The first thing to do is to VISIT FOR MORE THAN A DAY. I see bus after bus, drop off tourists for the day. To get the flavor and experience of UBUD, I recommend at least a three day visit. . . My last trip was for a month in UBUD - April 2008. HERE IS THE LIST, READ ON TO SEE DETAILS. . .10 things-Ubud Rice Field Walk, Balinese Ceremonies, Breakfast Coffee at Tutmak (everyday, there's no comparison), Salsa Dancing and Latino Band at Indus, Splurge Day at Como Shambhala, Get a Spa Treatment, everyday if you can, Yoga at the Yoga Barn with Lunch at the KAFE, Pick an Activity from the list below and you'll be in the Bali Groove, Ribs at Naughty Nuri's, Meet the Artisans, Watch a Balinese Dance performance and a One Day Dine around Shopping Experience. . .
Ubud Rice Field Walk - a little sign on Jalan Raya Ubud at Jalan Kajeng says "rice field walk" - a loop from the south to the north through the rice fields and waterway. A single line path between rice fields, where locals will climb a coconut tree and serve you fresh young coconut juice, the path narrow to ravines and water falls created by the waterways and a bit of a climb up to an expansive view of more colors of green and oxygen fresh air. Turn left, as there is no sign and loop around to a stop at Sari Organic for a cool drink or lunch on fresh from the garden, vegetables. The trail leaves you off in the north part of Ubud near the Blanco Museum on Jalan Raya Ubud. Take a rice walk, whether this one or another. My first walk started in a Balinese compound, through the back garden to the rice patties and ended at a flooded rice patty, where I was the "female" entrant in a catfish catching contest for the local temple. Now that's a surprise!
Balinese Ceremonies My favorite is Galungan, the Festival of Good and Evil, goes for 10 days to the Kuningan Festival, which signifies the end of Galungan, happens every 210 days. In front of every house a decorated bamboo pole is placed to keep evil away. Elaborate offerings, parades and Temple ceremonies abound. . . Or if you've made friends with the Balinese ask about, a Cremation, Wedding, or Tooth Filing Ceremony. Check out the cultural calendar.
BEST Coffee and Breakfast at TUTMAK on Dewa Sita next to the football field. Once you've had the coffee, not KOPI that Balinese coffee, you'll have breakfast here. Seating in the back facing the football field is nice and quiet. The food is fresh, local and nicely prepared.
Salsa Dancing with live Latino Band at INDUS on Monday Night- come for a cocktail and gargantuan prawn crackers. While it's still light out, see the amazing high views over the balcony. For on Monday dinner, make reservations. Or try the Full MOON and JAZZ on full moon nights. ( check the website but it doesn't represent the style and ambience well)
Splurge Day at Como Shambhala Estate Spa- want a massage? not just any massage, but one in the Kedara Room. Room doesn't describe the structure. It's 500 steps down toward the Ayung river. The spa room is tucked into the side of the Ayung river cliff, and is made out of all natural dark wood and stone. No need for a sound track. The birds and rushing river creates a soothing atmosphere. Massage choices abound,- Taksu, Thai, Indian Head, Deep Tissue, Sports, you name it. Have a pre-massage dip in the near by cliff pool or before going down the path take a dip up top where the facials, colonic and other treatment take place. The Jungle gym and full workroom, all with yoga, chi gong, pilates and aqua therapy are available for the day. Finish off your experience with a meal in the RAW food restaurant, GLOW as chef Chris Miller offers living food with a Balinese and Indonesian influence. This one is a Balinese experience at Western prices so bring your Visa Card.
Foot, Full Body Massage, Facial, Cream Hair, Flower Bath- something every day
High- see above Como Shambhala time
Medium- Taman Rahasia Secret Garden Massage- 1.5 km from Ubud center - Esalen Massage, Thai and facials etc. a small boutique hotel and spa. Take a dip in the pool before your treatments
Low- just wander around town and you'll find a cream hair bath, reflexology say for $5 or massage. One of my best ever massages, and I've had more that 2000 in my time, is at the EVE massage on Monkey Forest Road, or $15.
Yoga and the Yoga Barn and lunch at the KAFE if you're not into Yoga, then check out the Yoga barn for special dinners, movie night or featured events. Events are posted at the KAFE on Jalan Hanoman. The Yoga Barn structures and grounds are serene and a great venue for small gatherings, concerts and retreats.
Pick an Activity - and you won't be disappointed
Antonio Blanco, Blanco Renaissance Museum- outrageously ostentatious
Ubud Monkey Forest - one of many monkey forest in Bali and the most populated
Bali Bird Park- extraordinary collection of over 250 bird species
Eco Bike Tour- all down hill from Mt Batur
Sobek White Water Rafting on the Ayung River
Casa Luna Cooking Class at the Honeymoon Guesthouse
Ribs at Naughty Nuri's Jalan Raya Sanggingan just north of Ubud is a local favorite and an institution. The shared tables and benches leads to life time friends and surprises, no kidding. My first time visit was with Meghan Pappenheim of Balispirit.com, my next, I met Goestamar Ardibrata, GM of Bali and Beyond and the US Ambassador to Indonesia, all while eating NN finger lickin good ribs. Been there, say at least 10x.
Meet the Artisans- Wood Carver, Batik, Silversmith, Painter, Mask makers, Stone Carver. You ask how? ask your driver, your service staff. . . they all are or know an artist and can arrange a studio visit or village visit.
Watch a Bali Dance Performance- Legong, Ramayana, Baron or Kecak, tickets are sold the night of the performace in Ubud's Temples
One Day Dine around and Shop- Tutmak for Coffee and shopping around Dewi Sita, and Jalan Hanoman. I find the shops on these street the most inventive and creative. Japanese, Australians, Americans, Europeans, paired with the Balinese and Indonesians, creating clothing, shoes, jewelry, soaps and home furnishings. Breakfast at the KAFE on Hanoman and more shopping, lunch at a warung and shopping the local Balinese at the market and up the main road, Jalan Raya Ubud. Stopping for tea and a sweet at Casa Luna more shopping and cocktails at Indus before sunset. Dinner Naughty Nuri's. That's six restaurants. We learned after this kinda day to get a massage or at least a foot massage on days like this. so shop a bit less and take a rest. . . so take off- senses
great to hear your comments on this article or a note from your trip! Post at the bottom. And check out the columns for photos of Bali and Bali resources.
Interesting site, always a new topic .. good luck in the new 2011. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Realestate | Monday, January 10, 2011 at 09:48 AM
With the new 2011. Year! Congratulations.
Posted by: school_dubl | Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Congratulations! You have so much useful information, write more.
Posted by: Music_master | Friday, September 24, 2010 at 10:48 AM
About 400 people have come to this article? Any one have a comment? Did you go to UBUD during the high season? What's been happening? I have a friend going in Feb 2009. I will be off to Africa 2009!
Posted by: TAS mania | Monday, December 08, 2008 at 12:03 PM