After the night of trance dancing I take to more mundane pursuits. The day brings a snorkeling adventure at the reefs off Pulau Menjangan (deer island.) Once again plenty of fish and coral, only this time the topography is much more noteworthy. I enjoy extended dives, swimming through clefts and exploring the underside of coral shelves. I've rented an underwater camera but it's difficult to use. Hard to keep a steady shot in this brisk current. Eventually the battery takes a shit, which is probably for the best. Frustration with unknown device is interfering with my enjoyment.
Afterwards Alexy and I hurtle back in the direction we came. With camera battery fully functional I'm now able to capture some of the sculptures missed earlier. We turn off before the way to the falls, a pity as images there would surely do this blog justice. Nanti, nanti, dapan saya kembali (later, later when I return.)
On our way to Kintamani at the foot of Gunung Batur the way becomes ultra misty. I've never seen fog so thick. After a couple of hours it begins to rain, dissipating the dense atmosphere. Guest house at the mountain's base is pleasant with much appreciated heated pool. To bed as tomorrow we take the summit at sunrise.
Clouds obscured the dawn's arrival but the heights brought a clarity of air rarely found at sea level. Huge smoking crater and impressive bat cave. Nice to get in a hike before this trip concludes.
One last stop, the legendary cemetery at Kuburan Terunyan. Half hour boat ride across Danau Batur brings us to this storied place. Those who've died by natural causes in the surrounding villages are laid to rest in open air under the boughs of the [?????] tree. Its fragrance is said to mask the stench of putrefaction of the rotting corpses there. I didn't notice any peculiar odors but the cadavers certainly didn't reek. Then again, they looked to be far gone. Far gone indeed. *sigh* According to the "guide" who brought us there only about ten corpses are granted a place in the sun, as it were. When new bodies come in, old ones are turned out, the bones scattered amongst a pile of rubbish off to one side. The skulls, however, are kept in a neat row where they provide home for moss, lichen, and other such mold.
Race back to Denpasar for return flight to Jakarta. Short stops in Ubud to capture images of sculptures there. Positively astounding the talent in that town. All of a sudden this adventure is done! *gasp*
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