* The 3-month Ceremony.

* 'Oleh oleh' at Andrew's and the new pups.

* Haaris and Nina.

* Cracker's Crapper at Candi Cunning markets, Bedugul.

It seemed that spring had sprung when we arrived back in December for our second holiday for the year.

Not only had our favourite black Dachshund in Seminyak had pups but Made Dera's daughter-in-law had presented the extended family with a new grandson.   The rich 3-month ceremony was held on our last day and we were very pleased to be invited.             

THE 3 MONTH CEREMONY.

I'm not sure if I've got this all right but I'll tell you what I think I know.

It's a religious ceremony (Isn't everything in Bali?) so everyone dresses up in their best to please the Gods. This is a bit of an unusual photo, and I confess I had to stage it because a gathering like this has considerable similarities to birthdays and parties and dances and funerals that I used to go to in my younger days - the guys are on one side drinking beer and smoking and the women are on the other side looking after the kids and talking. It's a sure bet that they are talking about the men on the other side too.

Anyway, on the left is Made, allowed to think of himself as the head of the family,

* next is a relative who was passing out Bintang and sort of got caught up in the group,

* next is Made's son (he's the father so he has to look after the baby for at least some of the time but I  

   notice that he's keeping an eye on the beer stocks too),

* then of course there is the baby, just 3 months old and the object of the whole ceremony,

* next is his mother (the baby's mother I mean), Made's daughter-in-law and a beautiful person even by
    Bali standards.

* in orange and as delicate as a Bali maid can be is Wayan, Made's daughter and the apple of his eye,

* finally is the baby's grandmother on his mother's side I think. She wants to go all the time because something is happening on the other side of the compound that she wants to put right.

Now up to this point in his little life the baby has been considered a perfect creation second only to the Gods and his feet have never been allowed to touch the ground because the ground is the domain of the demons who would take away his perfection if they could get near enough to him. Today that is all to change and the object of the ceremony is to call down the house Gods and Sang Hyang Widi, the great unknowable God to their seats in the home shrines in the corner closest to sacred My Agung. When the Gods have arrived the baby is presented to them and their protection is sought for the ceremony and for his future life.

When this is protection has been granted the Priest and his assistants, with the parents and the child, move out into the yard by the decorated family bale. Here a shrine and other objects for the ceremony have been prepared.

The object of this part of the proceedings is to purify a small piece of ground so that it is suitable for the first touch of the baby's foot. As this is Bali there must be a balance of good and evil forces so the demons must not be banished but must be allowed to participate in peace.

This is the ultimate moment of the ceremony.

The small square of ground marked out by the string is the focus of the cleansing ceremony and the place where the first touch will be made.

A square is the symbol of the higher gods from the mountains and the circular bowl is the symbol of the demons, emphasised by the water and the fish shape representing the oceans, close together to ensure the all-important balance of forces.

After the first touch the baby is bathed by all of the close female relatives, using the now cleansed demon's bowl of water.

He is then carefully dressed in clean, new clothes and presented to the Gods as a new being.

The gathering of the girls and the two hens that I felt sure were going to be sacrifices at some stage of the proceedings.

Proud mother and possibly relieved baby.                                            Three generations.

'OLEH-OLEH' AT at ANDREWS AND MIMI'S PUPS.

We observe the Bali tradition of giving gifts after an absence. With Christmas near it seemed appropriate to be a bit excessive this time. Andrew does enjoy his home brew kit and give children, even older ones, toys and bright adornments and you have a festive atmosphere that all enjoy.

Children's toys often baffle adults these days.

Tops for all - - - - - - - and more tops.

A quartet of flowers.                                             Kids at the New Tuban Restaurant pause from noisy play in an empty building.

Percy  (hardly a name for a proper Dachshund)  is Andrew's pride who sleeps wherever he wants.

Despite appearances Percy is not addicted to Andrew's home brew.

HAARIS AND NINA.

Haaris and Nina are the owners of the Bali Cyber Cafe and Restaurant in Jl Werkudara in Legian, not far off Jl Legian. Haaris in particular has been invaluable in the help he has offered at the Negara Orphanage, tweaking computers and with language and through this common interest I hope we have become friends.

It will be a loss to Bali if he cannot re-negotiate his lease and returns to Singapore.

CRACKERS CRAPATORIUM.

Properly named 'Crackers Bar and Grill', with luxurious toilets attached, this new establishment was opened in late 2005 at the Candi Cunning markets near Bedugul and just before Lake Bratatan in the central highlands of Bali, north of Kuta etc.

First impressions are important and in this case they are accurate.

The Throne Room and the Gentlemen's Dribblers.

As you enter the Candi Cunning markets from the southern tourist areas Cracker's Bar and Grill is actually directly in front of you, right up at the back of the markets in the left corner.

Don't be misled and enter the market toilets which are just before this establishment.

The Bar and Grill part of the establishment is also worth a visit and, if you're so inclined, you might bring a personal sporting trophy to donate to the growing collection hanging on the walls or standing proudly on shelves.

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