« The Crossing | Main | Bali Paradise Lost? »

September 8, 2005

Harmony of Amed

DAY: 88
LOCATION: Bali - North Coast
NAUTICAL MILES TODAY: 15
NAUTICAL MILES YESTERDAY: 0
NAUTICAL MILES TOTAL TRIP: 781.5
LATITUDE : S 08 degs, 10.55'
LONGITUDE: E 115 degs, 27.91'

We left Amed this morning and I shall miss it. I'd been enjoying a couple of days off in the small village on the Bali coast where we landed after the selat crossing. We'd met up with Chris, who has rejoining us. So, Jason and Chris traveled to Denpasar to complete the visa renewals and I stayed to restock supplies before our trip around Bali.

This quiet village sits on the lower slopes of Gunung Agung and is quite unique compared to other fishing villages we've visited. Balinese culture is reflected in the simplest designs (masonry work adorning the door and windows of the bungalows) to the more sophisticated gateways to the temples dotting the countryside. Even the manicured yards of each bungalow is a botanical garden all its own!

To get a better look at the local countryside, we took a quick ride up the road leading to the hills above Amed. Terraced rice paddies covering the steep volcanic slopes, waterfalls tucked under lush vegetation, thatched roof houses surrounded by bamboo fences create a harmonious picture with the natural beauty of the land. Below us, ornate Balinese shrines depict the Hindu influence of the area and these also add to the feng shui of the place.

Upon returning, we stopped to get a better look at the design of the boats used by local fishermen. This simple canoe supports two outriggers on either side. A lateen, or triangular, sail makes these small boats quite maneuverable even in fairly turbulent water. But, the vibrant colors of these boats is what catches your eye. An array of paint schemes and designs (some with the faces of a fish on one end, Balinese designs on the other) reflect great pride by the owner. The sails offer splashes of color, blues, browns, green in symmetrical patterns, and are visable from a distance when the boats line the horizon at sunset.

This area is an example of feng shui on a grand scale. The harmony created by people in sync with the beauty of their surroundings offers a peaceful lull before we begin this last kayak section around Bali.

April

Posted on September 8, 2005 12:54 PM