R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 23

Indonesia — Bali; Mountain Views and SOMEBODY CALL OSHA!

Bali Panorama

Our next stop was a café for a quick bathroom break and some stunning views of Bali mountains. But right next door was something else that caught my attention — a hotel under construction. I’m sure these workers are experts who seldom get hurt, but how many safety violations can you count? For instance, check out those ladders being used as planks upon which to walk:

And take a look at how concrete is transported from sluice to column:

With no safety harnesses, I mi...

Indonesia — Bali; Luwak Coffee (more Cat-Pooh-Chino)

Like Senarang, Bali has Cat-Pooh-Chino as well

You may recall that back on 15 April I posted an article on Luwak Coffee (a.k.a., cat-pooh-chino) on our visit to the central portion of the Indonesian island of Java. As a refresher, kopi luwak (also known as civet coffee) is made from partially digested coffee beans fed to the Asian palm civet. Hence the humorous name of Cat-Pooh-Chino. Today’s cuppu comes from Satria Luwak Coffee located about a two-mile/3.2km drive north of Gunung Kawi.

Sa...

Fun Photo Friday — Bali Favorites 1

Rice Paddy Panorama

Today I present the first of five Fun Photo Fridays featuring Bali favorites:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Indonesia — Bali; Pura Gunung Kawi and Tampaksiring

Pura Gunung Kawi — A World Heritage Site

About an hour north of Benoa Cruise Port lies an acheological site called Gunung Kawi Temple. It’s also known by another name — The Valley of The Balinese King — and it dates back to the 11th century. To get to this World Heritage site you’ll travel to the village of Tampaksiring:

Tampaksiring

Now, I’m going to have to apologize because I don’t seem to have any photos of the actual temples here. I can only surmise that Ursula and I opted to not ma...

Indonesia — Bali; Arriving in Benoa

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

Another day, another port in Indonesia for Holland America’s MS Volendam. Today I present to you the first of five weeks’ worth of articles on the island of Bali beginning with our arrival to the Benoa Cruise International Terminal on Tanjung Benoa peninsula in the Lesser Sunda Islands in the Java Sea. As usual, our ship was made to feel welcome:

Welcome to Bali

And we were warmly greeted by Balinese dancers, of course:

Balinese Dancers

Time to head out of the...

Fun Photo Friday — Lombok Favorites 3

Brother, Can You Spare a ‘Nana?

Today finishes up our look at Lombok. Next week we continue on to our next Indonesian destination, Benoa. Until then, enjoy:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Indonesia — Lombok; The Architectural Details of Pura Lingsar

Pura Lingsar’s Segara Anak Spring

The shrine pictured above sits at one end of the Sagara Anak Spring, with is contained within the enclosure to the right. This spring is considered sacred, and to hold purifying powers. For a closer look:

Segara Anak Spring

Overlooking this spring is this chap:

Segara Anak Spring

Now, as you may have long ago guessed, I’m a sucker for old windows and doors, as well as weathered and worn masonry. So, if you step across to the other side of the spring...

Indonesia — Lombok; Pura Lingsar

Worshippers at Pura Lingsar

After loading up the group tour bus we turned this time west toward a very special religious site. Today and Wednesday I will be showing you Pura Lingsar, the holiest temple site on the entire island of Lombok. But this time there are two religions at work here — Hindu and Wetu Telu, a Muslim sect unique to the Sasak people of Lombok.

Worshippers at Pura Lingsar

Pura Lingsar was built in 1714 during the reign of King Anak Agung Ngurah. And because if this site...

Indonesia — Fun Photo Friday — Lombok Favorites 2

A Splash of Lombok Color

Today is the second of three Lombok Fun Photo Friday favorites:

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Indonesia — Lombok; More on Pura Suranadi

Pura Suranadi

Today we continue our visual tour of Pura Suranadi, a Hindu temple site on Indonesia’s island of Lombok. And since they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I’ll be giving you about eight thousands words’ worth to enjoy. But before I present those final six photos in today’s photo gallery/slide show, I want you to meet our greeter to this religious site:

Indonesian Macaque

Now for today’s visual tour of Pura Suranadi:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)