Sunday 4 March 2012

The White Waters of the River Telaga Waja with a Twist in its Tail

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What a day, more on Bali as this really is a place of considerable contrasts, I fully intend to take you around the coastline, cover Bali Private Rental Villas and this I will do.  But you can’t just visit this island for the sea alone you have to know about the inner workings of this place.  At least that’s what I think, as to come here and just view the Indian Ocean from the shores would mean that you would leave this Island having missed its great outdoors.  Perhaps this is my way to justify my ramblings at this junction no doubt you can share your comments if you feel that I am deviating from the important subject that are dear to you.  I believe this blog to be an exciting blog, packed full of thrill seeking events,  as I pen this blog I am still full of adrenalin from the trip that I have taken on the river Telaga Waja..

Today was a great day it was one packed full of activity, it was a day for the river and the river that we chose was the river Telaga Waju.  It is a fast river categorized as a 3/4 on the Richter scale of white water, I believe that is a higher scale than the Ubud run of white water which I have done now twice throughout my life and I can say even that is an event not to be missed.  

I wanted to explore this and indeed blog about it, as I said in my intro Bali remains a place of considerable contrasts.  From the sedate shores of Sanur to the wild seas off Uluwatu, Canggu etc, to the rice fields of Bali's hinterland, the mysteries of Lake Batur, the artisan areas of Ubud, to the spiritual beliefs that surround mount Agung, there is just so much to say, see and do in this fabulous paradise Isle.  So much so, I have now written over 40 blogs or ramblings on this subject. 

As we journey East towards Bali’s most revered and picturesque of the two mountains of Bali, Mount Agung stands 3,500ft high above sea level or thereabouts, it is a mountain that towers over Bali and can be seen on a good day almost from Denpasar.  The Mountain used to be higher but it had a hissy fit about the 1960’s and blew its top off, they say that it is due to do the same again in the course of the next 50 years as it works in 100 year cycles.  

I digress, the waters of the river Telaga Waju start from the foothills of mount Agung, no doubt taking its flow from the cascading waters off the mountain itself before flowing all the way to the seas off Bali. For the benefit of this tale we joined the river in the foothills of the mountain itself.   We were briefed by our guide on the safety requirements of the water to ensure that we stayed as safe as possible throughout this thrilling private Bali journey.  Taking our brightly coloured Zodiac type boat together with the handrails of rope we embarked on a journey full of action, for 14km or so we passed over rapid after rapid, this was some ride as it was just absorbing and event packed with thrills from start to finish.  

It had been raining during the previous days so we were sure of a fast river and it didn’t disappoint.  As we traversed our way down stream, our guide yelling instructions to us to paddle forwards or in reverse, to hold on and to lean back, we were I can say totally exercised out as we arrived at our destination. 



Mount Agung as seen through tinted glass
The Bali river Telaga Waja passes through magnificent country side and probably the best views are to be had in Bali you can see from this river.  You pass under many waterfalls, you run alongside rice fields and terraces, ducking under bamboo bridges.  As we flowed, I would like to say effortlessly across rapid after rapid, but I can’t as it required the skill of the guide and the actions of us to maintain a balance throughout this thrill of a ride to the bottom, I have to say the water was white almost for the entire journey.   


Our fellow boaters in other crafts joined in with the spirit as they duly used their oars to soak us even more than the water could achieve.  This whole Bali experience was just great fun and exhilarating throughout, 2 hours of fun, refreshing fear, and beautiful scenery was to hand on this well organized safe trip.

They saved the best to last as if the journey itself wasn’t enough to fulfill your every sense. As you neared the end of your rapid decent, some 2 hours later, you then had the extra or ultimate climax to this  thrilling flow of water, the last hurdle was a 4 meter drop over a weir plunging you into the chilled Bali waters below; exhilarating or what.  I have to say I was a little concerned by this event as I am certainly not used to free-falling from anywhere apart from diving off the board at my local pool and that must have been some 30 years earlier, no doubt this would have been daunting to even the most seasoned water rafter.  We hunkered down on the base of our inflatable threw our legs over the side and we went for it, it was brilliant.  Soon after this ultimate event we arrived at our final point, here makan, food was served and every morsel savoured and enjoyed. 

We moored our boats at the water’s edge, we stripped ourselves of the life-jackets and we started our assent to the point where showers, towels and more important carbohydrate was on hand to replenish our depleted fuels of life. 

The boats were deflated and several Balinese ladies were on hand to balance the boats on their heads and then head to the top of this ravine where they deposited the boats on some waiting pick up allowing the boat to perform another journey later this day.  I should add that the climb to the point of food was perhaps a climb of 500 steps with the car some 100 steps further on up.  Having said all of this I would not have missed this event for anything as it was just fantastic.

The company that we used traded under the name of BMW, Bali Mitra Wahana Rafting they prided themselves on quality, safety and enjoyment, all of which I can certainly vouch for and would recommend them, they are friendly, precise and care for your safety – A great day out.

In the meantime you should take a look at the pages of The Leading Villas of Bali for the many splendid stylish Villas, Bali Private Rental Villas that have grown in the beauty of their surroundings. http://www.theleadingvillasofbali.com

This collection of villas can also be seen on the pages of http://www.bookingvillasinbali.com
Due their superb pricing you can also see this collection in http://www.budgetvillasinbali.com

As if this is not enough then take a look at the pages of The Villas Bali. http://www.thevillas-bali.com

    

 
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