DAY6
Today was Bali Baik tour day,so up early for a 7am pickup from the lobby. As usual I was running a few minutes behind time and reception rang to let me know they were waiting.(I was looking for a strappless top,the tan line thing again!)I apologised to everyone already seated in the van and off we went.It felt like forever but after two hours we arrived at Kintamani to a restaurant over looking the volcanoes in the distance.
I had breakfast,my husband gave it a miss as he thought it didn't look too clean.The tour guide gave us an insight into the village life around the volcano,the lake and of course all the info on the actual volcanoes.We had photos,with the volcanoes in the background,which turned out quite clear with my mediocre 5 megapixel kodak!
Back to the van and we headed to the coffee plantations.It was really interesting as they grow more than just coffee and we were talked through all the different plants,spices,cocoa and coffee. There is a shop that you can buy coffee ,chocolate and spices from,it was expensive .Don't get the saffron as it is made from the flower nad isn't allowed back through customs.
We were shown the roasting of the beans,what a glorious aroma! we then had the opportunity to sit and try the coffe,cocoa,ginger tea & lemongrass tea.Wow ,the cocoa was to die for!!mmmm... The coffee was lovely in taste,but had that Turkish thing happening toward the end.
On the table was a bowl of what looked like a light colored weedy stuff.My curiosity was soon quelled as the tour guide came over and asked if anyone would like to try the tobacco. I instantly volunteered my hubby as he smokes rollies.So, the guide pulls out a huge clump of tobacco and this really long thick rollie paper,and proceeds to roll this smoke that to me looked like something Bob Marley would enjoy!!At this point as he continues a very different rolling techniquenad then jokes that it's 'merri-joo-aana'.Lots of chuckles and presto!! in a couple of minutes this huge wadd of tobbacco was rolled down to a normal looking smoke.So, hubby tried it and I had a puff and it was not bad at all,mild moist and pleasant.
Back to the van and off to the bike point to start our ride.On arriving the bikes are all set up in the dirt carpark,and we were told to go choose a bike .Well,thats when the nerves hit and I tried one bike but even with the seat down I could only just get my toes to touch the ground.Everyone else seemed fine all hopping on,and then I spotted a kids bike!!In a moment of panic I was trying to come up with a way of convincing this young girl into swapping bikes.By now ,the guides were busy with a screw driver and smacking down the seat as far as it could go down.I felt like I was holding everybody up,as they were trying out there bikes and ready to go.
There was around 15 riders and just as I get on my bike, off they all start to go. Crap!! I'd better work this out fast,so I did the Fred Flinstone up to the road,by now they were starting to dissappear.The tour guide behind me was chuckling,which I promptly reminded him that I can't ride a bike and he should stay behind me but not too close!I push off with one foot and try and work the "put your feet on the pedddles thing" and I'm off,wobbling handle bars, a few squeals of terror and an amusing view for the van following and the tour guide.I got the hang of it and soon was joining the rest of the group.
We cycled for a while and then stopped at some rice paddies. I wasn't keen on walking into the rice fields,creepy crawlies and snakes were on my mind,but I joined in on the outskirts.My bum felt weird,I felt damp.What the hell? My denim shorts were saturated.No,I didn't wet myself out of nerves,but on further investigation of my bike we realised the seat was wet inside so when i sat on it it just soaked my shorts. More chuckling from the guides and yes, I am used to being the brunt of everyones jokes.I just went along with it.
We travelled through villages with the children running out to do the High Five hand slap thingy.Everyone was ridng by ,hand slapping and all I could do was swerve to the other side wobbling and squealing "dont come close,I cant let go,I'll fall off" The childrens hysterical giggles were priceless.They are so beautiful.
We had several stops and most of it is down hill and flat.The views are spectacular(when I found the courage to look around), and the stops for a refreshing cold water and information on the temples,village life and rice growing was great.
I beleive it was a total of about 24 kms that we biked in a couple of hours.I will say that there are some hills to tackle.Now my hubby tried to expalin the whole gear thing on my bike as we were first starting off,whilst the tour guide was telling me not to use the front brakes or i'll go over the handle bars,and I was doing the wobbly thing and squealing.So, I really didin't get it!I tried to work it out for myself.So I flew down the hill and when i got to the bottom I frantically started peddling.Like a mad woman my legs were flying around in circles,but I didn't seem to be getting far!The gears,I must need to change the gears!!I give it a go, and something clunks and suddenly it was harder to peddle but I was getting up the hill.Nearly up the hill...almost there... three more full cycles and I'll be at the top...I couldn't do it.So I hopped off red faced,sweaty and puffing and walked up the rest of the way.I wasn't the only one,thank God!
We were nearly at the end and I had to pike out,I felt faint and exhausted.But,as my husband pointed out I was at the back and last into our rest points,I didn't get as long a break to recover.How sweet,he didn't say I wasn't fit.So I hopped in the van and after collecting everyone else we were driven to Wayans family compound for lunch. The food was glorious and he sat and chatted with all and explained the set up of traditional family living and their compound. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour,but a little fitness would be an advantage if you want to cycle the lot.Please don't let this side of it put you off missing out on a great day out as you can cycle a bit and then follow in the van when you have had enough.I slept on the way back to the hotel and we arrived around 4.30pm.
more to come...The cocktail from hell,guitar shopping and our trip to Lembongan.