Research: a regular 8 km trekking will prevent you from various diseases e.g. stroke, heart attack and heart failure. And, the preventive rate is shockingly high, whic
h is up to 30%.
Apart from beneficial to your physical health, the experience in absorbing the stunning views would trigger your endorphin hormone that contribute happiness. The happier you are the better your immunity level would be. Other method in preventing those diseases include medicine consumption and dietary.
With those undeniable benefit from trekking, in the sake of healthy life, we should go for it even more frequently. So, why wait, prepare your back pack and let's go for trekking at the Bukit Asah Bali Camp (BABC)!
We will start the trail from the camping ground and let assume we stayed overnight here. Next morning, after coffee and some light bites, we go to lobby to meet up with our guide.
We’ll pass the camper van site that is located on the entrance, which is about 150m from the camping ground. Then we continue our expedition and be ready with the 5 jaw-dropping-amazement.
Endorphin Trigger #1 - Abandoned Joglo
The Joglo were meant to b a small resort. They businessman started to built its main building complete with a round-shape-concrete-sofa, overlooking directly to the blue sea. When you sit on this sofa you are about 250m above sea level (asl). At this point you will see things like an eagle does. And, you will start to understand why the businessman were building something here. Simple, for the view itself. I believe your endorphin is already getting active now. Happiness has just begun.
Endorphin Trigger #2 - Old Camping Site
In about 10 minutes walk you will arrive here at the old camping site, which is about 40m higher than the first stop. Long time back before the camping is properly organized, campers set their tent right here. The terracing ground is well manicured by the cows. The owner leave them here for meal ritual and pick it up later before sunset. They're look happy to enjoy the grass and, most importantly, the stunning 180° sea view. No wonder that none of them (the cows) were reported suffer from stroke.
Endorphin Trigger #3 - Farmer Slope
Let the cows enjoy what they are doing. We got something in the next 10 minutes walk: a steep cliff with tick carpet of grass. We are now standing at the peak of about 300m asl. Take the utmost of the mixture of sea breeze and clean oxygen. I took some deep breathes, repeatedly, and brought home healthy lung. If you are lucky you will meet a farmer harvesting grass for his cows. But most of the time there is always one doing same thing here. That's why we call this point a Farmer Slope.
The slope is very steep but got slim terrace you that can walk on it. However, be cautious at this point, if you miss your grip you will end up on the rocky coast line, folded like Taco. Villagers' housing is visible from here, as well as its kilometer-long-black-sandy-beaches.
Just another few minutes walk you will arrive in the temple with instagramable gate. It is not possible to explore the main area f the temple so we go to the next point.
Endorphin Trigger #4 - Majestic Peak 360°
This is actually what we are trekking here for; the highest peak with complete amazement being packed as one. Imagine that you are standing on a natural green carpet: you have a stunning sea view on the left; villagers community down there between the Bukit Asah (where you are now) and the Gumang hill. The valley is home to half of the Bugbug villagers. There are schools, chicken farm, fishermen and shrimp production company flocking in the same compound.
On the other side you will see farmers working their crop traditionally. They are using cows rather than modern tractor to scatter the soil. Since water supply is limited here they plant something that is not very demanding with water e.g. peanut, corn etc.
Normally, while you are enjoying all the jaw-dropping experiences our guide will go to pick young coconuts for us. And, it's included in the package.
The amazement from all directions with fresh young coconut running in your throat is a good reason why this point is called The Majestic Peak 360°.
Endorphin Trigger #5 - Villagers' Compound
We are in the final stage of being amazed and healthy at the same time. Now we walk home where we started, the Bukit Asah Bali Camp. We will walk through villagers' access that consists of three different accesses: the first one is natural path that it's set from human foot print; the second one is modern road with tarmac finished, and the third one is narrow concrete lane.
Every time we pass houses we got a typical Balinese smile that goes without pressure, even during pandemic. Their smile is contagious. You will also smile by default. This would mean more endorphin is being produced and at the same time your immunity is getting stronger.
You will also learn a lot about plants along the way home: various type of banana and mango; exotic Intaran trees; poisonous stick tree; coconut trees and the list goes on.
What to prepare?
Trekking the BABC is simple. As long as you got running shoes and outfit then you will be fine. It is wise to bring small back pack to carry your belonging, such as: small bottled water, hand sanitizer (mandatory health protocol during pandemic), fully charged mobile/camera since you will be an accidental photographer, sun lotion, sunglasses and cap if needed. Don't worry about being tired, the track is very light that even lazy person could make it.[H]