Friday, 10 October 2025

Bali Trip (May 24-27, 2023) : Day 3 - Sanur to Mount Batur's lake and viewpoint


Mount Batur in the background

Mount Batur Viewpoint @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/X2yKQZ6f5gSNue8k7






Didn't want to wake up early and can't miss out on the hotel’s buffet breakfast, so I started late at 10 am with every intention to turn around when the going gets tough but it was surprisingly rideable. Only problem is having to deal with 38 km of continuous climb. Overall gradehill was between 3-4%. So while I struggled to climb at +1/-1 gearing with ears popping all the time due to the air pressure, downhill was an almost perpetual glide. Again, it wasn't dangerously fast for my small wheels.


Lucky to be back alive. Traffic in downtown Bali is super duper crazyyyyyyyy and coupled that with riding in the dark, I kept talking to God throughout my journey home.


Finished at 7.30 pm when the sun had properly dipped into the horizon

Bali Trip (May 24-27, 2023) : Day 1 - Sanur to Tegenungan Waterfalls

Tegenungan Waterfalls

Checked in at Hyatt Regency, Sanur
By the stairs at Omma, leading down to the Tegenungan Waterfalls is this smaller waterfalls

Omma is like a club. There's a free use of its swimming pool too!

Paid to use suspension bridge

Spot the tiny rainbow!

Nice view @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/ecXvvLCg9GqR2aU38
A few mis-steps on the way back @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/KzV4kMNqsnk778zj6

Interesting narrow paths

Down memory lane...the route to Tegenungan Waterfalls passes this art market and Sthala Hotel, Ubud where we had stayed in November 2019. Back then, we had attended "We Love Bali, Brompton World Travellers" event hosted by Tourism Indonesia


Today's mission was to eat and visit Tegenungan Waterfalls.


Oops, sorry! We forgot to take any photos of the food. We ate a lot and many meals though. (Another reason why I was wearing a loose top....to cover the protruding bump!!! 🤣)


Tegenungan Waterfalls is spectacular. Photo does not do justice to nature's beauty. Uniquely, there's a natural arch which forms the entrance of a cave behind the Falls. On a hot day like today, there's a spectrum of rainbow colours near its sprays.


To get to the Falls, there's an entrance fee of IDR20,000 per person. You cannot escape this fee! It is collected by the village folks. Then, you descent a 150 steps' stairs to get to the Falls.


There's a cheat code to avoid the whole column of stairs. The code comes with a small expense at Omma Club, a restaurant with VIP views of the Falls. The good thing with Omma is there's no minimum spend at the restaurant but everyone orders at least a drink which are reasonably priced. A cappuccino for example costs IDR45,000 which is money well spent as they brewed it well and uses good coffee beans. A tiramisu sets you back IDR110,000 but again, is good.


Omma's customers takes an elevator from the reception all the way down to the restaurant. There on, a short flight of stairs to the waterfalls. You get to go back up the same way without killing your knees and still have energy to ride back!!!


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Hyatt Regency Bali

Photos downloaded from the internet based on memory of the room.











































Monday, 14 July 2025

WE GO GO-AAAH!!! (March 11 - 20, 2023), Day 8 - Reis Magos Fort, Aguada Fort and Chapora Fort

 

Just like Kerala, Goa's waterways is serviced by many RORO ferries. However, what makes Goa more unique is their ferry service is free to all on foot passengers and cyclists! Taking advantage of the free service, we took the ferry from Panaji Ferry Terminal to Betim Ferry Terminal, hence saving some leg power across the busy Mandovi Bridge

In photo here is Reis Margos Fort

On Betim - Verem - Saligao Rd @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/tQLCiBryFpUEQhhL7

On Betim - Verem - Saligao Rd

Reis Magos Lighthouse @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/yQSCCPgpXEfdatyY8

Reis Magos Church @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/BhgJjDWYu9kCguVv9

The Fort's walls can be seen from this coastal road @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/UTNqQWEYzp6G1CcQ7

Rocky Beach @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/uHgBSCeSQAKxvv2BA

Fort Aguada and the moat

Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada Lighthouse, located within the Fort

Aguada Lighthouse located within the The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways which is next to the Fort.

Fishing activities and water sports on Nerul River @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/uiG7NGvQRMFhWXSL8

Candolim Beach Road

Aguada - Siolim Rd @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/5xLqQnvJ8Mo8K8zn7

St Anthony Chapel on Aguada - Siolim Rd

Baga Bridge @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/ag3vnFtrcUSQ8P5i7

Saude SaibiniChem Mondir @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/1UGp43kumooKM1YV8

Chapora Fort. 

One of the towers of the Fort

The Fort, located on a hill, comes with a high vantage point. 

It was not easy to visit the Fort. From the car park area, we have to barge through a parade of stalls on a paved slope. Then there were about 100-120 steps to climb to reach the top 

Chapora Jetty @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/BHvgmpNYwAWcerCe8

Teacher's College Students at dress rehearsal outside Penha de Franca Church

Inside the church

The church grounds. After this we returned to Panjim to shop for cashew nuts before returning to the hotel. Later we took a walk out for dinner at Sheetal Pure Veg Restaurant