Sunday ride in Central Bali

Sunday is a day I look forward to. The traffic is less, Balinese locals often have the day off, and all the poncey Euro’s in Seminyak, are flat out after a night on the ecstacy.

Today I took a route west of Ubud, heading north. Circling east, I headed in the direction of Kintamani. Some of the memorable places I stopped at, include this little shop, west of Ubud. The owner and her son sold me a Pocari Sweat. She told me business was quiet, that she had no money. I asked what was in the white sacks, and she told me fertilizer, at 95,000rp per bag. She said it was good for rice production. This is problem for modern day Bali, with the run off, contaminating streams.

Pura Rambut Siwi is a temple associated with west Bali. West of Ubud, in the village of Getasan, is another Pura Rambut Siwi (rambut meaning ‘hair’). Sure enough, next to the banyan tree, that you will find at most Balinese temples, was a giant bale of hair! The temple was next to the road and completely deserted.

Today the whole time I was riding, I had my GPS on, though I forgot to bring a map. If you held a gun to my head, I could go back and compare my trail, with the map, and repeat the villages I went through, even though I don’t remember most of them. One of the western routes heading north out Ubud, goes to Kintamani. Ika and I took that route last year, on our way to Kintamani, Dausa, then down to Bondalem on the north coast and Poincianna Resort in Tejakula. Last time we went, a massive bridge was bring built, to span a valley. Its almost finished, so today I crossed it, as the workmen were still finishing it off.

Swinging back the way I came, down in the direction of Ubud, and heading over to the western side, I explored some tiny local lanes and these 2 guys gave me directions. They had a cool little bike parked right there. There is some lovely atmospheric country to the west of Ubud! I stopped at a place where locals were bathing. It was a large freshwater pool next to a temple. I’m coming back here with my bathing suit!

Another kilometer on, I chose a route which dead ended at a river. Once again, locals were washing clothes and bathing. I watched 2 ladies carrying loads of dirt up the hill for use in construction. Here in Bali, its the women who do the hard labor. Either that or a truckload of Javanese men.

Final stop for me was a Balinese warung in Ubud for some nasi campur with tea (8,000rp) and then on to Casa Luna for an arak madu and dessert. I chose lemon cheese cake, my bill for both 35,000rp. Casa Luna is just always good!

Riding home from Ubud, and passing through Kerobokan, I felt like every nutter was out, on his bike. Seriously, people were coming at me from all angles, and I did my best to get out of the way. Good day out and inspiration to me to be more adventurous.

I’m pretty tired, but I have to get up at 6am, for a bus trip with Barrie in the morning.