Back to school….

Its always a bit of a shock to be back in school and this is a school i have been visiting and spending time at for some years. This time i have noticed a number of innovations and a few new garden sculptures.

An attractive handwashing basin set into the edge of the garden.

A colourful and useful waste disposal system.

Ganesh, a well respected hindu god has found a niche in one of the garden beds.

And on the wall a colourful reminder of how to be in the world.Translated its something like….smile, acknowledge others, be respectful, patient and kind.

A walk in the late afternoon….jalan jalan

A beautiful door and on either side …

Ibu

Bapak

All pics taken and processed on my samsung 7.😊

Half and half …..one or two –

the half and half perspective did definitely change the way i was looking at my images…here’s a few that i found and quite liked from my recent trip to bali…..

This last was taken at sunset last night across the road from my house in south oz.

Flora and Fauna at Bali Mountain Guesthouse Batu Karu

Set high up on the mountain…. where ever you cast your eyes was a feast of one kind or another….Enjoy : ))

Early morning on Batu Karu

Yesterday morning early I went for a walk up into the Batu Karu forest. It had rained the evening before and everything smelled fresh

and intense…. the sky a clear blue.

I walked past an early morning grocery delivery….

a couple of cows safely ensconced in a glade of banana and chocolate trees.

Another cow enjoying an early morning snack…
Just passed here on the track some dogs began to bark at me…being somewhat nervous of wild dogs I began to call out hoping someone would come to my rescue…..An old lady magically appeared through a fence. She came right up to me. ” Mau makan? Mari” (rough translation want to eat?come with me)

Well I did… she gently led me through to her very small and rough hut…offering me a seat on a small stool… the only stool. The dogs stood guard outside while ibu made me a kopi….

Inside we were kept company by chickens and a cat. We talked of family. She offered me nasi….

Eventually I said I needed to go. She gently walked me back out to the path and sent me on my way with a big smile.

one last beautiful glimpse off to the horizon. I walked home with a huge smile in my heart…..Generosity and kindness were alive and well.

Sunrise at Sanur beach

A stroll through downtown Singaraja

In the heat of the day I decided to go for a wander in downtown Singaraja… I had in mind that I might buy yet another sarong or kebaya…. the range was inspiring. The ones above have yet to sewn ….so colourful and the ones that were made up only went up to xl and that didnt quite close down the front : (( Never mind ienjoyed employing my still to be fluent indonesian and had a few laughs.

A stall with nothing but offerings…..

Haa the sarongs …so many patterns, qualities…..I couldn’t decide…..

My absolute favouritest fruit in the universe. I so love a good papaya with ‘ lemon ‘ of course!

And just a bit further a long a stall full of eggs fresh from the chooks I guess….

Bananas anyone deliciously sweet and nothing like those at home mmmm !

A seller with panache….

A gorgeously embroidered kabaya…..

Thwre were a whole row these small stalls. They are selling mens rings. The rings are either silver or gold ornate or not and they come with a choice of many coloured polished precious stones which can be fitted into the ring. It seemed a very popular pastime.

Assorted hidden gems in Ubud

There are many reasons to look for alternative ways to get somewhere….in Ubud its not just about avoiding  the noise and the speed with which some people travel the  crowded main roads. Its because you just never know what you will find down a back lane or a small gang  (as they are known in Indonesia) or an even smaller path that really is only for foot traffic but seem to include the odd motorcycle as well…. it is a wonderland to explore …..and here is some of what I’ve found ovsr the last couple of days…..

This is in the middle of central Ubud….

On the side of a steep flight of stone stairs…

Sparkling in the afternoon sun…..

Along a narrow pathway….

In a back lane….

Along a small gang….

How creative is that!

I love this doorway…..it  has looked the same,  maybe a little  more weathered each time I have passed it for years…….

And another of the beautiful  tropical forest that continues to survive despite the intrusion of humans into the landscape. 

Orchids such Extravagance!

How lucky am I ….it seems that this is the orchid blooming season in Ubud. Since I arrived yesterday I have seen so many incredible blooms. The gardens here are full of what seem to me to be incredibly beautiful flora. And I have to confess I’m in love with their  colors, their shapes and variety.  Below are some of my finds…..

Aren’t they magnificent……

Gates, fences and vistas

While walking around the neighborhood where I am staying in Sinaraja Bali I realised that many of the houses had unique gates and walls around their kampung (yard). I found them interesting, attractive and utilitarian all at the same time….. sometimes I would be walking and realise that the view was beautiful…..

This was taken from the back of my house …you can see the mountains in the background.

This is looking the other way…..late afternoon.