Western media tends to relish the association of fully covered muslim women in dark head scarves and black full body kaftans/robes, with Islamic fundamentalism. (Such as in the photo below, taken in Iran, not by us…) NO this is NOT…
Visit to a dentist in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
It is not without some trepidation, that I find myself in a dentist chair in the city of Yogyakarta, in desperate need of a tooth repair. I am a big baby when it comes to my teeth. And….I am very…
Yogyakarta, Indonesia ~ city life vs village life
We finally decide to brave the big city… A bit of geography (but see below for amazing street art if you are not interested in the geography bit); …
Yogyakarta a.k.a. Jogja, Indonesia ~ First Impressions
Coming out of idyllic Ubud, we realize that there is going to be quite a shift with our arrival in the Muslim and urban part of Indonesia. Having done, uncharacteristically, precious little research, Peta’s task is to find us places…
Departing thoughts about Bali, Indonesia.
As hard as it was to leave Hoi An, Viet Nam, which we loved to the point of being ready to declare it our new home, it now seems incredibly obvious that Ubud is a natural habitat for us. So…
“Green School”, Bali, Indonesia ~ showcasing bamboo in a grand way
Anyone who has dipped their toe in bamboo world quickly learns about “The Green School”. There is an aura of reverence about this bamboo architectural achievement that spreads well beyond Indonesia’s shores and Peta had long been wanting to see…
A jewel in the rice paddy ~ Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Our third and final home exchange in Ubud, is a shining jewel in the rice paddy. Even though it is super tiny, when inside it feels very spacious as the doors on 2 sides and windows all open up to…
Bali, Indonesia ~ Preparing offerings for the ceremony: a woman’s domain
Riding through the countryside near Tinkup we stop next to a temple where many women are congregating ~ wondering what all the action is about… The stairway to the temple is decorated with woven coconut leaves announcing upcoming festivities. Yellow…