Cluster Reflection Gathering
Ubud’s Baha’i community is very small, 9 adults, hence an LSA (Local Spiritual Assembly), and 2 children. We were lucky to be here to join 5 of the adults and the two precious children for dinner (and breaking the Fast) and their Cluster Reflection Gathering. The joyful gathering was filled with stories and uplifting conversation. We were invited to attend the Naw-Ruz celebration in the capital of Bali, Densapar. We hope we will be someplace close enough on the 21st and able to attend.
The Night Market
It was a treat to go to the night market, a 45 minutes’ drive from Ubud, where a lot of the locals go to get GOOD and cheap street food – suckling pig and roasted chicken are the most favored -and buy all kinds of odds and ends, including aquarium or pond fish and because of the approaching new year celebration, a lot of small arrangements used for offerings.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YHv0fSLxsQrqW4bO2
The offerings:
The offerings, used by the Hindus (majority of the population of Bali and 99% of Ubud) are flowers, candy, cooked rice or crackers placed in small coconut woven trays that are placed at the entrances of homes, offices, shops, temples, etc. every morning. It is usually accompanied by a burning incent stick resembling a snake. The offering is for protection and good fortune and the snake is to keep the evil away.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/49Ls7Dz1IQOKnoXJ2
Fruit and other delicious foods:
Finally, I got to taste one of the most delicious fruits – – and boy, did I love it! The fruit is purplish brown and has a beautiful 6 leaf imprint (stamped like) at the base of it. When ripe, it is easily split to expose 6 small translucent color, tangerine size, and very tasty slices of fruit hiding on the inside.
Durian is in abundant supply here. I have tried it in Malaysia and liked it. I am waiting for the right time and place to try it here. Those of you that know about this fruit you know that people will either love it or hate it.
I have mentioned my love for the Rambaton before. I also got to like the dragon fruit. Young coconut water, right out of the nut is now my favorite drink. Pineapples are small but tasty and the watermelon is great, served with fresh lime. Cassava and sweet potatoes are served with breakfast and they too are delicious. The jam and the fruit mixture served in small bowls made out of banana leaves are aromatic and tasty.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ED0m46fv3vjEEHjb2
Dewanga Bungalows
We really enjoyed our 12 nights stay here and highly recommend it to those that are willing to pay $40/night for a private large double occupancy room with awesome breakfast, lush surrounding, clean, hospitable staff, quiet and close to all the activities (attraction, restaurants, shops, etc.) Each room is different so we moved three times to find the ideal one for us which had to have a balcony, WIFI and standing shower. We would have been fine with both other, a very nice room and a private two-story cottage, but since we had a choice we moved.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1mmYa3GKAQIduAPi2
“The earth is but one country” 