10 THINGS TO DO IN UBUD (WHEN YOU'RE NOT DOING YOGA)

During your yoga retreat in Bali, take some time to visit the local attractions – some of the best are:

1    UBUD ROYAL PALACE (Puri Saren) is one of the most prominent places in Ubud, as it is smack-dab on the main Jalan Raya Ubud road and intersection. The Ubud palace was built during the lordship of the late Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel (1800-1823), and is well-kept by his successive heirs. It has well-preserved Balinese architecture and charming garden settings, and is best known among lovers of Balinese arts as one of the main sites to view dramatic evening dance performances.

2.      UBUD’s WATER PALACE  Is one of the most beautiful temples in Bali you can reach it by following the  stone walkway ‘floating’ through a large deep-green pond full of water lilies. Small stone statues line the walkway. It’s  designed in typical Balinese temple style with red brick, white stone, and elaborately carved wood. Two stone temple guardians shaded by Balinese umbrellas ward off bad spirits. The entry is embellished with elaborately carved and gilded wood doors.  The Water Palace is located smack in the middle of Ubud on Jalan Raya Ubud. Find it behind well-established Lotus Pond Restaurant.

1.       THE SACRED MONKEY FOREST - The Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, Bali. It houses approximately 340 monkeys which are known as long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis). The forest is approximately 27 acres and contains at least 115 different species of trees. The Monkey Forest contains the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple as well as a "Holy Spring" bathing temple and another temple used for cremation ceremonies.  In the Monkey Forest Sanctuary stay on the path. Entering the forest area may provoke the monkeys into thinking you're trying to invade their home.  Treat the monkeys with respect. Don't feed them unless you're accompanied with a guide to supervise you. The monkeys have a curious nature so keep your possessions close to you and don’t bring any food into the forest with you – the monkeys have been known to ‘borrow’ whatever isn’t attended and even ‘snatch’ items out of your hands.

3.       ART GALLERIES – Ubud is know as the cultural capital of Bali and, you could easily spend a week or two meandering through the dozens of small art galleries lining every street and alley in Ubud. ARMA at Jalan Raya Pengosekan and Neka Gallery on Jalan Raya Sanggingan Campuhan are the main galleries to visit if you want to see Bali’s best, most valuable paintings. If you’d like to see paintings by a prominent western artist in Bali, head to Art Zoo. This colourful gallery is located slightly uphill from Tchampuan Hotel on Jalan Raya Tjampuhan . Inside, you’ll find the colorful work of long-term western resident painter, Symon. He’s been living in Ubud and painting Balinese themes since the 1970s. He’s an important part of Balinese art history.

4.       BALINESE GARDENS -  Tjampuhan Hotel is situated on the near-vertical slope of Wos River gorge. Somehow they’ve managed to sculpt a hotel, terraced landscaped gardens, swimming pools, a spa, and various pavilions into the side of the ravine.  It’s worth visiting to view the beautiful garden walkways filled with serenity, calm, gorgeous Balinese architecture, and nature.

5.       GAMELAN MUSIC & DANCE  - Ubud is famous for its sophisticated dance and gamelan troupes, considered the very best on the island. Several long-standing schools regularly compete for first place, which keeps standards very high, you can sometimes glimpse these troupes of dances practicing as you wander around Ubud and every night it is possible to buy tickets for a performance held in different parts of Ubud.

6.      Check out SIGNATURE STREET – Jalan Kajeng - Ubud. It’s made of cement tiles inscribed with names, signatures, and art work. They are ‘contracted tiles’ of people and businesses who’ve donated to the road’s maintenance. I liken it to Ubud’s version of Hollywood’s Stars Avenue.

7.      Also, on the same road THREADS OF LIFE is a not for profit organisation to support traditional weavers, their gallery and store is located on Jalan Kajeng, which runs north off Ubuds main road in the centre of town.  It’s a great place to learn about and view traditional Balinese textiles.

8.       TAKE A HIKE – One scenic walk starts at Ubud’s large bridge spanning the deep Wos River gorge, on the east river bank.  The trail soon climbs up onto grassy ‘Bukit Campuan’ (Champuan Hill) and offers stunning views of the ridge lines running parallel to the hill. You’ll also see tropical forests, charming houses and villas perched on the steep embankments of the gorges. The trail undulates along the open ridge line for about 2 km before leading to a wide, broken up road.

9.       FOR A VIEW OF RICE PADDIES - Walk up any road leading north from Ubud’s main street, Jl Raya Ubud, to wander into Bali’s lovely countryside. You’ll first pass Balinese homes, small villas and guest houses, then eventually reach vast stretches of lush terraced rice fields. Within 20-30 minutes you’ll be surrounded by gently swaying rice.

10.   VISIT A SPA – Bali is famous for it’s lovely spa massages and reflexology and you will find great massage for amazing prices everywhere you wander.  For some recommeations try these; Nurs Salon on Jalan Hanoman, through the imposing walls you will find Balinese gardens and pavilions and healing massage treatments.  Or if you want to really spoil yourself head over to Bodyworks also on Jalan Hanoman.   Starchild and 3 points on Monkey Forest Road are famous for deep strong Balinese Massage. For reflexology try out Sandat on Jalan Sugriwa but be prepared to scream as Nyoman Sudara an intuitive channeler focuses on clearing energy blocks.

Enza DeLuca

www.blissfulmind.com.au

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