Travel Partner

For tours and driver, taxis
Sean’s favorite Noodle Shop, Warung Kadek Elo, on the corner of Jalan Cok Gede Rai and Jalan Peliatan.

Nyepi is the Balinese New Year and way to celebrate the new year. The day after the Ogoh Ogho parade and the effigies are burned, there is a day of silence. This day is called Nyepi, meaning “to keep silent” and falls on the day after the dark moon of the spring equinox when the day and night are of approximately equal duration. Best to check the particular day because the airport, hotels, transport are all closed. Basically the whole island shuts down. It’s indeed a special experience, not only for the Balinese but also for all the visitors and tourists that are on Bali during Nyepi Day. If you are in Bali during Nyepi make sure you do not plan any traveling or outside activities.

Ubud Monkey Forest
Elephant Cave, Goa Gajah, on Jalan Raya Goa Gajah.

Where to see a fire dance:
o Balinese Dance Performance, Thursdays at the Temple in Peliatan, Raya Andong and Jalan Peliatan
o Balinese Dance at Puri Kantor, Jalan Suweta

Temples to visit:
o Lotus Temple, behind Lotus café at the center of Ubud. Beautiful Hindu temple and less crowded than Ubud Palace.

Pura Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring
Local Balinese and Hindu worshipers stand in long lines in the pools waiting to dip their heads under the water spouts in a purification ritual known as ‘melukat’. Bathers start in the pool on the left side standing in the pool to the waist under the first water spout. Once they have cleansed themselves under the first spout they join the next queue. This process is continued until they have cleansed themselves under each waterspout.

Art Museums to visit:
o Agung Rai Museum of Art , Jalan Made Legah
o TonyRaka Art Gallery, Jl. Raya Mas
o Antonio Blanco Museum,  Address: Jalan Raya Campuhan, Kedewatan,

Rice Field views in Ubud:
o Walk Campuhan ridge- this is a relatively easy up-hill. Early morning is best. Gets crowded at sunset with local teenagers. (C’s are pronounced as “CH” so this phonetically sounds like “champ-on” ridge)
o Walk to rice fields above Dragonfly Village and Pomengranate Café.

Rafting Adventure: Graha Adventure Rafting this was the best rafting company, based in village Kedewatan. Note, probably not best for kids under 10 because it is hart-pounding! Also note all the rivers were scattered with trash when we visited, but they are working to clean this up, so perhaps ask how you can help their environmental efforts? The best times are when the river is higher and hides most of the rocks; rainy season is best.

Cokodra Rai, Balinese Healer, you can ask a driver to take you there, his home is on Jalan Raya Singapadu.

For other travelers looking to experience the spiritual connections of Bali, we would recommend visiting with Ida, high priestess of Bali. Ida developed a strong connection to a feminine high spirit. During one of these meditations she had an out of body experience where her breathing stopped for many hours earning her the distinction of a “revenant”, or one who has come back from the dead. Upon her awakening she displayed exceptional skills and an intimate knowledge of practices that generally take decades to master along with an ability to speak several ancient languages she had never studied. This significant event led to her accepting her destiny of becoming a High Priestess.

Where to stay:
For the budget traveler and most authentic experience, a Homestay is the way to go! There are so many great families that are wonderful hosts.
There is one near Dayu’s Warung on Jalan Sugriwa.
Also, Ketut’s Place Ubud on Jalan Suweta
Lastly, Arki guesthouse on Gang Nuri.

For luxury accommodations we recommend:
Chapung Se Bali
Perched up high among the hills, and just a ten-minute drive from the center of Ubud, Chapung Sebali is located among the lush wilderness and rice fields,
in an idyllic location to escape to and hide.
Amori Villa
Amori Villas is intimate and personal – with only 7 suites and villas – designed to suit groups booking the whole property, couples for their special holiday, or individuals coming for a wellness retreat.