Year-End Trip to the Jatiluwih Rice Plantation, Tabanan

The Bali mountain village of Jatiluwih, has become a candidate for one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. World Heritage Sites are specific places (such as a forest, mountain range, lake, desert, building, complex, or city) of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humankind.

Located 20 kms from Tabanan, is the shadow of Gunung Batukaru, Jatiluwih features some of the most perfect rice terraces in Bali. The village of Jatiluwih is 1,500 meters above sealevel and affords magnificent views, over the rice fields and hills stretching to the coast.

Apparently Jatiluwih produces some of the finest rice in Indonesia, still using the old methods and old Bali rice. The Batukaru area which includes Jatiluwih is great for a slow mountain cruise on motorbike or car. Time from Kuta, is about 90 minutes.

I had been on this road several times before and was aware of the narrow and twisting turns and of course the potholes. It was just a matter of keeping my eye on the road, but, with the panorama around me, it was difficult.

The winding road weaves its way through lush green terrain, dense banana groves, fields of chilli peppers and tomato plants, and, coffee plantations. Farmhouses dot the landscape, piles of coconuts on the side of the road ready to be picked up, and farmers lay out their padi rice on plastic sheets to dry in the sun.

Wide and gently sloping rice terraces on the hillside are a photographer's delight and this spectacular panorama can be seen from many vantage points, and, most with restaurants or warungs. The Paddy Venture does have nice views (a tad expensive for what you see), but my favourite by far is Cafe Jatiluwih. Located in the hamlet of Jatiluwih and perched on a hillside, the food is as good as the view.

Driving through the hamlet of Jatiluwih is like driving through the 'real' Bali, practically untouched by western intervention. Here, life goes on in a slow pace, the locals are the friendliest on the island, and when you finally arrive at the village of Senganan where the road ends, you'll want to turn around and do it all again. I did, many times over the years.