From the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Jakarta we departed for a flight to Denpasar, Bali
December 20 of 1986, my 2nd visit to Bali
Fanning out my rose dress, just like the shape of the Traveller's palm or Ravenala madagascariensis behind me!
For four nights, we would reside here...
On Sunday, December 21, we had a lazy pool day, walked on the beach and from 10-11:00 with a Prahu on the sea, which was blissful.
Pieter wrote cards and helped a Dutch widow from Itteren, Limburg who came from Darwin, Australia and lacked enough English...
She tagged along with us, in a taxi to the Catholic Church in Denpasar.
Mass at the Gereja Katolik (Catholic Church) St. Joseph in Denpasar that lasted 1.5 hour and was so full, that people were standing outside, to follow Mass over the loud speakers...
People were very respectful and well dressed!
We all sang the Latin Avé Maria and the Dutch widow, just like both of us, were very impressed.
On Monday, December 22nd, after first doing some business at Bali Raya, the tuna cannery, Rita went with us to Mas and Ubud, the artist villages.
Quite a collection of wood carved items!
Also being able to see the artist at work...
They do use gold foil!
Several items went home with us and also three wood carved panels, one for ourself.
At Bali's oldest jeweler we bought several gifts for my sisters Diny and Gerd, a silver necklace for Mom and some silver bracelets with 22k gold and moonstone for Pieter's Goddaughter and for me and also my best friend.
We also asked if they had matching brooches, and they would custom make them for us!
Two days later on December 24, we departed on our 10:15 flight to Yogyakarta.
We ended up in Central Java where we later lived and worked at the mushroom project.
Christmas Eve at the Catholic Church of Wonosobo, Java
A beautiful two hour Mass at the Catholic Church, without a Christmas tree but with lots of orchids!
People all wished us Merry Christmas; a warm feeling.
On December 27, we drove back to Yogyakarta for our flight to Jakarta at 9:30 and as a surprise we received the silver with 22k gold and moonstone brooches, hand delivered inside the plane.
In Jakarta we went back to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, feeling quite at home there.
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Floored - These Are Amazing Photos - And What A Lovely Dress There - Its Always Such A Pleasure Checking In Here
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs,
Cheers
Dearest Travis,
DeleteThank you and it tells how much I do love roses...
Some very special memories for both of us!
Hugs,
Mariette
Visiting here is like being for ever travelling round the world. Thanx Mariette.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteHoping that you managed to go to Church in Bali and Java, with us...!
Hugs,
Mariette
Bellissime foto e vestito,buona giornata!
ReplyDeleteCara Olga,
DeleteGrazie mille e anche per voi un buon giorno!
Abbracci,
Mariette
Bali is so beautiful and the Balinese people are lovely 🌺 You look very pretty in that first shot Mariette ✨
ReplyDeleteDearest Grace,
DeleteYes, the people are naturally very kind and they also make the best hostesses.
Thanks for the compliment, still got my rose dress!
Hugs,
Mariette
I adore that dress you were wearing, Mariette! And I can't get over how lovely, and packed, the Catholic church was. How interesting to spend Christmas in a foreign country!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha,
DeleteThank you and you bet that I hold onto that lovely dress.
We have spent several Christmas periods while living and working in Indonesia.
Quite different but lovely with all the orchids or fragrant tuberose...
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeletewonderful photos! You really have been almost everywhere in the world!
Have a lovely weekend,
Love and hugsm Claudia xo
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteThank you and we have by far not been everywhere in the world...
But for sure Indonesia has forever a soft spot in our hearts; we lived and worked there!
Hugs,
Mariette
I thoroughly enjoyed your post ~~~ and I had a summery frock quite similar to the one you are wearing ~~~ those styles were wonderful, weren’t they?
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
DeleteThank you and yes, those styles were and still are wonderful! Treasure many pieces; still.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, I love the idea of getting custom work done by the local craftsmen--there's nothing like a unique souvenir. Do you still have the brooch they made? I was fascinated by the gongs topped with dragons in the church. Such a fascinating mix of cultures!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteYes, I've also imported Balinese woodcarvings for selling here. Very artful and high quality.
Still have the bracelet and brooch and all you see in these photos. Except the brown loafers as those got stolen in Indonesia...
Quite a unique blend of culture on Java; a mix of Buddhism and Hindu.
Hugs,
Mariette
It must have been a very exotic trip, with different habits and customs from the Western world.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteThis was a lovely trip but with the early Portuguese influences and later the 350 years from the Dutch, it is a country to LOVE. We have so many Indonesian restaurants in my birth country, so both cultures are very well known.
Hugs,
Mariette
There has been everything beautiful on sale.
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteYes, very beautiful as the Balinese are excellent wood carvers!
Hugs,
Mariette
I brought back an entire suitcase of wood carvings from Bali!
ReplyDeleteI especially love their kokokan carvings.
Love that first photo of beautiful you.
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteOh, our home is full of Balinese woodcarvings and also Javanese.
They do carve everything so well. Both of us visited Mas and Ubud and were amazed!
Thank you for your kind words and the dress and shoes I still have...
Hugs,
Mariette