Last week I had a larger than expected teaching load as I filled in for many teachers who were observers at an important workshop held in Bali. The Rektors (our “Chancellors”) of the Christian universities throughout Indonesia had gathered for discussions and to further develop a network of universities. On Thursday Dr Nyandra, the Rektor of Universitas Dhyana Pura di Dalung (where I am teaching), hosted a dinner in the campus training restaurant for his fellow Rektors. It was a fun night with wonderful food and entertainment, as the pictures will show.
During the day senior students in the hospitality courses prepared the restaurant and some assisted Pak Eko, our senior chef to prepare the food.
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| The training restaurant - fit for a wedding |
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A banner over the steps welcomed guests
(sorry about those power lines, but
there was no way of avoiding them) |
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Welcome celebratory decorations
at the foot of the steps |
One student spent a couple of hours preparing the carved fruit & vegetable decoration. Although this is not common on this scale in Australia, I've seen many examples here in Bali.
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| The student fruit carver at work |
As the time for the guests’ arrival drew near the restaurant “captain” assembled and instructed those students who would be our waiters.
The singers (students) and dancers (students and alumni) dressed and prepared. The musicians in the gamelan band which is often present at campus functions brought in their instruments and waited for the guests.
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| The dancers demonstrate their intricate finger postures |
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| A quick photo opportunity on the steps before the guests arrive |
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| Our student singers |
The serving trays were filled. The fruit carving was assembled. Chef Eko, resplendent in his “Chefs of Indonesia” uniform took up a “don’t mess with me” pose as he rehearsed his carving technique.
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| The assembled fruit carving |
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| Chef Eko in his best carving pose |
Senior staff and lecturers greeted the arriving guests who soon filled the restaurant. Most of the men wore elaborate formal Batik shirts which made my shirt look quite drab.
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| Dinner music - Balinese style |
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| Dr Mastra and Dr Nyandra greet guests |
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| Expressive eye gestures are important in Balinese dancing |
The Rektor, Dr Nyandra, welcomed guests as TV news cover of the birth of the new university played on the big screen. The band played, the singers sang, the dancers gracefully performed their welcome dance and after a lengthy grace the meal began with gusto. Several Balinese favourites were presented, but my favourite was that renowned dish of Babi Guling – suckling pig stuffed with Balinese spices and basted continually as it is roasted on a slow turning spit over a fire of coffee wood. It is just a magnificent taste.
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| Chef Eko - good enough for a second picture. |
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| Babi Guiling - just waiting for appreciative diners. |
After dinner a lone dancer performed and then invited guests to join her. She got very mixed reactions and to our great amusement pursued one guest who declined as he raced to the back of the restaurant and sheltered behind a pillar.
I kept a safe distance but Jan McClelland, a fellow Uniting World volunteer from Adelaide, was happy to demonstrate good form on the floor.
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| Jan McClelland enjoying spot of dancing |
It was a happy night with good food, music and company. It was certainly a dinner with a difference.
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| OK, one last photo before the singers go home. Thanks girls. |
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