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Published: February 27th 2014
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I was invited, by a few neighbors at my home stay, to join them and go to Badang Bai, a small village and a dive destination. You can also get the ferry to Lombok, Gilis and Nusa Penida islands from here. Our driver took the scenic route from Ubud and I enjoyed the many villages we passed through, and green rice fields, with Mt Agung very prominant. Mt Aguing is one of the highest volcanoes on Bali and adds some drama to the scenery. We each got a room at the 'Kerti Beach Bungalow'. The rooms were very clean and comfortable, overlooking the sea; had lunch at Kerti's restaurant, which was good. We walked down the road and up a hill and came upon the 'Blue Lagoon', a good size lagoon with turquoise water, white sand and hardened lava coming down the hillside into the water on the far side. Many of the small snorkeling boats come to the lagoon. The water was quite warm and we swam allot while there. There are two cafes for lunch or just a cappuccino. My friends ordered 'fried potatoes' for lunch, which turned out to be homemade french fries! They looked so good, I
too ate 'fried potatoes' for lunch, they were quite yummy! All good things must end and so on the third day, our driver returned and we headed back to Ubud, a quick 1 1/2 trip. Getting there was much longer.
Another Sunday stroll up to the rice fields with friends, stopping along the way to talk to a local farmer who was born in Ubud. He grows organic vegetables, rice and herbs. He told us the government has increased his taxes over the past ten years from 200,000 ($20.) to 300,000 ($30.) and is difficult for him to pay. He said the government also keeps the price of rice down, so farmers are unable to make allot of money. I also heard that with so many rice fields being sold to investors, the rice production has gone down and for the first time, Bali is now exporting the rice they grow and importing the rice they need to live on.I've also heard that the water level is at a serious low, due to the tourist industry, and rice farmers are worried that they will not have enough water. Everyone who lives here will tell you the government officials are
corrupt. I reply with, 'where aren't they?' The walk around the rice fields was about five miles and wound thru the forest and alongside a river. We came upon a family and their children but did not pass very many during our walk. We came upon 'Sri Oganic' a restaurant overlooking the rice fields with all organic & raw food, it was delicious and the view was very beautiful, as the sun set. We walked back to our rooms in the dark.
I went to see a villa compound a friend of mine is building in Tempaserring, a large village north of Ubud. The villas are amazing, built into the hillside of a forest. The decor is beautiful and the bathrooms stunning. Will probably end up in Home or Travel Magazine. On the main road, near the villas, are many coffee farms, the climate is very good for growing coffee beans. They produce Lumbok coffee, which requires the mangoose's participation!........you can google it if you're interested. I have not tried the coffee but am told that it has a smooth taste, with no bitterness. The coffee farmers are making lots of money as they sell many other products, which
are expensive.
Woman often work much harder than men in the Balinese culture, it's not uncommon to see women pushing wheelbarrels, carrying bricks or digging ditches, they work alongside the men. Their day doesn't end at 4PM, it continues as they care for their family and prepare the evening meal. Glad I wasn't born here!
My homestay is preparing for a big ceremony on Feb 25th. The women are continually making offerings and now have a big basket filled to the top. I've been invited to go so will post all about it. The ceremony has been cancelled! A distant relative passed and the priest told Darta, owner of home stay, that his party had to be canceled. It's not appropriate to have a happy ceremony so soon after a relative's passing......oh well! The Balinese are Hindu and their faith is a part of their everyday lives.
As I end this blog, which I hope you've enjoyed, I suggest you scroll down if you are to see all the photos posted in this blog....
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anonymous
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Thanks again for sharing. Love getting your blogs.