One week in Bali

Welcome to mashaissomasha.blogspot.com. Today is my very first article on the blog and I would like to tell you about my last vacation. In April I was very lucky to go for 3 weeks holidays with Rémi and his father who came from Toulouse to visit us. We spent a week in Bali and the rest of the trip in the National Komodo Park and Flores Island. But today let’s talk about Bali.

Firs few days we spent in the south of Bali, a surfers’ corner Bingin. We stayed in Kembang Kuning hotel (450K Rp per night, it was not a high season) with beautiful view on the ocean. The Bingin beach is a perfect place for surfers, as for experienced ones and the beginners. Every day we took a motorbike to explore the nearby places such as Uluwatu and Padang Padang beaches and amazing Uluwatu Temple (better go there in the evening to see a sunset).

Kembang Kuning Ocean View Bungalows

"Respect Locals"

in Uluwatu Temple

Our next stop was in Ubud. We stayed in Okawati – nice hotel on the Monkey Road; 5-minute walk from Ubud Palace and Ubud Art Market. The swimming pool was a really useful addition considering it’s very hot in Ubud and there is no ocean.

What I liked most about Ubud is that it’s very cultural, with a lot of galleries, museums, and art shops. I also won’t be the first person to say that the walks in the rice fields are very impressive. To avoid tourists we took motorbikes and went to the north of Ubud (about 30 min ride). As expected, there were only few tourists and later even less when we were walking through the rice fields. And there you always meet locals who ask for donation. It’s pretty annoying to stop every 300 meters to pay, but we decided to continue (the whole 30 minutes ride wasn't in vain instead) and we weren't disappointed. Honestly it was my first walk in the rice fields and I enjoyed it so much. After about 1 hour of walking, we accidentally found a nice hotel with an awesome swimming pool. For only 50K Rp they let us use it. It was such a pleasure after walking under the hot Balinese sun! Unfortunately I don't remember the name of the hotel. 

We finished our day in the temple Tirta Empul. It wasn't very easy to find but it's totally worth it. 

Okawati hotel

Rice fields

Rice spikes

Offerings in Tirta Empul Temple

Of course it’s not possible to go to Ubud without visiting famous Monkey Forest. 

We got the chance to be in Ubud during the Royal Wedding (the grandson of the King of Ubud was getting married). All the city was covered by the congratulations of the newly married couple. 

At our last day in Ubud we decided to go to Tegenungan Waterfall (about 40 min ride from Ubud). On our way we accidentally found a Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets. I would say it is a must visit place in Sukawati (about 15 min ride from Ubud). This is really weird that a nice place like this isn't on the Lonely Planet guide. The museum is composed from several houses. There you can find masks and puppets from different regions in Indonesia. The entry is free, but there is a donation box at the exit. 

Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets

Garuda mask (bird-like creature in Hindu and Buddhist mythology)

Puppets

Sukawati market

People but flowers to create their own offerings (Balinese people put offerings on the ground to appease evil spirits)

Well, this is all I wanted to tell you about my holidays in Bali, very soon I will tell you about the rest of my holidays.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to leave a comment J

See you!