We’ve done our homework, and we know the things we want to see – and the tour that Made offered us fits the bill nicely. The price of 650,000 rupiah – around $95.00 – covers everything including all our entry fees and lunch.
The best part of the trip? The guide and the driver and their conversations. Made has a knowledge of Bali that is encyclopaedic. In 9 hours we learned much about living the Balinese way of life – religion, history, families, food, politics, jobs and economy. And yes, even more language was learnt!
First a cultural dance at the village of Batubulan. Naturally we barracked for the Barong ... and got some great photos as the Pieboy played with his new camera.
In Celuk we watch the production of some rather ornate jewellery in both gold and silver. Pieboy finds the designs are a bit intricate for his taste – but we still manage to buy a few bits and pieces which will be ideal for presents.
Back in the Kijang and we move on to the Pura Kelen temple. Visitors are very welcome at the temple but we need to wear appropriate dress – in other words, a sarong. Pieboy is not entirely sure that wearing a sarong displays him at his best. The pictures bear out this line of thought. Balinese people may be talking about King Kong’s visit for a long long time.
Next stop was at a wood carver. A family business using many different types of wood and producing a number of different styles of carving. An exquisite Barong was purchased as a memento of the trip.
Pieboy is fascinated by the intricately carved woodwork around the windows and doors. It is very fine and decorated and I try to take photos that will highlight it against the backdrop of the rice growing outside.
Our next stop is at Kintamani – perched on the very edge of the caldera of the Agung Volcano. The cloud is down fairly low, and it is noticeably cooler up here. To call the view spectacular is to understate it I think.
Our lunch restaurant is perched on the edge of the mountain – go out on the balcony at the back of the restaurant and you’re looking down a steep slope with houses and terraces clinging to the side.
OK, it’s not the Sheraton. But the food is not too bad. I suppose. It is disconcerting that every time we look out – or even towards – the windows, there are a bunch of people holding up t-shirts and wooden carvings for us to buy. Which we don’t want to do. As we leave the restaurant we run the gauntlet of sellers and cross the road to look down at the lake again. It would be great to be able to go all the way down to the lake shore ... one day.
Then back to the car and down the mountain to check out some local plants. Coffee. Cocoa. And others that I have forgotten already! As we walk through the different plants and trees I’m wondering what sort of wild life lives in the jungle – and whether it likes scoffing pies.
Hello, here’s a tasting table. Imagine that in the middle of the Bali bush! The Bali coffee is wonderful. So is the chocolate. And the coffee and ginseng is wonderful plus! Naturally this is all for sale but when we get up to over $50 we manage to come to our fiscal senses pretty quickly.
We’re about to meet a bunch of hairy little distant cousins.
Piegirl bought a bunch of bananas to feed the monkeys and we set off down the path. Not far though. We immediately ran into a primate version of Ned Kelly. This little bloke tugged on the leg of Piegirl’s pants, and when he had her attention and she held a banana down to him, he dashed around and swiped the whole bunch of bananas from her other hand! Decency forbids that I recount the actual words uttered by Piegirl to the con-monkey! We kept going – banana-less – until we got to an area where there were a bunch of monkeys happily scoffing kumera.
There was a sign offering advice including these words: “Do not hide food. The monkey will find it even if it is in your pocket or bag.” Piegirl is moved to comment on hungry greedy monkey gutses ... “simian swines!”
And so we return to Kuta beach just as the sun is setting. Our money has been well spent – we can recommend Satriavi Leisure Management tours to anyone. Our guide’s name is Made Arsa – which did cause us to smile slightly. Oh, ok, maybe more than slightly.
It was great to have two people – one to drive and one to guide – although both took part in the conversations. Komang is a very safe driver, and we felt more than comfortable and safe at all times.
Decisions decisions.
Life is tough sometimes ... do we do the reflexology first ... or have dinner?
Reflexology wins ... for such an anonymous couple we’re surprised to be recognised and welcomed with drinks and many smiles!
Pieboy sits and chats with the team at Ibu Jari as Piegirl is removed to 7th heaven ...
At the end of the treatment the staff ask Mrs Pie how she feels. She answers with thumbs up and a huge smile – Bagus!!!!! Everyone immediately cracked up laughing and we know we’ll be back tomorrow.
We dance a few metres down the lane to the restaurant ... there is something a bit strange about sitting in a restaurant in Bali, just metres from a laneway full of stalls selling t-shirts and carvings and goodness knows what else, eating Mexican food. TJ’s restaurant was as nice a restaurant as we visited. The service was good – the lady who looked after us sat down and told us her story – she is doing it tough like many people in Bali but is evidently being helped out by a wonderful caring lady in Australia ... A few days later as we walked past we were greeted like old friends ...
I Made Arsa, Barong dance at Batubulan, caldera of Agung Volcano
See these pictures and others on today's picture gallery.
