On my first trip to Bali I was honoured enough to interview the knowledgeable and
food leader Ben Richards.
Byron Bay Ex pat living in Bali for many years, Ben has been a big part of the raw food movement.
His philosophies around health, mindful eating and eating plants are sensational.
He has a cafe The Seeds of Life, is in town, well scoped out by back packers and vegetarians alike, as the mecca of raw and vegan.
He recently introduced the tonic bar and I find this natural medicine at its best. Even as a trained herbalist I am blown away at the variety of drinks on offer.
I love the menu and the food selection and every time (which is quite a few times now) I am stunned at the calibre and colour of the food. Amazing.
Ubud is an eclectic arty town about an hours drive from Denpasar airport.
It is well known for the art-yoga-vegetarian scene and definitely worth a stop over for a few nights to explore the local area.
Sprinkled in and around Ubud are free flowing waterfalls, lush rain forests and sacred sights.
Accommodation ranges from home stays – very keep and usually suitable, through to elaborate, six star world class resorts.
This time around I opted to stay at the Villa Sonja as it was close to the side of town where I was doing my reiki course (at Ubud Yoga Centre).
I was really impressed. For the price, the rooms were large and clean.
The villas are an assortment of rooms, (hotel style) and larger rooms. All with private bathrooms.
Two large pools ensures plenty of swimming options and there is a warung for meals on site. I usually eat next door at the Swasti Eco Village as it offers incredible food.
I would rate this place as 7/10 over all. 9/10 value for money.
It was an interesting time to be in Ubud and Bali the end of July and start of August. It is a really busy time and the hotels I normally stay at were booked out.
I booked this place based on facilities, proximity to town and rooms.
This amazing temple is about thirty minutes drive from Ubud.
I didn’t know this temple existed until my latest visit to Bali (my 12th time in the last 3 years)!
It is so worth the visit.
The mere fact that the caved sanctuary was built over 1000 years old makes this place a spiritual mecca.
Originally serving as a meditation school, the temple has recently been used for offerings from local farmers.
The incredible arches, reaching up to the sky give the place a surreal and natural ampitheatre.
The sound in the kings meditation dome is amazing. It is over the river and up behind the large wall alcoves.
There is no rush to pass through this temple and once you pass through the eager shop assistants you will be able to move through at your own pace.
I did some meditation in one of the alcoves and really relaxed in the beautiful grounds.
I can highly recommend this place. Oh – it does have a few steps (300+ apparently). Not a drama for most but definitely an issue if you don’t like steps.
This eclectic warung/bar opened by Putu last year is set amongst the rice paddies in Ubud. You need to know the secret walk way beside Starbucks.
The secret rice paddy walks connects lots of hotels up the road… It’s a leisurely walk and once you are on it, it’s easy to find Sweet Orange Warung. Just follow the rubbish bins…
The beers are cold, the atmosphere relaxed and there’s plenty to see or not see.
I am interested in Putu’s gardening efforts – she is trying to grow lettuce at the moment in piping. Her other crops look fantastic and include eggplant, chilli, spinach, paw paw, corn.
I am going to make this a regular check in when I go to Ubud. Mainly to get out of the hustle and bustle of Ubud and also to support an entrepreneurial female in a third world country who has managed to create an awesome venue!
ADDIT:
I did go back to visit Putu last week.
After the first visit I thought I would paint the hanging coconut heads.
My crazy idea is that I would paint the coconut heads, and ask Putu to hang the painting with the aim to sell the painting. I have been giving money to a local Balinese man, Wayan, and his family, for a few years. He was struck by bamboo six years ago and has been a quadriplegic since.
Unable to walk, move and being bed bound, has made life very difficult for Wayan and his family.
To my surprise last week, when I returned with my painting, Putu and her husband, Nyoman said they would buy the painting. They told me how they support local causes and believed this was a good cause.
So gratefully I accepted their money, and for now, the painting of that fantastic warung, Sweet Orange Warung, will remain hanging above the welcome sign.
Any opportunity to learn new cooking styles (and get to eat the produce) is a big green light for me so I was keen to get involved at Ketut’s Bali Cooking School.
I actually chose this cooking school off the internet but was not disappointed.
We were collected from our hotel then taken around the food markets – the ones the locals go to for produce. It was really good travelling around with Made. His funny sense of humour and wicked laugh had me smiling from ear to ear.
The awesome foods of the markets
After our walk through the markets, I felt I knew a whole lot more about a subject I am passionate about, food and nourishment.
Made taught us about different foods, how they are grown, what they are used for and more. It was like a short cultural tour.
