Indonesia > Mountain biking from the volcano

In front of the hotel, I meet Eddy. Eddy will guide me today on a bike ride from Mount Batur back to Ubud. First, we take the bus north. Far outside the center, I see shops where mainly woodcarvings are made and sold. I can hardly imagine that many buyers actually come here. At most, I suppose taxi drivers stop their customers in exchange for a commission. We stop at a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the sawa fields. The rice terraces are stunning. Unfortunately, the sun is on the opposite side, creating backlighting. After about an hour, we reach the crater rim of Mount Batur.

Indonesia - The rice terraces cling to the mountainside

From a restaurant terrace, Eddy explains that there used to be a large volcano here. It exploded in 1962. Two new volcanic vents formed in the crater: Batur and Agung. I can see both volcanoes surrounded by a layer of clouds. Before starting the bike ride, I ride a short distance back. Here, my bike is ready. I check the brakes and test the mountain bike’s gears. Then I put on my helmet and I’m ready for the descent. Eddy asks me to follow him and not to overtake. That’s a bit frustrating because we descend cautiously. I don’t have to pedal and must brake often to avoid passing him. I ride past the rice fields and through small villages. Children wave enthusiastically. It’s not very special for them, as tourists pass by here daily. Several groups are on the road today as well. I stop at a kampong, a small community where several families live together. I enter the kampong through a traditional narrow wooden door. Eddy explains that the temple in the kampong is positioned to offer protection against the volcano. Right next to it live the grandparents, while the other family members live on the opposite side.

Indonesia - Cycling through villages and rice fields

Women in the kampong are weaving baskets. Children play on a swing made of bamboo. At the back, there are pigs and one cow. Back on the bike, I ride along a narrow path between the rice fields. The trail is only about a meter wide. This section also descends. At one of the rice fields, Eddy explains how rice grows and is harvested. Coincidentally, the rice is being harvested right then. The entire bike route is downhill. I descend from 1,000 meters back to 200 meters. When I reach a small sluice, I’ve cycled 24 kilometers. It hasn’t been particularly tiring. Eddy suggests that we also ride the final stretch to the restaurant. I agree. This route goes uphill. Over about six kilometers, I slowly climb. I immediately notice how hot it is. I manage to keep up with Eddy on the climb, although it takes considerable effort. It feels good to push myself for a while. When I arrive at the restaurant, I am drenched. I thoroughly enjoy the buffet lunch. In the afternoon, I return to the hotel. In the evening, I have a nice dinner at one of the more upscale restaurants. I order a rijsttafel. Especially for me, a decorated platter on a stand is served. All the dishes are in containers made from folded banana leaves. Even the rice in the center is wrapped in a banana leaf. I try a little of each dish. It’s too much to eat it all.