On past trips we've brought home things that were easily portable . . . CD's of local music, small hanging doo-dads, Christmas ornaments . . . but the local wood here on Bali is calling us and keeps calling us! Easily portable? I think not! We have been traveling for over three months with one backpack each, weighing in the neighborhood of 7kg or 15 pounds! We have one more flight, to Melbourne Australia, and then our long haul flight (14.5 hours) home. For a small fee, we can add a checked bag to the Melbourne flight and the checked bag home is free. We wouldn't have to schlep this hefty souvenir through too many airports or past the eyes of doubting customs officials . . . so the decision is made: we're taking home Balinese wood!
Now we have to find a lumberyard and figure out exactly what we're taking home. Our puzzled driver (our request leaves him speechless) assures us he can find us a yard, we just have to decide what we want. We have absolutely no idea what we're going to make with this exotic wood, how much we will need to make our mystery creation, or how much it's likely to cost . . . minor details!
Our still baffled drive takes us to a lumber yard/art furniture 'shop' which, for me, is like a discount designer shoe store for most women and for Tim is sheer heaven. And these woods are mind-bogglingly wonderful - dense, beautifully grained, and lushly colored in shades of rosewood and mahogany (can you tell I love wood??). There isn't one variety that either of us recognize but we begin traipsing around the yard, to the amazement of the workers as well as our driver.
That is a single piece of wood standing in the rear of this photo (and Tim with a glassy-eyed stare)!
While we were negotiating for our wood purchase, I was fascinated watching this fellow cutting this huge piece of wood, lengthwise. He was standing on a block of wood - barefoot! - with no safety equipment whatsoever - using a chainsaw (Stihl) with this humongous blade to slice this thick piece of wood! This was the second cut; he'd already cut the opposing half.
While I watched he actually completed the cut, one huge piece fell away, he jumped down, and proceeded to polish the edges of his cut - amazing!!
Pretty much on the fly, we designed a pair of tables for use in the living room with our favorite lounge chairs and agree to return to pick them up on our way out of town in a couple of days. Here we are inspecting the final product - two half moons and six legs.
We have no idea if we paid a fair price (total cost - about $85) or we were totally scammed and, frankly, we don't care. We are both delirious over this gorgeous wood and can't wait to see how our tables turn out!!
Now this is a souvenir!!
Now we have to find a lumberyard and figure out exactly what we're taking home. Our puzzled driver (our request leaves him speechless) assures us he can find us a yard, we just have to decide what we want. We have absolutely no idea what we're going to make with this exotic wood, how much we will need to make our mystery creation, or how much it's likely to cost . . . minor details!
Our still baffled drive takes us to a lumber yard/art furniture 'shop' which, for me, is like a discount designer shoe store for most women and for Tim is sheer heaven. And these woods are mind-bogglingly wonderful - dense, beautifully grained, and lushly colored in shades of rosewood and mahogany (can you tell I love wood??). There isn't one variety that either of us recognize but we begin traipsing around the yard, to the amazement of the workers as well as our driver.
While we were negotiating for our wood purchase, I was fascinated watching this fellow cutting this huge piece of wood, lengthwise. He was standing on a block of wood - barefoot! - with no safety equipment whatsoever - using a chainsaw (Stihl) with this humongous blade to slice this thick piece of wood! This was the second cut; he'd already cut the opposing half.
While I watched he actually completed the cut, one huge piece fell away, he jumped down, and proceeded to polish the edges of his cut - amazing!!
Pretty much on the fly, we designed a pair of tables for use in the living room with our favorite lounge chairs and agree to return to pick them up on our way out of town in a couple of days. Here we are inspecting the final product - two half moons and six legs.
We have no idea if we paid a fair price (total cost - about $85) or we were totally scammed and, frankly, we don't care. We are both delirious over this gorgeous wood and can't wait to see how our tables turn out!!
Now this is a souvenir!!
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