Back into the airconditioned van we headed out to the cooking school. It was a short drive outside Ubud, which was really nice. Set in a rice field, the atmosphere was relaxed, open and cool. We all had our chef’s apron, we prepared and made 7 dishes.
There were a few people present but plenty of stove tops and lots of helping hands that cleaned dishes so that things never back logged and flowed really well.
Made explained all the spices and bases to be used in traditional Balinese dishes which we proceeded to make.
It was really good, efficient, funny and comfortable. Much better than what I was expecting. Check out the menu that you cook here.
After we cooked for a few hours, we sat down to a banquet. To come on a retreat with me to Ubud, click here.
Since a child I can recall art, drawing and painting. Maybe it had been due in part to having a grandma who is an artist, or maybe it’s because I find it nourishes me. Either way I love art and the knack it has of allowing one to relax and get totally lost in the moment.
It’s a chance for one’s inner child to play.
So recently when I held my Nourishment Retreat in Ubud, an art class was an obvious activity.
Ubud is a very ” arty” place and there’s no shortage of artist teaching classes.
There was no need to fret though, as I knew I would be guided to the best teacher, and so I was.
Nyoman is a local artist and has a great vision to one day have a cafe where people can go and pick up some paints and have a puddle on the canvas.
On this day I took a group for some fun on the canvas. Some were a little trepid and worried that they would be doing it wrong. But soon realised that there was no “wrong” and everything was fun.
Nyoman is a wonderful teacher and gently encourages your inner child to play. He picks you up from your hotel and drops you back. To contact him directly send him an email here.
My finished fish art piece
When you arrive you can chose what style of painting you would like to do. He has batik drawing out the back and next time I will be doing batik for something different.
We all chose a different style and easily and effortless Nyoman helped us bring our tiny vision to reality.
All our art pieces could be hung on a wall and it’s not often when you do something so pleasurable and get to take a memory and souvenir with you.
Thanks Nyoman! If you are interested in coming to Ubud with me, check out here for my next retreat.
I could actually rattle off a dozen incredible cafes in Ubud, Bali but that would take the fun out of your day to day discovers. These are three that are a little more certain and different in experience. Ubud has wonderful eateries but be sure to try these:
eco swastiEco Swasti
Eco Swasti Conscious Eating
Set aside off the road down a beautiful lane way is an organic retreat called Eco Swasti. I stumbled across this gem one sunny afternoon and head back there twice over the week.
With lots of home grown organic produce the place emanates a green vibration of a different kind. With over a dozen goats in the yard, all chatting to each other and a pond bubbling through it, the restaurant/cafe is beautiful.
They have amazing food, fish as well and chicken, smoothies to die for and even sell plaga (the local white wine).
Three Monkeys Cafe Ubud
The Three Monkey Cafe on the same street as the monkey forest is a reliable, great feed restaurant. The prices wont break the bank balance and the food is 4-5 stars. Set along side a rice paddy the atmosphere is excellent, the service really good and the food worth going back for.
Chocolate pate Three Monkey Cafe Ubud
It is quite dark so ask your waiter for a torch. And if you make it to desert ask for the chocolate pate. Simply divine.
Mosaic
I think by far the best restaurant in Bali is Mosaic. They offer a degustation menu of either 6 or 8 courses. You can even pair your meals with wine.
The chef uses local produce which your waiter brings to the table and explains as you eat each course. We all loved each meal and it is really hard to pin point a favourite. I think mine was the Bumbu Rujak with king oyster mushrooms.
Check out the menu! Oh and you need to book ahead as they book out.
A new yoga studio has opened in Ubud, the Ubud Yoga Centre. Fortunately for us, it is right next door to our hotel, just on the out skirts of Ubud.
The centre is incredible with three studios all offering different classes and skill sets.
We went one crispy morning and if you know Ubud, you will know how green and lush it is but being awake before 7 isn’t necessarily my cup of tea. But committed I headed over.
Our instructor for the session, Tony, who I later nick-named ” rubber band-man” was wonderful. It should have been an easy session but I struggled! Stretching alone was enough for me.
Grunt, stretch, breathe. I can’t remember much all except I recall thinking how weak I was and that ” I must do this more often”. HA!
After wards we had a chilled coconut and day dreamed over the beautiful valley that the centre is perched upon.
The space is uplifting , the staff friendly and the classes great. Get along!
There are a swag of fun and cultural activities to in and around Ubud.
Ubud is considered the spiritual hub of Bali but it offers so much more.
These are some cool ideas to try if you have a day, a week or a month.
