleased that we were interested in their work and answered our questions readily. There was never a doubt if we were potential customers. Work of that scale was not meant for us.
 
 
Gianyar Town
 
 

• Trip to Gianyar to visit a textile factory where they weave the famous Ikat. 
• And night market for some grazing at food stalls. 

Gianyar is located only about 16 km west of Ubud. Most of the drive there took us through urban areas. And because village/town names are not clearly indicated on signs when you enter, we didn't realize when we had arrived. Never a big problem and we eventually found a textile weaving factory that made beautiful Ikat. 

We were taken to the back where several women sat behind large wooden looms. In another area, a man was tying off the patterns in the threads. We then checked out the showroom where the gorgeous fabric was sold by the meter. It was tempting but I resisted :)


No Porko-Phobia Here
 

 
The night market right off the main thoroughfare was in full swing. Several Babi Gulang stalls looked inviting. We decided to check out the rest of the market first. We sampled several dishes wrapped in paper cones, from savory and spicy to sweet and coconutty. 
 
Eventually we sat down next to a group of local guys at Babi Gulang stall. They got a kick out of us enjoying their local specialty. We skipped the blood sausage this time but did nibble at the oh so good and so bad for you fried pork skin. 
   
 

Tegalalan Rice Terraces 

One day we decided to make a day trip to famed and picturesque rice terraces about 16 north of Ubud. 
   
Along the way and several km out of town, we stopped by Widya's Batik workshop to see if we'd be interested to take a class at some point. Widya's intricate silk batik scarves were displayed on a wall and were for sale. Several students were tracing some patterns on cotton cloth and we got a brief outline of the process, it sounded like a fun thing to do and Dave was game too. We booked our class for a day after next.

The Tegalalan Rice Terraces was only another 30 minutes or so. It was a zoo... traffic bumper to bumper, with cars and motorcycles parked on the side of the road didn't help matters. The sun occasionally came out and cast gorgeous light on the steep terraces. Cheap souvenir stalls added to the madhouse. We briefly parked and peeked over the terraces, then continued on and let Google guide us through some amazing unspoiled terrain. We spent several hours driving tiny roads winding through villages and past rice paddies. Bono Bali Restaurant had high marks on tripadvisor so we decided to give it a try. Turns out, its location indeed offers stunning views but food was very mediocre. 
 
 
California Yoga in Bali

 
A yoga group of 15 arrived. A mixed group from LA and Las Vegas. They attend intensive yoga workshops - 2 times a day - as part of a week long program here at our hotel. We met Jacky, a 50 something web designer from LA area. Her dream for the future is to buy some property in Santa Ynes (just over the mountains inland from Santa Barbara) raise goats, make cheese to sell to the many wineries around there. She has her business plan all worked out.