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Published: March 6th 2009
Art!
we love art...Balinese art!We awoke this morning to some light drizzle which turned into a massive downpour. This changed Diane’s dive plans, as she was headed to Manta Point in search of more Mantas. Since they canceled the trip, we decided to hire a driver to take us to Ubud. For only $35US, he drove us around all day. (Luckily, the rain stopped after an hour and the sun came out!) Our first stop was a silver store (we bought more jewels…and yes Kara, more beads!). We then headed over to a local wood carving store where they actually carve all the pieces right there in front of you. It was quite amazing the talent they have. SO amazed, that we decided we MUST have wood carvings. I bought a really cool Buddha head wall hanging carved thingy and a wooden drum, while Diane bought yet another wall hanging and a cool carved thingy. Yes, we needed these things.
Next, our driver took us to a really cool artist school/store where we watched them paint some beautiful pieces. Which, yet again…we HAD to have. We really are any shop keepers dream. It took us quite awhile to decide, but we both ended up
At the temple...
lots of broken Buddhas with some very cool original Balinese paintings that we hope make it back home safely.
We hadn’t even made it to Ubud yet, which I was told was FANTASTIC shopping…and we already had a truck full of goods. We’re in trouble. Luckily, nothing was for sale at our next stop… Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), a hermitage from the 11th century used by both Buddhists and Hindus. I am sure if they were selling the ancient stone carvings, we would have made an offer! Diane had been here before, so she showed me around. It was very cool and very OLD! We also ran into Diane’s guide from her first trip here and he PROPOSED to her! Yes, get ready folks….Diane is going to have a Balinese wedding (once we fix her fiancé’s teeth!) After he proposed, I turned to him and asked, “Do you even know her name?” and he said I will call her Suntea. He said he would get a hold of his mother so she can send an offering. He also said he would leave tourism and they can move to his families’ rice paddy farm where Diane asked if she could just watch and not
Goa Gajah
here I am do the hard labor. He said no, she would have to pitch in. Once I inquired about TIVO, I think that killed the deal. He couldn’t offer her TIVO. SO cancel your flights to Bali…the wedding is off!
Next stop - our driver dropped us off at the Dirty Duck in Ubud for yet another romantic meal overlooking a rice paddy and a field of ducks (AKA lunch). We could actually see the guys going out into the field to get “fresh duck.”
After a lovely lunch, we headed to the Monkey Forest where we bought bananas and entered the forest to be attacked by monkeys. They sure are sneaky little creatures and will come out of no where to get your banana. There is definitely no tricking them, they will attack! I had a monkey jump on my back, which kind of freaked me out, but once I gave him a banana he was cool. Diane also had one jump in her lap. It was especially fun to see them chase each other up trees and swing from the branches, or jump in a pond and swim. The babies were exceptionally cute and we wanted to put
The cave
at Goa Gajah one in our pocket and take it home with us, but decided not to as we were afraid to be chased down by mama monkey.
We finally reached the center of Ubud and headed to the market. More shopping to do! We haggled here and there and ended up with some more cool goods to add to our collection. After about an hour though, we were tired and couldn’t stand to look at another silk sarong, Buddha head or woven basket. Ubud sure is the cutest little Hindi town ever! Love it.
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