Category: Indonesia
-
A Lesson in Making Balinese Canang Sari
On a quiet and serene morning in Ubud, I was invited to learn how to make beautiful Balinese canang sari. These floral spiritual offerings adorn Bali’s temples, streets, home entrances, and any place that the Balinese people believe to be sacred. You might even spot some on trees and statues. The setting for my lesson was the rice paddy-encircled home…
-
An Afternoon with “Eat Pray Love’s” Ketut Liyer in Bali, Indonesia
Eat Pray Love’s footprint is everywhere in Ubud, Bali, where the best-selling book’s author, Elizabeth Gilbert, spent her “love” chapter. From the plethora of readers who wander Ubud’s streets, to the clichéd tours and Balinese people who name-drop locals Ketut Liyer and Wayan Nuriasih (who were featured in the best-seller), the book’s influence is ever-evident. Having heard…
-
Our Heart For You: A Beautiful Coincidence in Bali
The man sat hunched over, with sunken cheeks, and spindly legs. As we walked along one of Ubud’s main streets, his empty stare, meek mumbling and outstretched hand caught our gaze. Our hearts sank. Though we had a tourist site to which we were heading, we unconsciously tossed the plans aside. We were determined to…
-
The Straight Scoop on Indonesian Kopi Luwak ‘Poop Coffee’
On a Balinese coffee plantation, during a downpour of torrential proportions, we swilled cups of the world’s priciest and rarest coffee – Kopi Luwak. In gourmet establishments across the globe, this cup of Indonesian java would cost upwards of $50 a cup. This coffee might sound familiar since it has been featured in countless foodie…
-
Statuesque Bali
Bali’s statues and reliefs are extraordinary. Drawing spiritual inspiration from a blend of Buddhism and Balinese Hinduism, the figures wear coats of moss and crowns of hibiscus and marigold flowers.
