✿ These 2 photos were taken in Earth Day Festival April 2010 in Ubud, Bali. ✿
Alison was wearing the most adorable green fairy costume in Earth Day. It's handmade! It comes with the magic wand!
Friday, April 30, 2010
✿ The Flowery People Around Us ✿
✿ They are everywhere! So these are some flowery people that I met randomly, they could be a friend or a stranger. The key is: they wear a flowery dress or accessories! SMILE! You're on FloLady's flowery frame! ✿
✿ These 2 photos were taken in Earth Day Festival April 2010 in Ubud, Bali. ✿
Alison was wearing the most adorable green fairy costume in Earth Day. It's handmade! It comes with the magic wand!
✿ These 2 photos were taken in Earth Day Festival April 2010 in Ubud, Bali. ✿
Alison was wearing the most adorable green fairy costume in Earth Day. It's handmade! It comes with the magic wand!
✿ Flowery Vogue! ✿
✿ I'm all about flowery passion and fashion! These are some of my flowery collection that I adore so much! I bow before thee, my flowery beauty! ✿
Photos were taken and edited by Yolaand Suddenly
✿ My favorite petite flowery sandals. Everytime I look at it, I feel happy! ✿
✿ This was taken for Suddenly Sudden fashion line. I had a flowery time lying under all the red roses petals! ✿
✿ Again, for Suddenly Sudden fashion collection. I love this dress! Owned by my ljubi twinny, Yola ✿
✿ This flowery black gown was a birthday present from my twinny ljubi Yola! ✿
✿ I loveee this tube flowery dress, it feels like spring wearing it! ✿
✿ Also for Suddenly Sudden. This flowery dress was given to me by Suddenly after we've done all the photo session in 2009. Can you imagine I was lying down in the rock, somewhere in the beach of West Sumatra? ✿
✿ This gypsy dress is saucy! This photo was taken by amateur beloved friend of mine, Ocha. Not bad! LOL ✿
✿ It's a vintage dress, but I like it! ✿
✿ I wore this flowery kebaya on my sister's sister in law wedding party, I was the usher. And yes, this photo was taken by Ocha ✿
✿ This is how I look like, wearing my flowery dress when I used to work as a Senior Copywriter in an agency in Jakarta :) ✿
Photos were taken and edited by Yolaand Suddenly
✿ My favorite petite flowery sandals. Everytime I look at it, I feel happy! ✿
✿ This was taken for Suddenly Sudden fashion line. I had a flowery time lying under all the red roses petals! ✿
✿ Again, for Suddenly Sudden fashion collection. I love this dress! Owned by my ljubi twinny, Yola ✿
✿ This flowery black gown was a birthday present from my twinny ljubi Yola! ✿
✿ I loveee this tube flowery dress, it feels like spring wearing it! ✿
✿ Also for Suddenly Sudden. This flowery dress was given to me by Suddenly after we've done all the photo session in 2009. Can you imagine I was lying down in the rock, somewhere in the beach of West Sumatra? ✿
✿ This gypsy dress is saucy! This photo was taken by amateur beloved friend of mine, Ocha. Not bad! LOL ✿
✿ It's a vintage dress, but I like it! ✿
✿ I wore this flowery kebaya on my sister's sister in law wedding party, I was the usher. And yes, this photo was taken by Ocha ✿
✿ This is how I look like, wearing my flowery dress when I used to work as a Senior Copywriter in an agency in Jakarta :) ✿
AWW, All Women Within!
✿ It's all the beautiful sins within five women! Nothing could beat the hell out of us! ✿
Thanks for Yola Ljubi for the inspiring illustration :)
✿ From left to right: Yola Blackenthered, Ipit, FloLady, Odilia Fenny, Tatiana Romanova ✿
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Shy Guests
We have guests in the garden. They are small, cute, and innocent.
On a very long and busy Saturday, we went home from two events; the closing day of Earth Day Festival and our friend, Caroline's house warming party. It was almost 3 am when suddenly we heard a sad sobbing sound in the garden. First, we thought it was Moka's, Mary's dog who lives next to us. But the sound came from the opposite direction of Mary's house. I was curious and then we searched the entire garden to find the source of the sound. But we found nothing, so we went back to the house and planned to go to bed. Just when we were inside the house, we heard the sobbing cry again. This time was even louder and sadder. I can hear it clearly that the sound came behind the bushes near the front gate. When Stephen went there to check it out, we saw it! Two little innocent puppies came out from the dark behind the bushes. They looked fragile and sad. We looked shocked and confused.
The puppies were crying constantly and we were wondering who and where the mother is. Obviously, they were hungry and cold, they needed their mommy. From their colors, one is all white and the other is black and white, we were guessing that the mommy might be the balinese street dog that often seen wandering around the neighborhood. The next question is, how can she drop the babies here, inside the garden surrounded by high wall and even higher gate? Stephen thought she might be climbing on to the padme to find her way in. But with two puppies?
We can't answer the question so we decided to unlock the gate and remained it open so mommy can go in and feed the hungry puppies. We were not sure what to do with the puppies for we can't take care of them because we have Miu Miu ruling the house. We decided to go to bed and deal with them in the morning.
