Lisa

This is where I write about "stuff" … quite irregularly.

May 19, 2011
by Lisa
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The Lines That Remind Me of You – there is still time!

This is the catalog cover for the exhibition. See more pictures at the Kendra website!

I was meaning to write about the solo exhibition of Agung Kurniawan in Kendra Gallery (Seminyak, Bali) since I was at the opening on April 23 and now I have to hurry – you only have four days left to make it! And please do make it, Agung’s work in this exhibition is a mix of installations (these have to bee seen live, no picture can capture the three dimensional aspect and the interaction with the wall they are hanging on!), watercolor on paper and almost dreamlike pictures made with pastel and conte on paper.

I also very much like the catalogue so check if there are any left. A good memory and source of inspiration from a memorable event. As a gallery I find Kendra one of the most inspiring on the island (and they are certainly not without competition). The environment and ambience is great and the staff is so professional and knowledgable. If you haven’t visited yet, make sure to squeeze it in during your holiday or busy every day life in Bali.

Read more about current and upcoming exhibitions at the Kendra Gallery website: www.kendragallery.com

April 29, 2011
by Lisa
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If you can’t beat them, eat them!

Caterpillar infestation

Caterpillar infestation

There is apparently an invasion of caterpillars in Bali and Java at the moment. The furry creatures can cause skin irritation if touched and they destroy valuable mango trees.

So far the tourist areas have been spared but when some officials are seeking an efficient insecticide to get rid of the problem others are being more creative (and environmental?) and are now encouraging villagers to catch and eat the caterpillars!

Source: www.balidiscovery.com

April 1, 2011
by Lisa
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When you see a tuna, think panda

When you see a tuna, think panda

When you see a tuna, think panda, picture is from Operation Blue Rage, a Sea Shepherd capaign.

I have long been of the opinion that a lot of people who happily eat sushi wouldn’t do it if the fish were cute as pandas. No one I know would eat an endangered panda (or tiger or rhino for that matter) but people who I greatly respect and love will eat tuna, giant shrimp, flat fish etc. – maybe with a slightly bad conscience but they will still eat it.

I won’t preach for you (so much), I think each and every one of us have to make up our own minds. But does the food really taste as good when you know you are helping in emptying the sea, or in the case of the giant shrimps, polluting the sea, destroying mangrove forests which are a must for coral reefs to grow (which are crucial for small fish and on it goes …).

Do you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution?

What you as a single person can do

  • When you see endangered species in a restaurant, inform them about what they are serving. Many people have no clue or they think they are serving what the customers (YOU!) want.
  • When you see recipes in papers or on the internet containing endangered species write to them and inform them, they put the recipes there for YOU …
  • Find out what is ok to eat in your area (it varies greatly) and buy only that
  • Inform your local store and ask them to sell fish that is ok to eat and stop selling the ones which are not
  • Inform people around you by writing a blog post, posting a link on Twitter or Facebook … ;)

Learn more:

Feel free to post more links and reading tips in the comments!

March 31, 2011
by Lisa
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Kampung soles

Yesterday we bought two kampung chickens (kampung means village in Indonesian) for a healthier dinner without genetically modified chicken-monsters brought up on antibiotics. The idea was beautiful – these chickens walk freely and live a natural life. Not so big and fat as their broiler relatives but natural. We decided to roast them in the oven for a pure taste of these happy healthy animals. They came out smelling wonderful. But they were just chewy like old leather soles!

If we try again – it will be a long slow process in a curry, that is supposed to bring some tenderness into these tuff little beasts.

March 23, 2011
by Lisa
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Something to think about as Earth Hour approaches

Hans Rosling and the magic washing machine. Somtething to think about as we discuss the energy need for the world after the nuclear disaster in Japan.
I personally believe we have to find an alternative to nuclear power, in my opinion it is not acceptable to have a waste product that is poisonous for 100 000 years – and that is even without considering more failing power plants for any reason. But there is also the global warming and the link to use of fossil fuels… Can the problem be solved with renewable energy together with energy saving (more efficient machines, to turn off appliances you are not using etc…)?

I don’t know how to solve the equation, but I do know that if I have the right to own a washing machine and a vacuum cleaner then so does all humans in the world.

March 21, 2011
by Lisa
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the 5 venomous snakes of Bali

Since the dog of a friend of mine just got bitten by a green pitviper I thought I should share some additional information I got from Ron Lilley of the Indonesian Nature Foundation.

1. The common spitting cobra (Naja sputatrix), read more information in my previous post Facts about the Common Spitting Cobra and what to do if you get bitten by one.

2. Green/Bamboo pitviper (Lipi gadang) (Trimeresurus /Cryptelytrops albolabris or insularis) from coast into the hills. Common in wooded areas living in trees, bamboo and bushes.

3. King cobra (Ular raja) (Ophiophagus hannah) definitely in Negara, west coast forests north of Tanah Lot. Can be more than 3m long.

4. Blue Krait (Bungarus candidus) (Ular weling/ Lipi poleng) – black and whiute banded form in Ubud, all black form in Canggu.

5. Asian coral snake (Maticora/Calliophis intestinalis subspecies) one recorded from Ubud. A burrowing snake, seldom seen.

All f these snakes are venomous, and any bites should be regarded as serious and need to be treated as soon as possible. Treatment for all species is pretty much the same. I would guess that the 2 most common bites are from the spitting cobra and the green pitviper.

For all of these species, except for the spitting cobra, there is no antivenom on the island, (need to send away to Thailand for it!). Antivenom supplies for the spitting cobra are in very limited supply (it is made in Bandung by BioFarma) and can be expensive.

