Since the Nepal trip I have an almost constant desire to be walking, trekking- whatever you want to call it. This trip to Bali presents Gunung Agung (3142m) as the next challenge. Gunung Agung is a volcanic mountain, it is the highest peak in Bali and the 5th highest volcanic peak in Indo. It is 3142m high at the highest peak with a crater of around 700m in diameter and about 500m in depth. It is hugely significant to the Balinese in a spiritual context and is home to the Besakih Temple (Mother Temple). It last erupted in 1963 with significant loss of life (2000 people) and homes, Pura Besakih was spared. There are 2 main approaches- from the south via Pura Pasar Agung in Salat, or the west from Besakih (this is longer and means ... read more

An early and very quiet morning- no school today! Lots of white bellied swiftlets flying around out the back verandah, some egrets and the ubiquitous dove (I bet they live in EVERY country of the world). A nice coolness in the air before the sun comes up. We decide to spend the morning walking the rice fields- me with my Nike Ipod (clocking up the km's) and Geoff with his new binocs spotting birds. We find the way in and head off in the same direction but at markedly different speeds. It is very peaceful out there on your own with just the occasional farmer. It gets even more peaceful, it's then I realise I have taken the wrong turn and end up at the back road - the signs in the rice fields for Ubud ... read more

So, up bright and early at 0630, there is a cool breeze and lots of bird activity. There is a school a few houses in front of the hotel and the kids are having a great time. Lots of chattering and laughter floating up to the 3rd floor. It then goes completely silent and a young boy leads a sing song chanting prayer, then silence, then it descends quickly back into play time. We sit on our balcony surveying the scene and wait for our pineapple pancake. Today is the day to do the Bali Bird Walk. We had done this a few years ago and really enjoyed it so decided to do it again. Booked pre-departure through the website. http://www.balibirdwalk.com/ The walks were started over 15 years ago by Victor Mason, birder and author/illustrator. He ... read more

So, what did I take? What worked? What didn't? What would I do differently next time? PACKING LIST (Trek Only, not the easy bits in KTM or Bangkok) Denali 65l Gear Bag Kathmandu Kassei 18l Day Pack 2 Mountain Design 1l Water Bottles Kathmandu Day Pack Water Resistant Cover Sea to Summit Trek TK III Sleeping Bag Silk Sleeping Bag Liner Kathmandu Stuff Sacks- small, med and large, 2 medium dry bags Kathmandu Dry Bag 65l Kathmandu Toilet Bag with hook Kathmandu Microfibre Pack&Go Towel XL Kathmandu Microfibre Pack&Go Towel XS Kathmandu Headtorch, 4 spare batteries Camera- Sony Cybershot 16.2 megapixel 3 camera batteries (1 authentic, 2 generic)-and 3 SD cards (16GB) IPOD Phone, charger Converter Plug Lifestraw Solar Recharger Crocs Columbia Peregrine Trail Shoes 3 pairs ankle TEVA socks 2 Pairs Kathma... read more

Raju is back in the drivers seat, we retrace the 20km long pothole, pay the road restoration(?) money to the 2 road toll collecters.... The Hindus are still streaming into the NP, today is the most significant day of their Dashain Festival for this region. We pass thousands of people (seriously, thousands), the air is thick with dust from all the pilgrim traffic, it is very festive. Interestingly many of the small village houses here have full on cottage style gardens, beautiful coloured flowers everywhere, albeit dusty ones. First stop is at the 2 1/2 hour mark at the incredibly unattractive city of Mugli- teeming with people, shops, fruit and vege carts and flies. I utterly loathe these things (flies, that is)- it comes from living in Australia, Australia is the fly capital of the entire ... read more