https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297694-d7939737-Reviews-Bali_Adventours-Denpasar_Bali.html His communication was excellent and he promptly picked us up at 8:00 AM.
We were quite flexible with timing and locations to visit. We began with a nice drive to the Tegallalang Rice Terraces (again) http://www.bali-indonesia.com/ubud/tegallalang-rice-terraces.htm
Along the way Mertha explained much of Indonesian culture pertaining to Hinduism and the variations of temples we will see here. The Rice Terraces today were slightly different as we took a different route visiting a different spot. We next drove to the beautiful Tirta Empul Temple http://www.bali-indonesia.com/attractions/tirta-empul-temple.htm. We are fortunate to have caught the temple early and during one of many celebrations. We donned the required dress and walked around shooting photos of whatever we could. After a short drive the Satria Coffee Plantation is next on the list.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297701-d7122282-Reviews-Satria_Coffee_Plantation-Ubud_Gianyar_Bali.html. This family owned small plantation grows coffee, cacao, and plants. After a brief tour and taste test we are offered something from their small farm store. This includes the famous Balinese coffee and the more famous Luwak Coffee. Back to the theme of poo again. Luwak Coffee first starts being eaten by cute little forest creatures called Civet's. They apparently eat only the best raw coffee cherries and poop out improved cherries. Here's an excerpt of the Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak
"Producers of the coffee beans argue that the process may improve coffee through two mechanisms, selection – civets choosing to eat only certain cherries – and digestion – biological or chemical mechanisms in the animal's digestive tract altering the composition of the coffee cherries."
I did a taste test myself and I kinda like the taste. Of course they clean the poop duh. I bought some beans for a try when I get back to Canada if you want a go.
We headed out kinda high from the coffee and chocolate and not all that hungry. Lunch could have been soon or later on. We soon chose soon when we looked at the time and wanted to avoid the crowds. We went for an awesome lunch buffet overlooking the volcano at Mount Batur. I tried to find the exact name of the place but could not. It was in the town of Kintamani and really close to here https://goo.gl/maps/99dusbxS6No
After lunch it was time to drive down some crazy roads to the Toya Devasya hot springs. We were hoping for a quiet hot spring kinda place but it was still great. Kinda busy but still totally cool
http://toyadevasya.com/
After a few hours we headed out to do a last stop somewhere but the rain kinda came. No problemo because we are kinda tired. Time just to eat another amazing meal and do some blogging
Michelle scored this from the car
The terraces part 2
Having a guide means pics of us yay
This really skinny road saved 20 minutes
Local guide bonus
This water from the high mountains eventually feeds the rice terraces below
Nice melon
Another water flow, look at the man made wall on the left
Wow
The temple itself. Early morning is awesome, less sun, heat and crowds
We wanted to join but were unsure of the exact process
Nervously we declined until more research
This video should reveal the scope of this beautiful place
Off limits except for locals
Spring water bubbling up. Seriously clear water here
At one time, the Presidential Palace
Big coy here
Many in the shade
Namaste
Hello snake
Coffee
Cacao
Chillies
Coffe/Cocao/Chillie store and more
Spoils from the land
Poo coffee
Traditional coffee roaster. 30 minutes total until done
Traditional coffee grinder.
Kava anyone?
The sampler pad, cool idea
Poo Coffee explained
Gas time
7800 RP per litre
That's $0.69 per litre Canadian people
Crazy cheap
Lunch with a view
Of a active volcano, eek
Last eruption was 2000
The black stuff you see are lava flows from 1968
The view down
Dang that's a long fall
Aww
Clouds rolled in
It's better to see on this video
Enroute to the hot springs
Lava fields
Very commercialized hot springs
I'm the quiet guy trying to rest
Hello
I just created a bubble bath
Our guide lives very close to the springs
He asked if his wife and child could come for the last drive to Ubud
No problemo we said, she was fun
She liked buddy
Long day, buddy needs some food
Beautiful
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