The next morning we were awaken by a bang sound in the front door. It was 9 am and I still felt so sleepy. We opened the front door to see what is going on. It was Miu Miu, with a bird of prey between his sharp teeth. He wanted to brag about his success in hunting but I was too sleepy. We never approved his bird-hunting hobby anyway.
I tried to go back to sleep when I remember about the puppies. Stephen and I planned to call BAWA (Bali Animal Welfare Association) and make them take care of the puppies and the skinny mom. When I was making coffee in the kitchen, Stephen came in and told me that he had found the hiding place of the puppies. He will show me where with one condition, I can't fall in love with them. As much as I love dogs and cats, but right now I'm not in a situation to have another pet, especially a dog, Miu Miu's number 1 enemy. So I made the deal.
We have to stand in padme so we can see the two puppies hidden among the bushes. They were so cute and adorable, playing and cuddling together. We can't see them very clear for all the trees and bushes, plus they were too far from the padme. I was so happy to see they are alright and look healthy too. But the deal was made, I can't fall in love with them and we should call BAWA later.
After lunch, we saw them coming out of their hiding place and playing in the front gate, and calling for their mommy once in awhile. Together, Stephen and I tried to slowly approach them, because we didn't want to scare them. But they weren't scared at all, they looked at us with their puppies' eyes then ignored us by continuing playing with each other.
Later Stephen made extra effort by approaching them even closer and tried to touch them. I joined him and tried to be as soundless as I could and reached them as close as possible. I was glad that it didn't bother them at all. In fact, they looked more curious than scared. The white with black spot puppy approached me with a shy manner. I gave my hand to see her reaction. She looked excited and sniffed my fingers before tried to bite and chew them with her baby teeth.
I played with them for awhile and when the rain came, I moved them and placed them safely below the roof of ivy in the garden. Once I knew that they were dry and warm enough, I left them cuddling together behind the woods. I went back to the house and felt bad for them.
The next morning, I woke up at 8.30 and I immediately went out to see the puppies. I wasn't so surprised seeing them gone already. I tried to look in the bushes near padme where they hiding at the first time, but found nothing. I tried to have all the positive thoughts in my mind about what happened to them. The biggest possibility is their mommy came and took them out.
I told Yan Srik about this and asked her to let me know if she saw the puppies. She said that the mom had moved them to another place, in fact, she confessed, one of the puppies, the white one, is in her house now. She didn't know what happened with the other two (so apparently, they were three puppies before the mommy came and hid them in our garden), but she has the feeling that they are going to be just fine.
I hope for the same thing and also wish for the better future of Balinese dogs in Ubud.
On a very long and busy Saturday, we went home from two events; the closing day of Earth Day Festival and our friend, Caroline's house warming party. It was almost 3 am when suddenly we heard a sad sobbing sound in the garden. First, we thought it was Moka's, Mary's dog who lives next to us. But the sound came from the opposite direction of Mary's house. I was curious and then we searched the entire garden to find the source of the sound. But we found nothing, so we went back to the house and planned to go to bed. Just when we were inside the house, we heard the sobbing cry again. This time was even louder and sadder. I can hear it clearly that the sound came behind the bushes near the front gate. When Stephen went there to check it out, we saw it! Two little innocent puppies came out from the dark behind the bushes. They looked fragile and sad. We looked shocked and confused.
The puppies were crying constantly and we were wondering who and where the mother is. Obviously, they were hungry and cold, they needed their mommy. From their colors, one is all white and the other is black and white, we were guessing that the mommy might be the balinese street dog that often seen wandering around the neighborhood. The next question is, how can she drop the babies here, inside the garden surrounded by high wall and even higher gate? Stephen thought she might be climbing on to the padme to find her way in. But with two puppies?
We can't answer the question so we decided to unlock the gate and remained it open so mommy can go in and feed the hungry puppies. We were not sure what to do with the puppies for we can't take care of them because we have Miu Miu ruling the house. We decided to go to bed and deal with them in the morning.
The next morning we were awaken by a bang sound in the front door. It was 9 am and I still felt so sleepy. We opened the front door to see what is going on. It was Miu Miu, with a bird of prey between his sharp teeth. He wanted to brag about his success in hunting but I was too sleepy. We never approved his bird-hunting hobby anyway.
I tried to go back to sleep when I remember about the puppies. Stephen and I planned to call BAWA (Bali Animal Welfare Association) and make them take care of the puppies and the skinny mom. When I was making coffee in the kitchen, Stephen came in and told me that he had found the hiding place of the puppies. He will show me where with one condition, I can't fall in love with them. As much as I love dogs and cats, but right now I'm not in a situation to have another pet, especially a dog, Miu Miu's number 1 enemy. So I made the deal.
We have to stand in padme so we can see the two puppies hidden among the bushes. They were so cute and adorable, playing and cuddling together. We can't see them very clear for all the trees and bushes, plus they were too far from the padme. I was so happy to see they are alright and look healthy too. But the deal was made, I can't fall in love with them and we should call BAWA later.
After lunch, we saw them coming out of their hiding place and playing in the front gate, and calling for their mommy once in awhile. Together, Stephen and I tried to slowly approach them, because we didn't want to scare them. But they weren't scared at all, they looked at us with their puppies' eyes then ignored us by continuing playing with each other.
