Today we were able to sleep in a little not needing to be available on the beach at 9:00am like yesterday to go snorkeling. So . . . we slept in until 7:30am. Today we would explore the island by mini-motorcycle and had hoped to get started early to avoid the heat. It gets pretty unbearable under  the open sun in the afternoon.

Needless to say, after breakfast and lounging around the pool located by the creperie, we finally decide to get going at the crack of 11:30am!!

Here we go on our mini-bike! Nobody wears helmets, there are no cars, and most of the roads are so rough you can’t ride more than 15 miles an hour. Our motorbike vendor didn’t speak any English, as he tried to explain to me the finer details of operating this Honda, and I as the renter didn’t speak any Bahasa Indonesian  . . . but who cares. We were off!!!

Here is one of the first ‘rural towns’ we passed through  on the way to the mangrove forest, not far from where we snorkeled yesterday. . .

This road was great but in the minority . . .

. . . as this is what was more common. emJay hold on to your hat!!!

To give you an idea of how often the roads may be repaved, looks like this is where the roller was parked years ago and has sat ever since.

Great flowers on the shrubs and trees as we motored along. Not likely to look like this when we get home. However I hear there is a heat wave going on in WI with temps in the 40’s!!!

Some agriculture in the rural areas and their cattle are definitely not over fed . . .

. . . woodland grazing Indonesian style!

We were heading for the suspension bridge over to Nusa Ceningan and my gps said it was right ahead. Oh and here was the crossing where all the local vendors had their signs welcoming you.

It is called the Golden Gate bridge but please don’t confuse it with the one in California . . .

Quite an up ramp. I was contemplating one  or two Evil Kneivel moves but didn’t think the rig had the horsepower!!!!

Alternating one lane traffic only . . .

emJay wanted to drive a little so we switched off positions. We hadn’t gone two miles when the bike ‘mysteriously’ veered into this ‘shopping center/mall’!!

While she shopped, I toured the local seaweed growers working areas and homes. The usual routine seems to lay the seaweed outside the door of your home to dry. These folks looked like they might have been on tough times . . .

But they did have a guest house!!

In sort order emJay had bought enough batik to fill up her backpack and we were soon off again. But not before I got to meet the owner and her daughter who helped emJay part with some of her Rupiah. Money well spent though in these rural shops.

We wound our way to the Blue Lagoon situated on the end of the island. This is where the movie ‘Blue Lagoon’ starring Brook Shields was filmed many years ago . . .

. . . a beautiful setting!

Where to head for high ground when the typhoon arrives !!!

Here was a type of suburb with a series of small lagoons where some of the more well off seaweed farmers seemed to live.

All this touring was making us hungry and we headed to Dream Beach for lunch but not before stopping at this cock fight event. Lots of yelling and money exchanging hands . . .

. . . we considered staying and eating at one of these local entrepreneurs ‘food cart’ type mobile kitchen attached to the back of his motorbike. I have seen these all over Indonesia and am really attracted to trying one. Maybe tomorrow????

On the way out of town we saw where some of the prize cock fighters live and train. They live in the wicker cages painted red and white.

Up the stairs was a temple we would visit  after lunch.

Soon we arrived at Café Pandan located at Dream Beach. A small resort known for their food . . .

. . . where we sat and watched the swimmers and surfers while we waited for our food.

We started with some nice chicken filled spring rolls with a hot and VERY hot sauce . . .

followed by emJay’s fried tuna fish with mixed veggies and rice . . .

. . . and my fish in tomato sauce cooked in banana leaves. YUM!!!!

. . . Oh and there was a little room left for dessert so we shared a Didan sugar cake, a local favorite filled with coconut and palm sugar. Oh . . .and two more beers too!

On the way out of town we climbed the steep steps to the local temple . . .

. . . where I was surprised by this god statue that reminded me a little of Al Jolson!

Nice time touring this large temple on the top of the local mountain.

When we arrived on island Lembongan we had driven past this cemetery and were curious to stop and explore. Not sure what the umbrellas are all about but it was clear those left behind were leaving LOTS of goodies for those on their travels beyond.

Water, candy, chocolate and a few Rupiah to by more on the journey beyond.

Some folks may have come from fewer means . . .

We traveled on and were soon above our little beach community where you can see the main drag running right through the middle of town.

Here is the route we traveled today, captured by my trusty Garmin Edge 705. Very fun and informative day to get into the back country were the locals live.

Soon we were back at our hotel where the ‘goddess of plenty’ welcomed us home as we headed to our beach front bar, throats parched from all of our touring!!!!