In Reply to: legian-lovina posted by helenb on Friday, 15. February 2008 at 15:37 Bali Time:
- the north coast and enjoy the amazing views to the north, back over the foothills and the Bali Sea. I'd give Git Git a miss on the way up and stop at the Munduk Falls on the way back instead, avoiding the horrendous climb down to the Git Git Falls and the even worse return climb through some agressive sellers.
Munduk is more peaceful and scenic I think.
After Munduk I'd look for the coffee plantation and processing place at Ngiring Ngwedang which is on the left as you climb up a steep incline and take a sharp left hand bend. The views here are down to the south and again amazing. You can have a great coffee of course (the only coffee I can drink without milk and sugar) and a full meal or a snack too.
After Ngiring Ngewedang you drive across the divided twin lakes of Tamblingan and Buyen and if you stop to take in the views down to Bedugul you might be lucky enough to see the third lake, small and brilliant azure blue, between the two main ones.
Down through Bedugul and Pacung again you can turn right and go through some of the most spectacular and richest rice terraces around Jatiluwih and on to Marga where you will be awestruck at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai (after whom the Bali airport is named) memorial and museum.
A little further on is the water temple, Pura Taman Ayun and Cokorda's Palace with it's spectacularly carved Kul Kul (warning drum ) tower.
Depending on the time in hand you have a choice here.
To the right is the city of Tabanan and it's fascinating Subak museum which shows the planning, construction and organisation of the water distribution to Bali's rice terraces, from the highest slopes of the central mountains to the coastal plains.
From here it's a short drive to the sunset temple at Pura Tanah Lot on the coast.
If instead you choose the alternative route to the left it will take you to Ubud, the artistic and historical centre of Bali and the shopper's mecca of Sukawati, the beach seller's market.
Whichever you choose you'll experience a different sense of Bali, perhaps closer to that myth of the 'true Bali' than anywhere else you might have been.