Later Stephen made extra effort by approaching them even closer and tried to touch them. I joined him and tried to be as soundless as I could and reached them as close as possible. I was glad that it didn't bother them at all. In fact, they looked more curious than scared. The white with black spot puppy approached me with a shy manner. I gave my hand to see her reaction. She looked excited and sniffed my fingers before tried to bite and chew them with her baby teeth.
I played with them for awhile and when the rain came, I moved them and placed them safely below the roof of ivy in the garden. Once I knew that they were dry and warm enough, I left them cuddling together behind the woods. I went back to the house and felt bad for them.
The next morning, I woke up at 8.30 and I immediately went out to see the puppies. I wasn't so surprised seeing them gone already. I tried to look in the bushes near padme where they hiding at the first time, but found nothing. I tried to have all the positive thoughts in my mind about what happened to them. The biggest possibility is their mommy came and took them out.
I told Yan Srik about this and asked her to let me know if she saw the puppies. She said that the mom had moved them to another place, in fact, she confessed, one of the puppies, the white one, is in her house now. She didn't know what happened with the other two (so apparently, they were three puppies before the mommy came and hid them in our garden), but she has the feeling that they are going to be just fine.
I hope for the same thing and also wish for the better future of Balinese dogs in Ubud.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
✿ A Tale of Two Animals in Two Days ✿
It was Monday afternoon, after the rain had poured heavily down the earth of Ubud. I was sitting before the big bar table with five year-old Ruth in my lap in Warung Sanje, our favorite place to talk and drink beers. Ruth, as always, was playing "magic trick" with me (where she wants me to think that she can make my lighter disappear which I know very well that she hides it in under the table mat). When she was about to make my lighter appeared, her small hand tried to reach the box of spices while her other hand touched the side of the table. Suddenly she screamed and showed me her little finger with painful expression in her face. I asked her, "Are you ok, Ruthie?"
"Something bites me, it hurts," she said, almost ready to cry. I looked at her small finger, it turned pink, but I saw no blood or cut.
"Are you sure?" I asked her again. She nodded, "Yes, it's under this table!"
I thought, she might get a cut from the wood, but it didn't really cut her, so I didn't think it was going to be a problem.
"It's gonna be ok," I said. But she insisted that there was something under the table that bit her.
"Find it Ochie!" she begged. She lowered her head down to see what thing that bit her. I thought she just wanted attention, so I looked down but it was too dark to see. So I put my fingers under it, try to find the sharp wood which I thought had hurt her. But to my surprise, I touched something, it moved and went out from its hidden place, showing his scary tail.
"See? It bit me!" Ruth cried panically. I tried not to be panic seeing that animal crawling to the side of table. I poked Stephen who was sitting next to me, repeatedly.
"Lookit, a scorpion! A scorpion!" I shouted. The scorpion was now in the table, trying to decide where to escape. Everybody who was sitting around the table paused. Wekku, who's sitting in front of me, raised and tried to find it. Ruth didn't understand what a scorpion is, she sat there in my lap, ready to cry.
"It's a baby scorpion!" Wekku said, rather excited than scared.
"It was here, under the table, and Ruth said it has bitten her!" I tried to make them aware how bad the situation is. Morgan, Ruth's dad, stood and ran to us. Then he and Stephen began to examine Ruth's finger.
In the meantime, Wekku was trying to catch this poisonous creature, but it kept jumping and running. Finally he trapped it in a plastic and found it already dead. I was relief!
"Is Ruth ok?" I asked them. Stephen nodded, "Yes, I don't think it bit her, we didn't see any cut or blood, maybe it pinched her, but it's not dangerous."
I was relief again. Ruth cried for a bit but then she got all the attention from all the dudes and her mom. She didn't want to sit in that chair anymore so she asked me to move and sat with her far far from the CSI. I was still shocked. The baby scorpion became a buzz news that day. Ruth told everyone who came after. She got many attention and suggestion.
I looked at her and before I move to another chair, I said to Stephen,
"See, I never like this chair."
The next morning, when birds were chirping, Miu Miu was playing in the garden, I was there too, enjoying the morning by standing in the porch, ready to give Stephen a hand with his "picnic table-project" when I saw Yan Srik, our maid, walked suspiciously into the house. She had broom in her hand and weird expression in her face. I followed her to the house and saw she was poking the window ventilation.
"Something's wrong, Mbak?" I asked her. She looked at me and nodded, before she had the chance to answer me, something jumped so fast from the ventilation to the couch.
"What the hell was that?" I screamed. Without look at me, she answered, "A jumping frog."
"A jumping frog?" I screamed, "In the house?"
She nodded and ready to poke some more. I rushed to tell Stephen, "There's a jumping frog inside our house, I think it's already there for a night or more!"
Stephen stopped drilling and looked at me, "Jumping frog is poisonous. Is Yan Srik working on it?"
"Yes, she tries to poke it and lead it out," I explained.
"Oh, good," Stephen replied and then started to drill again. I expected him to be more responsive, but it seems to me that he's so into this drilling thing. So I rushed back to Yan Srik who was still busy struggling with the frog.
"It went down the couch," she said with her head under the couch. I stood behind her. "Make it go away, make it go away," I said panically.
