Back at the parking lot, I started the Toyota and drove towards Munduk. Along the way, on the section of road that descends to Lake Beratan, I encountered several monkeys that were busy playing or sitting on the pavement and on the railings, looking at passing cars, hoping for some food. The traffic on the road moved extremely slowly, and I finally I reached the end of Lake Beratan and turned left towards Seririt, a town in the north of Bali. While this scenic road of twists and turns right on a ridge usually rewards drivers with amazing views over the two volcanic lakes to the left, Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan – locally called Twin Lakes – it was so hard to follow due to the wall of rain that was falling, which forced me to stop for a break. Because of the heavy torrential rain, the traffic nearly ceased completely and this allowed me to drive the remaining 5 km to one of the most extraordinary places in Bali, Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa – TO BOOK A DISCOUNTED ROOM AT Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa CLICK HERE ! The hotel was literally surrounded by clouds, and the only thing I could see were the gardens and the heated infinity pool, but these were enough to anticipate the natural beauty of north Bali, and the special establishment that is Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa. This eco resort is perched on the northern hills surrounding the village of Munduk and the nearby villages of Kayuputih and Banyuatis. The villa I was allocated was amazing, and the main hotel building had a restaurant and facilities such as a gym, a pool table and a great library of books and magazine, so there was no reason for me to go out anymore, given the inclement weather. I instead took advantage and put a bit of order in my notes and pictures. The hotel restaurant serves local specialties cooked the traditional way with organic, locally-grown ingredients, so when my tummy called for food, I had a great dinner of pumpkin soup with crouton (given the weather) and Tahu Tempe Menyat Nyat, a tasty tempe and tofu stew served with local rice. Delicious. The following morning, after a tasty continental breakfast served with a huge pot of locally grown coffee from the Munduk Moding plantation, I was picked up by Bali Jungle Trekking for a great trek to three of the most beautiful local waterfalls: Golden Valley, Tanah Barak and Melangting. The weather was so nice compared to the day before that I could not believe my luck: sunny, with a nice breeze that kept us cool and relaxed; the only downside was the slippery path, due to the rain that had fallen in the previous two days. The highly appreciated tour can be booked at https://balijungletrekking.com/bali-jungle-hiking/ Upon my return to Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa, as it was still early, I decided to take their nature walk along a path that takes customers through their amazing coffee plantation and organic gardens. The walk was a trek in itself; I took my time and looked carefully at every different plant in their amazing compound, which comprise a strawberry garden, bamboo trees, avocado trees, banana trees, vanilla, pomelo, some astonishing wild orchids and more plants that I have surely missed, given the size of the place. I visited the horses stables, where attendant Putu Apri was feeding the beautiful and gentle animals, and made an encounter with the affable resort GM Mr Gede, who was supervising the building of a new fish pond. Dinner at the hotel restaurant was a fantastic Pesan Be Pasih, a Balinese traditional dish of mixed seafood roasted in banana leaves, which tasted delicious. TO BE CONTINUED… STAY TUNED ! A drive around Bali – Part 1 – the south A drive around Bali – Part 2 – Ubud, hills and mountains A drive around Bali – Part 3 – Bedugul lake and valley A drive around Bali – Part 5 – the North coast A drive around Bali – Part 6 – the West coast The Toyota Agya was kindly supplied by Echo Bali Car Rental TO BOOK A DISCOUNTED ROOM AT Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa CLICK HERE !

