Ubud Day 1

Riding Round the Rice Fields

It was a good 1.5 hour drive to Ubud, Bali's cultural centre, from Bingin. For a little island, I was beginning to see it was one of diversity, far removed from the surfy, beach scene of Bingin. Busy little streets clearly catering to the abundance of tourists with spas, jewellery shops, coffee shops and it's fair share of tacky souvenir stores. I liked the vibe, despite the influx of travellers, many of whom were obviously Julia Roberts wannabes starring in their own Eat Prey Love (much of the book/movie is set here) it remained authentic with lots of charm.

moody sky

We knew where we were headed! I'd done my research and heard of an organic cafe/farm set in the rice fields, the food sounded amazing and we were hungry! Our hotel organised a couple of bicycles, partly because yes, I wanted to be Julia for a day too and also the cafe is only accessible by bike or a long walk on foot. Bikes cost us just $4 for the day each.

After a battle with the Balinese drivers-lunatics! We took a swift right turn up a very steep hill and in no time we were jollying along past rice fields, yoga studios, rustic spas and home stays. 

organik lunch

The cafe was bustling, with wooden beams and benches opening out on to their farm and chicken coop, with yet more rice fields in the distance. 

Their battered little plastic covered menus were extensive with no end of specials to tempt us

We went a little mad, ordering dishes to share. 

fruity and refreshing tea

We started with a Bodag Salad, a mountain of leaves, beets, feta, peppers and cashew nuts, with a healthy serving of tahini dressing on the side, so fresh! 

Next came the fish kebab, coated in a nicely spicy sauce and served like most dishes in Bali, with sticky coconut rice and those tasty little fried onion and shallot crispy bits on top.

The traditional Balinese chicken Sate was my favourite! Skewers of minced chicken blended with coconut and aromatic Balinese spices, served once again with more rice and vegetables! Everything tasted so fresh and flavoursome and went down even better knowing it all came from their own farms and local suppliers. http://www.sari-organik.com/

fresh salad

balinese chicken sate

Full and happy we passed out on the comfy cushioned window seat with a brew, before hopping on our bikes. 

moody sky

Weird Monkey Dance Eyes

The afternoon/evening was mainly spent shitting ourselves encountering the monkeys at Ubud's monkey Forrest-pretty fucking scary little bastards, who also have no shame in shagging at the entrance gate. 

terrifying

More fear at the traditional Hindu dance later that evening. An extremely expressive form of dance, the eyes on those dancers troubled me, and as for the bloke in the mask, seriously, shit scary! I have to say it was pretty impressive how those girls move the eyes and the fingers like that, I later read the girls are taught the moves as soon as they are born and are played the traditional Balinese music in the womb. 

eyes

Hungry again, our lovely hotel driver (all free) picked us up and dropped us at Naughty Nuris for ribs and beer! Quirky little honeypot just off the main drag, ribs were cooked on the BBQ on the street and tasted divine! I particularly liked their "Eat Pay Leave" sign by the door. Margaritas are a signature here too but I was by now hooked on Bintang. 

beer and meat

It was home to bed and complimentary kaftans.

kaftan weirdos

We stayed at the Komaneka at Rasa Sayang, great location just off Monkey Forrest Road, lovely room, with huge bathtub and those complimentary kaftans. A filling breakfast and afternoon tea not to mention being chauffeured about Ubud cost approx $450 for 2 nights for 2. 

Staff were amazing here, yet more excellent service, they organised everything from, cookery class, bike hire and boat booking! http://www.komaneka.com/komaneka-at-rasa-sayang.php