Paras is a volcanic tuff, a sedimentary rock also called sandstone. It is quarried from riverbanks, used as building stones and for statue carving, as bloit is soft and therefore easily worked. There are various types of paras, both in color as in texture. Paras is multi functional: it is used for walls, gates, steps, pond edges, and paving, as this sandstone absorbs humidity and might become a fertile base for moss growing. For several decades, paras was quarried from the riverbanks in central Bali, however, because of extensive quarrying creating erosion danger, paras is now imported from Java. Most of Villa Wastra’s walls are made of yellow and white paras stones and the balconies are made of paras batu showing small black spots as decorative element.

Popolan is a type of adobe wall made out of mud, stacked one upon the other, without coping elements. Popolan walls are mostly found in mountainous areas, where the night cold hardens the adobe mix and makes it more impervious to the detrimental effects of rain. A few kilometers from Villa Wastra is the hamlet Marga Tengah, where most of the houses are encircled by popolan walls, from which grass and ferns sprout in the rainy season, and are dry and cracked in the dry season. A lovely sight and a must-see for architects interested in traditional Balinese architecture!

Bali is well known for its various ceremonies and festivals, one of them is Tumpek Unduh a ceremony that keeps the balance between humans and nature. The purpose of this ceremony is to respect the life of plants/trees in nature. Plants are according to Hindu philosophy man’s friend and should be treated as human beings. Therefore there are ceremonies when the plant is a seedling, when it is planted and when it is cut down or harvested. Trees, especially big trees are encircled and clothed like a human being with a black and white checkered cloth and given special offerings.
One of the biggest banyan trees in Gianyar, with a canopy-span of 75 meters grows in the hamlet of Pilan, in the hills of Payangan and visible from Villa Wastra. It is visited by many “soul seekers” who meditate under the big branches and among the firm aerial roots in search of peace of mind and enlightenment. One can reach the beautiful tree by crossing an old hanging bridge installed some 15 years ago above a deep gorge. Welcome to spiritual Bali.