Bali 2019
Around Mt. Batur on a Honda CRF 150L
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_150450-01_landscape_1.jpg)
Some impressions of my 2019 workation on the beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia. This year I finally managed to pay the Mt. Batur Volcano a visit on a rented Honda CRF 150L.
Canggu - Sunsets, Surf and Food
Although it gets busier every year, I keep coming back to Canggu because of it's laid back atmosphere, relaxed crowd, and wide variety of cafes and restaurants serving just great food.
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191026_181011-01_portrait_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191016_185640-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191015_175114-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191017_093341-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191028_155510-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191026_183859-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191029_183045-01_landscape_1.jpg)
Getting around in Bali
Scooters and Motorcycles are the major mode of transportation for locals and tourists.
Every accomodation I've stayed with here was able to arrange a scooter for a fair price. For longer trips or multi-day excursions I prefer something bigger, this time I got myself a Honda CRF 150L from Bali Bike Rental.
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191015_174232-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_095537-01_landscape_1.jpg)
In my experience the scooters you get through your accomodation are rather beat up (though I never had any technical problem) and come without insurance (or any paperwork at all), while the bigger rental companies offer insurance and other extras.
My 2-day trip to Mt. Batur
Bali Botanic Gardens
From Canggu I headed north. Up in the mountains I paid Kebun Raya Bali (Bali Botanic Gardens) a visit. This is basically a huge park and the cooler mountain climate makes a visit there quite pleasant. There's also an adventure park where you can do climbing tracks of varying difficulties up in the trees.
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_112435-01_portrait_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_115040-01_portrait_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_111253-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_114821-01_landscape_1.jpg)
Towards Mt. Batur
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_122553-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_124700-01_landscape_1.jpg)
From the botanic gardens twisty roads lead eastwards up and down through mountains and rice fields. Befor the final descent towards the foot of Mt. Batur I stopped for a coffee at a small restaurant with an awesome view. They also had an interesting hydroculture for salad.
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_135333-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_135559-01_portrait_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_135406-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_135941-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_134551-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_135233-01_landscape_1.jpg)
Offroad Fun!
Right where I came down a very steep and twisty road towards Mt. Batur, a dirt track led up into the desert-like area covered in volcanic stone and gravel. Upon entering I had to pay 100,000 Rupiah which apparently is a day pass for entering that whole area.
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_142733-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_143613-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_144417-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191031_093848-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_143243-01_landscape_1.jpg)
Later I discovered there were many other places where I could have entered without paying, but to me it was well worth the money. Not wearing any protective gear besides my helmet I didn't risk too much, but still, great fun!
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_143514-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_144405-01_portrait_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_150407-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_150419-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_153536-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_153553-01_landscape_1.jpg)
Relax
I stayed at the Batur Volcano Guesthouse, which is a really nice place. They even got a hot outdoor swimming pool, thanks to the location in the foothills of an active volcano hot water apparently comes straight from the ground.
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_183819-01_portrait_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_152802-01_landscape_1.jpg)
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/20191030_173438-01_landscape_1.jpg)
Route and Gear
![](/scaled_images/posts/2019/10-30-bali-around-mt-batur-on-a-crf-150l/Screenshot_20191222-220823_Maps_portrait_1.jpg)
A is the botanic gardens, C is a temple in the volcanic area at the foot of Mt. Batur, and D is the Batur Volcano Guesthouse where I stayed.
All photos were taken with my Galaxy S10E. While it delivers impressive quality for a phone in bright daylight, I still wish I'd had brought my Sony Alpha for that extra amount of detail and dynamic range. The landscapes and views on this trip were really stunning.