Short 41 seconds video with more info below —if viewed on YouTube.
On Friday, May 13, 1983 after rising very early at the Mandarin hotel, we flew at 6:15 from Jakarta to Denpasar Bali
This photo is taken at the mansion of our 'would be boss'...
We got picked up and dropped off at the Bali Beach hotel and did tour the Bali Raya tuna cannery.
We NEVER knew that from such a huge fish as tuna, they only use the inner part about 30%, a kind of a 'tenderloin' and all the rest is being removed. Guess that goes into cat food or whatever...
We also went up high into the mountains for studying grounds for growing vegetables.
It was a drive of 1.5 hour and it was rainy and cold.
Good soil for growing sweet potatoes!
Lunch at the Golfclub BALI HANDARA, a pity that the weather was so bad...
We lunched with a Balinese Prince who's father used to have some 45 wives, but he instead was very modest and only had 4.
They arranged a personal driver for both of us because Pieter had motion sickness, from the bus winding through the mountains.
With our driver we also did visit the artist villages of Mas and Ubud for buying some Balinese woodcarvings.
While on the road, we also got to see a Balinese corpse burning...
By 19:00 we had to be ready for a big party in Bapak Soetantyo's mansion, with a huge tropical garden but it rained cats and dogs! There were several international business guests from the UK and the US and both of us.
We got assured though that Bapak Soetantyo would most certainly call in a Dukun to expel the dark clouds! If necessary, even two... The Dukuns are the Shamans there. Yes, we had arrived at the magical BALI!
Bapak Soetantyo's mansion as well as the garden, were a dream... and mysteriously it was clear and no rain.
Bapak Soetantyo persuaded me to go to the Balinese statue and touch it... Working magic through it, via the Dukuns, to influence me that I should opt for living in Indonesia instead of living in the USA... It didn't work though.
Seven years later however, we went to work and live there.
A huge Balinese wood carving panel on the wall of Bapak Soetantyo's mansion.
We bought some, but not quite that size!
Unbelievable craftsmanship in meticulous woodcarving...
A Gamelan orchestra got arranged for playing music...
Balinese dansers performed...
The western men got summoned to partake in this Balinese dancing...
Pieter trying his very best version here above!
Quite serious...
Pieter did look good in his McGregor suit...
Enough dancing!
Pieter is standing next to one of the Balinese figures, exactly the same as we have in our Balinese chess set.
The evening was like a dream with an open-air buffet and we got seated at tables.
Very impressed, we went back to our hotel by 21:30.
On Saturday, May 14, we woke up early with sunshine and had the day off so we did spend it under the palm trees at the beech. Breakfast outdoors and we met with some Belgian and German tourists...
Traditional Prahu boats lined up...
A beautiful day ending...
We enjoyed a great dinner at the fish restaurant of Bali Beach together with four other men from the Indonesian company.
On Sunday, May 15, at 9:00 we have our flight back to Jakarta. Goodbye Bali!
Would be back there in December 1986.
Daring to Alter 7/8 Pants into Knickerbockers | showing the above pants being altered...
Indonesia is on my bucket list. Our eldest boy says we aren't allowed to go without him (same goes for Japan). :) Who knows what travel will be like for a very long time. You two certainly had some wonderful adventures over the years.
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteLet's hope you eventually will manage to visit Indonesia, including Bali!
We both do treasure these wonderful experiences.
Hugs,
Mariette
45 wives? I am trying to think something to say.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that about the tuna. I always wondered how they put such a large fish in a small tin.
I love the photos you have posted here. Great souvenirs. Thanx Mariette.
God bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteYes, that sounds very strange to our Western ears, I know but being in a different culture you learn about it.
The tuna fish cannery was quite an eye opener to both of us.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, You and Pieter sure got the royal treatment that trip. I once worked with a person who was interested in Indonesian music, and built his own gamelan. In order to make the necessary metal bars, he first had to build a forge and blacksmith shop in his back yard, then learn how to use it!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteYou name it wright, we sure did get the royal treatment and more than once.
They sure tried very hard for making us decide then to join their company and work for them.
Building your own gamelan must be quite a challenging task and doing it all yourself by learning from scratch!
Hugs,
Mariette
Lovely memories, and luckily there are photos. You have had a lot of adventures;-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteThank you and yes, we have had a very broad scale of different experiences and adventures. All as a non-tourist!
Hugs,
Mariette
This post blew me away, Mariette! Such royal treatment you both got in such an unique and opulent setting. Like Victor, I can't get over four wives let alone 45!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteThank you, we both also felt in heaven for being pampered all the way.
Mystical island and yes, the number of wives had by the Prince's Father was mind blowing.
Hugs,
Mariette
Bali is such a short trip from WA it is a really popular holiday destination for West Australians. We used to go often but not for quite a while now. Excellent photos of your trip in '83 Mariette ✨
ReplyDeleteDearest Grace,
DeleteOh sure, it is a short trip for all Aussies compared to us.
This was quite a memorable visit but of course, they did the utmost for trying to get us on board for their company.
Hugs,
Mariette
Llevo toda mi vida comprando atún y desconocía que solo se aprovechaba el 30 por ciento, del lomo de este pez.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteNosotros dos tampoco. ¡Fue todo un abridor de ojos! Pero aún más apreciado por lo tanto.
Abrazos,
Mariette
Not a place I have ever visited or want to
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteWell, it ranks as a favorite vacation destination for Aussies!
It sure is one of the loveliest places on earth and believe us, we can compare.
Hugs,
Mariette
it must be a world completely different from the west. Culture and environment different from what we are used to.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteIt certainly is even with the Portuguese having been the very first to establish a colonial presence in Indonesia and the Dutch for 350 years it has remained a very exotic blend. Wonderful nature and also their food is heavenly!
Hugs,
Mariette
When I see images of you as a young woman, I am struck by your beauty .... today that emotion prevails. I have spent time in Fiji, would love to visit Bali.
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
DeleteThank you and happiness is merely radiating contentness!
We always have lived very intense, soaking up all the emotions when being somewhere and even while working with people.
Fiji we have never reached...
Hugs,
Mariette
Das muss echt schön dort gewesen sein liebe Mariette
ReplyDeleteLG Bernhard
Lieber Bernhard,
DeleteBali ist ein wares Paradies!
Lieber Gruß,
Mariette
Beautiful photos
ReplyDeleteDearest Regine,
DeleteYes they are and of very fond memories!
Hugs,
Mariette
You were such a beautiful lady and still are, Mariette!
ReplyDeleteYour photos made me wanna visit Indonesia again!
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteThank you and you are so nearby and probably still can do this...
For us it is no longer feasible due to Pieter's heart condition.
Hugs,
Mariette