Venue: Jatiluwih, Bali
Capacity: 8-80 pax
Bali is without doubt a top Asian destination, but it has a surprising number of relatively undiscovered areas. This day trip explores one of the most spectacularly beautiful of them all – Jatiluwhi.
Sturdy, classic Land Rovers take the visitors through the region’s impossibly green and intricate rice terraces, quiet villages and backroads to Batukaru temple, a unique 11th century mountain sanctuary. Here they can make offerings to the gods and spirits with “canang,” a simple but essential part of the culture made mostly from limes and betel nuts on a coconut leaf, sometimes topped with a small donation. They’re also taught how to make their own canang. Then there’s a village stop for a cup of fragrant, delicious, freshly roasted Balinese coffee and some traditional Balinese snacks.
For the energetic, there’s an optional 30 minute rice field trek, then the journey heads into the mountains through those incredible UNESCO-recognised rice terraces for a sumptuous Balinese lunch, served in a rainforest restaurant surrounded by giant bamboo. The guests can sit back with a glass of wine, beer, tea or Balinese coffee, accompanied by evocative music played on the “rindik,” a traditional Balinese instrument.
