Pura Bratan

With a huge smile on his face, typical of Balinese people, our driver tells us that the entrance fee should be approximately 30k and points to the place where he'll wait. We get to the entrance and are asked 50k per person. Thinking that they want to rip us off, I tell them about what our driver said. After the cashier shows me the ticket, it really says 50. I am almost ready to give up, but still ask whether they have discounts for groups. 

"Four people, hm, okay, 150k," he said like he just thought of the price. I turn back to the girls and we start putting money together. When I hand him 200k, he gives me back 60k, saying that 140k is fine for four people. I ask for the tickets he holds in his hand, but he says that we don't need them. We simply pass through the gate without being checked for tickets at all. Welcome to Bali.

Gardens pertaining to Pura Bratan

Ceremony at the temple

On our way back to the car, we're talking with Paula about all the possibilities of getting into the temple for free. Quite easy.

While driving to our next stop, the driver stops at a viewpoint overlooking the twin lakes of Tamblingan and Danau Buyan. It's still very cloudy, but at least the fog that accompanied us on the way is gradually thinning.

From left: me, Paula, Lee, and Bobbie

We finally get to the Air Terjun Munduk waterfall. We walk down a narrow path and are stopped by a man collecting the entrance fee. 10k is not a lot (less than a euro), but I think this habit is ridiculous, as the person is neither hired by the state nor the owner of the land. Bobbie points out though that in Balinese view, they have the right to ask for a "donation" because it is their village. I guess she has a point.

Me at the waterfall

By the way, it got pretty cold - at least in Balinese standards. The mountainous area of Bali does not get so much sun, and as we get to the waterfalls, we are being sprayed by the chilly water. It is beautiful but way too cold to swim. Nevertheless, Bobbie and Lee decide to go, while Paula and I just take pictures and laugh at those two. Still feeling a little sick from the flight, I think it was the right decision.

It's only 12:30 and we've already seen everything. We decide to drive all the way to Lovina, which is yet another 1.5 hours away, but at least we will get some sun and water.

Stepping out of the car in Lovina is a truly pleasant surprise. It's again Bali-style warm, and I'm getting really excited for jumping into the water. After lunch at a beach restaurant, as I bury my feet into the warm sand while enjoying calamari rings, it is finally time to go swimming.

Lovina is known for its black sand, and even though the color resembles more of a light coffee, the sand did get black when wet. The water is really warm, easily close to 30 degrees, but still rather refreshing. After a short time, we unwillingly get out of the water and walk towards our taxi.