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myspices Says: When traveling in a bemo which is usually not packed with people but with sacks and bags of wares and goods of some the passengers, it is good to give a helping hand to unload the goods for them when they disembark. Once you do that, I can assure you that you not only see...
Gunung Kawi - in the valley ....
myspices Says: .... lies Tranquility. Descending down the stairways to the valley will bring you to an awesome landscape of terraced rice fields and little huts shaded by palm trees. Within the valley lies 10 rock-cut "candi" - shrines believed to be dedicated to the members of the 11th...
Gunung Kawi - green, green, green
myspices Says: You don't need to go to Tegalalang or Bukit Jambul to see terraced ricefields. In Gunung Kawi, you will be able to see them - why not kill two birds with one stone.
At Ubud, you need to board the orange bemo (mini bus), price 8,500Rp each or more (for local the maximum is 5,000Rp) for the 20minutes ride to Bedahulu. Stop at the Bedahulu terminal (which actually doesn't look at a terminal). We didn't wait long before we board another bemo which is blue for about 40minutes ride to Tampaksiring - this time round we had an honest driver who charged us a maximum fare of only 5,000Rp each. Stop at Tampaksiring bemo terminal and you will find the sign showing the way to Gunung Kawi.
Written Feb 24, 2006
What to buy: I'm a big fan of these coconuts, and it seems they are not generally sold all over Bali, but more or less found only near the shops at the entrance and in Gunung Kawi grounds. The artisans say that it takes from a week to a month to complete a carving. The ones taking a month or more to complete are the best and priced accordingly - the artisan I purchased from didn't even display those prominently and only showed them after I asked detailed questions about the crafting process!
With reasonable care, I can attest that they do keep for a long time, as I've had one for over ten years. Careful not to drop them or squash them either as I did drop my first one but managed to bond the pieces back.
Expect to be initally offered to pay US$10 or several times more depending on quality...
Also available is a 1/2 coconut shell base stand for light bulb to make a lamp. I don't know prices for these.
Updated May 8, 2006
Rain or shine - there's the umbrella....
myspices Says: You will notice that all holy ornaments, statues, prayer place are usually shaded with umbrellas . These are usually yellow or white in colour.It is a way the Balinese respect their gods - protect them in rain or shine
Wearing sarongs & sash is a must in Pura
myspices Says: When entering into a "pura' (temple), here are a few things you need to observe :-1. For men who wear short shorts/bemudas, you will need to put on a sarong with a sash 2. For women, proper decent blouse and if in skirts or short pants, put on a sarong and a sash3. Men and...
Sprinkle that holy water .... be blessed
myspices Says: Once you are at the base near the monuments in Gunung Kawi and before you enter into the compounds, there is a pot of water at the entrance. Read the instructions on the sign : it says visitors may sprinkle some of the holy water on their heads and be blessed. Using the...
myspices Says: Balinese women usually carry their wares/goods on their heads. They use a coiled-up towel or cloth as support and you will be surprised at the load their heads can take. I have yet to witness a man doing it and i wonder why. It could be that the men have stronger arms to...
myspices Says: Most Balinese are very artistic. Infact a lot of them make their handicrafts in the shop where they sell them. On our way out from Gunung Kawi, we noticed that one of the stalls sat a man who was so engrossed in his craving of the coconut shell that he did not look up for at...
myspices Says: Two little girls got up the same bemos that we were in and they were intrigued when I was going through my pictures in the digital camera. I took the opportunity to speak to them in "bahasa" (the Malay language) and they responded. I asked if I could take a photo of them and...
myspices Says: On our way back from Tampaksiring, there was this friendly old man who was trying to sell his handicraft to Harry. It is actually carved coconut shell. He took out a couple - all beautifully and intricately carved with dragons and phoenixs and some with flowers. His open...
Saraswati Festival - Young girls celebrating
myspices Says: On the day that we were in Gunung Kawi, it was Saraswati festival. We got to understand that it is celebration of "Knowledge". School children need not go to school on this day. Most of them bring along a little bowl with flowers in it and go to the temples for the prayers....
Pretty girls in fields of green
myspices Says: Look at the rice terraces. You might be able to find some pretty girls in traditional wear walking on the bunds of the rice terraces. This is one of my favourite pictures I have taken. Fresh and beautiful faces of young ladies dressed in traditional wear
Tampaksiring - Where Gunung Kawi is.........
Tampaksiring is an outskirt little town. The main attractions in this little countryside are :- 1. Gunung Gawi - where, in the valley, you can find one of Bali's oldest and largest ancient monuments....
Build your own Tampaksiring page
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