Day trip to Ubud

Today we journeyed to Ubud. Six of the 12 made the trip, in a minibus organised by Leepy, who has connections here in Bali. 

The drive took an hour and a half on the way up and an hour home again, through villages and flower and rice fields, with large mountains looming through the haze in the distance. We passed communities of artists, sculptors, roof tile makers, farmers. 

We arrived before the shops were fully open so stopped for breakfast at one of the restaurants. The market near the palace has been completely rebuilt in the two years since I was here last, and it seems a shame to me. Previously it was a warren of stalls in darkened (cool) doorways, and now it is a series of two story buildings, with stalls in and around. 

We wandered down the street, in and out of the shops, over the crooked pavement, pausing for refreshment at the restaurants with rice paddies in their back yards. 

At lunch we tried nasi campur, Babi guling (pork), calamari and some excellent chicken satays, all washed down with cold bintangs. Food is definitely not expensive in Bali unless you eat at the elite restaurants. Even then it is reasonable by Aussie standards. 

We passed the monkey forest without going in, and up past the slightly groovier shops, including my favourite handbag stop 'Sisi'. They sell beautiful full-grain leather handbags for around AUD70, as well as fine silver jewellery and lovely cotton tote bags. 

I really enjoy looking at the traditional architecture of the buildings in Ubud. The doors, gates and gables are ornate. 

We had been told about Mama San, a cool restaurant/bar by one of our colleagues, and so set out by taxi to have a look. The taxi drivers so far have been amiable and helpful. It's only a couple of dollars each trip as our villas are quite central in the restaurant and shopping scene. 

We were the only ones in Mama San, perhaps as it was early on a Monday night. We sat upstairs in the bar in leather armchairs and chatted to the bar staff. 

Dinner was ribs at Naughty Nuri's, with martinis shaken with ceremony by the lovely staff.