Indonesia - Bali Hai 3 : Day 2 Oct 2011

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Bali Hai 3 - 7th to 9th October 2011

DAY 2 - 8TH OCTOBER 2011

Wanting to make good use of our short holiday here, we woke up early and had the buffet breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, aptly named Sunrise Restaurant - Hah! I guess there must be others who woke up even earlier to catch the sunrise, unlike the sleepy bat me.
Breakfast was good with a spread of Western & local food, and even some local desserts.

After breakfast, we strolled down to Monkey Forest Street and did some window shopping. But wanting to venture further, we rented a motorcycle.
For us it is more convenient to move about by motorcycle, the streets are narrow and it is easier to park anywhere with a motorcycle. We would be slowly riding along, and Lynn would suddenly shout out "Stop! Stop! I see a nice art shop!" So stop it is - right in front of the shop.

This is one of the art gallery we stopped by. It is better to go to these galleries by oneself then follow a tour agent - they usually get a commission. So it's cheaper and easier to bargain without the agent.

The Balinese are such artistic people. They produce beautiful paintings, work on nice sculptures in stone, wood and metal. And these artwork can be bought relatively cheaply. As a gauge, we bought an oil painting and had it framed when we got home, the frame cost us three times the price of what we paid for the painting! They can even reproduce close copies of art by famous Balinese artists - but more on the famous arts pieces at the Neka Art Museum later.

We rode further up to Ubud town itself and went to market! Not to by food stuff but more to get cottage industry items. This is one of Lynn's favorite spots - buying nicely embroided slippers, necklaces, bracelets, etc.

After visiting some smaller art shops near the market, we were getting hungry and had lunch at Ibu Oka's renown roasted suckling pig (Babi Guling, in local lingo). One shouldn't miss this delicious meal while in Ubud. Ibu Oka is the original roast piglet shop, many other have cropped up trying to copy her. No photos of the place and food as we were busy jostling for a place to sit. Heh! Heh!

After finishing that meal, we took a fifteen minutes ride to Tegalallang to view the terrace paddies there. It was nice but not as beautiful as the scenic vista at Besakih. But then not many will be willing to take that long trip up winding roads up to Mount Agung.

It had been quite a hectic morning, so we went back to the hotel to take a short rest before continuing on to some monkey business next!


The Monkey Forest
 

Yes! Monkey business it is indeed! For we went over to the Monkey Forest, the namesake for which the area is named after. Monkeys are sacred in the Hindu religion which most Balinese practice.

As we stepped into the place, there were already some monkeys around to greet us. Hanuman is the Monkey God in the Hindu religion; plays a central part in the epic Ramayana and is potrayed in many Balinese artwork.

The place is actually a real forest - well preserved in its natural pristine state with no eye-sore structures or buildings sticking out. Everything blends in so well.

Looking around, we can see monkeys everywhere, on the ground - and like this loving couple, up in the trees.

And this monkey family, the mother patiently plucking lice from Junior's fur. One note though, they are maternally protective of their young.
As Lynn was climbing up some steps, a young monkey, seeing a toad in its pate, suddenly started shrieking. The mother, thinking that Lynn was the threat, clutch hold of Lynn's sleeve and gave her a stubborn bite, refusing to let go until its child calmed down. On her other side, the father clutched hold of Lynn's other sleeve. Luckily, Lynn stayed motionless and quiet, soon everyone calmed down and they released her. Thank goodness, the bite was just a small nip.

Further in, the greenness of the surrounding is augmented by ferns growing in nooks and corners. Moss has even grown onto the damp statues.

The monkeys here are friendly, but sometimes too friendly! This monkey climbed onto me as I was feeding them bananas - guess it was more attracted to me, the BIG MONKEY...
In a situation like this, it is important to stay calm and don't make any sudden move or thrashing around; get a friend to attract the monkey away with more food.
Time to leave the monkey business to the monkeys. Bye Monkey Forest!


The Neka Art Museum

It was nice monkeying around, but now to act more serious and refined - we are going to visit the Neka Art Museum. This will also be our second time here; the museum has so much on display that one visit doe not do it justice.
Entry is at Rp20,000 pax and opening hours are 9:00am-5:00pm Mondays to Saturdays; and noon to 5:00pm on Sundays.

The Neka Museum was founded by Suteja Neka to encapsulate the art of many fine artists both Balinese and foreign who were inspired to create many beautiful art by the Balinese tranquil lifestyle and culture.

The many paintings ranges from classical Balinese stylized colorful (but not dazzling) painting, many depicting the culture and way of life in Bali.

To a mix of classical and contemporary style as shown in this painting of marine life.

 To a more modern style of these dolphins swimming.

Some of the artist have a style of painting onto part of the wooden frame as seen in this painting titled "My Dear Little One". This makes the subjects seem to pop out from the painting. Look closely and you will notice that.

There are even painting by foreign artists who have come to Bali to stay a while, witnessing and experiencing life here. From that inspiration. they have painted locally. The one above is by Malaysian artist Chang Fee Ming showing a traditional dancer preparing to get on stage.

And then there are those well-known and more recognisable paintings. The one above is actually two paintings which seems to pair off pretty well.

It was surprising to find so many different painting styles on this island along. The one above depicting a classical dancer in a bright and vibrant scene. Don't worry your eyes are not getting blurry - it's the painting style.

The artwork is displayed in several buildings, each one more or less dedicated to a different era or painting style. Outdoors there are musicians providing traditional music to enhance the atmosphere. Lynn giving them a helping hand here, I stayed a distance away for fear her music will embarrass us *smirk*. (Click here to listen to traditional Bali music)

Other than those beautiful paintings hanging from the walls, there were many sculptures and wood carvings place at strategic corners and corridors of the buildings. The one above are giant carved masks about eight feet tall.

And shapely carvings of women.

And a wood carving showing a mother with many babies - what does it signify? To me, that a mohters duty is multi-fold, each baby probably denoting a particular duty of the mother.

A fierce looking demon, perching and ready to strike terror into the hearts of men.

A village maiden carve from a tree trunks. Bali artists seems to admire the female nude bodice, many painting and carvings shows ladies in partial nude - but all artistically presented.

The art is entrench in daily life of the Balinese, even as we leave the museum, it was through a beautifully crafted doorway.

Having had an exciting, albeit contrasting day of monkeys and art, we went back to our hotel, lazed around a bit. That's what Bali will do to you, it comforts you with its soothing ambience.
In the evening, we had dinner at Monkey Street and shopped around for souvenirs.

Selamat Malam..... Good Night.....

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