Ubud


From Cairns I took a plane to Bali since it was the only direct flight to Indonesia. I quickly went away from the airport and the party places around Kuta and headed to Ubud. This town is still touristic (can't walk on the street without people yelling at you "Taxi !?") but it's more a cultural and artistic center. Inside the city you will find many Hindu temples and traditional houses. Outside of town you can stroll along rice fields and old villages. But one thing you must not miss is the traditional Balinese dance. The mix between enchanting Gamelan music and mythological story told through dance is truly exceptional. You can find many places in town performing each night. I went to the Ubud Palace and payed 100'000 Indonesian rupiah.

Ubud has many sleeping offers, so you won't struggle to find a bed. The aggressive competition is also lowering the prices, making Ubud the cheapest place I stayed in Indonesia. I stayed at the Happy Mango Tree Hostel for 40'000 rupiah a night during the low season (less than 3 USD).

Barong during a Balinese dance.

A few minutes of walk will easily get you out of the city and its crazy roads.

Rice field.

Egyptian lotus

Lotus at the Pura Taman Saraswati Hindu temple.


Lotus.

Man fishing in a polluted river. Like many places in Indonesia, Bali's streets, rivers and forests are littered by rubbish. Some locals are trying to protect the beauty of Bali, but it takes time to change the mentality. You can help by refusing plastic bags, drinking straws, plastic bottles and any other kind of single use plastics.

Macaque from the Monkey forest.

Daily offering that the Balinese put in front of their house.

Chicken eating offerings.



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