As I seem to be a glutton for punishment, I booked myself on a red-eye flight from Bangkok to Denpasar, ensuring that I would arrive in Bali sufficiently tired and worn-looking. I slept for most of the flight, waking only a handful of times -- once when the plane hit a pretty good patch of turbulence and I thought for sure I was going to die, and once when they passed out the in-flight meal. Yes, they still have those on some airlines. And the food was *gasp* decent!
I arrived in Bali a bit disoriented and in a zombie-like state of exhaustion, paid an exorbitant taxi fee at the curb and drove straight to Ubud, bypassing the Kuta and Legian beach party scene. A good 45 minute taxi ride from Denpasar, Ubud is the thriving cultural center of Balinese art and religion, with a temple or museum on nearly every corner, and more art galleries than you can shake a stick at. The drive to Ubud wound along narrow twisting streets through bottle-green rice paddies and lush jungle palms, a scenic drive which I almost missed out on as my eyes refused to stay open for long. I made my way to Sania's Guest House, a step up from the usual backpacker digs but still pleasantly affordable, and promptly fell into bed for such much-need shut eye.
My short stay in Ubud was packed with sightseeing and as many activities as I could possibly fit in. I spent the morning on my second day meandering through Pasar Seni, the two-story market which carries an overabundance of sarongs, Balinese art and kitschy souvenirs. My afternoon was spent wandering through the Monkey Forest, a sanctuary for the playful long-tailed macaques of Bali -- beware if you're carrying food, they'll climb right into your bag if they smell bananas -- and in the evening I joined some fellow travelers from my guest house for dinner and traditional Balinese Firedancing show. Day three took me to the Elephant Sanctuary, where I had the opportunity to help feed the 20-something rescued Sumatran elephants housed there, followed by an afternoon of museum and gallery-touring along Monkey Forest Road.
After an action-packed three days in Ubud, I was ready for stop number two on the Bali itinerary: the coastal town of Candidasa.
I arrived in Bali a bit disoriented and in a zombie-like state of exhaustion, paid an exorbitant taxi fee at the curb and drove straight to Ubud, bypassing the Kuta and Legian beach party scene. A good 45 minute taxi ride from Denpasar, Ubud is the thriving cultural center of Balinese art and religion, with a temple or museum on nearly every corner, and more art galleries than you can shake a stick at. The drive to Ubud wound along narrow twisting streets through bottle-green rice paddies and lush jungle palms, a scenic drive which I almost missed out on as my eyes refused to stay open for long. I made my way to Sania's Guest House, a step up from the usual backpacker digs but still pleasantly affordable, and promptly fell into bed for such much-need shut eye.
My short stay in Ubud was packed with sightseeing and as many activities as I could possibly fit in. I spent the morning on my second day meandering through Pasar Seni, the two-story market which carries an overabundance of sarongs, Balinese art and kitschy souvenirs. My afternoon was spent wandering through the Monkey Forest, a sanctuary for the playful long-tailed macaques of Bali -- beware if you're carrying food, they'll climb right into your bag if they smell bananas -- and in the evening I joined some fellow travelers from my guest house for dinner and traditional Balinese Firedancing show. Day three took me to the Elephant Sanctuary, where I had the opportunity to help feed the 20-something rescued Sumatran elephants housed there, followed by an afternoon of museum and gallery-touring along Monkey Forest Road.
After an action-packed three days in Ubud, I was ready for stop number two on the Bali itinerary: the coastal town of Candidasa.
2 comments:
Hi Val -
OK, I'm your dad and maybe biased, but these are just wonderful to read. VERY very funny and vivid and colorful. Thanks for taking the time to make posts - and I'm sure you are also busy (now) with new adventures in Australia. RAH!
Love - pops
Hi Val! Just wanted to give you a reminder of what you're missing here while you're on yet another awful plane ride! I was putting up signs with Nick for Grad Show Preview and Show. Now we're gearing down for holiday and we are all still employed in the M&C department. We miss you! Love, Gwen
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