Campus Life

PPLP Wisuda

If you've been following my blogs for a year or two you should be familiar with the designation "PPLP".  PPLP stands for "Pusat Pendidikan Latihan Pariwisata, Dhyana Pura" (The Dhyana Pura Tourism Training Education Center).  Driving instructors display the same word "Latihan" on their cars - "Learner Under Instruction".   Dhyana Pura is the name of the Foundation responsible for the institutions on campus.   I taught in the PPLP when I first came here in 2010, also in the single "degree course"  which although on site  relied on "certification" from other recognised universities.  The PPLP offers 1,2 and 3 year certificate and diploma courses in many aspects of toUrism and hospitality.  

I was here in 2011 when Universitas Dhyana Pura  "Undhira Bali" was born, and attended the first two "name day" celebrations (I arrived too late this year).   This year the first graduates of the new courses offered by "Undhira Bali" received their degrees so there were separate celebrations for the PPLP and the Undhira students.  A combined ceremony would have been way too large and too long.

The PPLP "Wisuda" (graduation ceremony) was held on Wednesday August 31st at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur.  In 2014 I taught mainly university classes, and in 2015 I didn't return.  As a result I had very little contact with 2 student intakes in the PPLP, and so I barely recognised any students I may have taught - but many recognised me, as I was quite well known and visible on campus.

The colour is terrible but it's the only shot I have
of me at the ceremony.  Students ushers are
dressed in traditional ceremonial costumes.

Dancers accompanied by a gamelan band
welcome dignitaries, graduating students,
families and guests to the ceremony.

The choir sang frequently throughout the
ceremony.  I've attended 7 Wisudas so I know
most of the songs - but sing only "inside"!

The "blue team".  Members of the PPLP's governing
body wear blue trimmed robes to distinguish them
from the members of the University's Senate.

The dancers continue.  Their many
movements are amazingly elegant.

Down to business

On Satuday 10th September I went with about 45 students and 1 teacher to the picnic areas in the grounds of the provincial administrative complex.  I regard this as "core business" as this was a welcoming activity of an official club promoting the use of English amongst students.  Naturally I was there, after all, "conversation coach" is a role which is just as important as my class-room teaching.

My colleague Chris Susanto gets help testing my
new phone-camera to see if it is any good for
"group selfies".  It is, but I wouldn't know that!

Pick the visiting teacher.  I think
 the shorts are the "give-away".

International Class

On September 13th I was present at the welcome for 7 students from Heilbronn University (in the south west of Germany), 4 students from Momayama University (Osaka, Japan) and 6 students from Undhira.  They are starting the 4 month course "Intrapreneurship in Another Perspective", a joint program of the International Institute for Sustainability and Intrapreneurship" (IISI) and Universitas Dhyana Pura.  Yes, that's "intra" not "entre".  Look it up to appreciate the difference - I had to.  I've given a couple of classes to the Japanese and Indonesian students on "Preparing Reports" and "Presenting Reports" and will be around to assist with English conversation practice.

Formally welcoming students at their first gathering

Are they wondering what they have let themselves in for?
They will have a challenging, novel and enjoyable time.

Undhira Wisuda

Today, Thursday September 22, was a special day, a proud and satisfying day. It was the first "Undhira only" graduation ceremony.  The first cohort of graduates from across all the departments of the University have come through, justifying the vision and hard work of all who planned and worked away years ago to make this happen.  I was present when Undhira was being "planted", I've watched it grow, and I've seen the first wonderful harvest.  "Well done all!".

Marg Blanch from Perth (another volunteer who is working with staff of the Early Childhood program on campus and teachers in local schools) and I entered the ballroom at the end of the procession of academics and VIPs.  This is a much appreciated honour for us but it does mean that I miss the views of the ceremonial entry.  Look back through the archives of my blog and you will find "Wisuda" entries from past years in which I've included the arrival of the academics.

The gamelan band provides the spirited introductions
and accompanies the dancers during their welcome.

The large shells are not just for decoration. They are blown
to announce the arrival and departure of the academics,
and herald some significant parts of the ceremony.
The students are dressed in ceremonial costumes.

Perhaps to mark the special significance of this Wisuda
 (or perhaps it was just a coincidence) we were treated
to more dancers (7) than usual (typically 4 or 5).

