Adventures on the Sailing Vessel Moorea

 

Bali, Indonesia 

 

 

Historically, around the 16th century, the Dutch United East India Company commanded posts on the island of Java, controlling the spice trade.  After the Japanese occupied the islands during World War II, Indonesia sought and fought for independence from the unyielding Netherlands, and finally obtained it around the 1960’s.  Far from being stable, this country has had conflict as observed with the well known Bali night club bombings in 2002.  Also well known about this region, was the devastation of the 2004, Christmas Tsunami that hit North Sumatera island.

 

 

 

Brahma, the Hindu god watches over the 2% of Indonesians that

 practice the religion with most Hindus residing on Bali Island.  

 

 

 

 

Gray, weather worn carvings depicting Hindu spirits and gods contrast with the

colorful offerings of fruit and flowers brought by the worshipers.

 

          

 

Visitors must be appropriately attired prior to entering the temples.  Kelly is getting wrapped up by the

sarong & sash we rented.  I was wearing a skirt, but also need to rent a sash.  Note rule number 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nyomen was our guide for the day, driving us around and showing us the temples.

 

 

 

Taking a break at an all you can eat buffet restaurant, costing just $6.00 per person, Lisa’s shoulder is comfy

with Mt. Agung as the back drop.  Also the waiter, pictures with Captain Kelly, decked out in traditional dress.

 

 

 

Antique puppets

 

 

 

 

This women was selling offerings of flower peddles and incense. 

Our guide purchased one for our rented car’s dashboard.

 

 

 

 

Another sarong for another temple.

 

 

 

Lisa demonstrates the fine art of balancing a basket on her

 head and was able to walk a few feet.

 

 

Visiting Nyomen’s extended family and had a glimpse of a Balinese styled house. 

This area is an open aired meeting place.

 

 

 

 

This is the kitchen, with a cot next to the cement stove.

 

  

  

Enjoying the Bali grown hot coco, teas & coffees

 

     

  Roasting coffee beans

 

 

 

 

Looking at this door is another example of the artisan workmanship throughout this island.  Not only decorating the entrances into temples & hotels, many of the homes (even humble homes) have elaborate thresholds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legong Dance, portrays the way of Balinese life with precise movements.  Eyes opening and darting side to side, coordinating fluttering fingers, swaying and posing head positions, all performing this with a curved, stiff posture including turned up toes.  Five minutes of this dance and I would be in a coma.

 

 

 

 

Anak Krakatoa was quiet when we snuck into the anchorage at twilight but woke up the

next morning with a thunderous bang and billowing smoke pouring out of the newly formed crater.

  Dave Donaldson, a New Zealand ex-patriot and HAM station operator informed us that we

were witnessing some of the first activity in a few years.

 

 

Moorea and Ohana Kai rafted up (first time ever) to keep the boats from hitting each other since

the swirling current persistently pushed the boats against each other, watched the activity from a safe distance.

 

 

                                           

Click here to view 2006 cruising pictures