Saturday morning found us zooting around on our scooters once again, heading towards the Yoga Barn where we spent a bit of energy doing an hour and a half of yoga. Feeling relaxed and hungry we rode back into town to find some lunch and get snacks for the following days hike.





HAVING A REST BEFORE SETTING OFF AGAIN.
It was 1.30 pm when we set of in easterly direction for the little village of Selat, about a two and a half hour ride away, once again along narrow, windy lanes that would take us up towards the mountain. I know I keep harping on about how spectacular the scenery was but I just couldn’t get enough of the lush green vegetation and the beautiful maintained rice terraces. At most big intersections in the bigger towns there are some fascinating statues depicting various Gods and evil characters.






Arriving in Selat was a bit of a shock. It was a very basic and small village with nothing appealing to the traveller. Initially we weren’t even sure if this was the right place. Being the only westerners, and girls at that, we stood out a bit.
We were looking for some sort of accommodation and as we hadn’t done much research on this place we simply assumed that because it was the closest village to Mount Agung and marks the turn-off to Pura Pasar Agung , one of the nine directional temples of Bali, we wouldn’t have a problem.
We rode up and down for several kilometers looking for a place to stay and eventually I spotted a little black and white hand painted sign with an arrow pointing in the direction of a narrow and grubby little gravel road that weaved through some old buildings and out into the country side. After a few kilometers we stopped and asked one of the locals if this was the way to the Great Mountain View Villa…..yes, we were on the right road….a very back road I might add.

Eventually we arrived at a lovely resort offering stunning views of rice paddies and the mountain surrounded by clouds in the background. After arranging accommodation and a guide to take us hiking up the mountain we settled down to an early dinner and soaked up the beauty around us. Roxy decided that 6.15 pm was a good time to go to bed as we had an early start the next morning. It was a bit confusing as to who was the parent here






We awoke at 1.00 am and got ourselves ready for the great hike. Our guide arrived at 1.30am to take us to the Pura Pasar Agung, to ensure that we reach the top of the mountain by sunrise. It was pitch black and cold as we set off on our scooters, following our guide, towards Selat and from there rode north up a 10 km steep climb that weaved through bamboo stands, acacia forests and deep larva carved gorges.
It was a relief to finally arrive at the car park of the temple, the starting point of our hike, as it had rained most of the way and with the scooters faint headlights and wet windy roads riding was a bit stressful. We weren’t feeling as enthusiastic about this hike as we were the previous day .


Gunung Agung, the highest Balinese peak, rising 3142m above sea level, is also known as the spiritual centre of the island. It’s at least a 3 hour climb with an ascent of almost 2000m from the temple. The track initially passed through forest, ascending onto bare steep rock. It was dark, cold and wet as we started our slow pace. It was a continuous slog upwards along a wet and slippery path, using a dull headlight and no rain jackets which left us feeling a bit bedraggled and disheartened.
I regard myself as being a fairly fit person but this hike was a hectic challenge and thanks to Roxy’s encouragement and our guides confidence in us we made it to the summit before sunrise where we joined various other groups who had set off ahead of us. I must add that a few younger people didn’t make it and turned back while others waited on the side of the mountain.
By the time we reached the top we were bitterly cold as we were dressed in inappropriate clothing…talk about not having AGATT !!!!.
We really did underestimate this mountain but were rewarded with an awesome sunrise way above the clouds with Bali far below them.




LOOKING DOWN INTO THE VOLCANIC CRATER.