My first massage lesson

My first massage lesson took place in Ubud, Bali on November 16, 2012. I got taught in a spa called Sang Spa by a woman named Juni for almost six hours straight. The lesson started at 10am and ended at 4:30 with a half an hour break at 1 after learning for 3 hours straight.

When I arrived at the spa at 10, I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know what kind of massage I’d learn and I didn’t know how they’d teach me. I thought they’d first teach me theory (what muscle is where and stuff) but they said to go into a room and in that room was a person lying on a massage table with a sarong on them. Then the lesson started. Juni started demonstrating how to do the massage and at the beginning it was very awkward for me and I didn’t think I’d enjoy it because the massage included the gudius maximus (scientific word for bottom). After about 15-30 minutes of the lesson I got used to the giving the massage and enjoyed it a lot. Not even ants covering my food could destroy the fun.

After the six hours were over, I sat at the front of the spa waiting for my dad to pick me up and when he came he videoed them giving me my certificate. I am now certified to provide Balinese massage.  It was a lot of fun but I don’t know how I’m going to remember how to do the massage because I don’t know who to do it on.

Video 1: watch the first 2:50 mins.

Video 2:

Rice Growing In Bail

What is a Subak?

A Subak is a community of rice farmers. Each Subak has a leader to represent the Subak at the temple. The leaders go to the temple to set the irrigation system for the next year. This is important because the irrigation system makes sure that every field from the top of the hill to the bottom of the hill gets an equal amount of water.

The  Priest

The high priest is chosen at birth by the goddess of the lake to be a human form of herself until death.There are twenty four  priests and one high priest. It is the high priests job to divide the water from Lake Batur and Kintamani between the people and to decide when to farm the land, as it all has to be farmed at the same time. This is a natural pest control because if pests have no were to go to eat, they will starve and there wont be any coming to eat the crops when you are farming again.

Farmers

Rice farmers harvest their crops three times a year and make $500 a year ($1.50a day) some make no money and eat only the rice they harvest. They harvest just enough to keep themselves and their families alive. this is called subsistence farming.

The Importance of Rice

Rice growing is very important in hindu balinese community. There are rise ceremonies, offerings of rise and people put rise on their forehead and neck at the temple. Rice is a source of life for the balinese people.

Sting rays

I think this was not properly uploaded before.

little movie starring the Bora Bora Sharks

Thank you Ralph for introducing me to the go pro and teaching me the secrets (- not to make my clips 2 hours long)

Huahine and Taha

The Polyiasian islands -what an experience. After Borra-Borra  we anchored outside of Huahine and Tahaa. During the day we took the Dingy to beautiful places and in the early mornings and at night we dove of the boat. The sea life is unbelievable.

Huahine: WATCH VIDEO HERE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLkknP3JUio

Taha’a: WATCH VIDEO HERE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7FxnN9BqtQ

Yannay and Daniela – Open Water Dive Certified!

10^th Oct 2012

Cook Island Divers award Yannay (14) and Daniela (12) open water PADI scuba diving certification. Asked how he felt on receiving certification Yannay said “Huh?” Asked how she felt, Daniela smiled. Only their father made great whooping noises. Even the dive instructor was muted.