Agung took us to Lovina Beach which is a much more chilled out version of the south and on the way we stopped at the rice fields of Jatiluwih.

The integrated rice-field irrigation system of Bali, Indonesia, called Subak has been awarded World Heritage Cultural Landscape status by UNESCO. It is more than a traditional, organic and efficient way of growing rice. It is deeply ingrained since the 11th century in the Balinese culture and it includes social, water management and spiritual aspects. The Balinese Subak system is a great example of a self-sustaining farming system, which has been developed to fit perfectly the Balinese landscape and culture. It is economically productive, ecologically sustainable, based on a democratic and equal distribution of resources, completely independent from political and administrative institutions and does not rely on fossil fuel or heavy machinery.

Basically, water from rivers is channelled through temples and into canals to irrigate flat and mountainous land. The Balinese Subak system is the cooperative social and spiritual system that controls the water. This system provides unique solution for water management by communities in a densely populated, mountainous area. It is an egalitarian system where water is fairly distributed upon the number of rice field to irrigate. The control of water is key to rice growth, in two main ways. First, the water flows over volcanic rocks rich in mineral nutrients, such as phosphate and potassium. The rice paddies are effectively artificial ponds in which the fertility of the water creates an aquarium-like effect; the processes in the water help the rice grow through providing the necessary nutrients. Second, the upstream subak ensure that water flows to their downstream counterparts. This brings about a synchronized planting and harvest pattern that has turned out to be an excellent pest control and management system, providing benefits for all. The Subak system is based on the Balinese philosophical principle of T ri Hita Karana that draws together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature. Because the Subak system is manage by community and not government, it has proven to be very flexible and to continuously incorporate new farming technique and adapt to changes. Very cool, I think I will try and buy Balinese rice from now on! They also farm not only the white rice but also black and red rice. We have had buns made from black rice which has an interesting effect on the body shall we say. It ws a shame that the rice had aleady been harvested which happens three times a year. We have been surprised at the lack of mosquitoes in all of Bali. It could be to do with the dry season or the constant movement of water which deters them even in the rice fields that have rice growing in them.

After leaving the rice fields we headed to lake Beratan which the temple, Ulan Danu Beratan resides. Ulun Danu Beratan, literally 'the source temple of Lake Beratan'. The temple was built in the 17th century in worship of the main Hindu trinity, Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva, as well as the lake goddess, Dewi Danu. After looking around this tourist mecca we headed on the road again.

We then arrived at Lovina Beach which is a sleepy beach on the north of Bali that stretches 8km. Still not white sand but pretty darn nice with a view of mountainous Java in the distance.

A day was spent kicking back and relaxing followed by a day trip to Sekumpul Waterfalls. They are located in Sekumpul Village who manage the not very touristy attraction by providing guides and part way motorbike rides. The waterfall consists of seven small waterfalls with 50 meters tall being the tallest.

We were two minds about getting a guide and flagged getting a motorbike whcih takes you down part way to the steps. Our guide whose name esacpes me proved to be awesome and we would have probably got lost without him. He showed us the various plants along the way such as mangoes, mangostein, coffee, coca (even tried that raw and it was sweet and not like cocoa), bananas, coconuts, paw paw just to mention a few. We then made a way down heaps of steps for about an hour before gong to the various waterfalls. We swam in two, which were not cold at all. One waterfall we arrived at just after a guy from the Nerthands had jumped into it and had possibly broken his ankles. The guides then had to carry up back up which was quite a feat as it was up steep tracks and at about 350 odd steps. Him and is wife took it quite well even though they had apparently been told by the guide to jump in. A lesson there. It was great fun getting under the falls and getting pounded and pushed out. We sure needed it after the hot walk. What a mission to get back up but well worth it.

We had to go back to Kuta to get our final Rabies shot so on the road again.