The Mountain I Didn’t Climb
I was excited to head to Kintamani and take part in a glamping trip. Kintamani is famous for its amazing views and many restaurants and coffee shops lining the crater of the now-extinct volcano. Lake Batur and Mount Batur create some amazing sights and make for an amazing view from the crater’s edge.
There has been a revival of new restaurants and hotels and some are quite spectacular. As the restaurants and hotels each try and outdo each other, it is a treat for the visitors. There are more and more people seeking the fresh cool air of the mountains. While there are other options in Bali, the view cannot be beat. This is also home to the famous Terunyan location sometimes referred to as the Island of the Dead. It is not an island. You can only get there by boat and with special permission. However, be warned, the village of Terunyan is a little odd, strange, weird, and spooky. Yet totally worth the trip, but get a guide.
Plans Change.
On my way to Kintamani, I had a meeting at Tuksedo Studio, a small car factory in Bali. My friend was visiting from Jakarta so I stopped by on the way up. A little backstory: I had not been well the few days before the trip. As I made my way and arrived, I realized I had not perspired one little bit. This got me wondering since I was wearing a light top to keep from being burned. Most people in Bali will wear a jacket for that purpose or at night when they do get cold. Admittedly I too get cold sometimes while riding at night.
Perspiration is very important.
This got me thinking that something was wrong. Upon arrival, I immediately went to my friend’s place and I found it to be way too cold in the office. So as I waited for my Jakarta friend, I realized I was quite unwell. Upon his arrival, I quickly introduced him to the owners and walked around a little until I decided I needed to go before I felt any worse.
Almost Didn’t Make It.
As I left Tuksedo Studio, I headed to the nearest convenience store and got myself some drinks, yogurt, and bread. I didn’t realize how thirsty and hungry I was. My biggest shock came when I sat down and just wanted to curl up and sleep with my backpack.
Immediately I messaged my friends that I didn’t think I was in good shape. They were on the way up so I got lucky. When they arrived I informed them that I had already called the driver and I would leave my scooter there and head up with the driver.
My friends got me more food and water and waited for the driver to arrive and we took off. I slept for two hours on the way up. Before I did I called my assistant to find me an IV place as I thought I could be dehydrated. She did find me a place and this is the kind of service you can only get in Bali. They sent out the nurse, who rode 2.5 hours into the mountains on crazy roads and arrived by 8 p.m. She checked me out and I had a fever of 39, my blood pressure was normal and my hemoglobin was a bit low. Despite this and sweating completely through my pyjama’s the bedsheets I woke up feeling much better. I didn’t get to go on the hike for sunrise. Gonna have to attempt this trip once more!
