December hit the calendar and everything went crazy. Packing my bags and leaving them with a friend for three weeks, packing a little back pack for three weeks of vacation in Bali and Melbourne, last days of work and leaving Sydney. Uff! So much happening but enjoying every moment.
Many readers have been expecting this post, so here it goes!
U B U D
From Denpasar airport expect an hour drive to Ubud center.
Ubud is a place where people smiles all day, everyone will offer their services (taxi is the most common), you will see temples every two meters, offerings in the street and sidewalks, many scooters and people smoking flavored cigarettes.
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| Monkey Forest |
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| Monkey Forest |
The gastronomic offer is so wide that you can eat whatever you want and pay whatever you can. Just use TripAdvisor and play with the filters. For a small budget I recommend Down to Earth Cafe (healthy, veggie and vegan) and Mamma Mia Pizza & Pasta
DAY 1: C O O K I N G C L A S S
One of the best rated cooking schools in Ubud was Casa Luna so without thinking twice, I booked a Beginners Class. The class is held at the Honeymoon Guesthouse in the marvelous open dining room and kitchen surrounded by nature and religious statues.
Our group was conformed by two dutch twins, one couple from NZ and another one from Sweden. We were really lucky for being a small group.
Our teacher was very experienced and he thought us some basics from balinese cuisine and one of my favorite dishes: Nasi Goreng and Chicken and Tofu Satay.
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| Base Wagen |
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| Working those arms making peanut sauce |
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| Mise en palce |
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| Great woks!! Look at the handle |
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| Casa Luna Honeymoon Pool |
DAY 2: M A S S A G E S & F A C I A L S
MUST DO!! Spa centers can be found in every corner. A friend recommended me Bali Botanica Spa and following her advice, was the best idea.
After booking, a driver picked us up, because walking there in the heat and the ambient humidity wasn't a good idea.
The girl in the reception was really nice and she made us choose the scented oil that we wanted the massagist to use on us.
In the room we changed to disposable underwear and laid down for an hour of balinese massage listening to birds singing and the river running by the window. Truly relaxing.
The second time, we went for facials and face massages with herbal oils and clay for my sensitive skin.
The place was impecable and the service exceptional. You should definitely try one of their programs.
(Sorry I didn't take pictures here...)
DAY 3: T E M P L E S A N D R I C E F I E L D T O U R
This day was the most cultural of all. We visited different temples, the amazing rice field Jatiluwih and Tanah Lot, a temple built in a rock surrounded by the sea.
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| Royal Temple Mengwi in Bedugul |
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| Royal Temple Mengwi in Bedugul |
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| Royal Temple Mengwi in Bedugul |
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| Pura Ulun Danu Bratan |
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| Rice field Jatiluwih |
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| Rice field Jatiluwih |
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| Rice cakes |
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| Pura Tanah Lot |
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| Pura Tanah Lot |
I've tried both ways, studying in advance and studying while traveling and my conclusion is: study whenever you want, but do it. Maybe you won't remember that much a while after, but you will sure enjoy your stay better.
XX
Carolina.
