The crafts and arts of traditional Bali

Tours with Balifornian can include mini apprenticeships with master artists of many types from dance to wood carving to painting and batik and even cooking.  Tell us where your passions lie and we can custom create an itinerary just for you.  Our long standing relationships with local arts and crafts practitioners allows us unique opportunities for our clients. ~ Ed. (Michael)

The crafts and arts of traditional Bali

By Nak Bali
Until this century Balinese artists produced work (paintings, stone & wood carving etc.) under the patronage of wealthy kings or as gifts to decorate the local temple. As such the artists were only doing their part as a member of the community and therefore never gave much thought to be recognized for their efforts by signing their work. In addition, art had to follow very stringent guidelines so whilst the quality may have varied the content was quite standard. It wasn't until the arrival of European artists that Balinese artists learned to express themselves individually and then began signing their work.

Cloth & Textiles
Bali has basically 3 indigenous textiles: Endek, Gringsing and Tenun Ikat. That being said most of the swaths of cloth and fancy printed apparel on sale in Bali are really Batik and native to Java, not Bali. FYI, the intricate designs on Batik cloth are made by applying wax to the fabric prior to dying each time another color is added.

Inasmuch as Endek is really only popular with the Balinese it is not mass produced - so it is quite safe to say that any endek you purchase will have been hand made. It is a laborious affair. The horizontal threads are laid out and pre dyed with a desired pattern in a tie dye type of operation ( the fabric may be dyed several times with different colors ). Once dyed the threads are dried then woven into the vertical threads on the loom.

These vertical threads are only one color, usually black. It is not until the weaving is complete that one knows for sure the quality and clarity of the designer's work. This is just a rough idea how the process works, it's actually much more complicated than this with several people - men included - to make just one bolt of cloth. The finished bolt is about 20 feet long by 3.5 feet wide. It takes about 10 days just to weave one bolt of cloth - so think of the value !

Now, if you think that's tricky try it with both the vertical and horizontal threads at the same time. Imagine a weaver must come up with a design then "tye dye" both the horizontal and vertical threads separately 2-3 times depending on the number of colors used. Even the slightest miscalculation when dying  the yarn or a mistake by the weaver and months of work are lost. This is basically how Gringsing is produced in the Balinese Village of Tenganan - one of two or three places in the entire world capable of producing this extraordinary textile. As mentioned many times in BaliHotels.com this is one of the best souvenirs available to visitors to Bali.

The third cloth, tenun ikat is also popular in Bali. Like endek the horizontal threads are dyed and woven into a solid vertical thread on the loom. The difference is that the patterns are solid colored blocks or simple crossing patterns. This cloth is also mostly produced by hand and is very popular in fashionable circles for clothing, home furnishings and accessories.

Retrieved from article base
Nak Bali - About the Author:  Our Objective is to enhance the opportunities for Balinese people, promoting self esteem and personal growth through education

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

A Second International Airport for Bali?

If you have traveled to Bali, you know the airport needs some help.  Balifornian tours and travel blog has some secrets for our tour participants to relieve this hassle but most people are just stuck.  This new airport could be a great imporvement. ~ ed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Government Reveals Plans for Multiple City Air Hubs for Jakarta and Bali.

The Indonesian Ministry of Communications is reported to be seriously studying the creation of two new international airports for Jakarta and Bali while, at the same time, optimizing the use of the existing airports in those two destinations.

The plan was announced by the Vice-Minister of Transportation, Bambang Susantono, at a seminar examining opportunities and challenges for the Indonesian economy in 2011 held in Jakarta on Saturday, January 8, 2011.

Said Susantono: "The study that is most advanced at the moment is for multiple airports or one city served by several airports. For example, in New York there are three airports. Well, that's what we want to develop in Jakarta, possibly using the existing (two) airports in the city." He revealed that the government was also reviewing the creation of another international airport in Bali while, at the same time, seeking to optimize the use of the existing facility – the Ngurah Rai International Airport. 

