Road Trip Bali by Sanja B.

Bali - Islands of gods. That is what they say in every travel guide! Me and my friend Janina wanted to experience this our self by taking a car and making a small road trip all across Bali.

We started our journey in Kerebokan, where our house is and decided to travel first in the very north of Bali. Equipped with a backpack with necessary things to travel, a bag with provision and lots of motivation the road trip could begin!

Our way to the north lead us through the middle of Bali, past coffee plantations, chili and tomato fields and mountains that towered between rice fields. Our first stop  was Danau Beratan, a beautiful lake at the end of a mountain and within walking distance to the famous sea temple. At the lake, we took a rest and enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere and landscape.

But after that, we wanted to go as far in the north as possible and our goal for the day was to reach Lovina. But our way to the city was very difficult: We had to drive up a mountain and from that point we had lost our orientation. We couldn't turn because the streets were so small and really not in a good shape so we had to follow this small street all the way down. With all the serpentines and the broken path through the mountain it was very adventurous, so we were quite happy when we found out that we made it and we actually reached Lovina through this way. In Lovina we searched a small home stay to sleep a night and to relax some time before it going on the next day.

Well rested and sated from a delicious breakfast, we continued our journey by driving through the east. Actually there is only on small street that goes from Lovina to the east and we just followed it.  This street lead us to a beautiful landscape: On the left side you had the ocean and when you looked right you drive along the volcano Agung! Then in the next moment the vegetation changes from very dry to jungle and you are suddenly driving up a mountain and you have to  go down again in steep serpentines. Very fascinating and a good insight into the Bali, how you imagine it to be!

But when sunset came we decided to stop in Padangbai, a small fisher village and famous for its ferries to Gili Island and to get some rest. It is a very nice village and you can go out and sit in one of the good sea food restaurants while enjoying live music and fresh fished fish for diner.

From Padangbai, we made our way home back to Kerebokan, but not without making a small detour: We wanted  to see the spectacular  rice fields near Ubud and make a small shopping trip to the Ubud bazaar. Arriving in Ubud we were lucky to see a cremation parade of the royal family that was walking through the streets! That was very interesting and typically for Balinese culture.