There is an enormous panoramic stone platform, open to the public, from which you can admire the spectacular Twin Lake View, caressed by the fresh mountain air in between the blue lake waters and lush verdant forest. It is located in Munduk, in the north of Bali, where the “twin lakes” Buyan and Tamblingan meet in a caldera, formed after a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, creating a unique naturalistic panorama. Until 1800, the two lakes were united, but because of a landslide, they were separated by a natural land-bridge covered by rainforest. In the area, it is possible to enjoy thrilling excursions, even on your own without a guide, on the Asah Gobleg hill or to the waterfalls of Munduk, rent a kayak and go meander about the famed tourist attraction, the Wanagiri Hidden Hills. For some more serious hiking, it is better to organise a group to reach the peak of Monte Batukaru. During the Twin Lake Festival, the splendid lakes and surrounding territory, agricultural heart of the island with fields of biological fruit and vegetables, coffee plantations and the characteristic rice paddies which cover the mountain slopes, offer themselves to the amazed eyes of excursionists. A curious fact: the water that is used to irrigate all the thriving fields in the area comes from the over-thirty temples around the lakes. To avoid the heat and, above all, the rain that can spoil the otherwise stunning view of the landscape and outings to the surrounding areas, it is best to visit the Twin Lakes in the period from June to August.
In an immense park, mixing land and sea in the northwest zone of Bali, there is a remarkably varied number of wild animals and birdlife among the mangroves, savannah and rainforest.
Stephan Kotas is a Czechoslovakian photographer who chose Bali as a home where he could do what he loves - help the past live again in vintage portraits using the old-fashioned photographic developing technique of "tintype".