Even though our group has another day here in Bali, I am leaving to fly to Italy later in the day to meet up with another group. I have to say, yesterday couldn’t have been any better. I know for some of us, it was a day we’ll treasure for a lifetime.
Because of what we had planned for the day, we had to divide into two separate groups and two buses. Bus A and Bus B. The reason for this was because the place we were going to visit where our group could participate in a HANDS ON batiking experience, could only accommodate 15 people at one time.
So here’s Bus A’s experience- The first stop was a visit to the Batiking Center, where our group sat with a “Batik Master” artist. We were given a piece of fabric that had a design already drawn on it in pencil. Each member of our group traced the design with an instrument filled with wax. Carefully each line was covered, and some of our group added their own design, either intentionally or accidentally.
Once the fabric had all the wax on it, we moved to another area on the property where the fabric was rinsed in a pre-dying solution. Each quilter in our group could choose what color they wanted to dye their fabric.
As soon as the fabric was dyed, it was then rinsed off in water. Following this, it was given to a man who placed the cloth in a vat of boiling water. After a couple minutes, the fabric was taken out, all the wax melted off, and there was this finished product.
It was very simple, fun and gave each of us the opportunity to see in a very basic way, how batiks are made from start to finish.
Following this, the group had an opportunity to shop in the store at the Batik Center.
Now this is where buses A and B differ. Immediately following this experience, Bus A went on a full day shopping spree back to Dunpasar, where we first went on the day we arrived. Many of the group found batik fabric for $1.50 a yard and purchased over 250 yards! Yes, that’s right, some of our group purchased that much fabric for their shops and their projects back home.
After about five hours of shopping, the group was taken back to the hotel.
Bus B however had other plans. After leaving the hotel, we ventured north to a coffee and clove plantation. As we traveled, we passed incredible, and I do mean incredible scenery. Lush rainforests, mountains and hills filled with rice paddies and vegetable fields. It was right out of a movie.
As we made our way north, oooing and aawing past every thing we were seeing, we noticed an elementary school. Our guide Mawa stopped our bus and asked us if we wanted to go and visit the children.
Ok picture this, our guide asking fifteen ladies, probably most of them grandmothers, if they wanted to visit 6-10 year old beautiful children, all dressed in costume. Obviously, we got out of the bus and met them, propbably around 100 or so children screaming with joy because they saw us coming.
Beaming faces, smiles the size of Texas, incredible slanted loving eyes, all getting a chance to see the “round eye’d” people up close. They were jumping around, laughing, singing and playing and we were all overwhelmed. And before we left, they broke out into song and sang “Are you sleeping, are you sleeping, brother John, brother John………” It was a priceless! Only those who were there that day can truly know what it felt like. Out of the blue, here was this gift of Balinese children offered to us in the most endearing, loving way. We all felt blessed to have had this encounter. Of course, the hearts of quilters is as wide as the Nile River, so we took up a collection and gave it to the principal of the school to show our appreciation.
We were back on the bus in about thirty minutes and continued north. We stopped for a restroom break not to far from there, and when we got out of the bus we were met by a man who had a fruit bat, a large iguana and a very unusual bird as his pets. He evidently meets tour buses and offers this opportunity to them so they can have their photographs taken with them. A good little businessman that’s for sure.
I have to say, it was quite exciting to see these animals up close. The fruit bat was HUGE, and it was really something to see it and hold it.
Continuing on, we finally arrived at the coffee plantation, high in the mountains, about 2000 feet higher than where we originally started. The views were spectacular, and we learned first hand how they pick their coffee beans, cook them, grind them and finally end with them packed.
The cloves were also there for us to touch and see how they are grown. I love the smell of cloves and coffee, so I was in sensory overload at this point.
We enjoyed lunch at the restaurant at the plantation, which overlooked the valley below. It was a magical morning.
Once we finished lunch, the group departed and went to the Batik Center to do their batiking like Bus A did.
The finale to the entire day was when we all went out to dinner that evening to a Balinese Village and had a delicious Indonesian dinner and watched Indonesian dancers and musicians provide a show for us.
What a way for me to end this tour.
Today, as I leave, the group is free to enjoy the day on their own. Some are still going shopping for Batiks (if you can believe it), some are getting a massage, some are lying on the beach, and I am certain of one thing, no matter what direction our group finally ends up going at the end of their trip, we will all recall our incredible adventure here in this wonderful place.
Bali is safe, enchanting, and more than anything, a place where all visitors will feel welcome by the sincere hospitality of the people. They are genuine and accommodating. And it’s a dream vacation for those of you who might want to come.
By the way, we are coming back here to Bali with a group of quilters next year, and Kaye England is joining me again! So be sure you contact our office and put your name on the list before it sells out. We are only taking 40 people with us! We will have all the details by the end of this month!
Jim