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I underestimated the drive north and I left quite late, since I was enjoying so much the comfort of SenS Hotel & Spa. The sky was covered in cottony clouds and the weather forecast app told of a 70% chance of rain. I drove out of Ubud towards the village of Mambal, where famous Green School – www.greenschool.org (a visit can be arranged through https://greenschoolbali.openapply.com/tours/new) – is located and where I caught up with an old friend of mine at the school cafeteria. The coffee turned into a snack and by the time I left for the hills it was nearly 3pm and the sky was turning black. The car climbed along trafficked roads until, a few km before the mountain village of Bedugul, the sky burst open and rain started falling copiously, making the drive hard to say the least. People on moped wore anoraks and makeshift plastic covers, buzzing left and right around cars along the wet road. The rain made visibility scarce, and I had to pay attention to anything and anyone around me. Thanks to its location at an altitude of 1500 mt above sea level, Bedugul enjoys a mild mountain weather and crisp air. I drove past the stunning Lake Beratan, a shallow lake with the high caldera about 1230 meters above sea level, and luckily my destination was not far. Handara Golf Resort & Spa  – www.handaragolfresort.com -, at an elevation of 1400 mt above sea level, is not only an award-winning golfers paradise attracting golfers from around the world. It is also an oasis of green fields and vegetation, showing off the fantastic scenery of its surroundings, and offering a range of the most comfortable accommodation for discerning travelers. I felt at home right away in my well-appointed golf view deluxe room, which as the name states, commanded extraordinary views over the main course, the lake and the surrounding mountains. I relaxed in the balcony, listening to birds and cicadas, and watching the rain fall, until it temporarily stopped, allowing me to go out. TO BOOK A DISCOUNTED ROOM AT HANDARA GOLF & RESORT, CLICK HERE ! My Toyota did not need to take me far, as Ulun Danau Beratan Temple  was a mere 2km away. Built in 1633 on the edge of Lake Beratan, the amazing main structure boasts 11 stories of meru (coned roofs) that overlaps, giving its magnificent shape; these are dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. Ulun Danau Beratan Temple  is used for offering ceremonies to the lake goddess Dewi Danau, and has a magical feel to it, as when looked at from afar, it looks like it is floating on the lake waters. Further down the same road, I stopped at the Candikuning Market, for a traditional meal: rabbit and goat satay and a very tasty goat soup, enriched with lots of local spices, all gulped down with a warm, sweet local tea. A great meal at this apparently unassuming joint right inside the main market, called Mr Satay Ponorogo. Highly recommended. At Candikuning Market you can also buy fresh fruit, veggies, strawberries, roasted corn and local delicacies like spinach and prawn crackers, as well as a good range of tourist souvenirs and sarongs. A drive to the side road connecting to the lower coastal area of Lake Buyan revealed a great neighborhood of farmers that plant mainly strawberries and spices in their neat gardens by the lakeside. I drove to the end of the through road, where a path that apparently circumnavigate the whole lake starts. A great adventure for future trips to this area of Bali! The menacing clouds built up again, so I went back to Handara Golf Resort & Spa and called it a night. The day after I woke up quite early, prompted by the shining sun appearing from behind the peaks. I had breakfast at Handara Kamandalu Restaurant before heading to Bali Kebun Raya Botanical Gardens – kebunrayabali.com/ – open daily 7am/6pm – entrance IDR 17,000 (about 1.5 US$) per person, IDR 11,000 (about 1 US$) per car -, only a few km away. I was stunned by the collection of plants in the massive park area. Next activity was at Bali Treetop Adventure Park – 22 US$ pre-booked, 25 US$ at the door – open daily 7am/6pm. Situated inside the Botanical Gardens, this is a place to test your agility by moving from one tree to another the way Tarzan way. Put it this way, it sounds easy, and though it was indeed fun I must admit it was challenging after all. Read about my experience HERE ! TO BE CONTINUED… STAY TUNED ! A drive around Bali – Part 1 – the south A drive around Bali – Part 2 – Ubud, hills and mountains A drive around Bali – Part 4 – scenic Munduk A drive around Bali – Part 5 – the North coast A drive around Bali – Part 6 – the West coast The Toyota Agya was kindly supplied by Echo Bali Car Rental TO BOOK A DISCOUNTED ROOM AT HANDARA GOLF & RESORT, CLICK HERE !

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