Central Bali: Every Shade of Green Imaginable, and Then Some

Kintamani Volcano.
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Nyoman, our friend and driver, had a list of tours that we could choose from, at least that was what was supposed to happen.  What usually happened however was that he would choose for us - usually the more expensive ones too I might add - but we didn't mind at all, because the days we spent with him are some of our most memorable and he definitely showed us all the sights.  I feel I have a really good appreciation for the island, as well as their culture now - and I really love it!

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The tour we chose to do this particular day was the Kintamani Volcano Tour.   On this tour you are taken up to Kintamani Village which is about 5000 m above sea level and provides the perfect look out point for Lake Batur and the volcano.   Apparently, it is often impossible to see the top of the volcanoe due to the low clouds that hover around it - but this day we were fortunate enough to make it out.  It was really beautiful and quite neat to see as it is still an active volcano.  You can often see smoke rising out of the top of it!  Everybody provided us with dates as to when they believe it last erupted, but since none of these reports are the same we are still left in wonder - however all reports show that it has erupted at some point within the last 30 years.  Also, while we were in Bali there was a lot of fear about the Volcano erupting on the island of Java.  It actually erupted about 2 weeks after we left - due to the fact we don't hear much news we are not sure about the level of devastation of this event.

They were constantly part of the landscape often giving way to mountains, rivers, pristine crater lakes, and lush tropical forests.

Rice field.
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Next on our Kintamani Tour was a drive through the beautiful picturesque rice terraces that Bali has to offer.  You will see from our photos that Michael and I were especially taken with these.   They were constantly part of the landscape often giving way to mountains, rivers, pristine crater lakes, and lush tropical forests.  It was so beautiful.  The rice fields are so much a way of life for these Balinese people and you often see whole families out working in the fields.  When it is harvest season they build little "shelters" for themselves so they can sleep and eat out in the fields as well - so they don't need to bother coming in at night.

Close up of the rice plant.
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The next stop on our tour was the Banjar hot springs in the hills of Lovina.  I had really wanted to stop here because they were in our Lonely Planet as a "must-see", but on arriving I was deeply disappointed...  For one thing, and I never thought about this prior, was who wants to go in hot springs when it's 35 degrees outside?  It was so hot I almost fainted when I got out.  Also, the water was so dirty and smelly that you couldn't see your feet about 1 cm under the water!  Nevertheless, my beloved husband humored me by posing under the lion heads in like manner to the girl in lonely planet for a couple of candid photos!

Heather in front of Kintamani Volcano
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On leaving Lovina we passed large plantations that grew such spices as vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cloves, and even wine grapes.  Often the farmers would leave their "harvests" on the sides of the road to dry.  We stopped at one "shop" where we were allowed to sample some of the products.  It was really interesting to try some of their fresh coffee, cocoa, and spices straight from the vines so to speak.  Soooo good.

Thanks for the tour Nyoman.

Heather & Michael