The frog was annoyed with the poking things, it started to make weird sounds everytime Yan Srik poked it. "Becareful, Mbak. It's poisonous!" I warned her.
She was too busy to pay attention. She kept poking it and after 15 minutes trying, she finally succeeded in leading the frog to the door.
I ran away like a child, bugging her who was focusing on the jumping frog which was now already sitting in the porch, making an angry sound.
"Don't let her get away," I kept shouting as I closed the door to prevent to frog from jumping to the house again.
But the jumping frog was too fast, before we knew it, he disappeared into the green bush before the porch and it was useless to find it.
Yan Srik paused for awhile, then took the broom and started to do her jobs which was disturbed by the small incident. In the meantime, I stared at the green bush and promised myself to keep Miu Miu away from it for awhile.
"Something bites me, it hurts," she said, almost ready to cry. I looked at her small finger, it turned pink, but I saw no blood or cut.
"Are you sure?" I asked her again. She nodded, "Yes, it's under this table!"
I thought, she might get a cut from the wood, but it didn't really cut her, so I didn't think it was going to be a problem.
"It's gonna be ok," I said. But she insisted that there was something under the table that bit her.
"Find it Ochie!" she begged. She lowered her head down to see what thing that bit her. I thought she just wanted attention, so I looked down but it was too dark to see. So I put my fingers under it, try to find the sharp wood which I thought had hurt her. But to my surprise, I touched something, it moved and went out from its hidden place, showing his scary tail.
"See? It bit me!" Ruth cried panically. I tried not to be panic seeing that animal crawling to the side of table. I poked Stephen who was sitting next to me, repeatedly.
"Lookit, a scorpion! A scorpion!" I shouted. The scorpion was now in the table, trying to decide where to escape. Everybody who was sitting around the table paused. Wekku, who's sitting in front of me, raised and tried to find it. Ruth didn't understand what a scorpion is, she sat there in my lap, ready to cry.
"It's a baby scorpion!" Wekku said, rather excited than scared.
"It was here, under the table, and Ruth said it has bitten her!" I tried to make them aware how bad the situation is. Morgan, Ruth's dad, stood and ran to us. Then he and Stephen began to examine Ruth's finger.
In the meantime, Wekku was trying to catch this poisonous creature, but it kept jumping and running. Finally he trapped it in a plastic and found it already dead. I was relief!
"Is Ruth ok?" I asked them. Stephen nodded, "Yes, I don't think it bit her, we didn't see any cut or blood, maybe it pinched her, but it's not dangerous."
I was relief again. Ruth cried for a bit but then she got all the attention from all the dudes and her mom. She didn't want to sit in that chair anymore so she asked me to move and sat with her far far from the CSI. I was still shocked. The baby scorpion became a buzz news that day. Ruth told everyone who came after. She got many attention and suggestion.
I looked at her and before I move to another chair, I said to Stephen,
"See, I never like this chair."
The next morning, when birds were chirping, Miu Miu was playing in the garden, I was there too, enjoying the morning by standing in the porch, ready to give Stephen a hand with his "picnic table-project" when I saw Yan Srik, our maid, walked suspiciously into the house. She had broom in her hand and weird expression in her face. I followed her to the house and saw she was poking the window ventilation.
"Something's wrong, Mbak?" I asked her. She looked at me and nodded, before she had the chance to answer me, something jumped so fast from the ventilation to the couch.
"What the hell was that?" I screamed. Without look at me, she answered, "A jumping frog."
"A jumping frog?" I screamed, "In the house?"
She nodded and ready to poke some more. I rushed to tell Stephen, "There's a jumping frog inside our house, I think it's already there for a night or more!"
Stephen stopped drilling and looked at me, "Jumping frog is poisonous. Is Yan Srik working on it?"
"Yes, she tries to poke it and lead it out," I explained.
"Oh, good," Stephen replied and then started to drill again. I expected him to be more responsive, but it seems to me that he's so into this drilling thing. So I rushed back to Yan Srik who was still busy struggling with the frog.
"It went down the couch," she said with her head under the couch. I stood behind her. "Make it go away, make it go away," I said panically.
The frog was annoyed with the poking things, it started to make weird sounds everytime Yan Srik poked it. "Becareful, Mbak. It's poisonous!" I warned her.
She was too busy to pay attention. She kept poking it and after 15 minutes trying, she finally succeeded in leading the frog to the door.
I ran away like a child, bugging her who was focusing on the jumping frog which was now already sitting in the porch, making an angry sound.
"Don't let her get away," I kept shouting as I closed the door to prevent to frog from jumping to the house again.
But the jumping frog was too fast, before we knew it, he disappeared into the green bush before the porch and it was useless to find it.
Yan Srik paused for awhile, then took the broom and started to do her jobs which was disturbed by the small incident. In the meantime, I stared at the green bush and promised myself to keep Miu Miu away from it for awhile.
✿ Miu Miu has found another nest :) ✿
This is Miu Miu new favorite place to sleep or relax. It's a small box that amazingly fits his chubby figure. It is used to be a box where Stephen puts dirt for composting the plants. Now Miu Miu took over and claimed it as his new nest. It's so cute. He just sits there for hours, having his eyes on Stephen, me, or Yan Srik's activities in the garden. It's just so adorable!