Situated one hour from the air port and worth the $25USD in an private car is trendy, organic, yoga, arty, find-your-groove-on town Ubud.
To hire a driver for the day will set you back around $80USD.
Seeds of Life
I have stayed there several times now. I do love it’s vibe, it’s bars, multi-coloured cocktails and lush surrounds.
Many ex-pats chose Ubud to settle down for a while. This gives Ubud it’s wonderful cross section of personalities, nationalities and flavours. It an awesome melting ground for forward thinkers and I can’t recall ever meeting someone and thinking “this is boring”.
It is the mecca for anyone serious about starting a food movement and is the world capital for vegetarianism and yoga.
I only discovered Ubud a few years ago but now it feel very familiar and very “home”.
Funky bars, incredible restaurants and lots of things to see, Ubud is worthy of a holiday. Just be careful of lady-boys on motor cycles. While visiting the first time, we were bailed up and jostled around by four lady boys. They fled when the guy I was with challenged them and I quickly realised what was happening. Fortunately they took off. I went from thinking “this is a funny situation, ugly girls stopping to offer us directions..” to “OMG these girls are guys and they are trying to rob me!”
These are five things you must do when visiting Ubud
Rafting in Ubud
Swimming under a water fall in Ayung River Ubud
Located on the gentle lush river, the Ayung River, along side Ubud, are many opportunities to take a raft down the river.
Rafting in Bali… placid or rough. You decide
When I rafted down the river it was January and the experience was very gentle and relaxing. Rafting is cool. I have been doing it most of my life and worked as a quasi guide in my 20s. This river is soft, calm and quite serene. There are some very funky carvings half way down, a few nice drop falls and some opportunities to stand like a goddess and wash away your sins.
Rafting is always the perfect anecdote and cleanse for a dirty, normal, stressful modern day existence. Give it a go!
These guys have reasonable prices and you will find most of the companies are all similar. Most of them offer a swim mid river, a snack break and a few photo opportunities.
Monkey Forest Ubud
Monkey Forest Ubud
I am not a big fan of monkeys, as they can be unpredictable, cheeky and bordering on being aggressive. They can grab items from you (sunglasses, watches, wallets, etc) never to be seen again. The other thing to watch with these dear little critters is rabies.
I was bitten a few visits back but didn’t have it seen too. Now I would. Now I how prevalent rabies is in Bali I wouldn’t mess around. If they bite you (and trust me every day someone does get bitten), go to a medical centre or hospital and get the jab.
Now that I have slammed the monkey, I will confess that they are cute to watch and Bali has a few monkey forests and reserves. The one near Ubud is called the Monkey Forest and has a few temples to explore. Worth a visit as most people will know it and will have been there if in Ubud…
Everyone will be able to direct you to the Monkey Palace.
Lunch in a Rice Paddy
There is something very “UBUD” about having lunch or dinner in a rice paddy.
There are many places in which you can do this but my favourite; Three Monkeys Cafe.
I go here every time I am in town and haven’t had a bad meal yet. The staff are great, the food is devine and I even love the toilet! Check it out if you are in town and try one of their fish dishes.
Chakra Water Falls
Chakra Waters Falls
Pura Tirta EmpulThese sacred falls are beautiful and simultaneously cleansing. The correct name is Pura Tirta Empul. Pura means temple and this place is destination for Hindus so very busy.
Once there you have to don a sarong and the idea is to pass under each of the fountains in each of the pools. You can dip, dodge dive… sorry couldn’t help that. It’s best to dip under each one… just follow everyone else around you.
Under each fall make a wish, let go of something that has been bugging you and move yourself to closer enlightenment. Hindus believe in Kharma and this is the place to ask for forgiveness.
Nung Nung Waterfall
Nung Nung water falls Bali
Not many people venture to this waterfall but they should! The falls are about 50 minutes from Ubud.
It’s a steep descent down and a rewarding waterfall at the end where you can swim, chill and reflect. I loved it and definitely felt something spiritual shift inside me.
The falls are about 70 metres high and project a big swell and nice mist. It’s all pretty safe.
When you walk down try to notice the cut bark on the trees. These trees are cinnamon trees and you can literally slice a bit off and chew. Cinnamon is now being researched for it blood sugar balancing properties and use in obesity. Me… I just love the taste.
Find this place, take your swimmers and enjoy the peace.
Have fun in Ubud!
There are so many things to do, elephant walks, chocolate farm trips… But these are may favourites so far.
logged and flowed really well.
It’s a chance for one’s inner child to play.
Three Monkeys C
