There is one large market in Bali where you can buy and sell cows. It happens twice a week and is quite the spectacle. When Wayan told us about it and asked if we wanted to go see it, we said “hell yes!” Why not? You have to be up and out early to see the cow market, so Wayan met us at 7am and off we were.

First things first though….breakfast! And this time it’s a local tradition – babi guling – otherwise known as suckling pig.

Wayan took us to a little joint where the locals go. This way we know it's authentic and we're not being charged more for being tourists. I'm a little taken aback by the display of the pig's head, but hey, I'm here to experience Bali, and this is definitely typical Balinese. Jacques seems to like it 🙂

And here it is. Babi Guling. It's extremely tasty with a good bit of spice (Balinese food is spicy and the locals are surprised that Jacques and I can eat it and that we like it - a lot). Rice, spicy pork, crispy skin, and every part of the pig served up for breakfast. Wouldn't want it every morning, but it sure was delicious.

And this is where we sat to eat our breakfast. Outside in the restaurant owners' family compound. I asked if the bed behind Jacques is an outdoor bedroom. Nope. When a family member passes away their body is laid here until their cremation and people come by to pay their respects. So there's only one way you lie on the bed. But people sit around. It's just part of every day life here.

Breakfast was done and back on the road we were. Next stop, the cow market. It is organized chaos as trucks come in and out of a muddy parking area to offload and load cows. Some are from local farms, some from as far away as Jakarta. It’s the only market in Bali where you can buy and sell cows. But it’s not all about cows….

As we make our way from parking the car to the market, we see firsthand the loading up of cows. Even here you find a well dressed man.

Sometimes the cows need a little coaxing, and man power, to get up into the truck.

Men take the buying and selling of roosters very, very seriously and cockfighting is a big thing here. Thankfully I haven't witnessed any such fights...so far...fingers crossed that this remains the case.

Ducklings anyone?

Maybe a tropical bird?

How about a green chic? Or a pink one? No idea why they dye them...

And yes, the cows. Lots and lots and lots of cows.

And even some bulls. Crazy how he looks like he has a tear.

Jacques needed to find a hat to ward off any further sun stroke or burning of the head. I recommended this one. Even in Bali you find Sponge Bob hats. Somehow he managed to get Wayan in on the silly photo taking.

Um, which one is Jacques??? Even the very serious young man at the hat stand laughed at this one...

Jacques managed to find a suitable hat and it was time to leave. Onto the temple.

I'm not completely sure, but this might be the only temple in Bali with a moat.

The temple's bell tower.

The view from the bell tower.

I love gargoyles. Whether they are on Notre Dame in Paris or on a temple in Bali. I love gargoyles.

The inner temple is sacred and therefore off-limits. It is only to be entered by those who worship here - and there are rules around who that is. It's a very complicated system, but everyone knows where they fit in. There was a ceremony finishing up as we walked by.

I have no idea how old she is. But she's obviously weathered a lot - and is still stunning. She guards the bridge over the moat.

Our timing was impeccable. As we were leaving the tour buses started to arrive. Phew!

Just another day in Bali. And by that I mean ‘just another beautiful day in Bali’.