CocosTravel

Mountaibics like Tarzan and Jane in Bali & Java

My Bali & Java mountain biking trip was fantastic all around. After I made two years ago for the first time a bike vacation trip to South Kerala and was totally thrilled, this time we wanted to explore the two Indonesian islands. The anticipation and expectations were very high. And already in advance: I was not disappointed. So we started on the 24.12. Where others still hectically get the last Christmas shopping and decorate the Christmas tree, we sit very relaxed and very long in the plane.

In Bali we were picked up very friendly by our guide Andy and the driver Mardi picked up and brought to our hotel. And then the dream trip began, which offered a different highlight every day. Our guide knows the best, small roads and paths through coconut plantations, rice fields, spice plantations. You get to know the "real" islanders at their work, who always greet you friendly and smiling. Again and again a stop is made to show us exotic fruits and spices that grow there.

A great snorkeling trip in the Menjangan National Park lets us marvel at the colorful diversity of the many fish and corals.
A very impressive experience is the tour to the volcano Ijen. A long mountain stage, the ascent to the Devil's Mine with many altitude meters makes us sweat, but the fascinating nature makes us forget the effort. The ride through the sugar cane plantations and lonely villages in the mountain jungle, as well as the views of the volcano world are simply fun.

At the campground at the foot of the volcano we will have a traditional traditional dinner and after a short night in the tent we hike to the volcano crater. Watching the sulfur engravers at their hard work was impressive. We continued with great, fast downhills. In a natural pool near a waterfall a refreshing swim was offered. offered.

An absolute highlight for me as a mountain biker was clearly the jungle trail. Who can claim to have ridden a single trail where the black monkeys black monkeys high above you intonate a loud jungle concert or toucans hover over you. You drive through wild creeks, in the forest our guide had to cut the way partly free. Atany moment Tarzan could swing around the next bend.

We had a big grin on our faces for the whole ten kilometers. on our faces. Nice was also the reception of the children in the first village after the jungle. The joy and amazement was great and so we had to start a little race with the cycling elite of the village. Then we spent the night in a lonely bay in a tent, it was like Robison Crusoe. Wouldn't have surprised me if "Friday" had stopped by. We had six kilometers of sandy beach and zillions of crabs. Here our guides grilled delicious fish for us.

Of course we visited small markets and seenvarious temples. Also exciting was the rafting tour through a breathtaking landscape. We visited artists and craftsmen in their small studios. visited. I could go on raving forever. Yes, our mountain biking trip to Bali and Java turned out to be a dream vacation.

At the end of the world

I go for a walk with Maria on the miles long beach. beach. The wet black sand of this shallow beach reflects the sunlight of the rising sun, it is like a paradise on earth. Only a few fishermen are busily going about their work, they have not gone fishing today. Their colorful outrigger boats stand side by side, a photo motif like from a thousand and one nights. We proudly present them our first vocabulary "Selamat pagi, apa kabar?" Good morning, how are you? We get a friendly smile and "bagus" back, which means "thank you well". How could it be otherwise, here where the stress has not yet left a trace? has left a trace!

They tell us that yesterday they had a rich catch had. 6 tunas have gone to the flashing hooks, the largest of which has brought the stately weight 27 kg on the ancient scales. But for most of the fishermen of the village, so explains us a young man with beaming eyes, the work has begun today already before sunrise again. They have not been lucky in the last few days and had to return with empty nets. return with empty nets.

We continue to the Warung (simple restaurant) of Ibu Nani. The breakfast is not as rich as in a good hotel, but we have a relaxed atmosphere and pure nature. Here at Nani one does not have the There is only fried bananas, which in Indonesian is called "pisang goreng" or "nasi goreng", fried rice with vegetables. And with it an original Javanese coffee, freshly roasted, thick and black. Each island is particularly proud of its respective coffee, so you should not miss this delicacy.

At breakfast we look closely at the village square, which is increasingly filled with market women and hard-working helpers, because the first fishermen are already returning from the morning catch. The last kick the outrigger boats get from a big wave and so they let themselves drift with full throttle to the shallow shore. Also today the catch is not so rich, only a few small fish are carefully removed from the nets. removed from the nets. But the people are happy and satisfied, because here at the end of the world does not count fame and success.