Cool wind in my face, warm sunshine on my back, and potholed asphalt beneath my bike tires. Surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of terraced rice patties and temples that are sprinkled between tiny rural villages with adorable children who rush your bike for a high-five as you go by, the 25k passed easily. And the fact that 24 of the 25 kilometers were downhill didn’t hurt either.
After eating our way through Singapore, Keith and I decided that a cycling tour with Bali Eco Cycling in Ubud would be the perfect antidote to our gluttonous ways. While perhaps not the greatest workout, we were definitely not disappointed. Our tour began with breakfast high on a volcanic crater rim overlooking a beautiful lake and Mount Batur, followed by a quick visit to a Balinese plantation that included an opportunity to sample Luwak coffee, local herbal teas and tropical fruits. Then it was time to get on our mountain bikes.
We made our way down quiet, local back roads winding through lush rice patties from village to village. A highlight of our ride was a stop at a Balinese compound, where we were able to see how the locals live outside the tourist areas of Ubud. The compound we visited was made up of small, simple living quarters for the different generations of the family of five living in the compound. In traditional Balinese style, the living area for the eldest members of the family was elevated higher than those areas for the rest of family as a sign of respect. The compound also contained a very basic kitchen where the women of the family prepare a rice meal early in the morning that the rest of the family will eat throughout the day. There are no family meals; each family member will just grab a bowl of rice whenever they are hungry or can take a break from their work. The most striking structure in the compound was the family shrine and temple area that is used for ceremonies and the preparation of the dead for burial.
The family is largely self sufficient as they raise pigs, chickens and cows for their own food. The pigs and cows are penned in the back of the compound, while the chickens wandered around freely. The family also farms coconut, bananas and bamboo on a small plot of land behind their compound. The bamboo is then woven by the family on the neighboring compound into panels used for walls and ceilings in typical Balinese structures. While bamboo floors are all the eco-chic rage back in the States, the Balinese have been using it for hundreds of years.
There was no running water or indoor plumbing in the compound; however, we did find the youngest member of the family glued to the ubiquitous television instead of doing his homework. Seems that no matter where in the world you go, kids are pretty much the same.
The day spent on mountain bikes was a great opportunity to get out of the tourist centers in Bali and see the beautiful countryside and the people that live there. If you are in Bali I highly recommend a bike tour of the countryside.
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