We rode to Tampaksiring just 30 minutes North of Ubud today. The beauty and tranquility of the area is truly profound. The first part of the trip on Tegal Lalang Street is crammed full of small artisan shops that carry on for many miles. Carvings, paintings, statues, fabrics, signs and almost anything else imaginable may be found here. This is where wholesalers from around the world come to shop. The street is extremely narrow and has seen better days. After 10 minutes you turn right and make your way through many rice terraces with a picturesque setting of volcanoes off in the distance. The gentle breeze offers some relief from the 35+ temperature. You can see people drying their brown husk rice on tarps everywhere. Chickens with their baby chicks scurrying around alongside the roadway. Many dogs that look like it's been a while since their last meal. A couple areas of the road are all but washed away. A great deal of manpower will be required from the locals to rebuild those areas, very little is done by machine here. Despite the hot, sunny weather in Ubud there are storm clouds moving in. Good thing we remember to bring our trusty rain ponchos with us, something we learned quickly in Bali during the rainy season. It can pour heavily for a short time and then it's hot and sunny once again.

Most of the people walking by give you a big, warm smile and a friendly hello, especially the children who love to practice their English any chance then can.

Tampaksiring is world-renowned for its bone carvers. Through their talent of carving they bring life into the piece from just a one-dimensional picture they've been given. Whatever artistic medium the Balinese people choose, they truly are amazing artists and an inspiration to all of us!