✿ Living in Ubud ✿
Almost every of my friends called me lucky for having the opportunity to live in Ubud, Bali. Most of them wish they could join me. Their idea of living in Ubud is a heavenly place to spend your time; surrounded by green rice field, artistic shops and cafes, and get along with the very well-mixed culture lifestyle. They might be right, and maybe, I am lucky to have this opportunity; living in a 'romantic place' with someone I love. Nonetheless, there are many challenges I have to deal with, just to be fitted in. Ubud is so different with Bali's other tourism areas such Kuta or Sanur. Ubud is definitely different with Jakarta, the city that I've spent my life for almost five years. And Ubud is, of course, very different with Padang, the hometown where I was born. Plus, it's different when you are just visiting with when you are actually living there. So, I'm slowly adjusting myself to this town, the people, and the culture. During the progress, I've learned so many things that could be useful for newbie like me who has no friends or family live nearby. I'm writing this as tips for my friends who intend to move to Ubud by themselves as I consider these to be very important once you want to make your dream fits into the reality. These tips are challenges too, to give the idea that living in Ubud is not as easy and beautiful as you might think is. It's fun, for sure, but it needs efforts to make it work.
1. Getting to know the people around you
In a small place like Ubud, it is very important for you to get along well with the local people in your neighborhood. It's not just about trying to be friendly as a newcomer, but also, like it or not, soon or later you will deal with them in most of your daily activities, such as running some errands, asking them how to deal with snakes, etc until they welcome you and will later invite you to some social events. Smile a lot and don't be afraid to start a simple conversation. Most of them will ask you a bunch of questions once you start talking with them, like whether you live alone or with someone, where you come from, what you do for living, whether you're married or not, and so on. For me who live with my boyfriend, their most popular question is "Are you the wife?" To answer that, I just smile and direct them to another topic. You have nothing to worry about getting along with your neighborhood because Ubud people is known for their hospitality and kindness. As long as you don't get into a trouble like taking someone else's lover :P
2. Some 'aliens' in the garden
What I mean with 'aliens' in here is the animals who live in the area long before you are there. They sometimes come and go, but most of them dwell just as close as your bedroom or garden. Some of the most seen or heard include gecko, jumping frog, big black ants, garden spider, big black spiders, bugs, insects, termites, wasps, rats, and some other mysterious creatures who make noises at night. In my experience, I've already found four big black spiders in both bathrooms in the house, in my first week living here. Now, that doesn't stop there. In my second week, I counted that I already found ten big spiders, and we don't understand why, but they always appeared in the bathrooms, especially the main bathroom which I use a lot. When I was gardening (read: helping my boyfriend gardening), I met many other 'aliens' too. I was scared for the first time, but I love the garden more so I decided to deal with them and started to have fun by taking their pictures. Yesterday when I walked home by myself from The Fly Cafe, I saw a brown snake about 60 cm long, just across the gate's house. My twin sister suggested that I should make my own documentary movie about "Animals around the Garden". I think it could be a brilliant idea!
3. Banten/Offerings
It's not Balinese house if you can't find offerings in the corner of the garden or in front of the porch. Although my boyfriend and I are not Hindu, but we're still trying our best to respect and practice some daily traditions of Balinese Hindu. This of course, includes, having offerings or banten in Balinese language. You'll find them in all over Bali, except for some areas with muslims or christians as the majority, such as Bedugul. For my house, the landlady or the maid will come to put banten in some special big events such as Galungan or before Nyepi. Once a month, the landlady will come to put some amounts of banten and pray. Our house also has a small pure (temple) called padme. There are many kinds of banten as Wayan or Yan Srik, the girl who works in the house, explained to me. And some are offered to gods and some to evils. What you have to respect most is the one that given to gods. Banten for evils are usually placed in the street.
4. Bali Kebaya/Traditional Clothes
Having at least two Bali Kebaya is considered important as you'll wear them in many occasions later. Bali Kebaya looks similar to Javanese, but they are indeed, different. You can easily buy them for around Rp 150,000 to Rp 1,000,000 and match them with beautiful sarong or batik. If you can't find the size, like me, I prefer making them with the local tailor. It only costs you around Rp 50,000 to make one, which doesn't include the material. As a new year's gift, my boyfriend made me a beautiful pale orange-kebaya. We bought a flowery fabric and a batik flowery sarong and handed them to the tailor nearby. It takes 2 weeks or so to make them done. I'm looking to buy another one for my Melukat later. Kebaya is worn in religious, cultural or important local events. But most Balinese women and girls actually use it for their daily activities. For me, wearing kebaya is not only making you beautiful, but also sexy!
5. Melukat
Melukat is a purifying ceremony in a holy spring which usually held in every full moon. This is a symbol of becoming a Balinese. It's not about religion, but it's more about culture and society. As I haven't done my Melukat yet, I can't tell you more about this. But I'm expecting to do it soon and once I've done it, I'll share with you all.