So many dancers I can't get them all into the one shot.

The "honour guard" blow their conch shells.

The Rektor (Dr I Made Nyandra) welcomes guests.
He made special mention of my presence
and help in teaching and encouraging
more confident and fluent conversation.

I recognised happy faces everywhere I looked as I had taught many of these students in the English Studies classes, the Hotel and Tourism Management classes, or perhaps in one of the many classes I taught in "Matriculation English" which all new students must complete.  It was a great pleasure to seem them successfully complete their courses.

Perhaps it is unfair to draw attention to just a few students, but these are some of those I've known over the years, or some I could manage to snap as I wasn't able to photograph all whom I recognised. Some are presented here just because I  happen to have photos they probably have forgotten about.  The first is Ni Putu Ari Dewinta ("Ita").  Ita graduated 2 years after most of her classmates as she spent 2 years in Japan as an exchange student.

Ita waits her turn to receive her degree.

This photo was in my photo archive.   That's Ita on the
right with Rani.  They were in class MPA1 in Oct 2010.

It's not hard to pick Ita in this photo from September
2011.  Her class (now MPA3) was having restaurant training.

I remember Evan Max Ray for a number of reasons.  It's hard to forget him - it's even harder not to notice him!  He is one of the few students on campus who is taller than me.  I have special memories of him from his time in the Debating Club, especially when I went with the team to Palembang in Sumatra, to compete in the National University Debating Championships in 2013.  Evan was always fired up - at times I could imagine him leaping over the desk to pursue his point even more vigorously than was normal.

Evan - big young man, big personality.

The Red Cross came to the campus to collect
blood in 2013.  Evan just fits on the stretcher.

Evan at the debating championships in Palembang, 2013.

The Undhira team at the 2013 Championships.
Evan, Mr Chris Susanto, Bu Chrisma, Yustina and Steven.

No, it's not the cover of a CD for a Bali Band.  Some
members of the debating team (Evan at right) at an
informal beach outing and send-off for me (2013).

Ni Luh Juniasih (Juni) gets off lightly.  Surprisingly I couldn't
find any photos of her in my archive.  She's always been a
pleasure to talk with out in the grounds, especially during
 the Orientation activities for the new students.

Tommy Sanjaya Cahyo (L) and Vivilia Setiawan (C) - both
come from Jember in Java.  They were in a MBP Tourism
 Management class I taught for a couple of years.

Tommy, Vivi and Daniel at left (graduated 2014) with
the Director of the Soerkano Museum in Tampaksiring,
 Gianyar Regency (2013).  We were invited to enter the
"off limits" area to view rare items in the collection. 

Vivi waits for presentation of her prize.  In 2013 Vivi often joined
me and Laurel Milner, another Uniting World volunteer from
Adelaide.  She told us she wanted to be a top student and she has
done that.  She graduated with honours, one of the top 3 students
in the faculty.  Well done Vivi, you've made us pleased and proud.

Vivi with part of her prize - a "cheque" from Bank Bukopin.

Here's a photo I'm sure she doesn't know I have.
Orientation Week for new students (August 2012).

With Laurel Milner at Gitgit Falls (July 2013).

The first intake in the Sastra Inggris program
 (English Literature).  I recognised many of these
faces from Sept 2012 amongst the new graduates.

I'm not sure but I think that's Putri Lestari on the
 left and Laura Melinda Wijaya.  Sastra Inggris class.

Almost everyone looks different when dressed up.
Check against the Sastra Inggris 2012 photo and I
think we have (L-R) Ni Wayan Ratna, Yosef Santoso,
 Frido Ayb Meute (he's an easy pick) and Vicka Angelina.
(Use the comment box below the blog to tell me if I'm wrong!)

There's only room and time for just a couple more.  Again these are former students I recognise from my past interactions with them.

Andrie Willson (centre)

I remember Rahel (centre) from Flores.  She was a
"mature age student", as I once was, studying and working.

Some 230+ students were presented with their degrees; outstanding students were recognised and presented with prizes; and the students recited oaths of allegiance as citizens of Indonesia and Undhira Alumni.

Graduates recite their oaths.

