After leaving Gili Meno, we headed back to Bali, Ubud specifically. This time, instead of a hotel, we were staying at a home stay. There are many home stays in Bali and they are a walled family compound consisting of multiple living quarters, shrines, and communal areas for the family to cook, eat, socialize, and engage in artistic expression.
Phil and I stayed on the property of a family who had several extra structures on their compound that they rented out to tourists. We stayed in a two-story house on the property. The downstairs had a table and chairs for eating, where they brought us breakfast daily, and a sitting area with a daybed and coffee table. Up the steep stairs (you really have to get those knees up for Indonesian steps), there was a small hallway with a bathroom and a large bedroom. The bedroom was the only area with AC and there was no kitchen in the house. Initially I thought the no kitchen thing was weird until I realized the compound had it’s own, dedicated kitchen building and presumably none of the houses on the property had their own, separate kitchen.
In talking with the patriarch of the home, we learned of the value Balinese place on art. We had noticed various paintings in our dwelling and around the property, which we discovered he and his family had done. He told us that every Balinese child is taught the basics of art, treating it like other core competencies like math or reading. He recalled as a child, his father not allowing him to go and play until he spent a couple of hours working on his painting and his father approved of the final result.
He said that if one knows the basics, they will never be bored, because one can always draw, and they have an artistic outlet. I love this and wish the U.S had this perspective. I so wish I had a foundation of basics from which I could draw, literally. Placing such value on art, beauty, and expression might also lead to a more creative society in all manner of disciplines. Imagination and creativity can change the world.
Speaking of art, the Barringtons love an art museum. While Bali has a number of art galleries and shops selling all manner of art, we simply wanted to enjoy looking at art and not be potentially pressured to purchase some. We are not opposed to purchasing art. In fact, we have visited galleries in the states and made purchases of pieces we were drawn to. Currently, however, we don’t have a home, so even if a gallery were to ship something for us, we don’t really have anywhere for it to be shipped.
Phil found the Rudana Art Museum and Gallery so off we went to check it out. It was quite hot and sunny so we decided to take a car to the museum. The grounds were impressive with several buildings and green spaces. We paid the entrance fee, which came with a free bottle of water, at the little on-site, outdoor cafe and headed into the three floor museum.
The collection was very impressive and varied. Phil includes more photos and information in his post here. There was one painting In particular that we both really liked by Ida Bagus Indra. The gentleman who worked at the museum noticed us admiring it and informed us that the paintings on that level (the bottom floor) were for sale, including that one.
He told us the price, considering the size of the painting, around 4-feet by 3-feet, we both really considered buying it. If we were heading right home after a Balinese vacation, we probably would have. We mulled it over as we visited the second building; this one a gallery where all of the paintings were for sale.
Afterward, we decided to grab an iced coffee from the cafe and take in the lovely grounds. We were still talking about the possibility of buying the painting but ultimately decided against it since 1. we would have to ship a huge painting to one of our loved ones to hold onto for us for an unknown amount of time, 2. the fact that we don’t know what the size of our next place will be or how much wall space will be available, and 3. it would take a chunk of our travel savings and we want that for traveling.
As we were talking, a vehicle pulled up and a well dressed man and a woman (who was presumably his personal assistant) stepped out. He introduced himself and it turns out he was the Rudana of Rudana Art Museum and Gallery. He joined us at our table and we started talking as he shared some delicious baked goods from his daughter’s bakery. She went to culinary school in France (ooh là là).
Rudana is a very interesting man. Well traveled, a lover of art, his family, his province, and his country. He speaks Italian in addition to Balinese, Indonesian, and English. He served Bali as the equivalent of a senator in the Indonesian Congress. We discovered he is an avid yogi and really enjoys laughter yoga, which we, well, laughed about. After visiting with Rudana for well over an hour, we decided it was time to head on. We followed each other on Instagram and made tentative plans to meet up in Sanur, where he lives, about an hours drive from Ubud.
Next up: More highlights (and one low-light) from our return to Bali!
Jess Barrington Travels 