Bali Expat Forum - Bali Travel Forum

[FreoGirl]

Im in Novotel, Lombok to use the net because I cant get on to my email in the usual cafe. Last night after an hour and a half of waiting my turn and then no email and when I was half way through a post on Lombok Lovers, the power cut out... made me decide Novotel prices are worth it.

This afternoon I am driving some guests to Mawun beach, my favourite of Lombok's beaches and it will be my third time there in as many days. They tried to make it there themselves this morning but came off the bike and got a few cuts and grazes.

Mawun is one of the places I go to when I need to meditate and think of somewhere beautiful and peaceful (and then the kids turn up and say 'give me money') haha, those kids are part of Mawun. My screensaver is Mawun. There are nicer beaches with whiter sand and less people within a few kms of where I live, but I still dream of being at Mawun. We all need dreams.

[Roy]

As for us, what we’ve been "up to" lately is “making hay” and a lot of it, especially because Galungan is next week. These are some of the objects we sold in the last seven days...but of course not including Komang in the huge Ming pot!

[Bert Vierstra]

See there are crocodiles..

Iron is a common find on shipwrecks in Southeast Asia. This is particularly true for cast iron in the form of woks and cauldrons. Although cast iron is extremely brittle, it is ideal for manufacturing relatively thin walled vessels that are not subject to impact loads. China had a monopoly on the trade of this almost indispensable item. Cast iron cooking vessels have been found on the 12th to 13th century Pulau Buaya wreck(5), along with bundles of iron blades. They were found on several of the Thai wrecks in the Gulf of Thailand, a 14th century wreck near Belitung(6), and on the 1690 Vung Tau wreck(7) which was bound for Batavia. Raw and finished iron was commonly exported from China to Southeast Asia during the Song dynasty.(8) Dutch East India Company records confirm that large quantities of cast iron were shipped from China to Java. For example, in the decade from 1673 to 1682, 9 ships from southern Fujian province brought 55,214 iron pans, 22 hampers of pans, 92 iron shovels, and 6 iron cannon to Batavia.(9)

http://maritimeasia.ws/topic/iron.html

[SteffandShaz]

Hi Sanurian,

I haven't had a chance to log on for a while and read your reply to us, I wasn't ignoring you...just got a bit busy. I had 12 months off (all 2007) and Steff had 6 months off before we took up some work...although, both of us are now toying with the idea dropping the part-time jobs we have and having a bit of a break for a while. Semi-retirement is just a way of keeping occupied at the moment, we'd be doing the fully retired bit in Bali if we were 55 but not quite there yet - not that we're wishing our lives away!!!

Veging in front of the TV was just a substitute for a fireplace for a couple of exhausted people after a BIG day in the garden, I know it wasn't becoming of us but I was being honest Maybe I should move the fish tank so we can sit in front of it instead...probably be more entertaining.

I'll PM you with our Oct/Nov visit dates (so you can prep yourself or run for the hills!)

Hope to catch up with you...
Cheers,
Shaz

[Roy]

Aside from crocs Bert, you might personally enjoy this great painting we recently purchased at auction, and coming from a distinguished collection in Jakarta. It is by one of your “own” ...Henry (Henri) Van Velthuysen (1881-1954). It is titled “Coming Home” and was painted in Bandung in 1936.

[Bert Vierstra]

Nice, even on picture.

Does remind me of the hills up Singaraja....

Name in Dutch "Thuis Komen" I suppose?

[BaliLife]

i'm in changgi - on route to vancouver.. will be in NA til mid october..

ct

[bookdemon]

I am currently in the SF Bay Area. Was hoping to be back in Bali this month for Ganungan (was hoping to possibly meet Roy's personal Balian) but plane fares were ridiculously high for August (including a $375 fuel charge as part of total cost). So will try again for Bali in March where I can experience Ganungan and Nyepi at practically the same time. Hopefully plane fares will be a little less by then, though I'm not holding my breath.

Richard

[Tim]

Airfare from the states is high, we're waiting until October because of the cost, etc.
We are heading for Surabaya, Jakarta then hopefully to Bali.
Balilife, are you heading for Vancouver B.C. or Vancouver, Wa.? I remember a few months back where you said you had been driving on I-5 reading a newspaper or map
Just wanted to stay off I-5 while your out there

[Tim]

Beautiful artwork Roy......

[BaliLife]

vancouver bc tim.. you're safe on the i-5... for now...

ct

[Sumatra]

Hi Y' All,

We just came back from our vacation. We went to Hayannis and Provincetown at Cape Cod.
It's nice but now my husband and my son got sick. I guess we're going need vacation from our vacation.
It's nice to be home again sleep in our own bed. I never like hotel bed.

Liz

[Sydjapan]

Hi...back in Japan after 4 weeks in Bali (Lovina/Singaraja area). I was so busy with the Helen Flavel Foundation and the Learning Center and and and .... I didn't really get out and do much else. I got so much accomplished.

I was invited to a Lovina Rotary Club meeting as a guest speaker - nice people.

I stayed in a small house in Kaliasem (just down the beach from the dolphin statue). Morning coffee outside looking at the sunrise on the ocean and the sound of waves at night to sleep by were amazing, BUT the mosque 300m away and the "closeness" of my neighbours (should be used to it living in Japan...but...) and chasing chickens out of my house....all made me laugh and be happy I was out doing stuff from morning to night most days. Definitely would need a bit more "space" to live there full-time.

Travel is always surreal, I think, but coming back to Japan and jumping right back in, is always an adjustment. I literally went from teaching in Bali and then teaching in Japan within a few days and the similarities and differences seem all the more striking.

It was a good 4 weeks.

sj

[Niskala]

Enjoying Retirement , Trying to become a recycled teenager.My new week consists of six Saturdays and one Sunday.Just hanging out for our return trip on Sept 2
Regards to one and all

[Tim]

Maybe we should keep "What are you up to?" going, it seems to bring out a lot of interest from members that want to express the moment.

[Bert Vierstra]

become a recycled teenager.

Can I borrow that?