From the bamboo forests north of Bangli, the road emerges to a lookout above a huge volcanic basin. Ribbons of black lava ripple down the valley from the misty peak of Mt. Batur. This is Penelokan, "the place to look", where the world changes colors. Sometimes, the still lake there resembles blue glass, and at others, a sheetof platinum. In chartreuse and vermilion biouses,the mountain girisstride along the rim of an ancient crater surrounding Mt. Batur.

Legend tells of Pasupati (Siwa) dividing the sacred Hindu mountain Mahameru and placingthe halves in Bali, asthevoicanoes Gunung Agung and Batur. Next to Agung, Batur is the most revered of Baii's mountains. Temples throughout the island honor the deity who dwells at its summit. Penelokan is atood place to make a lunch stop at one of its'high standard restaurants.

A short steep corkscrew road leads down to Kedisan on the lakeside where boats can be hired. On the flank of the volcano opposite Trunyan at Tirta Bungka, are hot springs set beside the cold waters of the lake, nature's sauna for tired travelers who have climbed Mt. Batur. Nearby, the hotel Tirta Yatra, is a convenient place to stay before or after climbing the volcano.