Ubud: Why go there?

Visitors to Bali often start out in Kuta, Sanur or Nusa Dua. After a few days they begin to suspect there is more to Bali than beach and bars. The obvious place to head to is Ubud, modern cultural center of the island.

Distances:
•Kuta – 80 mins
•Seminyak – 80 minutes
•Sanur – 50 minutes
•Nusa Dua – 90 minutes

If the traffic is light you’ll get there sooner, if its heavy you’ll get there later (this is for all the ‘clever dicks’ who can do it in 15 minutes).

What’s Ubud got?

•Museums
•Art Gallery’s
•Restaurants
•Homestay’s
•Hotels
•Villas
•A great assortment of arts and crafts
•Great scenery
•Village feel
•Traditional temple dances
•Peace and quiet

My guide book says “Ever since the German Walter Spies arrived here in 1928, Ubud ha been a magnet for an tourist with the slightest curiosity about Balinese arts. Though its evolution into a fully fledged resort is fairly recent, Ubud is now firmly established on the tourist trail, visited by nearly every holiday maker on the island – if only as part of a day trip to the much publicized Monkey Forest. Although its fashionable to characterize Ubud as the ‘real’ Bali, especially in contrast with Kuta, it bears little resemblance to a typical Balinese village.”

As far as Central Ubud goes, my guidebook says “The kilometer long Monkey Forest road is the most central, but also the most congested and commercial, part of town. It has few genuine homestays, with emphasis instead on small mid-range or upmarket hotels comprising a dozen bungalows set in fairly spacious gardens, often with a swimming pool and restaurant. The tiny roads that run off Monkey Forest Rd or parallel to it have a very different feel, and amazingly, still retain a peaceful village atmosphere.”

I’d say that’s pretty accurate. Ubud is not a totally traditional town as traditional towns don’t have vegetarian restaurants, spas and art galleries. However, Ubud does offer a mellow atmosphere, an arts environment and as the guy said, may small homestays close to downtown.