He said no final decision had been made on where to build a second airport for Bali.
The current proposals under government review are based on a public-private partnership (PPP) model in which private enterprise would help build and operate new airports.  The latest resurfacing of the idea of a second airport for Bali, made during the Jakarta seminar, immediately featured as front page news in the Bali Post, rekindling popular long-standing speculation in support a new airport in Bali's north at Buleleng.

© Bali Discovery Tours. Articles may be quoted and reproduced if attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com. All images and graphics are copyright protected.

Oakland couple improves schools in Bali

 

inShare0 Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog works with several organizations to enhance educational opportunities and to give back to the island, remain sustainable, lower our impact, and build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.  Projects like Bali's Green School and The Colbert's foundation are emmensely important to us and we do all we can to help.  Please contact us to learn more and see how we can incorporate charitable elements into your own tour.  Most of our tours contain elements of ecotourism and charity.  We encourage you to bring donations of clothing, children's toys, tools, etc. to donate to impoverished villages in Bali and throughout Indonesia.  We want your tour to be as rewarding and memorable as possible. ~ ed.    By Dave Newhouse Oakland Tribune columnist From The Mercury News Dennis and Nancy Colbert, of Oakland, are at that stage of their lives -- late 60s, three children, seven grandchildren -- when they're expected to retire, decelerate to a much slower speed, and go softly and quietly into old age.  Not the Colberts, who refuse to act like other seniors. Preferring an accelerator-to-the-floorboard state of mind, they're actively making a huge difference 10,000 miles from home on the Indonesian island of Bali.  They've dedicated themselves to improving the educational quality of Bali schoolchildren, first- through sixth-grades. The Colberts renovated four elementary schools in poor rural areas, and added learning centers to all four schools through their nonprofit Balinese Children's Education Foundation. What a positive influence the Colberts have been in Bali, not only improving dilapidated school buildings, but also impacting 500 students, who attend school until noon, then voluntarily return in the afternoon for two hours of reading, learning English, and playing educational games.  The couple's fascination with Bali didn't begin with the musical "South Pacific." Nancy's sister, Christina Welty, had retired in Bali. The Colberts visited her there in 2000 and found they couldn't stay away. "The beauty is just inspiring," said Nancy.  "And the people are very warm and gracious," added Dennis. Bali's population is 2.5 million -- 90 percent Hindu, 6 to 7 percent Muslim. The island is 90 miles by 60 miles, mostly rice paddies. A Bali night club bombing in 2002 killed 171 and injured 274. But the Colberts insist the island is peaceful. Dennis was shocked upon first seeing the neglected schools. Seeking something to do as a retired business executive, he found it in Bali. The schools needed extensive repairs, and they needed books. The Colberts came up with the money to buy 2,000 books, while also setting up libraries. And through their foundation, they hired six teachers. "Their (school) curriculum is totally dictated by the government," said Nancy, a former schoolteacher who now advises college students stateside. "They teach to the test."  "A lot of teaching by rote," noted Dennis.  Thus critical thinking isn't emphasized.  And so the Colberts decided upon learning centers.  "We were very considerate," Dennis said. "Here we are from the United States, knowing this was their culture. So we asked how could we help. The Balinese were receptive."  Bali adults, mostly parents of schoolchildren, filled in holes in classroom floors, laid tile, patched walls, painted and replaced broken windows. Suddenly, going to school was exciting. The Colberts visit Bali three times a year, staying three, four weeks each trip. When they leave Bali, the students bow, take the Colberts' hands, and put their foreheads against their hands -- an ultimate show of Balinese respect that gets the couple teary-eyed just talking about that emotional scene. "The greatest thrill is that we're helping these children by adding a little bit to their education," said Dennis, "and by our relationship with the children."  "One of the satisfactions is to find something that we truly love at this point of our lives," said Nancy. "I can't imagine anything that would bring us more pleasure."  The Colberts, who've been married 46 years, wanted to join the Peace Corps as newlyweds. But it didn't work out. Now, in a sense, it's finally happened.  "We've enjoyed the fact that we can be on the ground, working," Dennis said. "And we're thinking of setting up some more libraries at other schools." The Colberts funded most of the early schoolhouse repairs. Then came their foundation -- they're the only board members. Their website is www.balieducation.org, and all donations are tax deductible.  "Our goal was not to teach the Balinese children English, but to get them to appreciate and enjoy reading," said Dennis. "Now the children want to take books home at night to read."  Two senior citizens, changing the world.



