After relaxing at a very chilled pace in Sanur, we headed to the more popular Balinese tourist mecca that is Ubud.

Ubud center is definitely busier and bustling with more activity. By just walking around you’ll find that you’re not going to run out of things and places to explore. Our Airbnb was actually a part of the royal palace and very close to where all the action was, so it was very convenient. It’s in a compound composed of little villas done in the style of typical Balinese architecture.

Just a few steps away, there was already quite a spectacle. Men were building a nine-tier funeral pyre for the ngaben, which is reserved for members of the royal family. We were told it is quite a unique event but we didn’t stay long enough to be able to witness the ceremony, which was happening a few days after we were set to leave. The preparations are already interesting enough on their own.

In the center, you’ll find the Royal Palace and the Saraswati temple, both beautiful and worth a visit.

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If you love to shop, a trip to the market should be on your list. Even if you don’t, the place is still worth a visit for all the interesting trinkets and souvenirs.

There’s the Campuhan ridge walk if you’re up for a little hike. It’s not difficult at all and can be taken at a leisurely pace. You’ll feel refreshed as you pass green rice fields and hills lined with coconut trees. I recommend going before sunset so it’s not too hot and the golden hour adds a little extra touch of magic on the scenery.

Of course all that walking and sightseeing must be rewarded with treats! Gelato shops are everywhere in Bali but we recommend trying anything that’s coconut-based, which is perfect for the weather. Try the Indonesian dark chocolate too if you like a rich, earthy, creamy, and intense flavor.

Here in Ubud we tried a Masakan Padang eatery, where you can select from a variety of cooked food and load up your choices on your plate. Masakan Padang is a the cuisine of the Minangkabau people from West Sumatra, Indonesia. There are lots of eateries you can choose from, so you’ll never run out of choices. Watch out for stews like the beef rendang because they can be fiery and really spicy.

Ubud is a great base from which you can explore other places, and so in the next post I’ll tell you about a daytrip we did. Watch out for more Bali stories! 🙂