Bali -Ubud

Schedule

Day1

-Coco mart and purchase a coconut oil
-Monkey Forest
-Creambath at Cantik Spa
-Rental bicycle Shop (Name unknown)
-Tukies
-Telalagan Rice Terrace
-Real Rice Terrace currently operated by locals
-Ubud Palace
-Nasi Campur at Warung Mangga Madu

Day2

-Campus an Ridge Walk
-Tjampuhans Sacred Hills
-Karsa Spa

-Yoga

Day1

Once arrived in Ubud, I first went to Coco supermarket. This is a good place to purchase souvenir but not as cheap as Bintang Supermarket. But they sell more massage products, and I did purchase a white rose water and Jasmine room oil.

Here is the list of products i was recommended to purchase by Japanese;

1) Rose Water from
2) coconut oil
3) body scrub from Bali Alum
4) hair oil from Ellis
5) instant noodles (soooo cheap yet delicious! IDR 2,000 ($0.2) )

After that, I walked to Cantika Spa for the cream bath. The lady treats your head very firmly, and it really refreshes your head. If you have a long hair, worth trying out. Cheaper place compared to some other spa, as one hour massage is IDR 80,000 ($8). For a moment, I thought of taking a Yoga class instead, but I also wanted to try cream bath, and I believe it was def worth trying.

Taking a break, ate Nasi Campur at some random Warung. I love Nasi Campur as it has a lot of different types of dishes in one plate. You can try a little bit of everything. But if you have time to relax, please go for cafes. Sayuri Healing food seemed quite popular, not only for vegans but for some locals. It's a place providing vegan food.

For a treat, I had an coconut ice cream at ?... Cheaper than the other sorbet stores (IDR 25,000). I actually ended up having twice, once now and second time after I came back from Karsa Spa.

To go to Telalagan Rice Terrace and also see real life of people on Ubud, borrowed a bicycle. Recommend a scooter, if you have a lisence for two reasons. (1) Ubud has bunch of small hills. You have to go up and down for hours without a break. (2) you cannot find the rental shop for a bicycle easily. I had to spend 30-1 hr finding one. It's an hour going up and 30 min coming coming back from Ubud. Though on the way, mostly upper slopes it is def worth it. Not only I had a chance to visit Rice Terrace, the road was also scenery untouched roads and nature will let you enjoy. You will also see the real rice terrace which is well taken cared by farmers in Ubud, and the best part is when little kids naturally smile at you happily and say Hi! No fake or artificial, and not asking for money. Well I was surprised to be told "be careful" right after we smile at each other. She meant that riding a bicycle isn't safe while everyone else either on the car or on the scooter.

Day2

Good morning the second day, had a great breakfast (Nasi Goreng) at my hotel. After that, I visited the morning market to see the busy local ladies bargaining. Fun to watch, many purchasing a big portion at once. I wanted to try, but couldn't as I had no intention to buy a lot for bargaining. Apparently, after 11am, the market turns into all shops selling souvenir goods.

Nice hiking course, literary for walking only. Don't you dare to climb up using a bicycle like me, several big steps and the path is made by blocks, impossible to get on the bicycle.

But the path was still as fantastic as I expected from pictures.

Taking about 30 min, I reached Karsa Kafe and Spa. This area is surrounded by rice terrace, and locals do provide souvenirs and cafes. So if you want to stay here for a day, you definitely can. In fact I saw some people reading books at the cafe.

Here I come for Karsa Spa, as people have recommended, I am sure they provide one of the best massages at this price. (Sorry but I still like blind massage the best, as it cures my tense shoulder)

In a private room with nice aroma, the treatment began. I requested deep tissue massage for 90 minutes. It was very relaxing. She literary did 90 min counting from when the treatment began.

After the treatment, you can take shower also in the private room. Considering that, I am sure IDR 28,0000 is definitely worth every penny.

On the way back, instead of taking the path I took on the way, I took the driving path. Less beautiful but much better, there are sharp hills, but mostly going down. Although I don't recommend anyone coming here by bicycle, if you are, take this path. (You can walk to the trial while parking the bike at Karsa Spa.

In conclusion, during June, the weather is dry and even cool under the shade. Bali, especially Ubud, is a must go to place for everyone.

Transportation

I didn't use taxi while traveling Bali. I used Kura Kura bus only.

and mostly walked.

From Kuta to Ubud, it is only IDR 80,000 (round trip for 120,000). And they are more precise in time than I expected.

Souvenir

Local shops: You can try bargaining if you are buying a lot. But if not, local shops aren't for you. You may enjoy bargaining, but I personally don't enjoy them getting annoyed when I try to negotiate. But at the same time I knew they are selling higher than usual. But bargaining makes you feel guilty too though since they are selling goods for living.

So if you buy souvenirs even for yourself, I suggest you go to Supermarket

1) hyper market: the cheapest. yet provides all famous brands even water at IDR 2,000

2) Bintang Supermarket in Seminyack: good location

3) Coco Market in Ubud: felt safe buying fruits

If you are going for brand goods, then just go :)

Yoga

This time, I didnt have time so did not go. But Yoga is very famous in Ubud. More than 10 facilities in 2KM circle. So if you have time to spare for 1 hour, recommend attending one class. In fact, many of white people whom i talked in Ubud did go to Yoga (for some, this was the purpose they came to Ubud).