K: Anthony Bourdain, we are following you! Lunch at Bali's most famous Warung, (a roadside shack where customers sit on benches or stools), Ibu Oka, was well worth the wait. The specialty is roast suckling pig or babi guling. Each pig is stuffed with a secret blend of Balinese spices, probably garlic, chilis, galangal and turmeric, and roasted for hours over an open fire. It was fabulous to watch the entire pig arrive on a giant cutting board and then two ladies delicately attack it with a machete-like weapon. Two other women work the tender meat off the bones, separating the crispy skin from the meat. The Babi Guling Special consists of several pieces of meat, a large crispy piece of skin, and an assortment of other unidentifiable bits, all served over local greens and coconut-infused rice. Total cost - $2.70 US. Unbelievable.
We also attended a traditional Balinese dance called the Kecak and Fire Dance. The dance is based on the great Indian epic poem the Ramayana. Rama's wife Shinta is kidnapped by the evil and powerful King of Sri Lanka. Rama sends his most trusted general, the white monkey Hanoman, to rescue Shinta. Dozens of men comprise the "monkey chorus", making "cak-cak-cak" sounds throughout the performance. In the end, after a fierce battle, the evil King is defeated and Shinta returns home to Rama.
V: Outdoor shower, outdoor sink, outdoor toilet at the bungalow we had to move to at Alam Shanti. And a pool populated by fish at our feet in the outdoor facilities. Oh, and the frog and lizard that visit our patio in the evening. I could live here, easily.
Two interesting Buddha depictions were acquired in Ubud, and will make fine additions to the collection of artworks in the house in Philly. It will be good to get them framed and hung upon our return.
More pictures later, as we have a slow connection that isn't helping much with the picture uploads.
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