6. Bike/Motorbike
Now, this is one of the most important thing to have if you live in Bali; to have your own motorbike or bike. As almost no visible public transportation available in here, except for private taxi which costs your twice as much as Jakarta's taxi, riding your own motorbike or bike is needed, especially if you live by yourself or you have not made a new friend in the town yet. Renting a motorbike or bike is only effective when you're visiting. Otherwise, you'll stuck at home all day long and private taxis are only available in the center of town. I already bought my flowery bike two weeks after I moved in. Once I tried walking from the cafe where I had lunch to my house; I was thinking, the weather is fine and unlike Jakarta, no one will try to annoy you when you're walking down the street; but turned out, it took me 45 minutes to reach my house and I was sweating like crazy although it wasn't too hot that day. Then I decided, first I have to buy a bike, then I'll have to learn how to drive a motorbike before having my own, because you can't bike all day long with the road condition which only makes you loose your breath. It's a good exercise though!
7. Beers
As my boyfriend is a foreigner (who has been living in Indonesia for 10 years and speaks fluent Indonesian), I hang out with his friends, which most of them are expats who work here or retired and chose to spend the rest of their lives in Ubud. This means, I have to adjust to their habit of talking all night long over beers. I rarely drink beers while I was living in Jakarta. Most of the time, we hung out with friends and drank coffee. In some occasions, we drank wine, but never beers. But now, I'm getting used to drink two to five bottles of beer in one sit. Most bule prefers Bintang, but I prefer San Miguel or Carlsberg.
8. Healthy food
If you prefer to eat organic food, this is just the right place for you. Ubud has its own organic markets for you to buy vegetables, fruits, and spices. Some restaurants are also specialized in organic food in their menu. And Ubud has many restaurants and cafe dedicated to vegetarians. For those who don't like vegetables, you'll learn to like them eventually.
9. Porks
It might be a trouble for muslims who decided to stay in Ubud when it comes to dine out. Most of Balinese food has pork in it, so does the western and chinese food sold in here. Some restaurants are known for their pork menu, such as the famous pork ribs in Naughty Nury's and Babi Guling Ibu Oka (which both are not my favorite, I prefer to have pork ribs in a small warung of my friend, Morgan).
10. Dogs
Street dogs are big issue in Bali. They are everywhere just like you see street cats in Jakarta. Most of them are friendly, but some are not. Rabies is now becoming a big concern in Bali as the government has begun to treat them seriously. Sleeping at night is incomplete when you haven't heard dogs barking or howling outside the fence. If you are not familiar with this, you might have a serious sleeping disturbance.
11. Sunglasses, Sunblock & Jacket
You need to have at least sunglasses and sunblock to accompany you when you're riding or walking down the road. The weather during the day can be so hot, it can burn your skin. But as the sun is set, you also need a jacket that warm enough to be worn during riding at night, because the weather can be cool and sometimes windy.
12. Flat shoes/sandals
Ubud is no place for high heels or stiletto. For those who feels comfortable to wear them, I suggest you to change with your flip flop or flat shoes. It's not an option whether you claim yourself a very feminine woman, just like me. The road can be tricky and sometimes you need to walk through the rice field to go to someone's house. And this is the time when you'll need a comfy running shoes. Don't worry, you can still wear a feminine simple dress or skirt during the day.
13. Fancy dinner
Sometimes it's good to dine out in a fancy restaurant and put your fine dress with some friends just to get rid of the boredom. There are lots of choices of good fancy restaurant in the town. Some of them even come with a friendly price!
14. Cultural events
It's important for you to know what is going on in the town. You need to learn when the society is performing a very important event, such as a ceremony. If it is allowed, it will be very nice for you to attend and get along with the people and neighbors. Other events are important too, such as jazz performance, someone's birthday, and so on. Make yourself familiar with the culture and of course, make yourself to be recognized by the society too.
15. Learn to cook
Because you can't dine out everyday for the rest of your life living in Ubud, it is good too to have a cooking skill. You can start with a simple one such as toasting bread, making vegetable noodle, cooking fried rice and so on.
16. Swimming, Yoga, and Hash Hash Harrier
During weekend, and sometimes weekday, there are lots of activities offered for you to spend time. You can go swimming in the a guest house or villa which has swimming pool, or do yoga and meditation in Yoga Barn. Also, the most interesting activity is to do hash which usually held every Saturday by the committee. Hash is an international fun sport activity performed by a group of expats and local. The venue is changed every week and the challenges are too. You can meet a lot of interesting people there and make friends with them. Your first hash will be your mother-hash. Since my first hash was done in Ubud, so if there's someone asking me where my mother-hash is, I'll answer them with Ubud. You can do hash in most of every country around the world.
17. Mystical things, belief, and superstition
This is, I think, the most challenge thing if you live in Bali. The society lives with so many beliefs and superstition. There are many magical things happened that cannot be explained logically. You must be aware of that and respect it. People believe that most ghosts dwell in the river and trees. My friend claimed that he saw a fireball flying across the sky during a night before Nyepi (Hindu Day of Silence). No one can argue with this and you're just gonna have to deal with that and learn to avoid it.
18. Be artistic
Bali is known for the people's artistic skills. Arts and literatures are part of their daily lives. Not only local, many expats who live here are too, artists. During my visit to Ubud and until now, I've met so many famous and talented writers, poets, musicians, painters, woodcarvers, glasscarvers, and many more. You'll be surrounded by arts and artists, and perhaps someday, you'll be one of them too.
