Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
January 10-15, 2014
Ubud was made famous by the book Eat Pray Love and you can certainly feel the heavy tourist boom. The town itself is a collection of tourist shops and restaurants and it seems on every corner is someone asking if you'd like to rent a scooter or take a taxi and every other corner contains a spa or massage parlor offering inexpensive treatments. However, step outside the busy centre and you'll find the charm you came looking for. Here in the lush country side, you can loose yourself in the tranquility of the rice fields or find yourself in a yoga or meditation class! This part of Bali, is truly magical.
Our Accommodations - Santra Putra Guesthouse and Ubud Dream Homestay
We spent our first few days in Ubud at the Santra Putra Guesthouse, owned and operated by a local Balinese family who are also local artists. Its located among the rice fields and near many of the popular yoga studios and only a 10 minute walk into the centre of Ubud. Upon our transit return to Ubud, we also stayed at Ubud Dream Homestay which was located down a quiet lane in the centre of town and was a lovely place to stay with helpful owners.
A Walk in the Rice Fields of Ubud
We took a stroll one late afternoon down paths that meander its way through the rice fields to sip an organic smoothie at a place called Sari Organik. The views from the restaurant were amazing!
Cycling Bali: The best way to experience the real Bali
The tour company named Bali Eco Cycling was recommended to us and we're so happy we booked with them. Our experience was amazing!
Our tour started with a stop at the rice terraces followed by breakfast overlooking Batur lake and volcano. Then onward to a coffee plantation where we learned about the local fruit and other trees followed by a tasting of 10 varities of coffee and teas.
We then geared up and started our 25km cycle which pssed through countryside villages. We stopped along the way to tour a Balinese family compound and learned that family groups live together within a compound and every family has their own temple which is important since Balinese believe strongly in their religion. We also stopped to chat with the local farmers and learned about rice farming. We ended our tour with lunch. It was a fantastic day and we learned so much about Bali!
Our tour started with a stop at the rice terraces followed by breakfast overlooking Batur lake and volcano. Then onward to a coffee plantation where we learned about the local fruit and other trees followed by a tasting of 10 varities of coffee and teas.
We then geared up and started our 25km cycle which pssed through countryside villages. We stopped along the way to tour a Balinese family compound and learned that family groups live together within a compound and every family has their own temple which is important since Balinese believe strongly in their religion. We also stopped to chat with the local farmers and learned about rice farming. We ended our tour with lunch. It was a fantastic day and we learned so much about Bali!
Photo's of our Bicycle Tour
Turning 40: Celebrating at an ashram in Ubud
For my 40th birthday, I wanted to focus on some nourishment for body, mind and soul so we booked ourselves at Anand Ashram located just outside of Ubud. Included in the donation of your room, are daily meditation and yoga classes.
The ashram is a quiet and peaceful retreat and we enjoyed full days of early morning meditation and yoga followed by afternoon and evening meditation classes. We had a top floor room with great views overlooking the rice paddies and it felt like a special and memorable way to spend such a milestone birthday.
The ashram is a quiet and peaceful retreat and we enjoyed full days of early morning meditation and yoga followed by afternoon and evening meditation classes. We had a top floor room with great views overlooking the rice paddies and it felt like a special and memorable way to spend such a milestone birthday.