Unspun

There was a time when Unspun would, in a fit of machismo and youthful exuberence, forswear all modern conveniences when going camping. But now that Unspun is saddled with old bones and is braving the outdoors with a partner and child ,who are city slickers, camping in the outdoors with all mod cons seems to make sense.

Over the weekend Unspun camped with friends and kids at Toyah Bungkah, near Kintamani in Bali and enjoyed it very much. Our tent were pitched beside Lake Batur and we had a magnificent view of the lake and the massive wall of the crater on the other side.

A great spot to do it is at Toya Bungka in Lake Batur, just under the volcano, Mount Batur, behind us. The air was cool, about 18-20 degrees Celsius and there were two pools of hot spring water nearby to relax in, just the thing in the cool climate. The campsite, which is part of Hotel Toya Devasiya, was well maintained. There was a communal toilet and showers to use for campers, and it was surprisingly very clean too.

The is about 2.5 hours drive from Denpasar. You go on the road to Kintamani, right up to the top of the crater then take the road down to Toyah Bungka. On the top are lots of dodgy buffet restaurants. Avoid them unless you want to sample cold, tasteless Indonesian food. Just after the turnoff to Toyah Bungka is a restaurant called Windu Sara. They have decent food and a great view of the valley below. Worthwhile stopping there.

From there it is about half an hour to Toya Bungka. You go through vegetable farms and a section polulated by large dark shapes – the result of a lava-flow from Mount Batur’s eruption in – I think – 1926 or so.

Once down there the lake and the cool temperature makes you feel as if you’re somewhere in Europe, except for the unkempt roadsides and the rubbish, of course, that reminds you that you’re in Indonesia. Other than that, with a little selective blindness, it is a great place to bring your kids for a camping “adventure” by urban standards.

At the hotel, all the tents are pitched up for you. They even prepare a BBQ dinner for you and build you a campfire. There is even an electric lamp by each tent. So there you go, camping with all mod cons.