Another morning and today we were joined by Jacob and Hope for brekky which was really nice. Luke found an interesting wash bowl right next to the toilet in the foyer of our hotel.... hmmm??

Here we all are after brekky.... 

We hired Nyoman again today to drive us about the country side for a set rate. The advantages of this are we had a guide, and a vehicle completely to ourselves, no specified stops, no time limits and a good price. He assured us he would only take us to quality artisans and none of the "tourist rubbish ones". He was true to his word and we had a great day in spite of the rain and fog! Below are the only photos we could get when the cloud cleared for about 5 minutes at the volcano where we had lunch. Both shots are looking into the crater from the rim......

We travelled a total of 75 Km today and the drive time was about 2.5 hrs, we actually almost got to 80 Kmh!!! Nyoman explained a bit about the wages and economics of the average Balinese, as a taxi driver he rents a unit in Kuta for 1,000,000 ($100) a month and it consists of a bed room and a kitchen with dining area. His average daily income after expenses is between $20 in the slow season, which is now, and up to $50 when he is busy. Yesterday I gave him $45 and today $60 so he was incredibly happy! On that salary he supports his wife and 11 month old daughter, and he is a smoker which costs him $2/ day for cigarettes! he estimated groceries for his family to be about $20/ week. He doesn't own a car but works for a man who owns the taxi we were in yesterday and the minivan today. As a driver he pats $20/day plus petrol for the minivan and $10/day for the taxi. SO putting it all in perspective.... A taxi driver here earns relatively about 1/2 that of an Oz taxi driver, the cost of food and fuel is about 1/3 the cost in Oz and rent is about the same as a moderate place in a city suburb away from the city centre. Taxes here are almost 1/2 that of Oz. So saving capacity is similar. But to own a car here is close enough to the same relative to annual income BUT the interest on finance averages 30%!!!!!!! So not many average Balinese own a car.....

Also whilst driving about I asked what different nationalities were like to deal with. Australians rate very highly with taxi drivers as they tip well and are generally nice. Americans are loud. Chinese are bossy. And Indians always argue about the price even when it's a metered fare!! He said when an Indian approaches all the taxi drivers try to avoid letting them in their cars!!! 

Our first point of call was the "best silver makers in Bali". UC silver... very impressive tour....

Even the signs, walls, and building were elaborately decorated...

Here they are building what looks like will be a dragon statue at the entrance to the parking area.

Once parked they take you on a guided tour of the manufacturing section...

Each artisan is working on a different thing, some making complete pieces and the less experienced mass producing individual component of bigger pieces to enhance their skills.

A finisher

I asked what this chap was doing with the aluminium can..."heating water for his coffee"!

Next we went to the assembly are where items using multiple components are assembled.

here he is making more coffeee.......

Some of the incredible statues in and on the building. We were forbidden to take any pictures of the products on the sales floor...

Pigs on a bike.....

Stone statue manufacturing was everywhere along the side of the road. Nyoman thought it was funny to suggest we buy a big Buddha and try take it home in the aeroplane!

Next stop mass production of "original" art works by painters. Once again the less skilled paint the same picture over and over to improve their skills and eventually graduate to master artist where they can produce individual works which were on sale for up to $80,000.... Which is like a gazillion to a Balinese!!

Next the wood carving... same deal, work your way up. Most of the artisans are father teaching son generation after generation.....

Luke purchased this incredible chess set, it is a box which folds in half to be carried. Really nice and 100% better than the ones being flogged in the markets about Kuta!!

So with car finance out of the question, many Balinese families purchase a scooter which is only about $15-1800, compared to $18-20000 for a small car!.... and this is what you see a lot of  : )

No car.... no problem just pile it all on your scooter!!

More Bali traffic, it seems the white line is what you drive on until something bigger comes along!!

Today is a special ceremonial day and many of the temples had Balinese coming and going like the lady above, and along the road were the signs below warning drivers to drive slowly past the temples.

Road side statues.....

Some of the terraced rice fields out in the country.

And that was today! See you tomorrow...............