Friday, November 30, 2018

We love Bali with our Brompton- Day 1

We were invited by Brompton Owners Bali together with Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia for a Brompton cycling event in Bali for 3 days and 2 nights. We were provided with a free 4 star hotel accommodation and food. All we need to do is just buy our flight tickets. Some of us took Malindo and it has been popular among us travelling with our folding bicycles.
There were more than 30 Brompton owners from Malaysia which formed the largest contingent among all the invited guests from the various part of the world. Some of us travelled with our favourite IKEA Dimpa bags while some with Vicinta bags. I extended my trip with extra days before and after the event making a 5 days adventure in Bali island.
For the first time I decided to use a exercise mat instead of plastic impra board to protect my bicycle. I found it suitable and more convenient to maneuver as a minimalist traveller. And here we were in Bali, after safely landed in Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar. We decided to set up our bikes and cycle to our accommodation somewhere near GWK Cultural Park.
All bicycles were in tact, took our time to set up and were ready to roll on the streets of Bali.
Let's take a group picture outside Ngurah Rai International Airport before we hit the road.
As eager as usual I love cycling on new ground, seeing new surrounding and looking out for any peculiar features.
The main road from airport out is easy to cycle basically a 2 lanes with adequate space at the side. 
One of the many Balinese cultural sculptures seen almost everywhere in the island.
Bali is reputed for its many narrow roads which we ventured into some to see the inner part of the country.
Along Jalan Kendonganan we were able to see the sandy beaches of Jimbaran, looking very happening with many bars and food outlets.
I was excited with its durian and was telling myself to try it, if not this time but soon before I leave the island.
After a roundabout at Jalan Raya Uluwatu we encountered a severe climb that was impossible to pedal up even pushing the bicycle was tough. It was just before arriving at the proximity of GWK Cultural Park.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park located at the southern part of Bali island and it is on a hilltop terrain. This will be the first official meeting place for the event where we will be registered on the following day. We rode about 13km from the airport to this part of Bali.
We checked into Jolie Hostel Jimbaran for the night and it is only 1km away from GWK Cultural Park.
Our dinner at Warung Makan Campur Campur with a variety of delicious Balinese food.
 It is located at Jalan Raya Uluwatu GPS : -8.803417, 115.159867
We then proceeded after our dinner to visit GWK Cultural Park and enjoyed the night scenery. The statue of GWK is the biggest and highest in the world. Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is the symbol of God Vishnu riding the great Garuda as his trusted companion. We rode around the limestone rock landscape and discovering the many corners of the park.
All done for the day and one more Bintang before calling a night. Good night Day 1 in Bali.