Coffee from the Ass of a Civet

July 6th

Alit, our driver, and I took a long drive to pick up Di in Kuta.  90 minutes there and 90 minutes back, all in Bali traffic.  One of the drivers Rusty met said only in Bali does the traffic work so well, as everyone drives without an ego.  I think this must be true.  Despite the chaotic nature of the traffic, not many people are angry or upset.  Everyone takes their time and gives way as if a signal were given that only the Balinese people know about.  We imagined an American or an Aussie trying to navigate this and are sure major bouts of road rage would be the order of the day.  

On the way back we stopped in a village to try Lowak Coffee.  The Arabica coffee beans for Lowak coffee are sought out by the lowak, or in English, the civet.  The lowak eats only the finest, most ripe beans and digests only the fruit part before passing the beans.  As the beans are passed, they go through a fermentation and the caffeine content is greatly reduced.  The feces are collected, the beans are extracted, washed, dried out, roasted, ground and served.  The coffee was extremely smooth with very little bitterness.  Surprisingly considering where the beans have been.  

Di Drew enjoying Lowak Coffee!

A Flying Fox just hanging out impressing the tourists.  

The place we tried the coffee is definitely a tourist coffee farm, with a little demonstration shed, but the views of small children flying kites in the rice paddies next door certainly lent an air of authenticity.  The small farm has a few civets on display and for some reason, a bat and an iguana.  The tasting included many different mixed coffees and teas including Ginseng Coffee, Ginger Coffee, Lemon Grass Tea, Coconut Coffee, and about ten other exotic mixes.  We bought a few of the overly sweet exotic flavors to bring back to Rusty and Yosiell.  

A civet waiting patiently for his caffeine fix...

Upon returning back to Rumah Buda, our home away from home, we decided to take a quick stroll through the Sacred Monkey Forest.  These were aggressive little mammals to be sure.  These Macaques have no shame and will jump on unsuspecting tourists holding bananas, Rusty found this out pretty quickly.  On another pass by the forest a few monkeys mugged us by running up and grabbing items to of our grocery bags.  What little thugs!  

Awesome guard to the Sacred Monkey Forest.

A Macaque plotting and scheming.  

A little afternoon grooming. 

This little thief can find a mint in a pocket full of lint before you can blink an eye!

A Macaque family gathering for their early evening begging.  

Exactly who is on display here?!  Us or them?

Rusty before being viciously assaulted by a monkey.

So far, every single Balinese local we have met has been extremely helpful and friendly, with an honesty and openness that is very attractive.  A smile and a quick "Hello" go a long way in securing a genuine greeting and a willingness to assist a group of loud opinionated Americans/ Australian.