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Posted by - ® DavidB on August 25, 2005 at 9:21 pm:
Before our host Tony left us to explore our room he told us that he would be pleased if we would join him and Ida for dinner as Ida was preparing a special meal for us. Could we join them in one of the pavilions at 6.00 pm as he had organised Legong dancers for the evening and as they were only prep school girls we needed to start early so they could finish by 9.00? Now, I expect that most people on this forum that have visited Bali have at some time been to a Balinese dance performance. We certainly have. Probably one too many times. My initial reaction was “nice gesture, but 2 hours!!!”
We explored the room. An ant problem. The western toilet was full of them I flushed it and clumps of black ants came streaming down. Ten flushes later it cleared. Possibly the local ant population was missing the usually wet padi? Refuge in the toilet cisterns?
6.00 pm came and we ventured to the pavilion. Tony appeared with many small bintangs. We sat with Tony, lubricated and talked. Ida produced her food. Many small Balinese grilled schnappers, vege kare, salad etc. We could hear music from nearby. Tony ushered us and the remaining bintang to another pavilion on the other side of the complex. There was a musical group of about 12 boys and some men on bongo like instuments playing jegog music and it sounded fantastic. Most of the village had also turned out to enjoy the night. Wow, this was special. Two young girls danced their hearts out. It was brilliant! Tony kept producing bintang.
Then Tony came up behind me and slipped some rolled bank notes into my hand. One of the girls would be asking me to dance with her and at the end I was to “tip” her! My wife separately received the same instruction. The moment came and it was a hoot. I showed those villagers a few moves they may have forgotten, let alone even known! The twist, the watusi, even the moonwalk! In the end both girls invited us up, and it is possible that I was a heavy tipper ‘cos the second girl asked me for a second dance. I must have been good!!! And their mothers were just so proud! What a night, totally memorable for the rest of my life. I must remember to send them copies of the photos.
Next day it was roosters pre dawn directly outside our open window as Tony keeps 5,000 chooks wandering around. Luckily his 20,000 ducks live elsewhere! Breakfast with Tony and then the intrepid travellers were on their way again with Argus and Kadek up to Pemuteran.
Observations while in Negara? First of all, we were the only humans staying at Cahaya Matahari. Very sad really, but it is a bit off the beaten tourist track. Yet Tony is currently building another unit. He has 3 years ago built a swimming pool complex of 3 pools, in partnership with an American, in Negara near the schools and soccer stadium. It features an Olympic size pool. Or it may be half olympic. I am no expert, but it is huge. No one uses it but Tony is sure that once word gets around then it will be popular. After 3 years!!!! Negara has horse drawn surreys (spelling) for personal transport. Sure, they are seen in Tuban too, but that is for tourists. These are for real!
Onward Argus, Gillimanook, then Pemuteran. But not before we visit the market for a quick look. Argus doesn’t understand the attraction!
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