It
is said that, in Bali, every farmer is an artist
and every artist is a farmer. Nowhere is this
more evident than in Ubud - the artistic and
cultural capital of Bali. Here visitors can
capture the real essence of Bali in the galleries
and workshops which dot the area. In Ubud you'll
find world class wood and stone carvings, paintings
and silverwork. In Ubud, you can live as the
Balinese do; high among tropical gardens and
terraced paddy fields in traditional-style bungalows.
Ubud is both a rare and precious experience
for those seeking something beyond the sun,
sand and surf.
A
variety of restaurants are available, including
the exceptional Gaja Biru Indian Restaurant.
In Ubud there is an artistic spirituality that
is now all too uncommon in the modern world.
There
is an endless choice of accommodations in Ubud,
most of it very good value. You can start with
simple, US$5-a-night bungalows at the back of
family compounds, and climb up the price range
to hedonistic hotels and spas at US$100-a-night
- or much more.
Many
families offer a few rooms in their compounds
in Central and Northern Ubud, along the streets
branching out south of the main road (Jl. Gotama,
Hanoman, and Jembawa), or north of the main
road (on Jl. Kajeng, Sriwedari, and surrounds).
Here, budget travelers may find a vivid community
life hidden behind a maze of shops and restaurants
where health food competes with Balinese warungs
and trendy cafes.
There
is as high density of guest houses and resorts
in Southern Ubud, especially along Monkey Forest
Road. This once-quiet lane leading through rice
paddies to a tiny sacred forest has turned into
a tourist bazaar, where "zen" shops
can be found side-by-side with more terrestrial
outlets. Travelers looking for peace and good
views will have to push to the southeast end
of Monkey Forest Road, or to the end of Hanoman
Street in Pengosekan, a 20-minutes walk from
central Ubud. Also in Southern Ubud, but with
no direct road access to the centre of town,
the lovely hamlet of Nyuhkuning is a perfect
haven of peace.
At
the western end of Ubud, along the quiet Bisma
Lane on the way to Campuhan, it is still possible
to flavour the original atmosphere of Ubud,
amidst dense groves, vibrant streams, and dream-like
rice fields. Travelers who want to escape the
crowds will push even futher to the hills around
Ubud.
While
Ubud is the perfect place to relax and watch
the rice grow, active types will find many opportunities
for fun discoveries. Nature lovers may spend
hours trekking, biking, or bird-watching. Art
fans will get a unique chance to enjoy and even
learn the many arts of Ubud before filling their
bags in craft shops and galleries.