One graduate spoke on behalf of all. 

After two speeches, one of which thoroughly engaged the audience and was especially entertaining (even though I had no idea what was said), the ceremony drew to a close.  We joined the procession out of the ballroom, and went past the many little photobooths set up to record memories of the day as we made our way up to the main restaurant for our luncheon.

Another Wisuda was over.  It was my 8th, but it was perhaps the most memorable because of its significance to the Undhira community.

Paul In Bali
September 2016


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Three Days in the Mountains

Start up ... Shut down

Although classes in the PPLP (Hospitality Training College) started a few weeks ago, University classes started on Monday 5th September.  To me this seemed to be a strange day to start - after just one day of classes the campus shutdown for 4 days to mark the major Balinese Hindu festival of Galungan which was followed on Monday 12th by a Muslim holiday (Idul Adha or Lebaran Haji - Muslim Day of Sacrifice).  I've stayed on campus over an extended shutdown before and it can be pretty quiet, even lonely, and without the services of the surrounding small businesses (food stores, laundries etc).  

"Ti Amo Bali"

To give me some relief from that involuntary "quiet time of personal reflection and deprivation" Pak Sidhi very kindly arranged a short stay in the mountains for me.  On Tuesday (6th) we drove northwest from campus, through the regional city of Tabanan to the mountains.  After stopping for lunch with his parents we continued into the foothills of the band of mountains which runs roughly east-west through Bali, separating the island into the northern and southern portions.

This may not be the best map of Bali you can find on the internet, but it does show something the others don't.  The location of the biggest mountains can be clearly seen, as can the decreasing ridge which runs to the northwest, almost to the very end of Bali.  I've marked "Dalung" where the University is located, and also our destination - the village of Penebel near the bigger town of Mengesta.

There are few "tourism objects" (as they are usually) called in Penebel.  But there is the Villa "Ti  Amo Bali" (I Love Bali).  I had no idea what to expect or how I would fill in my time until I was collected on Thursday.  I needn't have been concerned - my time there was well spent.  I was literally the "odd man out" as the other guests were 4 young(ish) French couples travelling independently through Indonesia.  I case you are wondering why a villa in the mountains of Bali has an Italian-inspired name, I can tell you.  One of the owners is Italian.  

Villa "Ti Amo Bali", Penebel, Tabanan, Bali.

The "villa" is really a small cluster of villas and a service area.  In the "joglo" building shown here there are 3 large "premier" bedroms - 2 upstairs with relaxing views across the fields, and one room downstairs.  There are two small villas - one with a single room, and one with 2 rooms.  In Java the joglo building with characteristic roof indicated status in society and was traditionally reserved for aristocrats.  As it was carefully made from high quality wood with interlocking pieces which fitted together without nails or screws it was naturally quite expensive.  The joglo style influenced Dutch colonial architecture in decades past, and the influence can be seen in modern public buildings -  some airport terminal buildings (but not in Bali) still incorporate the traditional joglo roof.

On the balcony outside my room in the joglo house.

I could have brought the family and still had room
in the bed.  The curtains were a useful precaution
against mosquitos from the rice fields.

The joglo at night.  The stairs lead to the large
decorative doorway ("Gebyok") which opens
 into living rooms and the stairs to the lower level.
The bedrooms are entered from the hall or the balcony.

The paired pavilions are in Balinese style with the roof
peak topped with a cement crown.  These are the
"dining room" although meals can also be taken in
the joglo or the two villas on the far side of the joglo.

View of the rice fields from the balcony
(looking back down the side of my room)

This band of musicians greets visitors and guests
entering the joglo.  The stairwell is behind them.

Looking at the outside balcony of the joglo.
(I did not realise there was someone on the roof until later).

My stay at the villa was peaceful except for one thing, and an annoying one at that.  In the next valley was a "tourism object" -  a track for "quad bikes".  At times the sound of revving engines and bellowing, cheering youths spoiled the otherwise tranquil location.  I spent several hours over the 3 days sitting on the deck, enjoying the gentle breezes (no air-con needed here), reading and watching the rice grow.

Rice, glorious rice

I find looking at rice wonderfully relaxing.  I wrote about this fascination six years ago (was it really that long ago?)  See:

http://paulinbali.blogspot.com/2010/08/why-am-i-watching-rice-field.html

The view to the south across the fields.

