On our fourth day in Ubud, we went into the mountains to bike through Bali's beautiful back country with Bali Bingtang Tour. We started our ride amongst two of Bali's volcanoes, and rode approximately 40km downhill through back roads lined with picturesque rice fields and small villages.
But first, we stopped off at a coffee plantation to sample the famous Luwak coffee. For those of you who are not aware, the Luwak is a rodent-like creature with a taste for only the finest coffee beans. The Luwak, however, is not able to digest the entire bean, and what's left over is sifted out of the Luwak's droppings, roasted, and brewed into coffee that sells for upwards of $100 per pound. And we got to sample some. Whatever else they might say about the Balinese, they are marketing geniuses. For only a true salesman could convince the masses to drink liquid poo, and pay mightily for the privilege.
But first, we stopped off at a coffee plantation to sample the famous Luwak coffee. For those of you who are not aware, the Luwak is a rodent-like creature with a taste for only the finest coffee beans. The Luwak, however, is not able to digest the entire bean, and what's left over is sifted out of the Luwak's droppings, roasted, and brewed into coffee that sells for upwards of $100 per pound. And we got to sample some. Whatever else they might say about the Balinese, they are marketing geniuses. For only a true salesman could convince the masses to drink liquid poo, and pay mightily for the privilege.
About to roast the beans (these were your standard coffee beans and had not passed through the digestive tract of a Luwak).
Beans roasting
The luwak, possibly in the process of making some coffee magic.
Brilliant.
About to drink the Luwak coffee. Stay tuned for a Culinary Delights on this one.
In addition to the Luwak, the plantation specialized in flavored coffees and teas, all of which we got to try out. Our favorite was easily the coconut coffee!
We next arrived at the bike launch point. We stopped at a local restaurant for some more energy - tea/coffee and fried bananas. Yum! After taking in the beautiful volcano-filled vista, our group was off on our downhill bike ride through the villages and countryside!
Where we had tea and fried bananas before our bike trip.
Restaurant interior
Volcano
Nyoman and Chris taking a break
Hello Mrs. Barbier! Your son is crazy!
At one point, we passed by an elementary school. Nyoman asked our guide if we could stop in to say hello to the kids. The teacher agreed and a handful of our group introduced ourselves to the students. They loved Paul & Nyoman because they kept calling each other crazy to make the kids laugh.
At one point, we passed by an elementary school. Nyoman asked our guide if we could stop in to say hello to the kids. The teacher agreed and a handful of our group introduced ourselves to the students. They loved Paul & Nyoman because they kept calling each other crazy to make the kids laugh.
Balinese elementary school
Paul sharing a joke with the class
Chris' mom teaches second grade back in Massachusetts and we thought it would be really cool for the Bali class to say hello to the Massachusetts class, especially because they were similar ages. Nyoman explained this to the class, who agreed to send a video message back to Lunenburg, MA! Here it is:
We were all laughing, especially Chris who was filming the whole thing. The kids were so cute! Nyoman left them some money (about $5) so the entire class could have an ice cream party. This is a rare treat for these kids so they were surprised and ecstatic, smiling ear to ear!
Nyoman giving them some money (about $USD 5) for an ice cream party. The kids were shocked and SO HAPPY! Look at the expressions on their faces :)
We also learned a little more about school in these small Balinese villages. Kids attend school from 7am-11am every day. Afternoons are reserved for working and/or temple. They attend school from Monday-Saturday. The kids spend Saturday doing chores around the school - cleaning, repairing furniture or fences, painting, gardening - whatever is needed. Sadly, education is undervalued and many kids drop out of school around 13 or 14 because they don't see the point in staying in class when they could be earning money for their family. Also, many get married very young - 14 or 15 years old - and they start having children right away because children are very important in Balinese tradition.
After the school, we stopped at a local village home to learn about how the typical villagers live. When two people get married, the bride usually moves into her husband's family compound where the couple will live in their own home next to his siblings, parents and sometimes grandparents. The compound consists of several small houses, a family shrine and an open air pavilion where certain ceremonies take place. Behind the compound is a garden and where they keep livestock.
After the school, we stopped at a local village home to learn about how the typical villagers live. When two people get married, the bride usually moves into her husband's family compound where the couple will live in their own home next to his siblings, parents and sometimes grandparents. The compound consists of several small houses, a family shrine and an open air pavilion where certain ceremonies take place. Behind the compound is a garden and where they keep livestock.
The family shrine & the pavilion where special ceremonies take places (ie marriage, death).
The family's shrine
The family offered us these sweet rice crackers. They were really good!
The home's kitchen.
Happy Birthday Nyoman!
After our wonderful bike tour, our group had lunch at a local restaurant. It was Nyoman's birthday so Paul made an announcement and the entire group sang Happy Birthday at the lunch table. The Balinese typically don't celebrate birthdays (many don't know the day of their birthday) so Nyoman was a little shy at first, but accepted the congratulations graciously.
That night, we headed back into town to eat at one of Nyoman's favorite spots in town, the Deli Cat, where we had great steaks with mushrooms and potatoes!
Last Day in Bali
The next day we had to catch a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Myanmar. Before we left, Nyoman took us on a walk through his village to see a beautiful, remote, water temple and fancy yoga retreat.
After our wonderful bike tour, our group had lunch at a local restaurant. It was Nyoman's birthday so Paul made an announcement and the entire group sang Happy Birthday at the lunch table. The Balinese typically don't celebrate birthdays (many don't know the day of their birthday) so Nyoman was a little shy at first, but accepted the congratulations graciously.
That night, we headed back into town to eat at one of Nyoman's favorite spots in town, the Deli Cat, where we had great steaks with mushrooms and potatoes!
Last Day in Bali
The next day we had to catch a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Myanmar. Before we left, Nyoman took us on a walk through his village to see a beautiful, remote, water temple and fancy yoga retreat.
On our way to the water temple
We passed waterfalls on our way....
So beautiful!
Happy in the jungle!
Nearby yoga retreat. So peaceful.
We were so sad to leave Bali, but incredibly thankful for the wonderful experience we had and the friends we made on this trip. Paul and Nyoman were incredible, and we will be forever thankful for such a warm, thoughtful and eye-opening experience in Ubud. We were only there for five days, but thanks to them, it already felt like home.
Team Barbier in Bali!
RSS Feed
