This is a zoomed in picture of the northwest side of Mt. Batur. You can clearly see how the lava flowed as a river in 1963…

Today, we went to see one of the two active volcanoes in Bali – Mt. Batur. It took us nearly two and a half hours but we finally reached there. To get a clear view, we went to the northwest side. You can see the “caldera” (the middle portion of the mountain that caved in) that was formed after the 1963 eruption. Most of the lava flowed on this side of the mountain – you can see the black coloration – and killed nearly 1500 people. If you see in a Google map satellite pictures of this mountain, you will see on the other side total green color and a lot of localities.

The last eruption of this volcano was only 7 years back in 2000.

We lucked out with this view. In about fifteen minutes, thick clouds engulfed the whole area and it started raining cats and dogs.

After seeing those school kids in their “batik” uniforms, took the girls to see how batik cloth is made. Visited a loom in Batubulan. First time the two daughters saw a handloom and how cloth is made thru the interweaving. I, myself, was not aware at all how wax is used to protect layers of colors during the process of adding color to the whole cloth and then the wax is washed away by dipping in hot water!

The picture here does not do full justice to the expanse and depth of the fields. We were on the other side of the valley. Also, rice has just been harvested. So, it is not as colorful as it is when it is full of rice plants.

While exploring Bali yesterday, we noticed a lot of school kids on the road. Most of them were biking to school – weaving thru pretty heavy traffic – to school. I thought the kids were wearing pretty interesting – and different – uniform. Colorful printed shirt. What I learnt from a local is even more interesting. Apparently schools have multiple uniforms. However, on two days a week – I think Wed and Thu – they wear “Batik” (printed) shirts.

When I was growing up, it was always one color for the whole week!!

… I will pay money to see somebody strike that yoga pose on the rim of the John in the middle picture…

(This is in Ubud)

… as the two and a half feet long bat – yes, a bat – licked up my arm!! Yikes!!

My technology friends have been talking a lot about Python. Not knowing what is the big deal about it, I had to try out one by myself today…

This is Batubulan Village in Bali.

Table tennis with Niki…
Run by myself…
Badminton with Sharmila…