Gently terraced fields drop away to the northeast.  The
fields had been planted a week or two before my visit.

When I got up on Thursday morning women were busy planting out another small section of terraced paddy field with the young rice seedlings.  "Paddy" comes from a traditional Malay word "padi" meaning "young rice plant".

This was the only time I saw that mountain in the background.
It was almost always under cloud or obscured by persistent smoke.
It is probably Gunung Batukaru but may be one of group beyond Bedugal.

Batukaru Temple

On Wednesday (the festival of Hari Raya Galungun) the Rasmini family kindly took me on a tour of nearby villages.  Bu Rasmini is on the administrative staff of Undhira University.  Most of the colourful processions of women dressed in colourful costumes carrying tall offerings were over but people were gathering at Pura Luhur Batukaru Temple.  Although listed by that name on many maps, the word "temple" is unnecessary as "pura" means temple.

Pura Luhur Batakaru is one of the larger temple complexes in Bali and although first mentioned specifically in writings from 1605, it is traditionally believed to have been built in the 11th Century as part of a wave of activity which led to the construction of Goa Gajah, Pura Uluwatu and Pura Bersakih. Archaelogical finds certainly confirm its antiquity and its approximate age of about a thousand years.  A spring in the outer complex produces water for washing before praying or other activities, and the spring inside the temple gives the "holy water" used in ceremonies.

The temple is located on the southern slope of Mount Batukaru, Bali's second-highest volcano.  It is one of nine "kayangan jagat" (directional temples) constructed in auspicious locations (usually overlooking the ocean or on the slopes of volcanoes) to protect Bali from evil spirits. In this location the temple is meant to offer protection against attacks from the west.  Originally built during the 11th century, Pura Luhur Batukaru was dedicated to the ancestors of the rajas of Tabanan. It was destroyed in 1604, but rebuilt in 1959.  Legends tell that attackers tried to seize the temple as they conquered the region but were attacked by swarms of bees which stung and repelled them.  Later the attackers returned and destroyed the temple as an act of revenge.

Most Balinese temples are pagoda-like tiered roofed structures called Meru and these typically (perhaps always?) have an odd number of levels.  The central and most important shrine within the temple complex is more like those in ancient Javan temples than the traditional Balinese meru.

We joined worshippers proceeding up the long road (certainly several hundred meters long but it seemed longer in the heat and humidity).  Suitably wrapped in a saroong with sash I was able to enter the outer courtyard and approach the gate to the inner courtyards.

Worshippers bringing offerings to Batukaru Temple.

Spreading offerings on the road to the temple.

White and gold are the dominant colours for
clothing and decorations at this festival.

It's a long walk from the carpark to the temple grounds.

The entrance to Pura Batukaru with the
 traditional "candi bentar" or "split gate".

Worshippers assembling in the outer zone of
the temple which is arranged in mandala shape.

The "bale gong" (gamelan pavilion)

The zone I was permitted to enter contains several pavilions called "bale" (pronounced as "bar-lay").  The gamelan band was in full flight as I went past.  The short video below may be of interest  (it's approximately 25MB and 30").

Here is a short video clip of the gamelan band at the temple.  The player at front right is the leader - he sets the pace of the performance.

The entrance to the inner zone of the temple.  The
yellow and white unbrellas at the entrance are
there to give protection and ward off evil spirits.

Most of the parasols used at entrances are yellow and white. I've
seen red and blue parasols but have never seen black before.

I  was told that this was the "wantilan" (meeting pavilion)

The "bale kulkul"  - in this structure hangs the "kilkul", or
wooden drum, which is shaped like a long tube with a slit
along most of its length.  Some "bale kulkul" are very tall.

Many thanks to the Rasmini family for showing me around their village and surrounds.

Paul in Bali
Sept 2016

PS - Should you be in Bali and considering a quiet and relaxing time away from the bustling built-up areas, then consider Villa Ti Amo Bali.

Jl.Raya Batukaru - Penebel Desa Mangesta
Penebel, 82152 Bali Indonesia

booking@tiamobali.com
+62 361 4741900 / +62 85857146734