Bye Kuta, Hello Ubud

We left Kuta Beach and its almost good to be away from it. Its nuts, so much partying, food, dancing, people. But we saw some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen and the people in Kuta are wonderful. We also said goodbye to our friend Matt, who we have been traveling with for a few weeks. He is going to the Gilli Islands and we are going to stay in Ubud for the next 5 days. He his heading to Sumatra and then maybe Australia after that.

We arrived in Ubud. We found a guesthouse that looks like a temple. From reading about Bali and talking to locals, I've learned the homes are treated like temples. They put out offerings of flowers in front of each house, or on a place on the ground where they believe that evil can come out of the ground. The home is spiritual place where ancestors are honoured, so there are beautiful statues and carvings throughout the home.

Jande is the young man who helped us find this guesthouse. He works for the family that owns the house. The grandfather lives here, and there are two sons, about 18 and 20. They both want to practice their english, so they talk to Romi and I lots and have lots of questions.Jande is really nice and wants to arrange motorcycle tours for us to the volcano and to the other temples in the area. He's a bit to touchy feely though and I've had to tell no to hugs and stuff. But he means well.

Today we walked around Ubud to get a lay of the land. We went to the Monkey Forest. That's what it is: a forest with lots of monkeys. But it is sacred to the Hindu religion. Romi was freaked out by the monkeys because they can be vicious. One stole her water and drank it. She was not impressed. See the photo below.

There are tons of spas and shops everywhere. The shopping would be great if I wasn't on the last of the funds to get me through the trip. There are lots of amazing hotels and restaurants. There is a yoga studio that we have bought a 5 day pass to. The studio is the upstairs of a barn, and it overlooks a beautiful ravine on one side and a rice field on another. The floors are beautiful wood and the are loft-style with exposed beams and a high roof. I love it here.

In the book Eat Pray Love, this is the city in Bali where the author spent the last stint of her trip. Romi and I both really like that book so we are inspired to be here.