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The Idiots are in Bali. In two days they’ve taken more than 500 photos and have already accumulated stories, The experience is so intense they have little time or energy to tell the whole story – so they will try to just send a few photos and words when they can.
After 33 hours from their door in Arizona to the Bali airport, they were met by a driver from their hotel and transported another hour to the village of Nyun Kuning near Ubud. Idiot daughter joined them in Hong Kong. Driving through Bali is a visual feast… a plunge into a culture that stubbornly holds onto ancient traditions and architecture more tenaciously than they have ever seen. Everywhere one looks there are ancient rooflines, statues, gates, temples, and shrines.
From the car window…
Arriving at Saren Indah Hotel, the Idiot family was greeted with welcoming drinks and cool towels. The hotel is operated by a Balinese family and has only 15 guest rooms in four buildings… a pool, spa, and restaurant… and is nestled amongst rice fields.
The statuary and shrines are not ornamental. The protector is really there to keep bad things out. The little shrines are blessed with daily offerings for the same reason. Looking out from their veranda, rice fields and a water lily pond soothe visitors.
From the Idiots veranda…
The hotel is a stunningly serene refuge, while the surrounding villages and main town of Ubud bustle with warm and friendly activity. Heading to breakfast the first morning, the Idiots were greeted by lovely lotus blossoms.
Oh, Jim! It is every bit as beautiful as it was in the early 90's when we made our first trip there, then went twice more. The whole island is magical. We stayed Ubud when the main street ws dirt with ruts. No AC as the electricity was sparse and uunreliable. We drank a lot of warm beer. I can hardly wait to see more of your fabulous photos. Perhaps Temple Besikh, the Ketcak, Shadow puppet show, the Barong, or those processions of beautifully dressed women with offerings piled 2 feet on their heads, balanced perfectly. Here is a current pic of our trusty guardian warrior who is turning a bit green with all the California rains, and then a photo we took all those many years ago. The volcano in the background looms.
It will be fun to hear of your adventures 25 years later.
-Diana
