Monday, April 8, 2013

YaHoo! The container filled with Balinese treasures has just passed customs and was delivered to Alexandria on Friday (4/5) 

Loved seeing these cargo ships on the Chesapeake before off-loading in Balto -- one of these have my container strapped onto it!

Sharing fond memories of our time in Bali with you all............!


Our container coming up the Chesapeake Bay!

In Bali -- Carefully packing our treasures into the container

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A Balinese handicraft market -- loads of great stuff to pick from!!

Kim enjoying the company of the elephant man, Ganesha, in a garden setting.

Lynn shopping in the thick of one of my favorite markets in Ubud!

We're all dressed in sarongs and belts -- proper attire necessary for entering a Balinese temple.
 A tiny Balinese beauty!
Time for planting rice, again.  These fields are flooded as part of the growing process.   

We followed this top heavy truck filled with bags of rice & took bets if the bags would stay put -- they did!  


A tricky part of the river!  The rafting trip was a favorite event - we laughed & got soaked & laughed more! 


 Pam getting drenched under a 50'tall waterfall pouring over the cliffs above the river!

THis hand carved dragon is now at home in Maryland with Deb H.!

 She was waiting along with us to hear the mesmerizing gamelan music comprising of gongs & chimes

We were amazed at the locals who scaled this tough staircase in no time! It took us a bit longer to climb up the steep mountainside after our day of rafting!    
Artistry is everywhere in Bali!  Dozens of these adorable frogs were individually carved then posed on top of a stone wall.

 Everyone brought home hand blown glass objects d'art!  The Balinese collect old glass and repurpose it in wonderful ways!
We heard the cymbals long before finally seeing people from Suana's village on their way to the temple for the ceremony we were so privileged to watch.  

The lovely grounds at our resort -- tweeting birds heralded every morning :)   

The official temple entrance dressed for a special event

I'm having a nice chit-chat with a local warrior :)

We were treated like island royalty as we sipped fresh coconut milk and snacked on Balinese treat on Suana's front porch.


The girls said this fish massage really tickled!! 
 Ahhhhh......nothing that could be said would sum up this fabulous beach that was front of our resort!!

Drying rice in the hot tropical sun.


This peaceful respite is a typical family shrine and offering -- You'll see them all around the island.   

A hand carved stone buddha in a meditation mudra.  

Drinking the best Lychee martini to be had outside of Manhattan - so says Anthony Bourdain who just found our secret lunch location!!

...then we ate a delish lunch - yum! 

A local man preparing for a town festival.  His black & white plaid sarong represents the yin & yang of life.

Poolside at our resort -- a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!

A stunning carved panel that is now part of Betsy's home decor here in the US! 

Mike and Deb H inspecting the enormous wall of carved Balinese characters. 

We were surprised by this loud and lively street parade -- it was actually a funeral!

Original Borneo fertility statues - a nice find!!

Why not go on an elephant ride??

Jimmy and Suana inspecting a cabinet. 

You just can resist taking more pictures of rice paddies as each one is more beautiful than the last one.

Wholesale furniture shopping at one of my favorite warehouses.

Drifting along enjoying the scenery during a calm spell of the rafting trip.