The cultural heart and soul of Bali, that’s Ubud. The village that now grows into a town with masses of small shops, most artworks, paintings, woodwork and other arts and crafts. This is why if you want to enjoy Ubud best only on foot. Located 600m from the sea level, Ubud enjoys cool temperature, unpolluted air, so much better than any other town in Bali, your day trip will much fun.

Ubud is also offers the best-valued dining opportunities, try some of these restaurants: Bebek Bengil, Cafe Des Artistest, Naughty Nuri’s Warung, Ary’s Warung, and one real authentic Balinese food: Warung (food stall) Bu Oka, here you can find Suckling Pig(Babi Guling), and Lawar Bali. Some famous resort also located in Ubud. For example, Four Season Resort Sayan, Begawan Giri, and ALila Ubud.

The Ubud Palace or Puri Saren Agung is the place where you evening dance of Balinese Dance performace held, its compound is now open for the public, visitors are welcome to see the orate thatched bale furnished with Dutch-Era Armchair and some of photograph during the ducth colonial. This building is located in the center of Ubud, accross Ubud art Market, it was the home of the last king of Ubud.

If you familiar with Walter Spies, a German Artist. He was also enjoying live in Bali in late 1920s. Spies is remembered as the choreographer of the spectacular ‘monkey’ dance called “Kecak Dance”.

Visitors, if you have a short time to visit Bali but wish to get a complete picture about the island, please consider to read the following trip plan.

Kuta
The place for shopping, the night life, entertainment, surf, good restaurants, sunset, a totaly mix and quite different from any tourist destination in the world. You may end up to love this place or hate it.

Balinese Dance
This is represent of all unique culture in Bali, see at least one. Go to Ubud to see daily dance performance or Batubulan to watch mistical Barong dance.

Search for Ngaben ceremony
Ngaben is a cremation ceremony, very unique, and if you lucky enought to see it, don’t miss it. Please read my article about Ngaben and Palebon.

Sunset at Tanah Lot
A spectacular sunset can only be found in Tabanan Regency at Tanah Lot Temple, a seaside temple. This place is most wanted by most of photographers around the world, and also sketch for many painting/drawing about Bali.

Sea sport
Adventurers may try Bali’s scenery from sea level. Bali has many place for snorkeling such as in Amed, Tulamben, or Lembongan island and Menjangan island.

Balinese
But don’t forget to chit chat and relax with the local, ask about many thing, their unique naming, anything!

Have a nice holiday!

If you visit Bali and interested in its unique architect and real Balinese compound, you can visit Penglipuran village in Bangli Regency, East Bali. This village has remain unchanged its appearance for many generation, although they still open for modern technology such as electricity. This is a good living sample of how Balinese village looks like centuries ago.

Even thought they live in a simple life, people are so friendly, smiley and real proud of their village by keeping it well maintained. Streets village, the gate house (angkul-angkul) are clean and greens. Roads are not busy with motorbikes, here you can always have fresh air to breath. Their compounds are based on strict of religious rule, for example, family shrines are always in the north-east, kitchen on the south side, etc (please see articles about Balinese family compound).