19. Do's and dont's
Once you've decided to move to Ubud, you have to research about what to do and what not to do in there. You can easily do this by talking with local people or searching through internet. People in Ubud are proud of their culture and they do anything to make it work. You have to know why a tree is wrapped in Balinese sarong, why they put banten in certain places. What to wear and what things you should not do when you're visiting a pure (temple).
20. Be cool
Last but not least, just try to be cool and be yourself. If something goes wrong, you always have the time to fix it. For me myself, I'm adjusting slowly but hopefully sure. You're a newbie anyway, at least you have three months probation before you become an Ubud people! :)
1. Getting to know the people around you
In a small place like Ubud, it is very important for you to get along well with the local people in your neighborhood. It's not just about trying to be friendly as a newcomer, but also, like it or not, soon or later you will deal with them in most of your daily activities, such as running some errands, asking them how to deal with snakes, etc until they welcome you and will later invite you to some social events. Smile a lot and don't be afraid to start a simple conversation. Most of them will ask you a bunch of questions once you start talking with them, like whether you live alone or with someone, where you come from, what you do for living, whether you're married or not, and so on. For me who live with my boyfriend, their most popular question is "Are you the wife?" To answer that, I just smile and direct them to another topic. You have nothing to worry about getting along with your neighborhood because Ubud people is known for their hospitality and kindness. As long as you don't get into a trouble like taking someone else's lover :P
2. Some 'aliens' in the garden
What I mean with 'aliens' in here is the animals who live in the area long before you are there. They sometimes come and go, but most of them dwell just as close as your bedroom or garden. Some of the most seen or heard include gecko, jumping frog, big black ants, garden spider, big black spiders, bugs, insects, termites, wasps, rats, and some other mysterious creatures who make noises at night. In my experience, I've already found four big black spiders in both bathrooms in the house, in my first week living here. Now, that doesn't stop there. In my second week, I counted that I already found ten big spiders, and we don't understand why, but they always appeared in the bathrooms, especially the main bathroom which I use a lot. When I was gardening (read: helping my boyfriend gardening), I met many other 'aliens' too. I was scared for the first time, but I love the garden more so I decided to deal with them and started to have fun by taking their pictures. Yesterday when I walked home by myself from The Fly Cafe, I saw a brown snake about 60 cm long, just across the gate's house. My twin sister suggested that I should make my own documentary movie about "Animals around the Garden". I think it could be a brilliant idea!
3. Banten/Offerings
It's not Balinese house if you can't find offerings in the corner of the garden or in front of the porch. Although my boyfriend and I are not Hindu, but we're still trying our best to respect and practice some daily traditions of Balinese Hindu. This of course, includes, having offerings or banten in Balinese language. You'll find them in all over Bali, except for some areas with muslims or christians as the majority, such as Bedugul. For my house, the landlady or the maid will come to put banten in some special big events such as Galungan or before Nyepi. Once a month, the landlady will come to put some amounts of banten and pray. Our house also has a small pure (temple) called padme. There are many kinds of banten as Wayan or Yan Srik, the girl who works in the house, explained to me. And some are offered to gods and some to evils. What you have to respect most is the one that given to gods. Banten for evils are usually placed in the street.
4. Bali Kebaya/Traditional Clothes
Having at least two Bali Kebaya is considered important as you'll wear them in many occasions later. Bali Kebaya looks similar to Javanese, but they are indeed, different. You can easily buy them for around Rp 150,000 to Rp 1,000,000 and match them with beautiful sarong or batik. If you can't find the size, like me, I prefer making them with the local tailor. It only costs you around Rp 50,000 to make one, which doesn't include the material. As a new year's gift, my boyfriend made me a beautiful pale orange-kebaya. We bought a flowery fabric and a batik flowery sarong and handed them to the tailor nearby. It takes 2 weeks or so to make them done. I'm looking to buy another one for my Melukat later. Kebaya is worn in religious, cultural or important local events. But most Balinese women and girls actually use it for their daily activities. For me, wearing kebaya is not only making you beautiful, but also sexy!
5. Melukat
Melukat is a purifying ceremony in a holy spring which usually held in every full moon. This is a symbol of becoming a Balinese. It's not about religion, but it's more about culture and society. As I haven't done my Melukat yet, I can't tell you more about this. But I'm expecting to do it soon and once I've done it, I'll share with you all.
6. Bike/Motorbike
Now, this is one of the most important thing to have if you live in Bali; to have your own motorbike or bike. As almost no visible public transportation available in here, except for private taxi which costs your twice as much as Jakarta's taxi, riding your own motorbike or bike is needed, especially if you live by yourself or you have not made a new friend in the town yet. Renting a motorbike or bike is only effective when you're visiting. Otherwise, you'll stuck at home all day long and private taxis are only available in the center of town. I already bought my flowery bike two weeks after I moved in. Once I tried walking from the cafe where I had lunch to my house; I was thinking, the weather is fine and unlike Jakarta, no one will try to annoy you when you're walking down the street; but turned out, it took me 45 minutes to reach my house and I was sweating like crazy although it wasn't too hot that day. Then I decided, first I have to buy a bike, then I'll have to learn how to drive a motorbike before having my own, because you can't bike all day long with the road condition which only makes you loose your breath. It's a good exercise though!
