Sunday 13 January 2019

We Love Bali, Brompton World Travelers (22-25 November 2018) : Day 2 - Ubud to Karangasem

At Karangasem 2018 World Cultural Village Festival
River view from Sthala's Sungai Restaurant
River view from Sthala's Sungai Restaurant
Loading the bikes......................(and the ladies) into the box cars
Some of us waiting for some of them
One photo with the poster before we board the bus!
With Kano and the princess
Mindy posing at the Candi Bentar, a candi like structure commonly found all over Bali. Aesthetic in purpose, it is split perfectly into two to form a gateway
Wicker baskets for tables and chairs
Riding out...
...passing padi fields, with police escort
...passing villages, with road blocks
...cutting through towns
Entertainment before lunch...Andrew taking on a native warrior
Jo taking his best shot of the dancing maidens
Whilst Sin Tai Lim was figuring hard how to deal with the food...
...others are just happy be fed...
Open the mouth and shove it in !!!
Don't forget to give your smiles!
Perhaps this is the best way to eat???
Note Jeremy's sitting position...
Hey! He has shifted his legs!!!
Fishing boats at Pantai Ujung
Canal at Pantai Ujung
River mouth at Pantai Ujung
Pantai Ujung
At Tirtagangga Water Palace
At Ubud
White themed party
Ladies coming together
Ladies coming together
Best balancing act on a Brompton
Best dancer



The day started early for everyone. All our room telephones rang unanimously at 5.30 am, pre-programmed to ensure we do not miss the day’s event.

Meeting for breakfast at Sthala’s Sungai Restaurant, everyone were in a happy mood. Everyone enthused over their super-sized beds that came with too many pillows and bolsters! Had there been a pea on the bed, the princess would never have been able to feel it!

Egg station, waffles, pancakes, noodles and dumplings
Friendly staff serving Nasi Gudeg Jogja, aromatic white rice with braised chicken and egg
Fruits, salad, yoghurt...
Dining over the thoughtfully planned international buffet spread, even the fussiest eaters would have been pleased! We were stuffed!!!




When nobody could eat anymore, our long bus journey to Karangasem began. Led by a police outrider, we hogged the center of the road whenever necessary, pushing traffic to the sides. Cutting through towns, local police were out in full force, stopping traffic for our safe passage. Following from behind were the forwarders with our bikes all packed into the covered box cars.


Arriving at the Karangasem 2018 World Cultural Village Festival held in the village of Junggutan, we were floored by the red carpet treatment. Treated like dignitaries, we went through a “guard of honour”, comprising local police, army personnel and persons in charge before entering the festival grounds.


Once disembarked with our bikes unpacked, we went through a gateway which opens up to  the festival grounds. In the foreground, various handicrafts were put on display but what caught most of our eye were the bamboo bicycles!





Songket weaving

Aiming to preserve and persevere cultures, Karangasem 2018 World Cultural Village Festival is opened to all ethnic backgrounds. We saw some international participation and even singled out a Maori woman from New Zealand offering tattoos!!!

Ushered through yet another Candi Bentar, we were then received by the royal princess who shared with us her vision to turn Karangasem into Bali’s gateway from the East. A baseball cap instead of a tiara and a jacket for a cape, she could have been easily mistaken for a commoner!

The novelty of sitting on overturned rattan baskets, usually doubled as chicken coop soon wears off when the rough edges started to bite through our padded lycras. It was time to ride!


Heading out on our 2 wheelers, we were again escorted by our police outrider! Local police continues to stop traffic for our safe passage. This time though, we became the circus spectacles, drawing crowds from the streets!

There were waves and cheers from the villagers. However, the show of support was totally unnecessary as we were free-wheeling all the way downhill….for a good 10 km distance!!!

We passed many villages, padi fields and farms. Standing tall at 3031m, Mount Agong was constantly in sight. As we were all dressed appropriately with no wardrobe malfunctioning, it  accepted our visit whole heartedly despite erupting as recent as June 2018!!!

Notwithstanding the smooth operations, Anna’s bike soon malfunctioned again. This time, the quick release on her seat clamp became loose and she soon found herself riding on a kiddie’s bike!!! But our damsel is never short of helping hands as she quickly found herself in the hands of many able men.



Arriving at Taman Ujung Water Palace we were entertained by several activities before lunch was served. Makan mengibong, was a hilarious affair for many of us. Not used to sitting on the floor and eating with our hands, many of us were shifting our weights uncomfortably trying to find a sweet spot while food went flying across the floor! Traditionally meant to tear down social differences, it was said that King I Gusti Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem had pioneered this communal way of eating after winning the wars with the Kings of Lombok in 1692.








After lunch, we were given some free time to walk around the water palace. The splendor we see though, is not the original structure but a rebuilt from the 1963 destruction by Mount Agung. Our next destination, Tirtagangga Water Palace is also a rebuilt from the same 1963 destructions. 

Heading for Tirtagangga, which means Ganges River, the short journey saw many of us nodding away; lulled by the bus’ movements, a full stomach and the afternoon heat. Unable to shake off his sleepies, Richard knocked his head for the umpteenth time on the bus’ disco ball lightings which became the joke for many of us….”Watch your head Richard!”













Located by the hillsides with the rice terrace within sights, Tirtagangga was breezy and cool in the afternoon. Divided into several pools, the elegant eleven tiered Nawa Sanga fountain is the first thing that catches one’s eye when entering the complex. Equally beautiful is the Versailles pond filled with lotus flowers. A hotel, a restaurant and a private pool operates within the 1 hectare compound, making it an ideal place to return for some zen time but do steer clear from Rangda, the demon queen!

After Tirtagangga, it was time to return to Ubud. Boarding our bus, we were again handed wet towels to refresh ourselves. This time though, packed snacks with the same cili padi garnishings were distributed as our tea onboard! We began to wonder if there was some sinister plan to fatten us up as in the story of Hansel and Gretel!!!


Back in Ubud, our plans to visit the Monkey Forest had to be cancelled as we were running late. Heading back to our hotel after a brief stopover at a temple, we passed a flooded road caused by an earlier down pour. A blessing indeed that we were conveniently delayed!!!


At night, we enjoyed a Farewell Party thrown specially for us but by Day 2, the guests of honour were clearly Kano, Rachel, Agus and all crew members who had all worked labouriously to make sure we had ultimate fun, optimum comfort, maximum safety and not forgetting....going home a few pounds heavier!!!

Kudos to a wonderful team...Wisurya Event Management!!!


Photo credits :

Jotaro
Anna
Sin Tai Lim
Anne Cheong
Tony
Richard
and all fellow participants!


Whilst as guests of honour to the Indonesian government we did not pay any entrance fees, the public is charged the following fees :

1. Taman Ujung Water Palace, entrance fees of IDR 50,000
2. Tirtagangga Water Palace, entrance fees of IDR 10,000, additional IDR20,000 for swimming