Mountains, Weddings and Coffee

After being confined to the resort all day for Nyepi, we were anxious to get out and explore Bali. We planned two action-packed days. The first day we had our driver Wayan take us for a drive outside of Ubud. We cruised along "Handicraft Highway" -- so-called for its string of artisan businesses lining the street. Wayan promised to bring us back there to shop.

Shops on Handicraft Highway

A short distance later, Wayan pulled up in front of a family compound with a decorated entrance. He explained that the family was in preparation for a wedding and we were invited to go inside and observe. After introducing us to the head of the family, we wandered the compound taking pictures, noting the decorated ceremonial area, how the men and women were engaged in separate activities-- the men making the "wedding favours", which were bunches of chicken satays tied together like flower bouquets and swarming with flies, and the women sitting in a circle rolling cake dough into little balls. We were impressed with the pride and friendliness the people showed to us "outsiders" who had invaded their personal space and intimate family event.

Further up the highway, we pulled over at a spectacular lookout over the rice fields, then another viewpoint of a sleeping volcano and its lava fields spilling into the valley below. What a beautiful country this is--lush, green, surreal--I can see why movies were made here. We visited a 10th century temple, serene and spiritual until the sarong vendors descended upon us and I had to hide away inside the van to avoid the sales pressure (and they are good at applying it!)

Home decorated for wedding

Lunch was at a coffee farm, where we enjoyed tasty chicken curry and sampled some unique coffees (yum, vanilla coffee). A rather interesting type is made from kopi luwak, beans that are eaten and excreted by an small rodent-looking animal called the Asian palm civet. Needless to say, I did not take up the offer to try this. Later we were invited to view to coffee-making process and purchase coffee to take with us. Heading home, we briefly stopped at one area of the Handicraft Highway, but shops were closing so we continued home. We ended our day with a nice dinner at Cafe Wayan--the tuna steaks with pesto were excellent!