June 2010

Well It's been an exciting and adventurous trip this time around.  Many crazy things have happened as usual...including several Visa problems along the way.  When I arrived in Bali, I learned that I did not have a single empty page available in my passport for my Indonesia Visa.  They almost shipped me back to Malaysia!  But after some sweet talking (it's good to be a girl!), they worked it out for me.  The next visa predicament arose when I was leaving Indonesia, heading to India.  Apparently there is a new Visa rule for India...and once you enter the country you cannot re-enter for at least 2 months.  I had an overnight connection in India on my way to Indonesia....so they told me I couldn't go back for 2 months!!  Ouch!  At this point,  I was stuck in Malaysia...trying to connect to India.  After visiting the India embassy in Malaysia and applying for a re-entry visa into India I finally got approval!  5 days later...my journey to India continued.  Here are a few photos from my month-long travels.

                    Beautiful Bali Rice Terraces                                                          Placing an order--elephant heads!

         Eating with the locals...Indonesian Style!                                     Market Shopping in Bali

Sooooo many new designs in production right now...leaving very soon. Check the New Arrivals "Items Coming Soon" Section to see more photos. http://www.505imports.com/newitems_lc.php

Getting stuck In Malaysia wasn't So Bad After All!

Sept 2009

Hi...Rebekah here.  One of my roles at 505 is overseeing the factories in Jodhpur, India and Solo, Indonesia.  I travel abroad every 4-5 months to put new designs into production, ensure quality control, and to EXPLORE!  It's amazing how many new things I find on each trip...and how much I learn about the different cultures that  I visit.  I spent 35 days in Indonesia recently...redeveloping our factory in Solo.  I worked on making sure our wood is properly kiln dried, perfecting the craftsmanship of our furniture, and I worked very closely with our carpenters to improve our designs...and to develop new ones!  I also developed new stains, paint colors, and sourced new and improved hardware and fabrics.  Some of the pictures below are from my most recent trip.  I'm heading back to Indonesia in March 2010...so check back for photos of my most recent finds!

Celebration dinner with the factory staff (and families) in Solo Indonesia.  September 09

Beautiful Batik Wall in the middle of the Batik market

Beautiful Flower Market in Solo.  Aug 09                                        Corn Fields in Solo.  Aug 09

AMAZING Rice terraces in Bali, Indonesia.  Aug 09

                                                              Antique Market in Solo.  Sept 09

Loading a container of custom furntiure in Solo, Indonesia.  Proof that I DID work on this visit:) Sept 09

  I don't know what this tree is called...but it was HUGE!        Musical Festival at the Antique Joglo in Solo

      Thanks Soni for driving me around!!! Sept09

Working on the Custom Benoit Table in Jodhpur, India.  June 09

           I stayed at the King's Palace for a night...it was        Iwan, one of the Indonesia producers, in Bali acting

   amazing!  Jodhpur, India. June 09                                         silly with masks.  June 09.

Our carvers, diligently working, in Jodhpur, India.  Nov 08

    Getting a Henna Tattoo in Jodhpur.  June 08                                        Markets of Jaipur.  June 08

                I promise it's not real MOM!

Never know when you'll run into a monkey on the street!  Oct 07

India Carver

Indonesian Carver

       Working with the Carvers in Jodhpur.  Oct 07                                 Ceramic Factory in Jodhpur.  Oct 07

The strange things I see in the streets of India.  Monkeys, Camels, Elephants Oh My! Oct 06

 Working with the fabric gurus in Jodhpur.  Thanks for making such beautiful items for us!