Author Archives: Vanda
An Island Goes Silent for a Day
This year April Fools Day and Nyepi – the Balinese New Year – occur on the same day, so while the tricksters and jokers abound in the western world, the island of Bali goes silent for a day of personal … Continue reading
Posted in Bali
Tagged Bali, Balinese New Year, Day of Silence, Island of the Gods, Mahabharata, Nyepi, Ogoh-Ogoh, pecalang, Ramayana, Suharto regime, Ubud
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Mock-Up
I have a whole new appreciation for editors and publishers – I thought I could quickly pull together a few sample pages of my proposed book – was I wrong. Â I wouldn’t bore you with all the angst and details … Continue reading
Rebuilding the Tambaks (fishponds) in Aceh
The 2004 tsunami that devastated most of the coastlines of Asia also destroyed the livelihood of millions. Â Here is a look at one small village in the Province of Aceh, Indonesia where the traditional fishponds, or tambaks as they are … Continue reading
Posted in Aceh
Tagged aid, aquaculture, fishing, fishponds, Gracilaria, Indonesia, milkfish, mosques, NGO, polyculture, shrimp, Sigli, Sumatra, Tambaks, tilapia, tsunami, warungs
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In the Studio with I Made Budhiana
We introduce to you……….one of the foremost contemporary artists in Bali. It is our third attempt to meet up with Made (pronounced mah-day) Budhiana, and I’m getting a little nervous. His studio is in the capital city of Denpasar, about … Continue reading
Posted in Art
Tagged Aant S. Kawisar, Bali, Bali Contemporary Art, Budhiana, carpet style art, Dempasar, Haidai, Snerayuza
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Faces Around Bali
 From kids to contemporary artists, poets and musicians, and from the farms in the mountains to the spectacular ceremonies, the faces are as diverse and dignified as you would find anywhere on earth. Enjoy this short slideshow ……… [easyrotator]erc_96_1379005433[/easyrotator] … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Ogoh-Ogoh Monsters
There is rap and hip-hop blaring on the neighboring street of Jalan Sugriwa in Ubud, but this is somehow incongruous with the normal sounds of scooters, horns, gamelan bands, roosters and barking dogs.  A group of teenage boys are rocking out while … Continue reading
Posted in Bali
Tagged Balinese New Year, Day of Silence, exorcism, Mahabharata, monsters, Nyepi, Ogoh-Ogoh, papier mache, pecalang, Ramayan, Ubud
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La Noche de Rábanos or The Night of the Radish
La Noche de Rábanos These radishes aren’t for eating – they are mammoth, gnarly roots that are carved into elaborate sculptures depicting everything from the Virgin de Guadalupe to gazebos, whimsical grasshoppers and entire village scenes. Welcome to Oaxaca, Mexico! … Continue reading
Posted in Mexico
Tagged 23rd December, La Noche de Rabanos, Mexico, Night of the Radish, Oaxaca
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Back in the Sonoran Desert
We don’t always have to travel to far lands to find compelling stories – they are all around us. “Cuisine of the Desert: Foraging for Cholla Buds”, starring Tucson ethnobotanist Martha Burgess, as she leads a workshop on one of … Continue reading
Posted in Arizona
Tagged Cholla cactus buds, cooking, ethnobotany, foraging, Sonoran Desert, Tucson
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