Ubud, commonly known as Bali’s cultural heart is also the intersection of old and new in Bali. Want to take a break from the heat after exploring Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati? (That’s a Hindu temple) Then grab a frappuccino from Starbucks conveniently located by the temple entrance. This mesh of old/traditional and new/modern lends to Ubud’s charm. Seeing familiar stores also helps to not give you a complete culture shock. You can choose what extent you want to immerse yourself in Balinese culture. You can visit cultural landmarks, ancient temples, royal palaces, art museums, studios, and galleries, and dine on traditional Indonesian cuisine. You can also explore the new by sampling fusion cuisine at some of Bali’s best restaurants, find your inner zen with yoga or ride down the Ayung River in a raft. The options are endless and you can tailor your vacation to suit your needs.
While in Ubud I stayed at The Mansion Resort Hotel and Spa. Trying to find accommodation I liked in Ubud wasn’t easy. My heart was set on The Four Seasons or The Viceroy, but my purse isn’t set up to stay at 5-star hotels just yet. The Mansion is a grand resort, set just a few minutes drive from Ubud centre, featuring 150 rooms, 6 swimming pools, gorgeous gardens and a great restaurant. It's very over the top and opulent with ornate decorations. The rooms, however, aren’t great. The bathrooms are in need of a revamp and the brown wooden accents in the rooms didn't do it for me. The size of my suite made up of this, as did the massive, comfortable bed I got to sleep in every night.
There is so much to do in Ubud. I feel like I visited many temples and attractions and got a good feel of Balinese culture, but there is still so much I want to do and wish I had the opportunity to do. Here are my highlights.
- Visit Puri Saren Royal Palace | Commonly known as Ubud Palace this is the palace of the Ubud Royal family. Conveniently located on the main road, Ubud Palace is a well-preserved piece of Balinese architecture having been built between 1800 and 1823. It has been well maintained by successive heirs and has become a focal landmark of Ubud.
- Walk Ubud Market and the surrounding streets | Although I didn’t buy anything from the market stalls, it was interesting to see all the crafts that were on offer. Antiques, woodcarvings, paintings, jewelry, clothes, sarongs, souvenirs… you name it, they’ve got it. Don’t be afraid to negotiate for a lower price. It is expected.
- Don't visit Goa Gajah Elephant Cave | This is very misleading if you think you're going to view a massive cave filled with elephants. Instead, you're going to descend flights of stairs to reach a courtyard where you can view a cave filled with ancient relics and a courtyard of wall carvings and fountains. Its an archaeological site built as a spiritual place for meditation. There isn't much to do or see there. I was in and out in less than 10 minutes, which I mainly spent walking all the stairs.
- View Mount Batur | Mt Batur is an active volcano which last erupted in the year 2000. If you're feeling adventurous you can book a sunrise trek up the volcano to view a spectacular sunrise. I decided on the safer option of driving up to Sari restaurant to enjoy the view. Note that many of the restaurants with views of Mt Batur aren't particularly great. What they lack in culinary expertise they make up with majestic views.
- Visit Taman Ayung Temple | Directly translates to "beautiful garden". This was one of my favourite temples to visit partly because it was the first place I had the opportunity to witness people worshipping, and also because it lives up to its name. It is a serene temple complex featuring grand, traditional architecture, garden landscapes and lotus and fish ponds.
- View the sunset from Tanah Lot | When entering Tanah Lot I was immediately put off by the sheer volume of people. It seemed like throngs of people had the same idea as I. If you take a short walk along the cliffside you will find a string of restaurants which offer exceptional views of Tanah Lot away from the crowds below.
- Walk through Tegallalang Rice Fields | Bali's traditional cooperative irrigation system called subak creates scenic and picturesque rice paddies which are amazing to see. Walking through the multiple levels feels like you're in a maze as you need to navigate through mini waterfalls, mud puddles and rows on rows of rice paddies. It is tons of fun but I would suggest you visit in the morning. It gets very hot, it's a popular tourist attraction and there aren't many places to hide from the scorching sun.
- Sip on Kopi Luwak | Or don't. Kopi luwak is a type of coffee made popular in Bali. Coffee beans which have been passed through the digestive system of an Asian Palm Civet are used to create this coffee. The civet's droppings are collected, cleaned and the remaining coffee beans are roasted to create the world's most expensive coffee. I visited a coffee plantation in the agricultural district of Bali where I could also sample a plethora of different teas and coffees, all made from ingredients grown on the plantation. Think coconut cream coffee, ginseng coffee, rosella tea and mangosteen tea.
- Go Museum hopping | Art lovers rejoice. Ubud is home to a number of art galleries and museums showcasing a variety of different styles of art. For someone looking to view more traditional pieces, you have access to the work of esteemed Indonesian artists of yesteryear. For those looking for more contemporary work, you are able to view work and purchase from Bali's up and coming artists. Visit Neka Art Museum, Blanco Renaissance Museum or Museum Puri Lukisan of Modern Balinese Art.
With so much to do, I was cognisant of the fact that I wouldn't be able to get around to doing everything. When I'm on vacation I like using every waking moment to explore because traveling doesn't come cheap. This time around I made sure to add ample time to relax and simply do nothing. I lazed by the pool, had long, drawn out meals, read, took walks and just took it easy. Nothing is worse that coming home after a vacation and feeling like you need a vacation to recover from it.
Photographs | ADW Photography
