Bali: The Eagle Has Landed

Its size is just over 1,900,000 square kilometres, occupying 3 different time zones, and its population, the 4th largest in the world, is almost 180,000,000.

It has about 17,000 islands and among its fauna is the world’s largest lizard, which eats anything, including people.

I’m talking of course about Indonesia, which may have absolutely nothing to do with Valencia, although Pedro Martinez Castelló doesn’t think so.

Pedro runs a shop called Bali in Calle Alboraya 15, and as soon as you walk in the door you feel transported halfway around the world. If you walk in a few steps more you are likely to jump out of your skin if, just for a moment, that Komodo dragon looked so real.

Since 2004 Pedro has been importing products from Indonesia, working in close collaboration with local manufacturers.

They have a wide range of products, from furniture to fabrics, and some very impressive and lifelike wooden carvings and statues.

My personal favourite is the carving of the hunched man. I don’t know who he is or what he represents, but it is a sensation I can relate to, having felt that way many times myself.