TRANQUIL morning then encapsulating Cening Village, a hidden gem in Bali. It was invaded by a group of tourists from the big city. Not with a luxury tour bus, but with colorful rented dipper bikes. They were the “Bali Happy & Cheerful” group led by Mr. Toni, an enthusiastic tour leader in flowery shorts.
“Remember, ladies and gentlemen!” shouted Mr. Toni, his voice booming. “Beautiful views are to be enjoyed, not crashed into! Be careful of slippery roads. Hopefully, this bike tour in Bali will be pleasant!”
That advice seemed to go in one ear and out the other for Mrs. Susan and her husband, Mr. Rahmat. The middle-aged couple, with the enthusiasm of teenagers, rode at the front. Mrs. Susan, with a wide beach hat and celebrity-style sunglasses, kept looking back to take pictures of the enchanting green terraced rice fields.
“Oh my gosh, Mas Rahmat! Look at that! The rice fields are so beautiful!” Mrs. Susan shouted, her hands busy holding her cellphone. “Let’s take another photo at dusk, it will be more dramatic!”
Mr. Rahmat, who was busy pedaling, just nodded casually. “Yes, Ma’am, yes. But watch the road!”
Too engrossed in the charm of the green patches and the drifting clouds, Mrs. Susan forgot that the village road was not as smooth as a catwalk. The bicycle she was riding suddenly stepped on thin mud from the rice field watering. SREK!
“OUUUCH!” Mrs. Susan screamed shrilly, the bicycle swerved, and she successfully fell. Mr. Rahmat, who was right behind her, was shocked, also swerved and hit a small bamboo bush. The group behind her suddenly braked suddenly, causing a pile of bicycles and stifled laughter.
Mr. Toni immediately ran over. “Mrs. Susan, Mr. Rahmat! Is anyone sick?”
Mrs. Susan tried to get up, her training pants covered in mud. “It’s okay, Mr. Toni. It’s just… my pride is bruised,” she answered dramatically. “And this, there’s moss on my calf!”
Savior in the Middle of the Rice Fields
Suddenly, a crisp laugh was heard. An old woman with a wide hat and a bamboo basket on her waist appeared from behind the clumps of rice. “These kids, there’s always something. Come here, son and lad, come here! It looks like you need a bath!”
The woman, who turned out to be named Ni Wayan, was the owner of a small stall on the edge of the rice field, just a simple hut with bamboo benches and a table full of Balinese snacks. She helped Mrs. Susan stand up, her smile calming.
“Sorry, Ma’am, I was careless,” said Mrs. Susan, embarrassed.
“It’s normal, lad. Come here, in my stall there’s a simple bathroom. Please clean up,” Ni Wayan offered kindly, pointing to the back of her hut.
Mrs. Susan and Mr. Rahmat deftly followed. A few minutes later, they reappeared, slightly cleaner but still with tired faces.
“Oh, thank you very much, Mrs. Wayan,” said Mrs. Susan. “The water is so cool.”
“You’re welcome, son. It’s just a blessing. Come sit down and have a drink. You must be tired.”
Mr. Rahmat and Mrs. Susan sat on a bamboo bench, enjoying the wind from the rice fields. Mrs. Susan’s eyes glanced at the stall table filled with traditional snacks. There were green klepon, legit pisang rai, and still-warm laklak.
“What snacks are these, Mrs. Wayan?” asked Mrs. Susan, her eyes sparkling.
“This is klepon, this is pisang rai, that is laklak. They’re all homemade, lad. They’re freshly cooked,” answered Ni Wayan, proudly.
“Wow, they all look delicious. I bought this… this… and this too!” Mrs. Susan pointed at all the snacks excitedly. “And young coconuts! Do you have them?”
Ni Wayan laughed. “Yes, son. Fresh from the tree.”
Sweet Snacks, Cool Young Coconut
When Ni Wayan served young coconut and snacks, Mr. Toni and the rest of the group had gathered. They also ordered, attracted by the fragrant aroma of the snacks.
“Wow, Mrs. Susan, this bicycle falling adventure ends with the discovery of culinary treasure,” joked Mr. Toni.
Mrs. Susan smiled broadly, biting into the klepon that broke in her mouth. “It’s so delicious, Mr. Toni! I forgot I did a somersault earlier.”
Mr. Rahmat sipped the young coconut. “This is a real vacation. Relaxed, surprised, then saved by snacks and young coconut.”
Ni Wayan just smiled at their behavior. She knew, behind that little accident, there was a lesson about enjoying life that is not always perfect. Mrs. Susan, who was initially “holiday-worried” because of excessive expectations, now finds true pleasure in simplicity. She no longer thinks about aesthetic photos or a tight itinerary.
There is only crisp laughter, the sweetness of Balinese snacks, and the coolness of young coconut under the blue sky of Cening Village. An unexpected vacation, but much more memorable. (*)
