Call me an inquisitive devil, but I can’t resist riding my motorbike down narrow country lanes. Not exactly sure waht I’m expecting to see, or even hoping to see, but the draw of discovery pulls me along. After Sanda Bukit Villas, Antosari, a junction on the busy road to Tabanan, was my next point. Riding the main road east for a few kilometers, a narrow side road presented itself, and off I went. Craters and bumps quickly replaced the smooth tarmac of the main road, local Balinese people doing a ‘double take’, of this weird looking dude, all wrapped up, going past their house.
The road I took ran directly north, parallel to the road coming down from Pupuan, but this one deep into kampung Bali. Old ladies carring sickles, bare-chested men, strolling around in sarongs, shacks with mud yards, it was all here. The route narrowed, giving me an indication of the traffic. Tarmac was replaced by 2 muddy tire tracks, which eventually became 1. At that point I called it quits and turned back, my wheels slipping a bit due to their ‘city style’ tread. Off to one side of the trail, was a valley dotted with palm trees, extending to the horizon, not much happening but plenty of space to build.
The side trip took around 45 minutes and I was glad I did it. Back on the main road heading towards Tabanan, the local pecalang (banjar traffic cops) had created a temporary raodblock, to allow a procession of Balinese women, carrying bantens of fruit, on their heads, to pass. It was a great sight to behold, as they wore white kebayas and were all in perfect order. Having a camera dangling around my neck, allowed me to snap a photo over the heads of the pack of riders surrounding me, with the engine still running. Further along on the road to Tanah Lot a Barong, was going for a stroll, together with accompanying musicians. Some great sights to be seen on a sunday in Bali.
