An artist at an art collaborative in Ubud
On our last day in Bali, we took a day trip to Ubud, a town known for its artists. Ubud is about an hour and a half drive north of Nusa Dua.
We discovered that the best way to travel around Bali is to hire a driver for a day. Everyone in Bali seems to have an uncle or brother who can provide transportation. Our driver, Ketut Suputra, was referred to us by his nephew, the driver who took us to the Odysseys Surf School. Hiring Ketut for the day only cost us about US$35. It's incredible how cheap transportation is in Bali!
Ketut was a great driver and tour guide. He was born and raised in Bali and knows the island well. I have his contact number for anyone who is thinking about visiting Bali - just let me know if you need it!
Along the drive to Ubud, we passed through areas that appeared to specialize in different types of art. Ketut explained that each village in Ubud produces a unique form of art. First, we saw many stores that had enormous stone carvings - they were huge elaborate statues that you might see in front of buildings. Next, we saw stores with enormous wood statues that were beautifully carved with fine details. Finally, we saw stores with beautiful paintings. Ketut took us to an art collaborative that featured paintings by local artists. Although the paintings weren't my style, they were very beautiful. We weren't allowed to take photos of the paintings, so unfortunately I can't share them here. But I did have a chance to grab a photo of one of the artists hard at work.
We discovered that the best way to travel around Bali is to hire a driver for a day. Everyone in Bali seems to have an uncle or brother who can provide transportation. Our driver, Ketut Suputra, was referred to us by his nephew, the driver who took us to the Odysseys Surf School. Hiring Ketut for the day only cost us about US$35. It's incredible how cheap transportation is in Bali!
Ketut was a great driver and tour guide. He was born and raised in Bali and knows the island well. I have his contact number for anyone who is thinking about visiting Bali - just let me know if you need it!
Along the drive to Ubud, we passed through areas that appeared to specialize in different types of art. Ketut explained that each village in Ubud produces a unique form of art. First, we saw many stores that had enormous stone carvings - they were huge elaborate statues that you might see in front of buildings. Next, we saw stores with enormous wood statues that were beautifully carved with fine details. Finally, we saw stores with beautiful paintings. Ketut took us to an art collaborative that featured paintings by local artists. Although the paintings weren't my style, they were very beautiful. We weren't allowed to take photos of the paintings, so unfortunately I can't share them here. But I did have a chance to grab a photo of one of the artists hard at work.
Ubud Market
Next, Ketut took us to the center of Ubud where we explored the Ubud Market. Half of the market was under renovation, but the remaining half was still an expansive space full of market stalls selling touristy trinkets. Although most of the goods were cheap junk, I was impressed by the quality of the Balinese silk and discovered some really pretty scarves.
After the Ubud Market, Joe and I wandered around the streets of Ubud. The streets are very narrow, packed with spas, restaurants, shops and guest houses (small hotels). The entrances to the guest houses are ornate and beautiful (see the photo below) and left me wondering what the accommodations look like. I wish we had had more time to stay the night at one of them.
After the Ubud Market, Joe and I wandered around the streets of Ubud. The streets are very narrow, packed with spas, restaurants, shops and guest houses (small hotels). The entrances to the guest houses are ornate and beautiful (see the photo below) and left me wondering what the accommodations look like. I wish we had had more time to stay the night at one of them.
 Entrance to a guest house |  Ubud is full of stray dogs |  A pretty restaurant |
Rice fields along our walk
After exploring the town, Joe and I ventured to a restaurant called Sari Organik Warung Bodag Maliah. This is a must-do for anyone who plans to visit Bali! The restaurant is about a 15-minute walk away from town and the trek is beautiful. We walked along a narrow foot path through beautiful, green rice fields. It was picturesque and great to see an undeveloped, natural aspect of Asia, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists.
Sari Organik is a small, family-owned restaurant right in the middle of a rice field. The building is basically a big open air deck and most of the food cooked at the restaurant is grown/raised on site. Everything is fresh and delicious! We shared a meal of a mango smoothie, guacamole, Balinese chicken satay and nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice). What's more, is that the entire meal only cost about US$18! I couldn't believe that a big meal like this at a beautiful farm would be so cheap!
Lunch at Sari Organik was a great way to end our trip to Bali. Overall, Bali is my favorite place that we've traveled to so far, and I hope we're able to visit again someday!
Sari Organik is a small, family-owned restaurant right in the middle of a rice field. The building is basically a big open air deck and most of the food cooked at the restaurant is grown/raised on site. Everything is fresh and delicious! We shared a meal of a mango smoothie, guacamole, Balinese chicken satay and nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice). What's more, is that the entire meal only cost about US$18! I couldn't believe that a big meal like this at a beautiful farm would be so cheap!
Lunch at Sari Organik was a great way to end our trip to Bali. Overall, Bali is my favorite place that we've traveled to so far, and I hope we're able to visit again someday!
 Sari Organik entrance |  The dining room |  Fresh salad |  Our view from lunch |
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