Katya K Travelogue • Episode 3 • Waterfalling in Bali - Buleleng Waterfalls. Banyumala

Before we get back to the waterfalls, I would like to express my love to the whole area of Buleleng.

This is another Bali with cool air, cloudy sky, lush vegetation, lakes and all the perks of the agricultural area – you can buy the freshest veggies and fruits at the pasar here, some you won't often find anywhere else. Shop for cacao fruits, strawberries, tamarillo, purple markisa (the one that is yellow inside and is deliciously sour) and jackfruit chips. The views are picturesque here and the air is so fresh. Lots to do and see here, definitely enough for an actively spent weekend which deserves a post on its own.

                                shot on film with SMENA 

There are also a few waterfalls hidden in the area and I would like to start with the one called Banyumala.

This absolutely gorgeous twin waterfall is not so easy to find. There is just one sign on the side of the crater rim road between Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. Try to slow down and look carefully, not to miss it. If you follow the dirt road down from the sign you will soon get to a parking lot, where you will have to leave your car and continue by foot. You driver is probably going to hate you unless he/she is your friend and you are in this adventure together - the road is slightly wider the the average car like Avanza and consists of broken cement bricks, which makes the car drive quite unpleasant. You will have less troubles, if your transport of choice is a bike. It is also possible to drive a bit further this way - to the second parking lot. From here trekking takes only about 30 min. It is relatively easy: half of the way is through the paved road and another half consists of few steep dirt stairs.

Banyumala is not particularly strong and fast flowing, but its wide, scenically cascading with natural clear water deep enough for a leisurely swim.

Because this air terjun is not that well known and the hike to it is less groomed there are hardly ever people here. So you have a great chance to enjoy the beauty of nature the best way possible: in a blissful, quiet solitude.

Location: Wanagiri, Sukasada, Wanagiri, Sukasada, Kabupaten Buleleng