We awoke to a traditional Balian breakfast of Nasi Goreng looking out over the rice fields, just south of Ubud. We took a scooter into Ubud and visited the exquisite Blanco Residence. The renaissance museum was the home of a Spaniard, Don Antonio Blanco who came to Bali in 1952 and married a famous, local dancer. He built a European style home which is set in lovely gardens with tamed exotic birds and is now filled with artwork by Blanco and his son. After, we went to a Belgian owned restaurant (Who’sWho) that we had visited before and enjoyed a delicious meal. Afterwards, we retreated back to our room to read by the pool for the afternoon. We ate dinner at a newly opened restaurant owned by Kadek and his wife (who we were staying with) which was a reasonably priced local place.

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The next day we went Tegenungan waterfall which was absolutely packed out with tourists but beautiful all the same. We continued on to the Hidden Canyon where our guide took around 700 pictures of us as we waded through water, scrambled over rocks and swung on a rope swing. We were most impressed that he didn’t drop my phone in the water. We then drove to the coast and sat on the black sands of Kubur beach and temple where it was much quieter, us being the only tourists. That evening we ate at an excellent vegetarian restaurant called Dumbo. The tempura courgette flowers with chilli and ricotta cheese were delicious.

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On Tuesday 29th we drove an hour north of Ubud (through copious traffic) to UNESCO world heritage Tegalalang rice terraces. The rice terraces were in a steep valley and are beautiful to walk around. We stopped off at a coffee plantation called Bali Pulina where they offer a free tasting selection. Next, we drove on to Tirta Empul temple with its lovely holy water, as we left we were approached by a young girl and her friend who interviewed and filmed us for her tourism course proving that she can hold a conversation in English.

 

We then drove for about and hour and a half west to Tannah Lot for sunset and also to see my old friend Ashely Baker, who was also out in Bali. An impressive place but so crowded with tourists, the island does seem much busier at this time of year compared to when we were her before. Great to see Ashley and meet his girlfriend and we ate together at a nearby place before heading home to Ubud.