FLYING KITES AT DAJUMA Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

FLYING KITES AT DAJUMA

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There is a lovely tradition in Bali which consists in flying kites all around the island, all the year long. Since their youngest age, Balinese people are used to practice this  activity, starting from the construction of the kite up to tough competitions with a strong moment in the year with the Bali Kite Festival, an annual international kite festival held in Padang Galak area in Sanur. Traditional giant kites (4 meters in width and almost 10 meters in length) are made and flown competitively by teams from the villages (banjar) of Bali. The event is a seasonal religious festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests.The teams consist of about 70 to 80 people, each team with its own Gamelon band, flag bearers and flyers.
At Dajuma, we love introducing our guests to this remarkable activity that reminds us so much of our youth!

Congratulations to Eka! Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Congratulations to Eka!

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Putu Eka Rahayu Damayanthi is the eldest daughter of three sisters of our late Indra. Since her early childhood, led by her mother Kadek Anggrayani, herself talented dancer, Eka studied the Balinese dances so beautiful to look at but so difficult to execute! Today Eka is a beautiful girl of 17 who studies in senior high school in Negara with very good results.  But she also subjugates the spectators who watch in her interpretation of traditional Balinese dances. She used to perform her art in various competitions around the island and in each important event or celebration at Dajuma. Congratulations Dearest Eka!

EXERCISE ON THE BEACH Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

EXERCISE ON THE BEACH

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Every week on Saturday, the children with their teachers come to the beach in front of Dajuma to do exercise.
The pupils come from the kindergarden to the elementary school in Pekutatan called TK Harapan 2. They choose this place because of the nice view and the proximity of the school.
On the picture, the children dancing under the guidance of their teacher Ibu Widiastuti.

TANTERI MUSEUM Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

TANTERI MUSEUM

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In West Bali, one place becomes attractive for tourism: the Tanteri ceramic factory, which is also our main chinaware supplier.
It is located in Pejaten, between Tabanan and Tanah Lot temple.
I Made Tanteri has been the head of the village and a pioneer for ceramic development in the years 1980’s.
He get help from some westerners to improve the production, so that the factory is now famed for its fine artcrafts ceramics.
We can see there the women at work, and a museum was opened in 2011, with temporary exhibitions.
Oka Mahendra is Mr Tanteri son, many thanks to him for displaying a lot of beautiful handicraft in this place.

Christmas & Galungan Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Christmas & Galungan

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This year is particular in Bali as the the celebrations of Galungan and Christmas fall almost at the same time : 17th and 25th.
Perhaps a sign that religions are sometimes converging. In any case it makes sense for Bali to celebrate Christmas as there are a lot of christians around the island.
For the night of Christmas, Dajuma will drive its guests willing to participate in the Christmas mass to the nearby christian church. Then after this moment of praying, they will be offered a delicious dinner (Peking Duck!) with a live orchestra.
Merry Christmas!

Galungan celebration Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Galungan celebration

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A special célébration time began already in Bali, culminating with Galungan Day, this Wednesday, December 17th.
Galungan marks the beginning of the most important recurring cérémonies according to the ’210 day Balinese Pawukon Calendar’. The festival symbolizes the victory of good (Dharma)over evil (Adharma) and encourages the Balinese to show their gratitude to the Creator.
The spirits of deceased relatives who have been cremated return to visit their former homes, and the current inhabitants have a responsability to be hospitable through prayers and offerings.
6 days before is the day to purify, 3 and 2 days before  are dedicated to méditation, then the day before people erect the ‘penjor’ in front of each house.
Offerings and praying are made to God and holy ancestral spirits who come down to earth. The Balinese usually return to their family hometowns and villages to reunite with their families and elders.
Here on the picture the colorful holy decoration used for the celebration of Galungan: they are made of palm tree leaves and orn the streets in the villages as well as the houses.

Traditional weaving looms… Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Traditional weaving looms…

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There is a kind of fascination to observe the patient work of skilled villagers working on traditional weawing looms in Negara,  not far from Dajuma.
The bobbin is loaded with a wire already tinted by segments, according to the pattern chosen by the artist. Operated by the weaver, the bobbin, by a continuous coming and going, will feed the frame. Ultimately, the so called “ikat” fabric slowly born with blur of the best effect, which is related to the vagueness of the craft machine.
A very interesting curiosity, part of our tour “Discover West Bali”!
On the picture, the ikat under weaving featuring the famous buffalo races (Mekepung) typical from West Bali.

Little Girl and the Statue Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Little Girl and the Statue

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Close to the Rama restaurant, in the middle of the lawn,  your eye may be attracted by  a small traditional statue : a women carrying a flat basket on her head.
Her location is now a holy place because the Hindu people from  Puri Dajuma are used to put flowers as offerings to the Gods in the basket every day.
For this beautiful  and élégant little girl, the statue looks like a good friend with whom one like to share some frangipani flowers.
Indeed a graceful  picture!

Wood carving in Bali Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Wood carving in Bali

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For those who appreciate the Balinese Art, it is impossible to remain indifferent to the beauty of the carvings found everywhere around the island.
Who not remained fascinated by observing the delicate work of woodcarvers who, with makeshift tools, are able to make masterpieces that adorn houses, temples and  hotels in Bali.
On the picture, the carving in our Rama restaurant, one of the many wood carvings that decorate Dajuma. It was  made  by the cousin of our director.
When asked the question: “What are your sources of inspiration?”, the answer is : “Nature and Imagination”.
As simple as that!

Welcome Back dear Agung! Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Welcome Back dear Agung!

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Bali is renowned worldwide for the wealth of its culture, among which dancing is occupying a privileged position.
Each village of the island supports as much as possible a dancing group as well as a gamelan or jegog orchestra. This is the case for the village of Pekutatan which is housing Dajuma.
After an interruption of several months due to a serious health problem, our dear dance professor Agung is back, more dynamic than ever. He launched some years ago in the village  a very successful school which participates in many dance contests around the island and beyond. Dajuma strongly encourages this actvity by welcoming on a regular basis his school on our stage in front of the Rama restaurant.
Here on the picture young villagers, boys and girls directed by Agung. Our guests love to watch this authentic spectacle and sometimes participate in it.