If you’ve never been to Bali, it sounds like a cool place, doesn’t it? Even the two-syllable word has a sound that makes you think it must be something special. For a lot of people, they think of white beaches and warm temperatures, and that’s true. And while I enjoyed that part of the island, that’s not what drew me to this part of Indonesia.
You can see the culture of the country and Bali through dances, food and its people. But the best place to do this may be to go to the cultural center, Ubud.
I’ve always wanted to go to Bali. Admittedly, the only reason we added Ubud to our itinerary was because of some yogis I follow on social media who say it’s a great place to go. All of Bali is picturesque, but for quaint shops, monkeys and yoga, go to Ubud.
Monkey in the Monkey Forest (Photo by Michael Danser)
Walking along the main streets in the morning, the air is crisp and the people are quiet. Little offerings smoking with incense are in front of most shops, making it easier to just walk in the street. Rice terraces are your backdrop when you’re not on the shopping streets. It’s a small town that invigorates you just by walking through it by yourself. And, if you’re up for it, take a 90-minute yoga class at the Yoga Barn to see the best view you’ve ever had while in Virabhadrasana.
Monkeys are anything but shy in their home of Ubud’s Monkey Forest. (Photo by Michael Danser)
And, of course, there are monkeys. Actually, the little creatures that roam through Ubud Monkey Forest are Macaques, and they are anything but gentle and calm. When you walk through this park, which is a beautiful forest worth seeing without animals, they clamor right up to you, ready to take food you may have for them or to steal your iPhone. (It’s rumored that people train the monkeys to do this — they take an iPhone, and that person rewards them — supposedly.)
The monkeys aren’t the only thing to see in this forest. It’s pleasant to walk around in without the animals. (Photo by Michael Danser)
The forest is sacred for its Hindu temples. (Photo by Michael Danser)
Just outside of Ubud are spots to see growing coffee and cocao beans and taste the product. There are also a number of temples to visit. If you’ve ever had an extended stay in Asia, you’ll know the feeling of being “templed out.” Temples are everywhere. They’re cool at first, but after a while, the smell of incense and chanting all runs together. But every so often, some — such as those in Bali — stand out.
Gunung Kawi is an assortment of ancient shrines carved in rock. This Hindu temple is from the 11th century and is surrounded by rice paddies and tall, green trees. As with most cool attractions in this country, you have to wear a sarong (a strip of fabric you just tie around your waist) and go up and down about 300 steps. (Photo by Michael Danser)
Drive out a little farther, and you’ll see Tirta Empul in Tampaksiring, a holy water temple where people can bathe in holy springs. It’s crowded for people who get in and people who watch the others. (Photo by Michael Danser)
Bali is filled with tourists, from Indonesia and outside. If you don’t feel it while walking around, you can really see them at a Kecak Fire and Trance Dance. This performance of staccato chants and dancing, all in an entrancing red light, is nothing like I’ve seen. Take a look at the video for a better look.
Ubud doesn’t have an airport, so you have to get a driver to take you back to Denpasar. The drive is a whole lot better if you stop at some key points along the way, such as these.
Being at Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is surreal. Its backdrop of Beratan Lake and rolling hills makes it look too pretty to be real. 9Photo by Michael Danser)
If you haven’t seen enough water falling during your other travels, this one has a fairly leisurely walk down and up. Munduk has a long drop through the dense forest. (Photo by Taylor Danser)
Does the sight of rice terraces ever get old? I think not. Even after seeing them in the Philippines and Vietnam, these in Jatiluwih were beautiful to walk through. (Photo by Taylor Danser)
Tanah Lot is an incredible place. This is a common belief, as when we went, it was the most crowded place we visited. Temples are on the edge of cliffs, one of them is even on a small rock-island that you have to swim or walk a bit through the ocean to get to. (As with other temples, you can’t go in, just take a peek.) Waves crash into these westward-facing cliffs, which would be perfect to visit at sunset. (Photo by Taylor Danser)
This Side of the World 