Ubud, Bali - A Magical Destination

Ubud, BALI - A Magical Destination

I recently visited Bali for two weeks, volunteering at the Sea Turtle sanctuary on Nusa Penida, and had the opportunity to visit Ubud on one of my weekends off.  Today I am going to share my favourite spots in and around Ubud.  It was definitely a highlight in my life and I am already planning to return next year for a longer vacation.  Ubud in a weekend was definitely a rush, but I managed to see all the destinations I planned on my itinerary, each one very special.

Early Saturday morning I took the fast boat from Nusa Penida to Sanur so that I would have a full day to explore Ubud on foot.  From the Sanur port I was fortunate enough to get the best taxi driver one could hope for, Made.  He dropped me off at my first stop in Ubud, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

Entry to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary was just IDR100,000 (NZ$10).  Beautiful surroundings and many monkeys - I made sure to read the guidelines for safety around the monkeys, fortunately they did not try to steal my bag!  Lots of steep stairs to some viewing platforms, so mind your step. There are three beautiful temples inside the Monkey Forest, but these are not open to the public.  My highlight was having a selfie with a monkey on my knee, exciting and scary at the same time it cost an extra IDR50,000 (which you pay at a little kiosk along the walkway) and worth every penny!

The Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) is a 15-minute walk from the Monkey Forest, right in the middle of town.  Entry is by Donation. Lots of beautiful architecture with intricate stone carvings and courtyards to be seen.  There is also a dance show each evening 7.30-9.30pm, tickets costing IDR100,000.  I did not manage to fit the dance show in, but something to look forward to next year when I return.

Very nearby is the Saraswati Temple (Ubud Water Palace). Free Entry, and you are provided with a sarong and headpiece to wear inside.  For IDR85,000 you can get a photo taken inside, and pick up at the kiosk before leaving.  Beautiful water gardens, with lilies and fountains, and very serene.  

Being a cat lover, my next stop was Villa Kitty Foundation.  I follow them on Facebook as they are doing amazing work to rescue and home hundreds of cats and kittens that are abandoned in Bali.  I had brought toys and formula from home to gift.  It was delightful to see just some of the cats at Villa Kitty, and I was able to stay and play with them.  As I foster rescue kittens back home it is something very dear to my heart.  Please do check out Villa Kitty on Facebook and donate if you can.

As it was a little way out of town I hired a scooter (motorbike) to take me there, and the driver kindly waited while I visited the cats.  It cost me IDR100,000 which I thought was very reasonable.  He even took photos of me with the cats, at no extra charge.  On that subject to get around Grab (scooter or car) and Gojek (scooter) seem to be the most economical forms of transport, scooters being handy as traffic is so busy.  You can also hire a scooter yourself to ride; remember to apply for your overseas driver's licence well before you go.  Part of my volunteering I was not allowed to rent a scooter myself but could travel via Gojek or Grab.  Downloading both Apps before you go is handy.  Taxis are aplenty also, a bit darer but you can hail one easily wherever you go, especially at the airport.  If there are a few of you, a better option may be to hire a driver for the day, usually charged at a set day rate, which is quite reasonable.  They can be found on Tripadvisor or Google search.  Most operators communicate with you via WhatsApp so it is a good idea to download that app also before you go.

I saved my visit to the Ubud Art Market until the evening, as they are open until about 8pm.  I had dinner and a cocktail at a nice restaurant across the road and then hit the Art Market refreshed.  So many stalls with wonderful souvenirs, and a lot of T-shirts.  Items are not priced, you are expected to haggle with the stall owner, they tell you a price, you go low, then meet somewhere in the middle.  I personally found it difficult to haggle as I felt bad, but it was fun I must admit.  I managed to secure gifts and souvenirs for the family, and I can quite honestly say I spent millions on my Ubud weekend.  It was also funny going to the ATM and withdrawing 3 million (IDR) - I did feel quite Rich!  IDR100,000=NZ$10 at time of travel).

Sunday morning my driver picked me up from the hotel.  I hired him for a full day IDR540,000 (and a tip as he was so great).  First stop was Tegalalang Rice Terraces, a 20-minute drive from Ubud.  Entry Fee IDR10,000.  The terraces were so picturesque.  Walking around you need to be careful as the steps are very steep with not much railing for support, but well worth it for the amazing views.  My highlight of course was the Bali Swing.  Cost IDR100,000 (+100-150,000 to hire flowing dress for the swing if you wish).  It was a very scary experience, but exhilarating, you are strapped onto the swing and get pushed out over the edge, far above the rice fields.  The attendants use your phone to shoot videos, Slow-Mo's and photos for your memories, which is a perfect touch.  I must admit there is a lot of screaming in my videos.  After the paid swing, you can walk around to several other swings on different levels, still high up.  These swings are free, and there is an attendant at each swing to take photos with your phone.

Next stop, Tirta Empul Temple, the place I was most looking forward to visit and it did not disappoint.  Entry fee is only IDR 50,000 (NZ$5) which includes a sarong to wear inside the temple grounds.  Tirta Empul Temple is considered to be one of the five most holy temples in Bali, the water is believed to have magical powers, and many Balinese and Hindu worshippers come to dip their heads under the waterspouts in a 'Melukat' purification ritual to cleanse the body and soul.  If you plan to bathe in the holy springs you need to hire a green sarong unless you bring your own (IDR25,000 including a locker for belongings).  I made an offering (hand made by locals) to Indra then made my way to the bathing pools.  You start at the left of the spring, say a prayer before dipping your head under the waterspout, then join the queue for the next and next, until you have bathed under each of the 30 fountains over the two pools (except two fountains which are meant only for cleansing the dead and so are not to be used for Melukat).  It was a profound experience, and I felt very blessed to have had the opportunity.  There are photographers there that take many photos and videos for you then upload them to your WhatsApp at the end for about IDR300,000 (NZ$30); this worked for me as I was travelling alone.  Upon leaving the site there are also many rows of local markets on your way back to the car park.  

The next stop was not far, Pura Gunang Kawi Temple, considered to be of profound sacredness.  Entry fee was IDR50,000 (NZ$5).  There are 10 shrines carved in the steep rockface, which meant 300 steps down to these amazing temples, realising of course I had to walk back up 300 steps.   But it was a sight to see, amazing beauty.  Again, many locals with market stalls dotted along the path, luckily some of them selling drinks and ice creams to refresh.

For late lunch my driver surprised me with a visit to Dewa Malen restaurant.  I was greeted at the car and walked into the restaurant, and a flower placed in my hair.  There are beautiful gardens, and even a swing outside for photo opportunities.  This restaurant had an inside/outside flow, very pleasant and the waiters and waitresses were fabulous.  I had a chicken schnitzel meal, with mushroom sauce and vegetables, it was divine, topped off with Iced mocha.  

My day was complete, my heart was full, and it was time to head back to Sanur Port to catch my Angel Billabong Fast boat ferry back to Nusa Penida for my second week of volunteering.  

A shout out to my driver Made for such an amazing day, and all the photos he took for me.

While I did not cover accommodation in this blog, there are many wonderful hotels, guest houses, and beautiful resorts to stay in Ubud, Bali for all budgets.  You can easily book these via Expedia to get a great deal.   Please also refer to my other article on luxury accommodation in Bali here.