The North and north West of Bali has been a highlight of our adventure. We spent time at the Pemuteran Coastal Village as it is recognised as a model of effective community-based ecotourism as a mechanism for conservation. Our encounters highlight why they’ve got the reputation for a highly sustainable, clean and innovative community and we enjoyed spending time here. We hiked in the hill-tribes villages to learn more about their agriculture and were rewarded with seeing a unique three part waterfall, not singular like we know of our waterfalls back home. The local economy of the rice was intriguing, a labour intensive process of growing, harvesting, processing which results in keeping half and selling half.

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We took time to deepen our understanding of religion on the island and although Buddhism is a minority religion in Bali we took the opportunity to visit the impressive Brahma Arama Vihara Buddhist Monastery (known as the biggest Buddhist temple in Bali) in Banjar North. It felt like a living sanctuary and we felt awed by a breathtaking view in serene and peaceful surroundings. To us it was tapū, and we appreciated the water that flowed freely for our hands when we went to leave - a cross-cultural way to transition from the experience.

The architecture we are told was inspired by the famous Borobudur temple in Java. The following day we experienced the special healing properties of Brimstone in the water at Banjar Holy Hot springs nestled amongst a beautiful flowering garden. I hope one day we return to this area, we loved every minute of it.

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