Three Days in Bali - Part II

We woke early  to a beautiful blue sky day - quite a rarity in my experiences of Asia! After breakfast I used the free internet at the bar to do some banking and then relaxed in the pool. The water temperature was just right.

We had organised for our driver, Michael, to collect us at 10am. We met Michael yesterday. He was a driver for the hotel, but negotiated a private deal to take us to Ubud for the day. It took 1.5 hours through mostly heavy traffic to reach Ubud, thus reducing the time available for shopping. Michael was adamant that we had to depart by 3pm to avoid the afternoon traffic. I really wanted to disagree and stay longer, but decided that he probably knew best. We were never going to see everything in three days, anyway.

Ubud was just as I remembered. First stop was the palace, which is quiet, with lush green gardens and intricate carvings. We crossed the road to the market where handicrafts, clothing, jewellery and carvings are sold. I like shopping here in the relative cool of the shade. I find the marketeers to be very friendly and not too pushy as long as you are firm and polite with your 'No thank you's.

We hurried on down Monkey Forest Road, feeling pressed for time and so only looking in shops of great interest. There are many fabulous shops in Ubud - arts and craft and jewellery. Many vendors are ex-pat designers who employ the Balinese to produce their items. Most shops are air conditioned, giving a few moments of relief from the heat as you browse.

D and I both purchased beautiful, theatrical wooden masks, hand carved from hibiscus wood. I had wanted to buy one on my last visit, but was concerned about delaying our arrival through customs in Australia. I have since given up that concern, as it takes very little time to show them the articles if you pack them at the top of the case.
 
We passed the Monkey Forest (D decided that it wasn't a priority to go in on this visit) and walked up Jalan Hanoman, where I was sure my favourite handbag shop, Sisi, was. It was still there and they still made lovely leather and fabric bags - it was originally recommended to me by another friend in Australia!

We stopped at an art gallery on the way back to Kuta, still in search of a copy of a painting D saw yesterday. There was nothing like it at all. We asked Michael to take us to Ku de ta www.kudeta.net
which is a fabulous bar & restaurant in Seminyak. Lounge music, cocktails and a lovely ocean view all make for a relaxing way to watch the sun set. They serve fabulous food there too.

We cabbed back to the hotel and, after a quick rest, took the hotel shuttle down to their beach club where we sat at a table in the sand, drinking mojitos and enjoyed a lovely seafood bbq.