For day 3, we booked a cycling trip with Bali Bike. I knew the driver was going to screw up our hotel location as there were 3 Parigata in Sanur. I already told the boss we were the one next to Bali Hyatt but apparently the communication did not get through to his driver. Instead of being picked up at 715-730pm, the driver finally managed to find us at our lobby at 750pm. Grrrr.
He’s the culprit but he was nice lah coz he kept on apologizing to us lol. With us in the van was an Australian family from Adelaide The wife’s face was black as charcoal but the hubby was so friendly. He and Kiat kept on chatting non-stop when we got on the van. (His son look like a small Stevie G).
The drive took almost 1 hour to get to Ubud and then to Kintamani where we had our breakfast.
That’s all our bikes in front of our van.
Finally we reached Kintamani for our breakfast. The Australian family-super fit and chatty dad in blue. Our breakfast place was the same area we went 6 years ago with Sam, ZY and Gene. The flies are still here by the dozen.
Lake Batur
Mount Batur-active volcano
All these ang mohs were also on the same bike tour as us. Our group had around 20 people. As usual, we were the only 2 Asians. After breakfast, they brought us to a coffee plantation.
Cocoa trees
The main attraction:Luwat. Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee is coffee made from coffee berries which have been eaten by and passed through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). The civets eat the berries, but the beans inside pass through their system undigested. Kiat bought a cup for 30,000Rps and when the Ang Moh asked him how does it taste like, he replied (jokingly) that it tasted like shit!
The luwat coffee is indeed the most expensive coffee in the world. One small packet costs 55USD! In the end, we only bought back 2 packets of normal bali coffee for our mums.
After the coffee tour, we finally got to ride the bikes at around 10 plus 11am.
We were divided into 2 groups and off we went!
First stop was at a rice field. The farmers were having their lunch break. Our guide explained to us the crop, yield etc. Hard work, so please don't waste rice. Finish up everything in your rice bowl the next time you have your meal.
It was more cycling after that. Most of the route was downhill which was a breeze but some of the slopes were really steep downhill. The upslopes were the killers. We passed by many villages and all the children came out to say hello or hi-five to us. (Sorry, I did not hi-5 with anyone as the path was pretty steep to me; both my hands gota be on the brakes at all time) Even the adults will stop to say hi when we passed them. So friendly!!
2nd stop-to see farmers harvesting their crop
3rd stop-water break
The staff gave us a very detailed explanation of the temple and its structure which was opposite the pavilion above.
More cycling and hellos...
Think this was the 2nd upslope. CMI, I gota get down to push, thank god, I was not the only one.
Small Stevie G as well
So were the American gals and the Aussie Aunties.
Thumbs up to the guys-Kiat, Lance from France and the Aussie dad coz they managed to pedal all the way up for ALL the upslopes, amazing.
Had another water and banana break here after the tedious upslope. The sun was scorching. I got burnt even I applied loads of sunscreen.
More cycling followed. Finally we reached the pit stop around 2plus pm after scaling through some upslopes again. (Think there were 3-4 altogether?)
My cmi self. It was pretty tiring,nearly peng san. (That's Lance drinking in yellow, if he join the amazing race with his gf, they will prob win, he is so fit)
Kiat-piece of cake for him. Darn.
Cmi already still got dragged to take picture.
Need to sit down badly lol. They gave us cold towels, shioks! (That's Lance's gf next to me)
Went to sit in the van while waiting for the rest of the group.
If you really cmi, the staff will push the bike for you to the pitstop while you can slowly stroll there.
We were supposed to take the van to the boss's house for lunch but the 3 American gals wanted more cycling and requested to cycle there instead. So, Kiat, Lance and the Aussie dad also went along with them while the rest of us went with the van. No more cycling for the day.
The boss's house-his business must be doing well.
His wife prepared some local dishes for us for lunch.
Kiat and the American gals. This time, he is the one who cmi hehehe
Delicious Balinese food...
After lunch, the owner brought us for a tour of his house and the driver send us back to our hotel.
It was the most enjoyable day we had in Bali and I highly recommend doing the bike trip if you go to Bali.