March 11, 2011
by Lisa
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Earthquake and Tsunami-reports

Last night at 01:08 there was a 6.5 earthquake in Bali Sea that was felt here in Bali. After the huge earthquake outside Honshu in Japan less than two hours ago creating tsunamis we start to receive emails and sms:es from family and friends wanting to know if we are ok.
We are watching the news and the horrifying pictures of cars and even houses being swept away and can just hope that as many people as possible could reach higher ground in time.

If you live in an area where there are earthquakes and risk of tsunamis it can be good to know that there is an Earthquake Notification Service as well as Tsunami advisories. Click on the links to sign up for their email reports.
We receive these reports so we actually knew about the earthquake and tsunami-warning long before there was anything on any news channel or website.

March 10, 2011
by Lisa
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No more Sunday markets at Batujimbar

Fresh bread

Fresh bread

Sweets!

Sweets!

As the weekend is getting nearer I came to think about those lovely sunday brunches at Batujimbar café here in Sanur. A section of the café was taken over by a long table filled with local goodies. There were all sorts of sweets and desserts, food and last but not least, amazing fresh bread! You could eat there or take away. A lovely way to end your grocery shopping (but it was well worth going there just for this).

After the new year they stopped with this fantastic market, I hope they will start again, I really miss it!

March 7, 2011
by Lisa
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Facts about the Common spitting cobra and what to do if you get bitten by one

The common spitting cobra we caught in our garden

The common spitting cobra we caught in our garden

This is the information I received from Ron Lilley of Yayasan Alam Indonesia Lestari (LINI)/THE INDONESIAN NATURE FOUNDATION (see contact information below), who kindly took the time to write down this useful information and I’m very happy to spread the word!

The adult common spitting cobra (Naja sputatrix). The one on the picture is unusually grey – cobras here (in Bali) are more usually light cream, but the colour does vary from light to dark cream, brown and even black. It is VERY POISONOUS, but not likely to attack unless provoked, stepped on, cornered or scared in any way.
These snakes do not usually spread their hoods either unless feeling threatened, so they look like any other snake when just crawling along.

They are called spitting cobras because, when threatened, they can spray fine jets of venom from their fangs about 2m, and usually upwards towards the person’s/animal’s eyes. They do this as a defence mechanism, and while the animal (or human) reacts to the painful stinging that the poison produces in the eyes, the snake can escape.

If the venom does come into contact with the eyes, they should be washed out under running water for about 20-30 minutes to wash away the venom. NEVER RUB THE EYES AS THIS WILL ALLOW THE VENOM TO ENTER THE SMALL BLOOD VESSELS, AND THIS CAN CAUSE BLINDNESS!  I usually wear glasses or goggles when catching these snakes. Any poison sprayed onto the skin can just be washed off without harm. The venom needs to enter a cut and get into the bloodstream to cause harm.

Cobras will bite if restrained or cornered. The first bite might contain little or no venom (a so-called ‘dry bite’) in which case the person will not feel any effects, or only a little local pain. BUT AFTER ANY SNAKEBITE (POISONOUS OR NOT) YOU MUST GO STRAIGHT TO HOSPITAL AND SEEK
MEDICAL ATTENTION! If the snake hangs on and delivers a full bite (usually 2 fang marks visible) one should wash the wound gently and clean with ’Betadine’ (Povodine Iodine solution). DO NOT SQUEEZE, SUCK OR CUT THE WOUND AS THIS CAN CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS! Wrap a wide stretch bandage or similar (not a string, rope or other narrow tourniquet) just above the bitten area and then all the way up the limb. This should slow the spread of the venom without causing gangrene later on, or shock when the tourniquet is released. Then hold a pressure pad onto the bite and press gently until you reach the hospital. This should also slow the spread of the poison.

Keep the bitten limb AS STILL AS POSSIBLE, below the heart, IMMOBILIZE IT WITH A SPLINT and then get someone to take the person IMMEDIATELY TO HOSPITAL . Sanglah hospital in Denpasar have an emergency room and you should call ahead to let them know you are bringing in a snakebite patient.

Sanglah hospital Tel. no. 0361 227 911. Then press 0 for the operator, and explain the problem to them. For emergencies, it is quicker if the patient is taken directly to the hospital, and straight to the UGD (Unit Gawat Darurat) or ER (Emergency Room), rather than waiting for an ambulance!

Reassure the patient that they are not likely to die, but they must keep still, to prevent the heart from beating too quickly and causing the venom to circulate round the body. One usually has at least an hour or more, depending on where one is bitten, before the effects become really serious.
They should have antivenom in Sanglah too. BUT DO NOT WASTE TIME! SPEED IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL SNAKEBITE TREATMENT!

If a pet is bitten, take it IMMEDIATELY to a good vet who should be able to treat it. A number of dogs and cats are bitten in Bali every year, and unfortunately many of them do die because of their small size. This is particularly true of pedigree and non-Balinese animals, which try to attack
the snake. Balinese dogs and cats seem to keep their distance more, and thus avoid getting bitten!

Read more about snakes in Bali in this article from the Jakarta Post

Yayasan Alam Indonesia Lestari (LINI)
THE INDONESIAN NATURE FOUNDATION
Office: Jl. Tirta Nadi No. 21
Kelurahan Sanur Kauh, Kecamatan Denpasar Selatan
Bali 80227 – Indonesia
Office Tel. +62 (0)361 8427168
Office Fax. +62 (0)361 286 806
LINI Email: info@lini.or.id
Website: http://www.lini.or.id