Ubud love it here!

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Onto the Second Part of the Trip: Ubud!

The next stop on my Bali adventure was Ubud, a town located in the lush uplands of Bali that is known for its traditional crafts, dance, temples, and breathtaking scenery. Surrounded by rainforests, terraced rice fields, and Hindu shrines, Ubud is one of Bali's most iconic destinations.

During my three days in Ubud, I got to cool off in the stunning Tegenungan Waterfall, explore local markets, learn how traditional Balinese dishes are made, cook alongside a local family, meet the famous monkeys of the Sacred Monkey Forest, trek through the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, and even eat lunch with a view of an active volcano.

Day 4: Goodbye Canggu, Hello Ubud!

The day began with checking out of the Koa D'Surfer Hotel in Canggu and heading to Ubud. Despite TLC's advice, I spent the day chasing waterfalls.

Our first stop was Tegenungan Waterfall, one of Bali's most popular natural attractions. Surrounded by lush greenery, the waterfall offers visitors a chance to swim, relax, and take in the beautiful scenery. The site features several viewing areas and jungle overlooks, as well as a series of steps that lead down to the base of the falls.

After making the trek down, I got to cool off in the refreshing pool at the bottom of the waterfall while taking some amazing photos. If you're planning to visit, I would recommend bringing a waterproof camera or a GoPro. Unless you have protective gear, I wouldn't risk bringing an expensive camera near the water.

After leaving the waterfall, we checked into the Ubud View Hotel. Out of all the hotels I stayed at during my time in Bali, this one was by far the most beautiful. The property was surrounded by tropical greenery and had a very peaceful atmosphere.

Shortly after checking in, a sudden tropical downpour rolled through. Within minutes, the water outside had reached almost up to my shins. Fortunately, the storm didn't last long, and after that brief shower, I didn't experience much rain for the rest of the trip.

To finish the day, our group had dinner at a local restaurant called The Laughing Buddha, which was a great way to unwind after a busy day of traveling and exploring.

Day 5: Penne for Your Thoughts!

It was hard to believe I was already halfway through my Bali adventure.

That morning, our tour group was welcomed into the home of a local resident named Wayan, who taught us about traditional Balinese cooking and culture.

We began the day at a local market, where we learned about the ingredients commonly used in Balinese cuisine. Afterward, Wayan took us to a rice field and explained the entire rice-growing process, from planting and harvesting to cleaning and preparing the rice for consumption.

The most memorable part of the day was visiting Wayan's family home, where we learned how to make traditional Balinese dishes and offerings. We created a variety of foods, including:

• Balinese spice paste (Basa Gede)

• Mushroom soup (Sup Jamur)

• Sweet tempe (Tempe Manis)

• Balinese satay (Sate Lilit)

• Steamed fish (Pepes Tuna)

• Yellow rice (Nasi Kuning)

• Fried corn fritters (Pergedel Jagung)

• Sambal Matah

• Rolled coconut pancakes (Dadar Gulung)

  
  

My personal favorites were the fried corn fritters and the mushroom soup.

After cooking class, we headed to the local markets to test our bargaining skills. Negotiating prices turned out to be easier than I expected. At one stall, I managed to lower the price of an item from 150,000 rupiah to 40,000 rupiah. The key is to be respectful, stay patient, and know your budget before you start negotiating.

Day 6: Monkey Business!

It was finally time to meet Ubud's most famous residents: the monkeys.

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is home to approximately 600 Balinese long-tailed macaques. Visiting the sanctuary was one of the experiences I had been looking forward to most, but it definitely requires a little preparation.

The monkeys are wild animals, not pets, and they are incredibly intelligent. Before entering the sanctuary, I learned a few important rules:

• Don't bring food or drinks inside.

• Avoid flashy jewelry.

• Secure backpacks and bags.

• Don't wear loose sunglasses.

• Don't stare directly into a monkey's eyes.

• Don't smile at them, as they may interpret it as aggression.

• Avoid trying to touch or approach them.

• Let the monkeys come to you if they choose.

  
  

I followed all of these recommendations. I locked my backpack, left food behind, and only carried my camera and phone.

At one point, a monkey walked right up to me and tried to open my backpack. Once it realized it couldn't get inside, it quickly lost interest and moved on. Another monkey actually lifted up my shirt as if checking to see whether I was hiding food underneath. The monkeys were surprisingly clever and incredibly mischievous.

If you want a photo with a monkey, there are staff members throughout the sanctuary who can assist safely. They'll show you where to stand and make sure the interaction goes smoothly.

My one bad encounter happened when I accidentally stepped on a monkey's tail while backing up. Unsurprisingly, the monkey wasn't happy about it. It let out an angry screech and bared its teeth at me, which is a sign of aggression. It briefly chased me before deciding I wasn't worth the effort.

Thankfully, that was the only negative interaction I had, and overall, my visit to the Monkey Forest was a huge success.

After cleaning up, we headed to the famous Tegalalang Rice Terraces. If you've ever seen photos from Bali on social media, chances are you've seen these iconic rice fields. The landscape was unbelievably green and beautiful, with rolling terraces stretching across the hillsides.

I would definitely recommend bringing plenty of water because it gets very hot while walking through the terraces.

To finish my time in Ubud, we enjoyed lunch overlooking Mount Batur, one of Bali's active volcanoes. Sitting there with incredible views of the volcano and surrounding landscape was the perfect way to end my stay in Ubud.

Overall, Ubud offered a completely different side of Bali than Canggu. Between the waterfalls, local culture, cooking experiences, sacred temples, mischievous monkeys, and breathtaking rice terraces, my time there was unforgettable and quickly became one of the highlights of my entire trip.