just returned from ubud.

just returned from 4 nights in ubud and had a fantastic time. maybe this entry will be helpful to others.

ACCOMODATION- tegal sari. fantastic. surrounded by padi fields. book early!

GUIDE AND TRANSPORT- nyoman adnayana …blogspot.com/2008/11/adnyana-nyoman-main-pa…

he made our trip wonderful. he personifies balinise cultuture- polite, sincere, soft spoken and helpful.

he did not take us to tourist traps merely to get a commission and was happy to take us to small local restaurants. and doesnt overwhelm you with info during the drive but is very knowledgeable when quetioned about any of the sites. i wholeheartedly recommend nyoman for your travels. he is so friendly that i felt i was being shown the sights by a friend....

EATS-

1. bebek bengil - crispy duck is so so but bbq pork ribs are great.

2. murnis warung - nice setting. food is ok

3. jaze cafe - good music. a bit pricey.

4. ibu oka - good roast pork. a local delight.

5. puncak sari restaurant(at mount batur) - avoid it

ITENERARY

day 1

1. barong dance- at sahadewa, batu bulan - worth a visit

2. sukawati market- only good to go to if u are specifically looking for something. has all the local items, woodcraft, clothing, paintings, masks. also where the locals shop

3. mount batur volcano - not very inpressive. basically standing at a distance and looking at a mountain

4. mas village - wood carving. very good quality but also very pricey

5. tegalalang rice teraces - must see

6. pura tirta empul at tampak siring - must see

day 2

1. bedugul- temple on a lake. also a must see.

2. tanah lot - fantastic. have a meal at the restaurants overlooking the temple.

3. uluwatu - very good.

day 4

ubud market- one stop shop for your shopping needs

ubud royal palace

ubud water palace

antonio blanco gallery - woth a visit even if u are not artsy. entrance 50,000. antonios widow is a charming lady and is happy to spend time with you with tales of what life was like back then.

day 5

symons art gallery

stopped by to watch bungee at double 6 beach in kuta on the way to the airport.

TIPS

bargaining- we are all looking for a %26#39;best price%26#39;, but its really not fair to bargain to reduce the price by a mere 10 or 20,000 rupiah. this is only a few dollars of our local currency, but is days%26#39; meal for the locals.

buy the home made pineapple,cinnamon,brown sugar jam at tegal sari hotel at 25,000 irp per bottle.

watch for pot holes when walking around ubud

exchange money at kuta for a good rate.

enjoy and soak in the arts and culture of ubud....

just returned from ubud.

Thanks for the report!

Always happy to read about my favourite place on earth.

Cheers,

David

just returned from ubud.

Thanks scoobaa, enjoyed reading your report, we are staying in Ubud at easter time, so really looking forward to it. Sue

I find your itinerary so very helpful! We will be going to Bali in May and will be there for 3 nights. I plan to do a lot of the same things you just posted.

Would you mind telling me how much you paid for your driver per day?

Gday scoobaa,

It sound like you had a awsome time and your info is very helpful. Ive just read some of your prior post and the word seafood came up(I so love seafood) so ive just got a question for you.

Im heading to bali in 24 days and i love my seafood did you end up having any ? If so were did you go How much was it.

Im counting down the days Know Cheers John %26amp; Mary

driver charged irp 400,000 per day for 8-9 hours thereafter 50,000 per hour. did some research before going and found most prices for giudes to be the same. his 4x4 can fit up to 7 passengers comfortably.

hi john,

unfortunately i did not have any seafood. but did try and find out about it. apparently jimbaran has become rather touristy and pricey(even our guide said so)

a better option may be seminyak.

hey scoobaa, thanks for the report. wife and i will be in ubud in may and some of your%26#39;e tips will come in handy. daz

hi scooba,

noticed u rated uluwata very highly. would you mind sharing more abt this place and why you like it?

cos i was actually not planning to visit it but now u%26#39;ve piqued my interest.

hi scooba,

noticed u rated uluwata very highly. would you mind sharing more abt this place and why you like it?

cos i was actually not planning to visit it but now u%26#39;ve piqued my interest =)

Thank you for sharing this info with ut, we are going to Ubud end of May for the second time. I am so looking forward for this trip.