Monday, February 23, 2009

Return of the Bali: Bali-tree

Toured around Bali, well, just Seminyak, Legian, Kuta and Ubud to be exact. From what I observed, I have to say that their business or small industries are really, really concentrated, the only exception being rice fields - which can be seen here, there and everywhere - beside your accomodation, along the busy streets, outskirts of the town, mountain slopes, hillsides and so on.

At first, I noticed a whole stretch of road with houses and shoplots on both sides selling paintings. When that ended, it was quickly followed by another long stretch selling silverwares as well as gold based products, such as jewellery and carvings which was supposed to be quite cheap. All I notice in the shop I dropped by was droves after droves of tourists from the China. Next, it was a stretch specializing in wood carving then stone carving, just by a quick glance at the wares displayed in front of the shops, I was already much impressed.


Part of the tour was to visit a Batik making factory - very much similar to how we produce them. Seen here is one lady drawing the outline of the Batik design using hot wax.

Another lady in the Menenun (spinning? stitching?) process. Don't know why but I keep recalling some martial arts comic strip or anime where the lead character was practising quick hands technique by trying to catch the moving 'object' (that moves from one side to another) inside the Menenun machine. That's Jac in the background.


Part of the structure in one of the bigger temples we visited. The level of detail in the carvings are bound to leave anyone gaping in awe.

A closer view of some of the statues available all around the temple.

Other random structures. Notice the structure on the left having a particularly small entrance? According to our guide, the narrow design is on purpose to restrict only a single entrance per time during festivities or celebrations so that the situation would look more orderly, disciplined and manageable. Since its a place of worshipping.


Random wooden carvings, taken during the stop at one of the wood carving production centers.

Another one.


The End. To be continued when I can find the time to edit photographs again, currently busy with work in the morning and producing some slideshows for a relative at night, huhuhu.

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