Waking up late isn’t really my thing, but after a night at the beach club, it felt unavoidable. I had to pay back the sleep debt – a currency of life that nothing else can replace. Gotta settle that bill in full!
By 9 AM, we kicked off the day feeling starved. Dinner at the fancy resort the night before just didn’t cut it for a full day’s adventure. Time to hit back with some local street food – cheap eats but oh-so filling. Sure, it might pack on the pounds, but who cares? We needed all the energy we could get to explore Ubud.
Checked out at noon and headed to Ubud on a bike, which I might regret for the rest of my life. I mean, Bali’s heat plus the scorching sun could easily fry us, draining all our energy. Luckily, it wasn’t as clear as yesterday. Some clouds were kind enough to offer a bit of shade. The 2-hour journey took us through the outskirts of Kuta, Sanur, Denpasar, to Gianyar. And why not? Ubud offers a different vibe from Seminyak or Kuta. It’s all about culture, relaxation, yoga, and the zen life. The heat meant nothing compared to the life experiences. Avicii once said in “The Nights”:
“One day you’ll leave this world behind. So live a life you will remember.”
The Night by Avicii
And so, we live a life we’ll always remember as we beat the day on our way to Ubud. The journey was adorned with lush rice fields typical of the Indonesian countryside. But, living in a third-world country, we’re no strangers to traffic. Such a bummer!
Ubud’s main streets are a haven of shops selling jewelry, clothes, coffee, bread, and souvenirs. The town’s design is a treat, with people casually strolling along the sidewalks, planning how to spend their money.
In Ubud, we stayed at the Ubud Art Resort. Just by the name, you can tell it’s designed like a cultural and art space. True enough, we were greeted and shown to a wooden resort styled like a classic countryside house, complete with a balcony furnished with two chairs and a small table, complemented by a dim corner lamp for that extra aesthetic touch.
The room’s interior was like something out of a romantic honeymoon, with a bed surrounded by white curtains and a pile of soft pillows. The resort offered an outdoor bathtub surrounded by rice fields and coconut trees – a zen spot for shaking off the weariness of travel and the hustle of city life.
After some rest, we decided to explore the local restaurants in Ubud. The evening was welcoming, with the sun starting to hide behind the clouds, making the atmosphere utterly chill.
Pison Ubud was the perfect spot to recharge, where we ordered Black Fried Rice seasoned with squid ink, fresh pickles, and a sunny side up egg cooked to perfection. This classic Indonesian dish was complemented by Watermelon Smoothies and topped off with Tequila Sunrise Cocktails. A delightful blend at a chic café in the heart of Ubud.
After eating, we enjoyed a leisurely walk, admiring the beautifully lit shops and occasionally stopping to pick up souvenirs for friends and family. Somehow, time flew by. Ubud seemed to hypnotize us. The glittering shop lights, the strong Balinese Hindu vibes, and the ethnic nuances along the streets made it a beautiful retreat spot to calm the soul from the harshness of real life.
