Our second stop in Bali, was Ubud - the land of rice fields.
We stayed at a really nice four star hotel for a whopping $38 total per night, which included a gigantic breakfast buffet. The grounds were very pretty, with three pools, lots of fountains and a koi pond.
The room was nice with a big balcony, but I'm convinced the Balinese just don't care about or know nice bathrooms. It's amazing what you get for the money! In Central America, I was paying $15 for a bed in an 8 person dorm. And I know we could have found comfortable places for $25 total or less.
We stayed at a really nice four star hotel for a whopping $38 total per night, which included a gigantic breakfast buffet. The grounds were very pretty, with three pools, lots of fountains and a koi pond.
The room was nice with a big balcony, but I'm convinced the Balinese just don't care about or know nice bathrooms. It's amazing what you get for the money! In Central America, I was paying $15 for a bed in an 8 person dorm. And I know we could have found comfortable places for $25 total or less.
There didn't seem to be as much of a traveler / backpacker mentality in Bali, especially in Ubud. I didn't even see groups of people walking down the street. And anytime we saw groups, they were mostly keeping to themselves. Very different than the traveling experiences I had in South and Central America - so it was hard to get used to, but also why I'm glad I had a friend to travel with!
Upon arrival, we walked every street of town. There are many cafes and shops. The center of town is a bit touristy, and definitely westernized. Many of the shops are very similar, I'm not sure how they all stay in business. But there's also a lot of unique places.
Taxi drivers were constantly yelling their services at us.
And massage places also entice you every 5 steps. And the massages as so cheap! We got Josh his first ever massage in Ubud!
And massage places also entice you every 5 steps. And the massages as so cheap! We got Josh his first ever massage in Ubud!
We rented a scooter on the second day, and started the morning with a trip to the elephant temple. The cave entrance is cool, and the grounds have a nice garden. But overall, I found it underwhelming for all the hype it gets as an attraction.
Before our trip, we searched Instagram photos of Bali, and found a really cool waterfall. It is hidden in a village just outside of Ubud, and its not a popular or known tourist spot. We went on our scooter and asked people along the way. A lot of locals didn't even know about it. It was formed recently because a river broke. It was beautiful, and really cool.
In the afternoon, went to Telagang rice fields. It is stunning! The fields cascade down a hill.
We scootered through a path that ran along the monkey forest. We didn't pay to get in the park because you can see the monkeys around the park, and the environment wasn't very natural seeming.
We ventured into the rice fields that surround the town that evening. The center of town is very developed, but it's so enchanting right outside of it. We went to Pomegranate, which is a giant teepee in the center of the rice fields, for a drink and to watch the sunset over the fields. And then walking back, the fields light up with fireflies.
We ventured into the rice fields that surround the town that evening. The center of town is very developed, but it's so enchanting right outside of it. We went to Pomegranate, which is a giant teepee in the center of the rice fields, for a drink and to watch the sunset over the fields. And then walking back, the fields light up with fireflies.
On our third day, we took a bike tour . It was a really fun day!!
We first stopped at a coffee plantation to try the local coffees and tea. Everything was great! A favorite was coffee with coconut milk. I also loved the coffee with ginseng, and the lemongrass and ginger teas.
But the main purpose of the stop was to see a civet and try their special Luwak coffee. These cat like animals eat the best coffee fruits and then poop out the shells and beans. They Balinese collect the poop and take those specially selected beans to make coffee (they do clean them first!). It was really good!
We first stopped at a coffee plantation to try the local coffees and tea. Everything was great! A favorite was coffee with coconut milk. I also loved the coffee with ginseng, and the lemongrass and ginger teas.
But the main purpose of the stop was to see a civet and try their special Luwak coffee. These cat like animals eat the best coffee fruits and then poop out the shells and beans. They Balinese collect the poop and take those specially selected beans to make coffee (they do clean them first!). It was really good!
We then we stopped for a view of the Mt. Butar volcano and had some breakfast. It was beautiful!
Our bike ride started through villages.
It was AWESOME! We got to see the local way of life and all the village kids came outside to wave to us and say hi.
We rode through beautiful rice fields, and mandarin plantations. We stopped and helped harvest rice, and played with local children.
We ended the ride at the home of the bike company owner. It was cool to see the way of living and understand the home set up. Each home has a temple, plus there is the village temple. Our guide, Moon, was wonderful and explained so much of the culture to us.
It was AWESOME! We got to see the local way of life and all the village kids came outside to wave to us and say hi.
We rode through beautiful rice fields, and mandarin plantations. We stopped and helped harvest rice, and played with local children.
We ended the ride at the home of the bike company owner. It was cool to see the way of living and understand the home set up. Each home has a temple, plus there is the village temple. Our guide, Moon, was wonderful and explained so much of the culture to us.
Ubud is known for yoga retreats and workshops. So on the last day, we woke up and took a power yoga class at Yoga barn, the most famous of the studios. The complex had a great atmosphere and cool views.
We then went on the Campuhan ridge walk. It offered different scenery, and the train went through tall grass.
Ubud wasn't really a place to go out, and we didn't even try. There were so many restaurants and bars, but we never saw a congregation of people to discern a fun place.
Ubud had great food options!!!
Lot's of international and healthy food restaurants.
Ubud had great food options!!!
Lot's of international and healthy food restaurants.
- Buddha soul - health food cafe
- Biah Biah - so cheap for Indonesian tapas. We paid $7 for 5 different dishes and drinks
- Bread Bakery: Japanese bread tastiness
- Dewa Warung - cheap and popular, but not very good. And our food didnt come out together
- Paradiso Earth Food cafe - really good, especially if you are feeling like you need nutrients
- Who's Who - Belgium and Balinese fusion. So good and very unique preparations. Loved the pumpkin soup and mushroom salad!
- Taco Casa - solid Mexican, good to switch it up
- Spice - It's a really good gastro bar place. But the most expensive and touristy place. Very modern. I had a delicious jack fruit and bourbon drink
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