Wednesday – August 26, 2015
Happy Birthday, Gigi!
Two nights in Lovina passed quickly, and we were back on the hot dusty road traveling south to Jimbaran. It was the ‘dry season’ in Bali. The road twisted through the lush green interior of Bali. Rich volcanic soil and tropical climates “bless islanders with year-round crops.”
Today was our chance to learn how to grow and process rice. Every phase of growing rice, from planting seeds to milling grain, is incredibly labor intensive.
After harvesting, rice farmers bring bags of grain to a mill like the one pictured above. The grain was set out on the concrete to dry in the sun to decrease moisture content. Workers spend the day raking through the grains to help the drying process.
Large bags of rice filled the milling room. Two men poured grains into the top of the machines which loosened the hull from the white interior kernel. As the rice poured into plastic buckets, Jumena told us the mill takes a percentage of the rice from the farmer as payment.
Rice fields were everywhere in Bali, reflecting blue skies and providing beautiful photogenic landscapes.
Subak is the name of the water irrigation system for the rice fields in Bali which was developed in the 9th century and continues today. It is a complex ecosystem of terraced fields and water temples for the management of a cooperative water system.
Subak, which has been included as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is managed under the authority of priests in the water temples to promote a harmonious relationship between the human world and nature.
Jimbaran is a fishing village and tourist resort located in southern Bali on the Indian Ocean just south of Denpasar and the airport. We were going to spend our last three nights at the Keraton Jimbaran Beach Resort & Spa before heading home.
The architecture of the buildings of the hotel and the grounds were exceptionally beautiful. Paths down to the beach are lined with forty year old bonsai trees and lovely tropical flowers. I just wish my spacious room had been cleaner.
I enjoyed walking around as the sun set over the ocean. The white sand beach was alluring.
