This is just a quick post from Southwest Bali to let you know that I’m on another jaunt around the island by motorbike - this time I’m driving!  I’ve gotten much better on the motorbike but I must say that it  took nerves of steel driving through Denpasar (that’s the city in Bali that has the airport) but that should be the worst of the trip.  

I’m currently in Tanah Lot on the coast where there is an amazing temple built on a rock that comes right out of the ocean.  Non-Balinese are not permitted to enter the temple and the Balinese can only access it in low tide because otherwise it becomes a mini-island.  It’s really an amazing sight (which I’ll share with you later).  There’s not public internet access here - the hotel I’m staying at is letting me use their computer briefly … just long enough to send a few emails and post this story, but I’m unable to upload photos so I’ll just tell you a little bit about it until I can post them. 

I got here yesterday afternoon just in time for sunset.  There was (not surprisingly in Bali) a ceremony going on so the air was perfumed with incense and chanting.  The temple was an amazing sight in its own right, but really came to life as the Balinese, dressed in their ceremonial best, ascended the stairs to pray.  I got up at 5:30 this morning to catch sunrise on the temple and was also treated to glimpses of fisherman in small charming wooden boats and crabs scurrying across the rocks as I approached.

Later this morning, my friend Juha and I will head north to the mountains to the Danau Bratan area (I’ll also post a map of the roadtrip when I’m able) which should have lovely views of a mountain lake.  We’ll pass through many small villages on the way, including an area known for growing deliciously sweet strawberries.

Back soon … Putu.