Jol's Ubud Hideaway

Jol, a nurse who works with George at the hospital, is as crazy about Bali as George is about Mexico, visiting frequently for weeks at a time. We arranged to meet with her by driving up with her friend, Made, who acts as a tour guide and driver.  The photo on the left shows Jol's friend, Jenny from Adelaide, Made and Jol.

Made (pronounced Ma-day) was a delightful guy with whom we thoroughly enjoyed conversing.  His name is very common in Bali as tradition dictates that eldest child is named Wayan or Putu, the second born is called Made or Kadek, and those born third and fourth are named Nyoman or Komang and Kutut respectively.  The fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth will be another Wayan, Made, Nyoman, Ketut and Wayan again.  They also have a short middle name they never use and different last names that are given to have spiritual meanings.  I'm sure it reduces the stress in finding a name but it can be confusing.  George should like it because it gives one an excellent chance of getting someone's name right if he forgets.  : )

However, Made broke with tradition and called his daughter Monica. Monica was his cousin's child but was adopted by Made and his wife since they were not able to have their own.  Sharing children in the extended family is common because the Balinese believe children belong to the whole family. They believe in reincarnation and that they come back into the same family.  It's one of the reasons that ancestors are venerated.  We really enjoyed having someone who was willing to explain Bali to us and show us the sights.

Jol stays at a home stay with a Balinese family in their compound. Balinese often live in walled areas with several small cottages. Usually cooking is done outside in a central area with bedrooms and bathrooms in each little building.  They spend most of their time outside; we saw someone sleeping and a child watching TV on the porch.  Many family members stay in each cottage.

This is the outside of one of the cottages.

Jol with the charming daughter-in-law of her host family.

Jol's home away from home, somewhat Spartan yet homey.

Balinese don't use toilet paper but cleanse themselves with a sprayer. How nice of the family to install a toilet roll holder for Jol!  

Lazing in Legian

These are photos from the grounds of our hotel, the Bali Mandira in Legian, where we stayed for our second week. With little cottages spread around the grounds, it gives the feeling of a traditional Balinese family compound.  However, we stayed in the tower which was more hotel-like.

The statue at the left depicts one of the many gods representing the Supreme Being, Shiva.  Bali Hinduism is unique.  The Balinese have been ruled by many other people with other religions and they managed to incorporate aspects of these into their belief system while retaining their core beliefs.

Balinese are very devoted as witnessed by the sight of their offering baskets strewn everywhere.  At first, I was very careful to avoid them on the sidewalks until we learned that once the offering is given, it is no longer sacred.  You can step on them but it is still frowned on to touch them.  Dogs and cats eat the food in the baskets which is acceptable since they are also god's creatures.

We love their practical view of religion.  For instance, one Balinese told us that he eats beef because he figures god gave cows to us to eat and who would refuse a gift from god?  Another story we were told is that tradition dictated the sacrifice of a pig once the rice crop harvesting was completed.  The Balinese solution?  Always plant a new crop before harvesting the next so that no sacrifice is needed.

Black and white are used to dress the statues of the gods and are popular colors in Balinese designs, representing good and evil.  They figure you have to pay respects to both good and evil dieties in order to stabilize the world.  We weren't there for it but apparently there are a couple of days and nights where no one is supposed to be out and about because the evil spirits are flying over and will not stop if they can't see you.  I guess the a spirits are easily fooled into believing no one is home.  

This structure has a big pool and patio on top of it.

You can even learn how to weave an 

offering basket while basking in the sun.

Another reminder of Mexico - hair braiding on the beach.

You can avoid the street vendors by walking 

along the promenade, ideal for walking 

along the ocean through town.