Well, there is only one word to describe the incredible trip that I have just enjoyed, and that is Heaven. I travelled with 2 long time friends and stayed at the Tegal Sari in Ubud. The hotel is perfect, our haven for 6 nights.
We managed to fit so much into our trip, it is hard to believe that 3 mums in thier 40's could completely bliss out the way we did so quickly.
First stop was the Pertenin Day Spa - wonderful.
First day we walked to the organic market (saturdays from 9am in front of Pizza Bagus). We all enjoyed checking out the organic beauty products, fruit and veggies etc.
After we walked on to the bridge crossing the Wos river and up through some lanes (beautiful walk) to the Laka Leke for lunch. The restaurant has beautiful gardens, toilets (always important for the ladies) and tables over looking the rice paddies. We booked dinner and dance (the Frog Dance) for that evening and it was a lovely way to end our 1st full day in Bali.
Sunday we had one of those days that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. We did what the hotel offer as a "Morning Journey" although with all our questions, discussions and stops to take in the views, it was into the afternoon before we returned to the hotel. Wayan our guide was fantastic, the walk starts in a family compound in Keliki village and visits an artist home, rice fields, fruit plantations. The hotel takes a sappling tree for each person to plant to promote the 'greening Bali' policy. The walk was a challenge at times, there was only the 3 of us, so we could take our time, if you stay at the Tegal Sari, do this walk, it is one of the best thing I have ever done in Bali or for that matter on any of my travels.
Another great day was spent with the wonderful couple who run C-Bali. We started our day canoeing on lake Batur, on our day out it was quite a challenge, we had a ball. After we cycled around the village of Kedisan. We learnt so much of day to day life of the people of the village, visited the school and had a insight into a side of Bali that is not always seen, even after quite a few trips I am amazed at the complexities and richness of the spiritual life the Balinese lead. Another experience that if you get a chance, don't miss it.
We are still having withdrawals from the fantastic, wonderfully fresh food we ate the whole time we were away. Restaurants of note were - Laka Leke - even if its just for the setting. Warung Enak - we had the Rijsttafel, fantastic way to sample so many great dishes. Nuriani in front of the Teagal Sari - very cheap, great food. Abian Restaurant at the Tegal Sari - Great food, great price. The fresh juices from the hotel are one of the highlights of the trip, sooo good.
We did a afternoon drive to the rice terraces at Tegallalang, the holy springs at Tirta Empul - we watched a family purify themselves in the springs and then listened to the father chanting in the temple. We felt like we were intruding, but it is so interesting it is hard not to just sit and watch. The driver from the Tegal Sari was once again a wealth of knowledge and was able to explain the signifigance of what was happening.
Next on to a place that I have wanted to visit for years, Gunung Kawi - The stone steps are a challenge, but so worth it. The candi shines are remarkable, Putu tells us the ledgend is that they are scraped out by the people using only finger nails! It is a memorial to the 11th century Balinese royalty. The site is very beautiful with a wonderful temple, a river seperating the Kings and Queens candi and caves for meditation that are carved into the cliff face. We visited late in the afternoon and had the whole area to ourselves.
On our last day in Ubud we walked the Rice field walk that starts down the lane on the right hand side on the Lotus garden near the Ubud Palace. This was a wonderful walk, we had a fresh fruit smoothy at the Sari Organik, a great restaurant in the middle of the rice feilds, fantastic views and the menu looks wonderful. Love the organic farming interests in Ubud! We are all looking forward to going back to sample more of the wonderful food.
We had the most memorable trip, something that will stay with us all for life. Thanks for all the insight from the forum.
Hope this has not bored you all to bits
I cannot wait for the next trip -