Jatiluwih: Perfection in Bali

Driving back from Gunung Batukaru, I took the left turnoff at Wongayagede where the 14 kilometre road leads to my favourite destination in Bali, Jatiluwih.

I had been on this road many times before and was aware of the narrow and twisting turns and of course the potholes. It was just a matter of keeping my eye on the road, but, with the panorama around me, it was difficult.

The winding road weaves its way through lush green terrain, dense banana groves, fields of chilli peppers and tomato plants, and, coffee plantations. Farmhouses dot the landscape, piles of coconuts on the side of the road ready to be picked up, and farmers lay out their padi rice on plastic sheets to dry in the sun.

Wide and gently sloping rice terraces on the hillside are a photographer's delight and this spectacular panorama can be seen from many vantage points, and, most with restaurants or warungs. The Paddy Venture does have nice views (a tad expensive for what you see), but my favourite by far is Cafe Jatiluwih. Located in the hamlet of Jatiluwih and perched on a hillside, the food is as good as the view.

Driving through the hamlet of Jatiluwih is like driving through the 'real' Bali, practically untouched by western intervention. Here, life goes on in a slow pace, the locals are the friendliest on the island, and when you finally arrive at the village of Senganan where the road ends, you'll want to turn around and do it all again. I did, many times over the years.