"You drive. I'll watch."

(Title quote appears courtesy of the Sue Caulum archive.)

So today, we ventured out for an all day drive around the Tabanan region of West Bali. Highlights included...

a steady stream of confident, filthy but adorable roadside dogs, who miraculously managed to coexist successfully with the scooter and truck traffic along the area's narrow windy roads.

the hot pursuit of two guys and a live goat riding on a scooter. The goat was being carried upside down, and was none too happy about it. We just wanted a picture.

roadside negotiations for mangosteens, tiny bananas and some mysterious small spiny "snake skin" fruit. It's kind of tart and looks and feels like large garlic cloves when peeled.

an astounding number of warm smiles and waves from the locals as we drove through the tiny mountain towns of west Bali.

a shocking example of clear cut, former palm groves.

cloves and other locally grown spices being dried along the roadside

and a hike through coffee groves to a beautiful waterfall with Norman, a local man who magically appeared just in time to stop us from taking our brand new rental car down a very steep dirt trail.

Maybe it's a testament to the warmth of the people of Bali, but despite driving on the left, in a stick shift, on windy mountainous roads full of scooters and trucks and wayward dogs, it wasn't very stressful at all. People weave and pass, but no one is angry.

Bali good. Anger bad.


Our rig and newbie left side driver.


Cloves on the ground, Jeffrey in the mirror.


Rice terrace-y goodness.


More rice terrace action.


Thinking about water.


Spotting the goat.


Chasing the goat.


Feeling bad for the goat.



A local farmer at Sanda. He waved at me. People are so freakin' friendly here.


They even serve curry bags surrounded with love.