Bali, Indonesia

After the successful (I hope) field interviews on East Java, I caught a flight to Bali for a few days before returning to Switzerland. I didn't really know anything about it except that it was known for surfing and maybe something with yoga - I did not have much of a plan except to meet up with Julio, a friend from my masters program who has been living there while working for an energy efficiency company. I was initially looking into some diving-surfing-yoga-spearfishing packages, but did not book anything before I arrived. At least it was good to know that there were so many options.

The day after I arrived, Jules picked me up on his moto-scooter and we headed to Ubud, the sort of yoga-hippie capital of (possibly) the world, - thanks in part to the role it plays in Eat, Pray, Love. You can buy vegan ice cream flavored with healing frequencies. My mom said she wants to go to Bali, but minus some of the waves and sand, Asheville is basically the same.

We went to the coolest, most intimidating coffee shop that I have ever been to (including those in Seattle). They were serious about their roasts and had so many gadgets/methods for brewing, but I was mostly impressed by the decor:

That cup and saucer! That water cup! That dainty banana leaf wrapped snack!

Plastic chairs transformed into  rocking chairs!

By some famous Ubud rice paddies!

Ubud was unexpected. I mean, when I landed in Denpasar I was amazed at the density and level of construction, especially compared with Malang, but Ubud was full on culture shock: yoga-bros on macbooks, a monkey sanctuary, burritos, spas, raw food...

I found a dive tour operator who had space for me to go to Tulamben, in the north of the island, to use my new scuba skills to check out a shipwreck! During WWII, a US Naval ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and then towed to shore (there were no casualties). It sat there for years, until 1963 when Mt Agung erupted and the lava carried the ship back into the water, but not too far.

Mt. Agung

To get to the wreck, we just walked in from the shore and saw a blue barracuda almost immediately upon going under the surface. On the first dive, I was so distracted and in awe of all the fish to my right, I did not notice the huge, coral-covered wreck to my left for a few minutes.

My first shipwreck and shore dive!
Blue water and lava rocks!

Near one of Bali's "sunset temples"
NB: The best shots weren't actually of the temple and the stairs that you have to receive a "blessing" to scale don't actually lead to the temple (or even a cooler view).

Back in Sanur, there were no fewer hippie options. Green smoothies and superfoods galore! Even opportunities to connect with the earth while inside.

These are grass mats that you can take with you into the restaurant to rest your bare feet on for at least 10 minutes. 

The instruction sheet for the grass mats reads:

benefits of earthing:

Going barefoot is grounding

Re-energizes you through the earth's natural electric currents

Clears your mind

Receive more Chi

Like a free reflexology session

Decreases anxiety & depression

Strengthen muscles & ligaments in your feet, ankles & calves

Decrease varicose veins.

POST your EARTHING MOMENTS share the (heart image)

#earthing

I caught a half day surf lesson on the morning of the day I flew out. It took a while, but I was able to stand up! It was really fun, but the aftermath was painful.  Despite what I thought was a through sunscreeening, the back of my legs got fried - so uncomfortable for the long flight home - and my hands and thighs were red and irritated from the board. 

Malang, Indonesia

While editing some of my interviews today at the office, I noticed that the photos I was adding were from "more than 7 weeks ago," which makes me wonder where the time has gone and feel a bit of guilt. (I wrote that before my recent two week trip to the US, so let's just round up to more than two months) After my conference in Kuching and stopover in Kuala Lumpur, I traveled to Malang, East Java to conduct a series of interviews with people involved with a vermicomposting network, which will be part of a larger series of case studies on "waste" recovery. It was a busy few days filled with culinary adventures.

First things first: there is krispy kreme in the Jakarta airport.

A taste of home, but with innovative varieties, like peanut butter and jelly!

My time in Malang was scheduled to the brim by my two student assistants from a local university, Dwi and Hana. They did a great job with the pre-interviews and tracking down people without addresses.

They wear Letterman-style jackets from their "Agritech Research and Study Club" and are currently in Japan on a research exchange.

I asked them to act like badass biker chicks next to their motos.

One of the many worm-growing groups who were gracious enough to talk to us about their experiences.

Such healthy worms. Perfect for turning into:

Food for baby shrimp,

Vitality Capsules,

Sports drinks (CHEERS!) and much more!

I was offered worms 4 times. I consumed them twice (sports drink and honey elixir), passed once (worm covered ginger), and brought one back to Switzerland (the capsules) for my friends to try. Two months of sitting on my desk and I have not had any takers, yet. 

Aside from the worms, I ate well. In addition to a stop at KFC in Anto's honor (an Indonesian friend from my master's program who introduced me to Indonesians' love for fried chicken and rice), I enjoyed bakso and other stews (kept and served hot).

A little hard to tell, but I love the presentation.

Also, I ate BRAINS at a Maskan Padang. So smooth!

Roti is basically an Indonesian (?) doughnut (baked, not fried). So good. On at least one occasion I just ate these for dinner after a long day in the field.