Rice fields in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia at Tegalalang
Today again we were in Ubud, Bali. Enough with the rainy puras in Ubud, now on to my favorite part of the entire trip to Bali! Today we visited a traditional Balinese style cooperative irrigation system, which in Bahasa Indonesia is called subak. This was my first time visiting a rice field, and like the rest of our visits this trip, we were pressed for time so I wasn't able to take too many pictures or ask too many questions to anyone really. It was very cool seeing the terrace system and seeing the little rice grains on the strong but floppy looking plant stems. Since I was younger I always imagined terrace rice fields and was so interested in how people for hundreds of years were architects of the earth given to us by God. (People think they are so innovative, but come on, after initial innovations, there is only going forwards anyways...) And so, since I had only seen terrace rice fields in photos before even if I was rushed, I was so excited to walk through the different levels... although my cousin and I did get lost and weren't sure how to exit. haha. I also wish I could speak Bahasa Indonesia so that I could ask the locals everything I wanted to know, without the added barrier of a translator. I didn't bring cash and there were multiple bridges which asked for donations, which I felt bad about. But either way, it was great!
On the main street leading to this rice field, there are many vendors, with reasonable prices for all their products, considering that they are hand crochet or made (well, most of them... I definitely saw things that were mass produced). There are also artisan markets close by with skilled wood artisans which carve elaborate doors and chairs and benches as well as HUGE (and I mean huge) wooden figures and dream catchers. Again, because of time, I only captured photos from the car, which turned out blurry. Meeeeehhh. But if I went back, I would want to visit the shops and ask them how long they have been wood working, who are their clients, from whom did they learn, if they are part of a cooperative, and what is their end goal for their products.
But there is so much to do in Ubud, so if you want to travel to Bali and are short on time and are more of a cultural traveler than a touristy resorter, I would suggest spending your time in Ubud, staying at a local eco hotel with good reviews, then going out to learn about the local artisans, agriculture and biodiversity!
Today again we were in Ubud, Bali. Enough with the rainy puras in Ubud, now on to my favorite part of the entire trip to Bali! Today we visited a traditional Balinese style cooperative irrigation system, which in Bahasa Indonesia is called subak. This was my first time visiting a rice field, and like the rest of our visits this trip, we were pressed for time so I wasn't able to take too many pictures or ask too many questions to anyone really. It was very cool seeing the terrace system and seeing the little rice grains on the strong but floppy looking plant stems. Since I was younger I always imagined terrace rice fields and was so interested in how people for hundreds of years were architects of the earth given to us by God. (People think they are so innovative, but come on, after initial innovations, there is only going forwards anyways...) And so, since I had only seen terrace rice fields in photos before even if I was rushed, I was so excited to walk through the different levels... although my cousin and I did get lost and weren't sure how to exit. haha. I also wish I could speak Bahasa Indonesia so that I could ask the locals everything I wanted to know, without the added barrier of a translator. I didn't bring cash and there were multiple bridges which asked for donations, which I felt bad about. But either way, it was great!
On the main street leading to this rice field, there are many vendors, with reasonable prices for all their products, considering that they are hand crochet or made (well, most of them... I definitely saw things that were mass produced). There are also artisan markets close by with skilled wood artisans which carve elaborate doors and chairs and benches as well as HUGE (and I mean huge) wooden figures and dream catchers. Again, because of time, I only captured photos from the car, which turned out blurry. Meeeeehhh. But if I went back, I would want to visit the shops and ask them how long they have been wood working, who are their clients, from whom did they learn, if they are part of a cooperative, and what is their end goal for their products.
But there is so much to do in Ubud, so if you want to travel to Bali and are short on time and are more of a cultural traveler than a touristy resorter, I would suggest spending your time in Ubud, staying at a local eco hotel with good reviews, then going out to learn about the local artisans, agriculture and biodiversity!
The traveling duck,
Christine
Christine, this place sounds so interesting and beautiful... I have often wondered what a rice field was like... it's incredible how some of our food is grown. I would love to spend a week there, still probably not enough time xox
ReplyDeletethis place so beautiful http://www.asktripadvisor.com/2010/10/komodo-national-park.html
ReplyDeleteits beautifull
ReplyDelete