A Road Trip Gone Wrong: Driving From Amed to Kintamani in Bali

With our rental car packed and spirits high, Day 3 of our Bali road trip promised adventure as we left Amed for the volcanic highlands of Kintamani. Little did we know, the journey would be more memorable—and chaotic—than planned. We started with confidence, armed with Google Maps and a playlist of road trip tunes. The first leg was picturesque, winding through coastal villages and lush rice terraces. But as we ascended into the mountains, Google's shortcuts turned into something out of a comedy sketch. Narrow dirt paths, unexpected dead ends, and one "road" that was more of a hiking trail had us questioning technology and our own sanity. Midway, we found ourselves sharing a one-lane mountain track with chickens, scooters, and an impatient truck driver who was visibly baffled by our presence. Each hairpin turn felt like a scene from an action movie, complete with dramatic gasps from the backseat. By the time we reached Kintamani, we were exhausted but couldn’t stop laughing at our misadventures. The stunning view of Mount Batur before sunset made it all worthwhile, but we learned some valuable lessons for anyone planning a Bali road trip: - **Google Maps isn't infallible**: Cross-check the route with local advice. Locals often know better than any app. - **Start early**: Roads can be unpredictable, and daylight is precious, especially on mountain roads. - **Expect the unexpected**: You'll embrace the chaos more if you're prepared for detours and surprises. Self-driving in Bali is both exhilarating and humbling. Between the wrong turns and heart-stopping moments, you'll find magic in the unexpected. Would we do it again? Absolutely—but next time, with a bit more planning and perhaps a paper map to back us up!