Oh Ubud. Everyone who visits the heart of Bali either finds a piece of their heart or leaves a piece of their heart here. The place feels almost magical (depending on where you are and what your agenda is). There were many solo travelers like me who seemed to be enjoying themselves very much as well.
Ubud is located in the center of Bali. It has a very strong art and yoga culture where many teacher trainings of various practices are held. I initially went there to do a yoga retreat in Naya and figure out if I would ever stay there for a month for yoga teacher training. I love yoga and want to share its beauty with others. But I still don’t know when I’ll be ready to take time off and just study.
Ubud was very restful for me, coming from crazy Seminyak. It was wise to make Ubud my last destination before going home. I felt beyond recharged. I was full of gratitude for everything that I have and prepared to face life with so much hope and love in my heart.
The Best Things…
I did
#1 Monkey Forest
I used to fear monkeys as a child because I was bitten by one at a zoo. I knew it was time to conquer my fear because Ubud is known for the Monkey Forest and I couldn’t pass it up. Guess what, I fell in love! I even went back a second time by myself to spend more time getting to know these cheeky creatures. I love all animals but Monkeys come right behind dogs now!
Best time to go is early morning right when it opens.
There are maintenance people who walk around offering corn to tourists and teaching them how to make a monkey jump on you.
Not only do they pull and nibble on your clothes, they open you bag and grab anything you’re holding too! Best to go with nothing but a camera.
(and the runners up)
Ubud bike tour
Mt. Batur
Endless rice paddies.
A Bali on Bike package comes with a meal that the owner’s wife prepares at the end of the tour.
Ubud Market
Much like the wet markets in the Philippines. Here we bought herbs, spices and other vegetables we needed for my cooking class in Kayumanis, Ubud. But the chef who brought me here said it’s not the best idea to buy meats here but you can fins other traditional Balinese things like materials for offerings, snacks and other knick knacks. Like colored chicks.
Why????
Teba Sari Bali Agrotourism Coffee Tasting
With one of my best friends Kamille. I convinced her to come see me for 5 days during my 15-day stay in Bali.
15 different flavors of coffee and tea. I wish they made them without sugar and dairy.
I was not happy with this image. At least he was resting but I don’t know if tourists should be seeing the caged Luwaks that are supposedly force fed with the coffee beans they poop and people drink. Supposedly.
Conquered this fear a long time ago and I have loved snakes ever since. They are calm and fun to hold.
The Best Things…
I ate
#1 Stewed then roasted duck at Kayumanis
I had duck thrice in Ubud. I had no words for how good this is. You can practically find duck anywhere in Bali. But the love Kayumanis put into the seasoning of their duck and the sambal just blew my mind. I was so happy.
(and the runners up)
Crispy duck from Bebek Bengil
Sadly, I don’t have a picture of the second best duck from Pundi Pundi. The one time I was lazy to bring my camera and just wanted to eat in peace. So instead here is a famous duck restaurant called Bebek Bengil. I get why it’s full but it was not stellar to me.
Mozaic 8 course degustation
It was generally good. Interesting to see the play on Indonesian ingredients with fine dining quality. Read the review here.
The boat of key ingredients placed at the center of the table. You are encouraged to smell and nibble on them alongside their corresponding course.
The Best Thing…
I bought
#1 Balinese Artwork
If you look closely, you can see those little details are drawn with a pen. I took one of these babies home.
Wooden eggs. I bought one that has Ganesh painted on it.
A husband and wife team of artists create art all day long and sell them in their shop.
The Best Things…
I learned
Again, I went on this trip to Bali to do something nice for myself for Christmas. I really learned how to appreciate being on my own and exploring. Being on my own time, making my own travel schedule. It was so nice to have Kamille visit me but I also enjoyed being alone. I was so peaceful and excited for everything. I woke up everyday looking forward to all the activities I had planned.
Great review. I hope you also went on the Batik making tour as well as the various art gallery tour. Maybe you don’t eat pork but Bali, especially Ubud market is famous for their Babi guling or roasted pork.
I eat pork! Next time I will try Babu Guling. I just really wanted a lot of duck when I was there.
I’d really like to go to Ubud someday. Thank you for posting tips! About the coffee and tea tasting experience, I imagine that it really would have been better if each kind was served without milk or sugar. Nice photos! 🙂
Yeah my thoughts exactly!