After our lunch, my friend and I were led by our tour-guide and drive to explore more of Bali.
Luwak Coffee at Green Land Coffee
Our first stop after lunch was at Green Land Coffee. This place produces Luwak Coffee and many other organic beverages.
We were greeted by one of the staff from Green Land Coffee who graciously introduced us to the processes of making Luwak Coffee, also known as Kopi Luwak.
This is a summary of what I have learnt about one of the world's most expensive varieties of coffee.
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| Coffee Berries. |
1) Plants producing coffee beans are grown. At Green Land Coffee, the Arabica coffee plant is grown organically on the grounds of this farm. These Arabica coffee plants are grown at high attitude.
2) The coffee berries are eaten by the civet, and are then passed through the digestive tract of the civet. The civet will eat the fleshy pulp of the berries. Subsequently, in the enzymes in the civet's digestive tract will seep into the beans of the coffee berries. The beans passed through the civet's intestines and are then defecated, keeping their shape.
3) The defecated coffee beans are collected.
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| Defecated coffee beans are collected to make Kopi Luwak. |
4) They are then washed and sun-dried.
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| Washed and sun-dried coffee beans, to make Kopi Luwak. |
5) The skin of the washed coffee berries are peeled off.
6) Then given a light roasting.
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| Lightly roasted coffee beans to be made into Kopi Luwak. |
7) The roasted beans are grounded.
8) We have the Luwak Coffee powder which are ready to be brewed.
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| Kopi Luwak powder. |
We did not get to sample the Luwak Coffee at Green Land Coffee as it came with a fee. On hindsight, I could have spontaneously agreed to sample a cup of it for a fee. Afterall, it will be very rare for me to drink organic Luwak Coffee at that price when I am back in Singapore.
We were treated to various other organic beverages produced by the farm. These were normal Bali coffee, ginseng coffee, cocoa coffee, lemon-grass tea, ginger tea and herbal tea. The herbal tea was said to be made up of turmeric, tamarind, betel leaf and honey. My favourite were the ginger tea and the herbal tea.
One of the interesting sightings at the Green Land Coffee was the purple-coloured Bali watermelon. It was rather small and looked more than an egg-plant to me.
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| Bali watermelon. |
Green Land Coffee
Br. Sekaan, Desa Sekaan, Kintamani - Bangli, Bali Indonesia
Tel: (0361) 8570826 - 08124670916
Terraced Rice Fields
Our experiences with the beautiful face of Bali continued as we were driven up to Tegalalang Sebatu to experience the views of the terraced rice fields. The view was scenic. It felt nice to be close to Nature. Somehow, the rice fields felt like sacred spaces in the ordinary world. I marvelled at how these rice fields could feed thousands of people. I was inspired by the greenery of the rice fields that I did a simple sketch during my visit to the village of Tegalalang.
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| Rice fields of Bali. |
Here, I was reminded of the significance of the cultivation of rice in the South-East Asian region. Rice is an important staple in Indonesia. I learnt that the rice goddess, Dewi Sri, is revered in the Indonesian culture.
Wood Carving
At the idle countryside of Bali, we visited a wood carving workshop. I spoke briefly to one of the wood-carving artists and learnt that he had learnt the craft from his father when he was ten years old. I was attracted to a life-sized wood statue of a horse which was so life-like. As photography is not allowed inside the shop areas, I have no photograph of the statue of the horse to show.
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| Balinese wood carvings. |
Chinese dinner at Plaza Dewata
In Bali, the sun sets very early. By 5 p.m. or so, it would be turning dark.
We nourished ourselves with Chinese dinner at Plaza Dewata Chinese Seafood Restaurant. The dinner was included in the tour package. I like the tom-yam soup and the fresh green vegetables from this restaurant. Although Bali is famous for its seafood, I was not in fancy of it that night.
Plaza Dewata Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Jl. Raya Kuta No. 131,
Bali, Indonesia
Tel: (0361) 759 791.
***
Overall, it was a day to be closer to Nature and to Balinese art. I am thankful for this getaway in Bali. Many thanks to my accompanying friend for her company.
References:
http://en.astinatravel.com/index.php?act=info&id=310
http://www.balileisure.com/h/pacung-resort/index.html
http://www.terrain.org/articles/21/donohue.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_production_in_Indonesia
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