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22 | FireFlyz
get
away
N
erve-wracking
, ye t
life affirming. Such is my
experience climbing Mount
Batur in Bali. It gave me a
sense of personal achieve-
ment, as I had never imagined mountain
climbing as part of my bucket list. I
succeeded in making my way up to over
1,700m above sea level – using my bare
hands and led by a patient local guide
– to reach the peak within two hours,
in good time to watch the awe-inspiring
sunrise – the trip’s main highlight.
Majestic Temple
Visitors must be reasonably fit to em-
bark on the two trails up the active
volcanic mountain, located at the centre
of two concentric calderas north-west
of Mount Agung. I started at 4am from
Toya Bungkah, which cuts through a
pretty rainforest. Aided by a flashlight
and an experienced local guide, I man-
aged to get to the top, while gingerly
navigating the slippery sand and peril-
ous loose rocks. At the peak, I just sat
at the mountain’s edge to marvel at the
sunrise, revealing Lake Batur and the
village settlements below, as well as the
TanHeeHui
finds this beautiful,
spiritual island to be the
perfect place to do a bit of soul
searching. His exploration of Bali
leaves himwith a sense of calm
and self achievement.
Holistic Bali
beautiful Mount Agung and Lombok in
the distance.
You can also fuel up on a hot cuppa
and pastries served from a small hut at
the mountaintop, before trekking along
some ridges to reach the volcano’s
craters, where natural wonders such as
the steam vents allow you to literally
cook eggs. For safety reasons, avoid
climbing Mount Batur in January and
February as it is the rainy season in Bali.
315 Steps
Nature walks are also popular in Bali,
and the Campuhan Ridge Walk is among
the most scenic trails. I stopped to
Rich tapestries etched on
the cliff face of 11
th
Century
Mount Kawi