2019
Winding Down – almost to a standstill
29 October 2019
And Umajati Retreat in Petulu is the perfect place to do it. Just where I needed to bring my buzzing brain and exhausted body. (Just as I did with Cathy a couple of years back.) The four of us have been transported out of the hectic festival scene into a sublime garden of Eden with its two grand 100 year old Javanese teak houses brought from Java and re-erected here, with all mod cons added, in exquisite gardens. Sheer luxury. Our house, the bigger one, sleeps four in palatial beds with billowing mosquito nets under cooling fans. (No need to turn on the AC.) I have the glorious day bed in the main room. The only thing missing is our beloved hosts, Jean and William, who are on a much-deserved holiday in NZ. We have the place to ourselves, but for the quietly attentive staff who cook delicious meals at breakfast and dinner, but we are free to use the attached kitchen to throw together some lunch and make tea. And of course we brought the gin bottle and tonic supply with us - the corner of the verandah at sunset, with its set of rattan chairs is the perfect spot for “sundowners”. Straight out of a Somerset Maugham novel. In fact I have hardly left this spot from dawn to sunset!
The others walked into the village last night just before sunset to watch the herons return to roost from all over Bali (for which Petulu is famous) but I wisely stayed at home, having seen this spectacle a few times already - and there is a huge hill between us and the village. (I feel about hills the same way I feel about steps.) In the day and a half we’ve spent here I have walked no further than the nearby secluded pool.
Needless to say, Jeffrey, Anna, Pam and I have used this time to debrief on the festival. We have all had quite different experiences and highlights, though coincided for many of the sessions. All of us, as always, loved the festival and what it brings to our lives.
I will let the pictures tell the story of this unique teak home amidst the rice fields, as reflected in its name, Umajati.
This shows the structure of the traditional Javanese joglo house - the four main uprights in the centre supporting the high central roof. The roof tiles are exposed.
I will let the pictures tell the story of this unique teak home amidst the rice fields, as reflected in its name, Umajati.
This shows the structure of the traditional Javanese joglo house - the four main uprights in the centre supporting the high central roof. The roof tiles are exposed.
Jeffrey reuniting his Lou Zeldis batik shirt, bought long ago from Threads of Life, with some other Zeldis masterpieces. He looks like he’s lived here forever - and would probably like to. Zeldis is no longer with us, so these are really to be treasured, as is Jeffrey’s shirt!
Jeffrey and Anna left late this afternoon to return to Sydney. Pam and I have a couple more days down the coast at Peneeda View in Sanur as from tomorrow. Arrive home Saturday. I am bringing back to Sydney with me, Josh’s best Ubud mate over all the years he lived here, fellow Aussie, Janma. She has lived in Bali forever and rarely has the opportunity to go back to Oz. She and Josh can’t wait to see each other again! He has taken a week’s leave from work. After seeing Janma here in June I persuaded her that her family and business can do without her for ten days and got her a Garuda ticket. Saw her yesterday and she is very excited!