An e-bike ride

The other organised activity I had signed up for in Bali was an e-bike ride around Ubud. This was the closest thing I could get to a Segway tour, which I had been made an addict of a couple of years ago on Malta.

I was picked up by the company's van outside the corner café and we were taken to the company's premises outside Ubud. After a um, crash course, we were off. The motor housing is protected by plastic in this photo.

It's a normal bike for pedalling purposes but when you need a boost or want to go faster, you just press a lever under the left thumb and the motor kicks in.

We took the main road and then turned off into the paddy field paths.

There were two guides, one leader and someone at the back to look out for problems. There was also a bike carrier following us in case of bike breakdown.

At this stop, the guide explained the typical Balinese family structure. Plots are often subdivided for the sons in a family so they are often small. Somehow everybody knows where the boundaries are. The gadget in the photo is a mechanical scarecrow.

Bananas growing on the margins.

We stopped at a typical Balinese temple for an explanation of Balinese religion. Apparently there are 40,000 on the island. There are three parts to a temple corresponding to the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. When three are complete they may go on to build another three parts. Not necessarily in a different compound but another subdivision.

Bends in the path look like this.

Another photo opportunity stop.

This is a scenic spot chosen by the tourism industry for a stereotypical view of terraced paddy fields. It's very green and lush, you have to admit.

It has a café, of course.

The view to the left.

The final stop of our ride was a coffee roaster, which sold luwak (civet) coffee. It commands a premium because the journey of the beans through the civet's digestive system is supposed to modify the taste. We were offered a tasting paddle of various flavoured coffees but luwak coffee was extra. I decided to pay (about $5) to have a cup. It did taste smoother but it's not something I would hanker after.

Luwaks are called toddy cats but are not felines. They do look like funky cats though.

There is a glass bottom platform for viewing the paddy fields.

And off to one side is a swing where other tourists got their thrills dangling at great height.

After returning the bikes we finished with a dinner (included in the tour) at a local restaurant.