7. Beers
As my boyfriend is a foreigner (who has been living in Indonesia for 10 years and speaks fluent Indonesian), I hang out with his friends, which most of them are expats who work here or retired and chose to spend the rest of their lives in Ubud. This means, I have to adjust to their habit of talking all night long over beers. I rarely drink beers while I was living in Jakarta. Most of the time, we hung out with friends and drank coffee. In some occasions, we drank wine, but never beers. But now, I'm getting used to drink two to five bottles of beer in one sit. Most bule prefers Bintang, but I prefer San Miguel or Carlsberg.
8. Healthy food
If you prefer to eat organic food, this is just the right place for you. Ubud has its own organic markets for you to buy vegetables, fruits, and spices. Some restaurants are also specialized in organic food in their menu. And Ubud has many restaurants and cafe dedicated to vegetarians. For those who don't like vegetables, you'll learn to like them eventually.
9. Porks
It might be a trouble for muslims who decided to stay in Ubud when it comes to dine out. Most of Balinese food has pork in it, so does the western and chinese food sold in here. Some restaurants are known for their pork menu, such as the famous pork ribs in Naughty Nury's and Babi Guling Ibu Oka (which both are not my favorite, I prefer to have pork ribs in a small warung of my friend, Morgan).
10. Dogs
Street dogs are big issue in Bali. They are everywhere just like you see street cats in Jakarta. Most of them are friendly, but some are not. Rabies is now becoming a big concern in Bali as the government has begun to treat them seriously. Sleeping at night is incomplete when you haven't heard dogs barking or howling outside the fence. If you are not familiar with this, you might have a serious sleeping disturbance.
11. Sunglasses, Sunblock & Jacket
You need to have at least sunglasses and sunblock to accompany you when you're riding or walking down the road. The weather during the day can be so hot, it can burn your skin. But as the sun is set, you also need a jacket that warm enough to be worn during riding at night, because the weather can be cool and sometimes windy.
12. Flat shoes/sandals
Ubud is no place for high heels or stiletto. For those who feels comfortable to wear them, I suggest you to change with your flip flop or flat shoes. It's not an option whether you claim yourself a very feminine woman, just like me. The road can be tricky and sometimes you need to walk through the rice field to go to someone's house. And this is the time when you'll need a comfy running shoes. Don't worry, you can still wear a feminine simple dress or skirt during the day.
13. Fancy dinner
Sometimes it's good to dine out in a fancy restaurant and put your fine dress with some friends just to get rid of the boredom. There are lots of choices of good fancy restaurant in the town. Some of them even come with a friendly price!
14. Cultural events
It's important for you to know what is going on in the town. You need to learn when the society is performing a very important event, such as a ceremony. If it is allowed, it will be very nice for you to attend and get along with the people and neighbors. Other events are important too, such as jazz performance, someone's birthday, and so on. Make yourself familiar with the culture and of course, make yourself to be recognized by the society too.
15. Learn to cook
Because you can't dine out everyday for the rest of your life living in Ubud, it is good too to have a cooking skill. You can start with a simple one such as toasting bread, making vegetable noodle, cooking fried rice and so on.
16. Swimming, Yoga, and Hash Hash Harrier
During weekend, and sometimes weekday, there are lots of activities offered for you to spend time. You can go swimming in the a guest house or villa which has swimming pool, or do yoga and meditation in Yoga Barn. Also, the most interesting activity is to do hash which usually held every Saturday by the committee. Hash is an international fun sport activity performed by a group of expats and local. The venue is changed every week and the challenges are too. You can meet a lot of interesting people there and make friends with them. Your first hash will be your mother-hash. Since my first hash was done in Ubud, so if there's someone asking me where my mother-hash is, I'll answer them with Ubud. You can do hash in most of every country around the world.
17. Mystical things, belief, and superstition
This is, I think, the most challenge thing if you live in Bali. The society lives with so many beliefs and superstition. There are many magical things happened that cannot be explained logically. You must be aware of that and respect it. People believe that most ghosts dwell in the river and trees. My friend claimed that he saw a fireball flying across the sky during a night before Nyepi (Hindu Day of Silence). No one can argue with this and you're just gonna have to deal with that and learn to avoid it.
18. Be artistic
Bali is known for the people's artistic skills. Arts and literatures are part of their daily lives. Not only local, many expats who live here are too, artists. During my visit to Ubud and until now, I've met so many famous and talented writers, poets, musicians, painters, woodcarvers, glasscarvers, and many more. You'll be surrounded by arts and artists, and perhaps someday, you'll be one of them too.
19. Do's and dont's
Once you've decided to move to Ubud, you have to research about what to do and what not to do in there. You can easily do this by talking with local people or searching through internet. People in Ubud are proud of their culture and they do anything to make it work. You have to know why a tree is wrapped in Balinese sarong, why they put banten in certain places. What to wear and what things you should not do when you're visiting a pure (temple).
20. Be cool
Last but not least, just try to be cool and be yourself. If something goes wrong, you always have the time to fix it. For me myself, I'm adjusting slowly but hopefully sure. You're a newbie anyway, at least you have three months probation before you become an Ubud people! :)
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