Why a Bali vacation is like no other

Balifornian Tours handles everything for you so there is no stress or hassles for you.  We will discuss your passions, priorities and desres and work with you to create the exact tour you want.  We have decades of experience, close personal contacts that can arrange special outings that other groups can not, and all the tools needed to make the best possible trip for you.  The article below highlights some aspects but when you travel with us, you we will take care of every tiny detail so all you need to do is enjoy.

Nothing Beats A Bali Vacation   by Sofia Deluca

in Travel 

For many tourists visiting Bali, images of palm-fringed beaches are uppermost in their mind and probably the biggest single reason for purchasing that ticket to paradise. Learning about Balinese culture is a wonderful thing, life changing experience. Bali has one of the most unique and fascinating cultures in the world. This amazing island is known by many evocative names; "The Island of the Gods". There are more than twenty thousand temples in Bali. It is also one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

LUXURY HOTELS

If the sky is the limit, the luxury hotels are unsurpassable and there are more then 20 deluxe hotels in Bali. On the south part of the island such as Nusa Dua, Jimbaran and Kuta, you can find many 5 stars hotels in Bali.

When planning your Bali trip, discover all you can about the different Bali Vacation Packages.You can find a Bali vacation package just right for you if you work out exactly what it is that you are looking for.

Travel Bali Vacation Packages:
These are sometimes called classic packages that will take you traveling, circling the island from Bali's famous resort area to secluded and untouched parts of Bali.

Some bali vacation packages are more flexible and just includes hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and airport transfers or you may want to add the Airfare into the package as well.

Bali offers every standard of accommodation ranging from charming yet modest bungalow style hotels in lush tropical gardens; to the most exclusive and sophisticated hotels and villas in Asia. Bali is the perfect holiday destination. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich cultural heritage of colorful ceremonies and magnificent temples. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found in Bali as well as beautiful white sand beaches with gentle seas. These pages are regularly up-dated with links to Bali's best web sites including hotel accommodation, villa rental, travel information, tours, restaurants, night life, holiday activities and business information about the island of Bali.

Bali is an artists dream come true. It has hundreds of renowned artists, musicians, dancers, wood carvers and sculturers. Ubud is also a magical town full of art and Balinese culture and should not be missed when you spend a vacation in Bali.

NYT article about Bali's wonderful Green School

Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog works with several organizations to give back to the island, remain sustainable, lower our impact and build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.  Projects like Bali's Green School are emmensely important to us and we do what we can to help. Please contact us to learn more and see how we can incorporate this into your own tour.  Most of our tours contain elements of ecotourism and charity.  We encourage you to bring donations of clothing, children's toys, tools, etc to donate to impoverished villages in Bali and throughout Indonesia.  We want your tour to be as rewarding and memorable as possible.

Green Column

Bali School Makes Sustainability a Way of Life

By BETTINA WASSENER

Published: January 2, 2011

• • Digg

SIBANG KAJA, BALI — Half a world away from Cancún, Mexico, and the international climate change talks that took place there last month, a school here in Indonesia is staging its own attempt to save the planet.

A blog about energy and the environment.

It is small-scale and literally grassroots — and possibly in some respects more effective than the tortuous efforts of politicians to agree on how to stop global warming.  In the midst of the lush, steaming jungle of Bali, along a pitted road, past scattered chickens and singing cicadas, Green School has two dozen buildings made of giant bamboo poles. There are no walls, and there is no air-conditioning. Just gracefully arched roofs, concrete floors and bamboo furniture. There is a big, grassy playground, complete with goalposts made — yes — of bamboo; a bamboo bridge across a rock-strewn river; vegetable patches; and a mud-wrestling pit.  But there is also a computer lab, a well-stocked library and an array of courses drawn from an internationally recognized curriculum and taught in English.

