Still more to do as we keep up the pace...

As of today, we have one week left in Indonesia. We have mixed feelings about that for sure. The time has gone quickly as big trips like this always do but at the same time it feels like we have had a very rich and full time here. We have met so many great people and seen so many amazing places. We've also identified many other things that will need to stay on our "to do" list for our next visit. We've also made many contacts we hope to maintain.


Meanwhile, there is still much that we can still do. Today was a good example. We re-connected with Dewa who is related to one of the hosts at the Mata Hari cottages we are staying at. He drove us around the region yesterday and offered to do the same today with a list of ideas that he could serve as our guide for. We took him up on that and hired him for the day again.


Our day started at a famous old temple in Ubud. We were surprised at the size and age of the place as Dewa gave us history and meaning behind the many statues and features we identified. Among others, the ancient Elephant Cave had many old carvings on the exterior and when you walked inside you couldn't help but wonder how many feet had smoothed the stone floors for centuries before you. We also enjoyed hiking down to a quiet waterfall that included huge rocks with carvings of Budda. This place is visited often by those seeking quiet meditation and to wash with the holy water that pulses from the hillside. This was a great experience.

ancient pools that replaced even older ones

Elephant Cave

Huge Temple Tree

Laurie tries holy water

Dale puts new Crocs to work

Quiet Pool & Huge carved rocks

Next stop was part way up the mountain where we visited a coffee tasting plantation that included many native plants in an excellent garden that took the place of the Bali Botanical Gardens we won't be able to visit this trip. The coffees and teas available for tasting were excellent and included Luwak coffee which is produced by civet-cat digestion. We were able to meet the host and sample the product which is extremely expensive and quite rich in taste. The coffees are hand roasted and ground and Bali coffee is clearly quite special. Fortunately we were able to purchase some products to share when we get home.

Bali Coffee

Dewa making music

Laurie roasting Bali coffee

Famous Luwak Coffee

Civet Cat making Luwak coffee

Luwak Coffee beans & scat

Luwak taste test!

Civet Cat resting

We also made a quick shopping stop and found exactly what Laurie was looking for with Dewa's help and knowledge of the area. From there we continued up the mountain and enjoyed cooler temperatures on this mostly cloudy day that included some light rain. At the top we found a considerable amount of produce for sale along with a number of cafes and restaurants that were taking advantage of the views of a large lake and recently active volcano. We had lunch at one with outdoor seating high above the ground and Laurie's comfort zone where we had a fine buffet lunch and watched the rain blow across the lake while the sun was shining on the lava flows closer to us. Amazing view. We then took the back way down the mountain and into Ubud with some good looks at the farming and wood carving activities the area is known for. 

Volcano lunch view & high above the ground

Mountain market produce

We were back in time to head down for an appointment at the Visa Extension office we've been working with to get an extension and allow us to stand beyond the standard 30 days. This had always been our plan but upon arrival we were quickly schooled on the complexity and issues with getting a visa extension. Fortunately we found this small specialized business on our earlier stop in Bali and we worked with them to start the process in the middle of several big Bali holidays. Today we found that our passports had been returned with the necessary extensions stamped into them and we're OK to be in Indonesia until March 10th! I wish that were possible but we only have a week to go and do really miss family and friends. We especially miss Elle and family and intend to jump right into babysitting those two little guys as soon as we return!


As if this wasn't enough to pack into a single day we picked up tickets for a Lagong dance performance and found it to be an excellent one. We also learned what happens if it rains during the performance. Things stop for a crazy moment or two and everyone is hustled across the street to an old structure with a roof. It was an excellent performance and a huge cast. Our day wasn't over yet as we had managed to leave without our umbrella but the need for it was real as we found just after we finished another great dinner out and took the longer quiet way back to our room. The warms rain drenched us but it felt good and hopefully won't be a setback for the cold Laurie's still trying to kick.

Temple scene

Legong Dance

Dancing

For tomorrow we could have a slower day but if we are up for it we've been invited to Dewa's home for a Bali breakfast. The day after tomorrow is the kuningan day ceremony, and staff at the Mata Hari are planning for us to go to the Tanah Lot temple and Taman Ayun temple (royal temple) where there will apparently be a day of ceremonies concluding at sunset. We don't have a lot of details yet but feel like this is an honor that has been offered to us. 


Things are rushing together quickly as we go over the remaining things we hoped to do. There is a request for us to return to Jakarta this weekend in time for another family wedding and so there'll be more time to visit. We will need to rush and see if we can make travel plans sooner than expected.