Where we go: Biking in Bali

I cannot keep up with Jan and Jack Buresh’s travel schedule. When we caught up with each other at a neighbor’s party, they told me they had gone back to Bali. Of course, I could not resist tapping Jack for a story – and a taste of sun, warmth and the exotic. – Marlene Berlin

by Jack Buresh

One of the advantages of working overseas is being able to visit many faraway exotic places. After my wife Jan completed a financial consulting assignment in Jakarta, Indonesia, we were able to spend an extended time on the island of Bali.

Bali is a tropical paradise with its own charming cultural and artistic traditions. In addition to its many attractive beach resorts, Bali has spectacular volcanic mountains, deep crater lakes, lush green terraced rice paddies, and many beautiful Hindu temples.

Jan and I had vacationed briefly in Bali in 2007, and we were delighted to have an opportunity to return for a more extended period. It seemed like nothing had changed. We stayed in the same charming thatch-roofed bungalow, we again enjoyed delightful Indonesian foods in restaurants overlooking lotus ponds and rice fields, and we again watched exotic Balinese dance performances. We especially enjoyed traveling for several days with an Indonesian couple whom Jan knew from her prior work in Jakarta, who gave us a great tour of Bali, including several water palaces built by Balinese royalty.

The highlight of this trip for me, however, was a bicycle tour that began on the side of a volcano overlooking a beautiful mountain lake.

We then coasted downhill for several hours on quiet roads through lush rice fields and many small villages. The bike tour also included a delicious breakfast and lunch in beautiful settings. Although we covered some 25 miles, only our hands got tired – from all the braking.