9/22 A lazy day in Bali

We were in no rush in Sanur as there was little to ‘do’ so we spent a lot of time in the mornings with Steven playing countless games of chess on his iPad and me on the computer as you might have guessed.

Today we decided to head over to the morning market but we were clearly late getting there around 10 as a number of the stalls were already closed for the day. Fun though to see the fascinating items and packages we rarely, if ever, see stateside. We always love the sounds, smells and sights in Asian markets.

Photos from Sanur's Morning Market:

You see these baskets used all over Sanur and later in Ubud too - for garbage, carrying and storing items, etc.

These tiny baskets, used to fill with flowers, tiny amounts of cooked rice, etc, are the Hindu offerings placed all over Bali, including below.

Fancy a banana?

Decided to get our dose of culture in the afternoon by walking down the esplanade to Sanur’s only cultural venue, an artist's home turned museum.

Photos from our walk through town to the museum on the beach:

More of the Hindu offerings.

Loved this!

My first Asian public bathroom in a couple of years - I could have waited longer for this one!

Walking along the Esplanade again.

This looked like the most bizarre structure and totally out of place in the local environment.

Now it makes sense seeing the sign but still way too futuristic in my opinion.

Not too shabby!

The Museum Le Mayeur, located mere steps from the beach, is where we were headed. It’s the former home of Belgian artist Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur who moved to Sanur at the age of 52 in 1932. 

Photos of the museum:

Le Mayeur painted canvases of local 16 year old beauty Ni Pollok and her friends. Married 3 years later, the couple lived in the floridly carved house where about 80 of his works now hang. Imagine French Impressionism channeled by Gaugin and you’re close to getting a sense of his works.

The 1930’s house is also interesting for its carving and the couple’s furniture, all of which Ni donated to the government on her death in 1985. 

Have seen so many shrines partially covered by black and white checked plastic or fabric.
Wonder what the significance is?

Since there were signs up prohibiting photography in the interior rooms, there are only photos here of the buildings and grounds.

There was a very strong smell of mothballs throughout the interior rooms; necessary, no doubt, in Bali’s tropical climate to ward off bugs and creepy crawlies.

After touring the museum, we walked a little further down the esplanade to both the public and private boat departure areas. Sanur is the main departure point for boats going to some of the nearby islands: Nusa Lembogan and Nusa Dusa (Don’t you love that name? I thought of loosey goosey hearing it!).We were somewhat interested in another cruise just to while away the day but the prices, for us, were high.

We sure didn't envy these people lugging their bags over the sand after getting off the boat!

One of the larger resort complexes in Sanur.

After such a strenuous day of visiting the morning market, relaxing on the guesthouse veranda, strolling along the beach to visit the town's only museum, we needed to collapse on the beach!

Ate out each night as the tiny guesthouse didn’t have either a restaurant or cooking facilities. Neither of us were the slightest bit enthralled with the restaurants or meals we chose unfortunately but it was lovely being served and not eating any grilled cheese sandwiches for a while!

Posted on 10/1 from Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia.