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Loading... Balinese Gardensby William Warren
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Hmm, Just realised that this was one of those purchases that I didn't really need because I already had a copy off the book. Anyway, as I haven't already reviewed it I will do so here and I can donate one of my copies to the Lifeline booksale..or maybe even both copies. This is one of those lovely modern books on beautiful gardens filled with luscious photos of tropical vegetation, artfully posed with a ceramic urn in the foreground etc. Well the photos really are great. The colours for reproduction are also great and to top it off the text is also excellent. I learned quite a lot about the points of the compass in Bali....more or less ...north means pointing towards Mount Agung...and in North Bali....the mountains are actually to the South but are still referred to as "kaja" (More or less meaning north ..though perhaps better translated as "towards the mountains"). There are sections on gardens in Sanur and Kuta and I've stayed in both places and been enchanted by the gardens there. My first time in Bali we stayed in Kuta...well Legian really at the Legain Beach Hotel if memory serves me correctly and the hotel was very new then and it was referred to as being away from the hustle of Kuta itself. Still even the new gardens were quite lovely. (This was in 1977). Later we stayed in Sanur in a lovely little lodge set amongst beautiful gardens, then in Ubud...more lovely gardens and impossibly green rice terraces. And still later in Nusa Dua in one of the big hotels there. Gardens good but obviously drier and a tougher landscape. All of these areas are featured in the book; all have lovely accompanying photos which capture both the spirit and the natural beauty of some of the gardens in Bali. There are also a few photos of the temples which hint at some of the other side of Bali......packed earth underfoot, heat and dust. But rather fewer of these. Also there are a few pics that hint at the way things can get rapidly run-down if left...moss overgrowing statues , pools chocked with weeds and so on. Anyway, this is really nit-picking about a place which so many artists and travels have considered close to paradise ...and the gardens certainly contribute to this impression. Maybe there is just a tad too much concentration (2 chapters) on the gardens in two of the Hyatt hotels. But maybe it's justified because these are both exceptional gardens. Though I think I would have liked to see glimpses into the private gardens that one never really gets to see. Bottom line; a lovely book with beautiful photographs. no reviews | add a review
This beautiful gardening book--full of lush photographs and insightful commentary--will surely give readers some new ideas for their home landscaping projects or Bali travel plans. Born of volcanic eruptions many eons ago, Bali is still in the throes of creation as man and nature continue to transform its landscapes.Balinese Gardens presents a unique portrait of the lush volcanic landscapes and gardens found on this magical isle--gardens which are further enhanced by traditional ornamental sculptures, tranquil ponds, fountains and sacred springs. Landscape gardener and author William Warren introduces Bali and examines the effect its landscapes have had upon notable visitors over the past century. Specialists in Balinese ecology and culture then provide a broad overview of the island's geography and plant life, including some fascinating insights into the role of nature in Balinese culture. The second part ofBalinese Gardens explores Bali's finest contemporary gardens in private homes, resorts and restaurants around the island, detailing the wealth of plant life, design and decoration that thte island has to offer. Lavishly illustrated with over 300 photographs by renowned photographer Luca Invernizzi Tettoni, this book is a delight for anyone with an interest in tropical plants and landscape design as well as everyone who has been entranced by the natural beauty of this remarkable island. Topics of this book include: Gardens of Eden The Balinese Landscape Plants of Bali Traditional Gardens in Bali Contemporary Balinese Gardens Gardens in Sanur The Bali Hyatt Garden In Search of Ricefield Views Begawan Giri Estate And many more... No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)712.6095986The arts Area planning and landscape architecture Landscape architecture / landscape design Private parks and grounds Home and Private Gardens of Particular Regions or Persons Home and Private Gardens of AsiaLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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Hmm, Just realised that this was one of those purchases that I didn't really need because I already had a copy off the book. Anyway, as i haven't already reviewed it I will do so here and I can donate one of my copies to the Lifeline booksale..or maybe even both copies.
This is one of those lovely modern books on beautiful gardens filled with luscious photos of tropical vegetation, artfully posed with a ceramic urn in the foreground etc. Well the photos really are great. The colours for reproduction are also great and to top it off the text is also excellent. I learned quite a lot about the points of the compass in Bali....more or less ...north means pointing towards Mount Agung...and in North Bali....the mountains are actually to the South but are still referred to as "kaja" (More or less meaning north ..though perhaps better translated as "towards the mountains").
There are sections on gardens in Sanur and Kuta and I've stayed in both places and been enchanted by the gardens there. My first time in Bali we stayed in Kuta...well Legian really at the Legain Beach Hotel if memory serves me correctly and the hotel was very new then and it was referred to as being away from the hustle of Kuta itself. Still even the new gardens were quite lovely. (This was in 1977). Later we stayed in Sanur in a lovely little lodge set amongst beautiful gardens, then in Ubud...more lovely gardens and impossibly green rice terraces. And still later in Nusa Dua in one of the big hotels there. Gardens good but obviously drier and a tougher landscape.
All of these areas are featured in the book; all have lovely accompanying photos which capture both the spirit and the natural beauty of some of the gardens in Bali.
There are also a few photos of the temples which hint at some of the other side of Bali......packed earth underfoot, heat and dust. But rather fewer of these. Also there are a few pics that hint at the way things can get rapidly run-down if left...moss overgrowing statues , pools chocked with weeds and so on.
Anyway, this is really nit-picking about a place which so many artists and travels have considered close to paradise ...and the gardens certainly contribute to this impression. Maybe there is just a tad too much concentration (2 chapters) on the gardens in two of the Hyatt hotels. But maybe it's justified because these are both exceptional gardens. Though I think I would have liked to see glimpses into the private gardens that one never really gets to see.
Bottom line; a lovely book with beautiful photographs. ( )