Villa G's Travels and Villa Cengkeh Bali

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

We have a new home in Bali: Villa Cengkeh


New Temples at Villa Cengkeh
On 22 May 2016 we had the ceremonies to bless the new temples, the land and the new house at Villa Cengkeh.  The activities began at 07:30 and finished with an Indonesian buffet lunch.  Eighty persons were in attendance including 25 members of the gamelan (orchestra).

We were then able to sleep in Villa Cengkeh than evening.  It is going to be an adjustment after living on a yacht for 5 years.  There is so much space that my leg muscles are strengthening.

The kitchen is super and Susan and has already been able to roast a chicken and bake a fresh apple pie.

Villa Cengkeh is in the village of Kayuputih (white wood or eucalyptus) just above the villages of Lovina on Bali's north shore.
Roasted pig for an offering to the gods


Dancing a la Bali


Sunday, May 8, 2016

Construction 20: Entering the final stage


Statues at Zakia's in Lovina's Kaliasem
We have two weeks for finishing Villa Cengkeh.  The necessary ceremonies are scheduled for 21 May which is a very auspicious day in the Balinese calendar and not to be missed.  It is working 7 days/week now.

As workers are doing touch-up on the paint, floors and walkways, others are installing furniture such as the locally build beds, wardrobes and kitchen cabinets.  Most of those are in and yesterday the appliances were placed in the kitchen.
New Appliances in Kitchen

We have also been shopping for some items such as statues for the garden and paintings.  Last Tuesday we made a trip to Ubud, the artistic center of Bali.  While there are many art studios and galleries there, the traffic is horrendous and it is very difficult to get around.

The statues shown above are going to go on the pool patio as guardians.  They originated from a Hindu temple that was renovated.  I found an old buddha statue in green stone in a place near Ubud.  We have acquired some interesting Timorese wooden statues for both the garden and the living room in shops in Denpasar.  I'll provide photos of these once they are in place.
Installing Blinds, Solar H20Heater on Roof