More than 200 children from 40 countries, including Indonesia, are learning math here, as well as grammar, science, business studies, drama and Bahasa Indonesia, the official language spoken in this country of 240 million. The students, whose levels range from kindergarten to 10th grade and who represent 40 nationalities, are also learning to grow and thresh rice and how to make ceramics and paper from materials found on the school site. They get dirt under their fingernails and mud between their toes. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes. High heels are not recommended.  If all this sounds a little bit hippie and idealistic, that is because it is. A little.

But then, Green School, the brainchild of John Hardy and his wife, Cynthia, is also realistic and practical, designed to give children not just a sense of how to live sustainably, but also to leave them ultimately with the skills to enter academic institutions anywhere in the world.

“We want to create future green leaders — we need green leaders,” said a sarong-clad Mr. Hardy, picking his way along a dirt path last month. “We want to teach kids that the world is not indestructible.”

Mr. Hardy himself — sarong notwithstanding — is no mere dropout, tree-hugging beach bum. True, he says, he “ran away” from his home in Canada in 1975, to go to Bali. But he is also an entrepreneur, and the upmarket jewelry business he and his wife built over the years was worth enough, by the time they sold it in 2007, to allow the Hardys to set up the Green School.  The original idea had been to retire quietly. But then Mr. Hardy saw “An Inconvenient Truth,” the 2006 documentary about the campaign by Al Gore, the former U.S. vice president, to educate people about climate change.  “Al Gore ruined my life,” Mr. Hardy, who is now 61, likes to say.  The movie prompted him to scrap plans for a quiet life and to try to do his part to change the way young people — and ultimately society as a whole — behave toward their environment.

Environment-studies courses and nature excursions have, of course, long been popular in U.S. and European schools. But Green School, Mr. Hardy and its teachers believe, is unique in that it completely immerses children in a world of sustainable practices throughout the school day — with the nonflush compost toilets, the (easily bearable) lack of air-conditioning and the fact that virtually everything in the school is created from bamboo, rather than steel, glass and concrete.

“There are lots of schools that have elements of ‘green’ teaching, but I don’t think that anyone has been ambitious or foolhardy enough to try anything on this scale before,” said Ben Macrory, a New Yorker who moved to Bali in 2008 to take on the job of Green School’s head of admissions and whose 4-year-old daughter, Maggie, attends the school. “Every experience the children have here is about how to live with only a minimal impact on the environment.”  Yes, there are trade-offs. Schooling is only available from nursery school through 10th grade, with plans to extend teaching for the remaining two years by 2012. Also, students have a more limited choice of languages or other standard courses than might be available at Western schools or other international schools on the island of Bali.  But that has not prevented the appeal of Green School, which is in its third year, from growing.

Many of the students have come from other schools in Bali, and an increasing number come from families who have moved to Bali recently — often in large part because they want to send their children here.

“The atmosphere is magical,” said Barbara Friedrichsen-Mehta, who visited the school with her husband, Rajesh, and their daughters Lena and Vinya last month. The family is considering moving to Bali, once their institute for innovative music has been established in Singapore.  “We’ve always missed the educational vision in most of the international schools in the many places we’ve lived, and done a lot of home schooling for that reason,” Ms. Friedrichsen-Mehta said. “But this place is creative, innovative and multicultural. And the girls really, really liked it.”

The mystique of Bali — its arts, ubiquitous temples and gentle climate — helps to draw families to this place. And the slightly offbeat profile of expatriates on the island means parents are open to novel concepts like a school without walls that grows its own vegetables.  “No boring people move to Bali,” Mr. Macrory said. The island attracts entrepreneurs, artists, healers and some staff members from nongovernmental organizations, rather than the financial and corporate communities that have grown in Hong Kong and Singapore, Frankfurt and New York.  Still, Mr. Hardy says he is convinced that the Green School concept can work elsewhere, too, and he hopes the school will be the blueprint — or “greenprint” — for more. “Not just one,” he said — “50!”  Will Green School be a game-changer in the global fight to combat climate change? Who knows?  But for now, 200 children are visibly enjoying the school. And perhaps the school and its future spinoffs will someday yield another Al Gore to shake up someone’s retirement plans.

A version of this article appeared in print on January 3, 2011, in The International Herald Tribune.

Contact Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog to learn more