Bali, Travel

The Bali Files: Three days in Ubud

What a superb little place this is. It was much more beautiful in person than I thought in the photos. Here is my go to guide for three days in Ubud.

Stay

There is every type of accommodation that you could hope for in Ubud. I had no idea where things were, but soon found that everything in Ubud is very close and easily accessible by taxi or scooter around a 15 minute perimeter. You can find a hostel, or a five-star resort. We booked a room in a villa on Airbandb called Sarin Ubud Villa. The room we had was large, open, high ceilings, glorious bed, and a stunning view of the rice fields. I would like to write a book here one day! The only downside was the open air bathroom. Slightly too open for my liking. But I embraced my nakedness and just got on with it. Super cute pool and bar as well. Close to the Monkey Forest.

Sarin Ubud Villa

Sarin Ubud Villa

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Garden at Sarin Ubud Villa

Eat

What I would do if I had another week here would be to eat everything in the land. So much choice. So much food. Healthy too (for the most part.) For a special dinner, we headed to Three Monkeys, where you can sit among the rice fields. Just up the road is Art Bar, which serves the best Strawberry Mojito I have had. For coffee, eggs or a refreshing green smoothie, Grandpa’s on the main road is a chilled out cafe with free wifi. For the best burger of your life head to Element Cafe. (Yes I am talking about this in the picture below.) Still dreaming about it actually…. you could actually spend two weeks in Ubud and not make it to even half of the places to eat. So many cute juice bars and coffee shops too.

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Element Burger

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Grandpa’s shake

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Three Monkeys

Play 

Cooking courses, hikes, yoga, mountain biking, retreats.  If you can dream it up then it is on offer in Ubud. I took sunrise hike up Mt Batur Volcano. The bus picked us up at 2am (which was a bit nasty), then we started our hike in the dark up the mountain. It was HARD. (Keep in mind that I am at the end of a half marathon program and was feeling kind of fit.) I was sweaty and horrible when I got to the summit which was a 700m climb but it was well worth the journey. On return we hiked around the whole crater edge, which was still steaming in parts, and said hello to some monkeys before the descent. BRING FOOD because they forgot mine! I felt very skinny by the time I reached the bottom. (I am not sure what my money actually paid for, but it was well worth it to see that sunrise.)

Happy to reach the summit

Happy to reach the summit

Any trip to Ubud is not complete without a morning at the Monkey Forest. These babies were so cute, and a little bit naughty. I was originally a bit skeptical of the whole thing, but it was a very beautiful little forest with lots of ravines, trees and greenery. A good place for monkeys to live (in my humble opinion.) The Ginger Hunk seemed to have a way with the monkeys, or he made a good ledge.

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Mumma monkey keeping an eye out

Relax 

So much yoga. So little time. I took a wonderful afternoon class at Radiantly Alive Yoga. It was restorative yoga, where we held a pose for 7 minutes each, with the idea that you flop (not to stretch like yin.) Despite the fact that the class was a little on the crowded side, (and the sound vinyasa was thumping around on the floorboards above), it was the perfect way to get rid of my jetlag. Finish your Ubud time with a wonderful massage at Tamarind Spa, which is set in a beautiful ancient garden. They wash your feet and give you a ginger tea before setting you on your way.

Tamarind pre massage

Tamarind pre massage

There is also a plethora of shops to meander your days away at – but I found this all a little overwhelming!

Perhaps four days next time, to fit in the bike ride and a spot of shopping…

Happy Ubuding!

Ashleigh XXX

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