Our driver, Komang, arrives right on time, we pile our bags and wet dive gear into the back of the small SUV and we are off for the four + hour drive to Ubud. It turns out Komang is the son-in-law of Putu, our dive guide for the last five days. Komang wears many hats, he is a driver, snorkel guide, dive guide, hiking guide, farmer, husband and father.
As a farmer, he has two cows which he fattens and then sells and a number of chickens that are sold or used for ceremonies. The eggs are not big enough to eat. There are banana, mango, star fruit, rambutan and coconut trees on his property. He also helps his uncle farm a 400m x 400m plot of rice, which they share 50/50. He is a very busy man as he also has two children.
Here are some of the interesting tidbits from our conversation.
Even though Sumberkima, and nearby Pemuteran, have medical clinics, the nearest hospital is an hour away.
Komang uses his father-in-law’s car to drive guests. He does pay rent to use the car. He makes sure to keep it in very good condition. Very fair.
We pass by an electrical plant. It is coal fired and the coal is from the Indonesian Kalimantan area of Borneo and is shipped directly to the plant, located by the water.
As we chat we drive through Munduk, an area higher in elevation. It is a great growing environment for flowers, cocoa, oranges, cloves and coffee. We make a quick stop at a view point to see the twin lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan.
I read that the temple Ulan Danu Beratan is worth a visit and it happens to be on our way. It costs about $6 Cdn to enter. Right away, I notice the colourful flowers everywhere. The gardens are well cared for. As we walk towards the temple, situated on the water of Lake Beratan, it starts to feel a bit like Disneyland. Over here there are dinosaurs, over there is a giant fish, there are photo op creations everywhere. The visitors are taking selfies and posed photos in front of ceremonial gates, heart shaped trellises, flower arrangements. I recall what we saw in Bruges, Belgium with photo ops…”Look at me! Don’t I look fabulous! And here I am in Indonesia!”. We, of course, did not do any posing.
The temple itself is quite striking, with its thatch roof creating movement and grace. It is majestic and serene.
And then the skies open up. We hide under an awning and when it abates, we make a dash for the car. Half way back we have to find shelter again so as to not get soaked.
Once back in the car, it pours torrential rain on and off for miles. Komang gets off the main road so show us some rice fields. Murray and B hop out to look, but I stay in the car as I do not want to get wet again. B gets a quick lesson on how to grow and harvest rice.
The traffic gets horrendous as we near Ubud, so many scooters. It takes us some time to navigate to Sama’s Cottages where we are staying. And now for three days in Ubud.