The souk in Rissani

Rissani is located on the edge of the Sahara close to the border with Algeria. Once a thriving centre during the 14th to 18th centuries, it is now quiet and somewhat smaller in size. There were many treasures to be found….. a local guide took us through the following area …..The door into the souk was said to be hundreds of years old

Im unclear what kinds of wood were used in the building of these places. There are no trees growing in the vicinity.

The roof of this building was incredibly high and after centuries still solid as.

 

With our guide we wandered through the labyrinth of dim walkways passing by many doors all unique and different.

Once a water fountain.

 

 

 

 

 

The weekend in Singaraja Bali

Sunday is the weekend in Indonesia for most people…a day to sleep in, catch up with family, go on a picnic, clean up the house and maybe visit friends…..and sometimes catch up with work or school chores….Today we went sightseeing.

The beachfront at Lovina Bali….

My friends heading out to sea possibly to play. 🙂

Going fishing….

Ive got better things to do….we ate a delicious meal of barbecued fish at this restaurant by the sea.

Then home for a well deserved rest. 

A late walk in the afternoon with the kids

This sawah (rice paddy) will be harvested tomorrow.

This farmer will harvest it!

And finally a very pretty balinese cow (in indonesian sapi) 

A very full fun  day !!

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.

A most amazing week in Ubud

Ubud……a feast for the senses, so much to see , to hear, to smell, to taste……to think about, contemplate , appreciate, marvel at…..

Over the last few months Pura Gunung Lebah has been the centre of much activity….celebrations and blessings (Built in the 8th century it is at the confluence of two rivers in the heart of Ubud)

A creative way of dealing with trash…..

Wherever you look there is beauty..

Roses for a goddess…

Ducks – bebek are a common sight amongst the the rice padi around Ubud…

Some small treasures…above and below….

Funky architecture somebody’s creations above and below…..

Heliconias a colourful and gracious sight along a walkway….

Lush vegetation and if you look carefully an interesting portrait….

A bit of colour…..

Hibiscus di mana mana ( are everywhere) Enjoy

Of temples, ceremonies and processions

Each day I have gone exploring …..eyes open to to the feast that Ubud is….this week has been a  big week for ceremonies. The main temple has been in the process of redevelopment  and now people from all over the surrounding area are coming to pay their respects and take part in the blessings and prayers.

By chance and luck I have been in the right place at the right time and have been a witness to the deep respect that Balinese people have for their religion and its practise. Here is some of what I have seen

There would have been hundreds of people streaming down the hill and over the bridge to the temple. All were in traditional dress and bringing offerings….
playing ceremonial music.

Along the sides of the road were many small stalls( for want of a better word)  these had offerings also, as well as water for thirsty pilgrims….

This was taken from the back of the crowd towards the end of the procession….

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.

A walk in the afternoon

Sunday is  a day of rest for most people in Singaraja. The rest of the week they work or go to school. In the afternoon I went exploring around the
neighborhood where I am staying…..this is some of what I found…

A mango tree dripping with mangoes…

Some joyful orchid spikes….

Many frangipani trees – pohon kambodia

Coconut trees abound…..

Bouganvillea dimana mana ( is everywhere). Many different colours and varieties.

Here is a small plot of land being made ready to plant, maybe corn or something like spinach.

Many Hindu families will have a special shrine for security. This is to keep the family and their house safe.

Many houses have elaborate or ornate gates.

More flowers… this one is a weed I gather, but in the sunlight it looked beautiful!