Waking up in Ubud always feels like a gift. I brew some coffee, light up a cigarette, and grab a towel for a dip in the pool. This 180 cm deep pool, flanked by two fountains springing from statues with a Balinese twist, overlooks lush rice paddies. Spending 15 minutes moving and swimming in the water is incredibly refreshing. Despite the chill, the water’s movement heats you up—a perfect warm-up before diving into the culturally rich day awaiting in Ubud.
This morning, we’re off to one of Ubud’s most popular trekking spots, the Campuhan Ridge Walk. It might just seem like a path laid with stones to prevent slipping, but don’t be fooled—the views here are breathtaking. Imagine walking between hills blanketed with wild grass and plants. The Campuhan Ridge Walk is culturally significant as a spiritual path connecting several Hindu temples in Ubud, like Pura Gunung Lebah, Pura Penataran Kebo Iwa, and Pura Beji. The beautiful natural scenery and serene atmosphere along this trail make it an ideal spot for meditation and self-reflection. It’s so peaceful that you can hear your own footsteps and the loud chirping of birds as the sun rises.
Ubud mornings are cool, but reaching the hilltops can get quite warm and energy-draining. Yet, Campuhan never fails to charm. Located just about 100 meters from the Ubud Art Market, this trail was once a trade route where merchants transported produce and handicrafts to sell in the Ubud Market. Ubud’s major productions like coconut, rice, coffee, cocoa, fruit, and saruy are well-known.
Unfortunately, our journey had to end sooner than expected because, caught up in the excitement, we forgot to bring water. The energy spent over a 30-minute journey and the pouring sweat forced us to stop and head back.
But, just like a tranquil place for meditation on the go, Campuhan promises an experience where calmness is the key to enjoying the world and its natural beauty.
The journey is far from over; the sun has only been up for 3 hours since sunrise, meaning there’s plenty of time to explore more. Ubud is captivating, with its natural beauty seamlessly intertwined with cultural splendor, truly a feast for the soul.
Heading north, we’re keen on experiencing a purification ritual with the holy water from the spring at Tirta Empul Temple. The trip from Ubud to Tirta Empul takes about 30-45 minutes. We pass through traditional Balinese villages, where walls known as angkul-angkul, made from natural stones and bricks, signify strength, protection, and guardianship.
Arriving at Tirta Empul, enveloped in lush greenery, we pay around 30k for entry to this sacred place. Don’t be mistaken, this temple, built in 962 AD, is one of the most sacred and holy places around. It’s no wonder it’s seen as a place for purification, with the sound of gushing water heard from 100 meters away.
Since this is a sacred and traditional site, respecting the local customs is crucial. A temple officer instructs us on how to properly wear and tie the sarong, a knotting style I’m rarely using back home. We light incense sticks, their fragrant smoke billowing high, signaling our prayers ascending to the spiritual realm. Holding flowers symbolizes our sincerity and beauty towards the divine, as we sit and pray.
Even though I’m not a firm believer, I engage in the ritual, viewing it through a cultural lens. After all, such practices are means for humans to communicate with the divine. Entering the area known as Jaba Sisi, located in the temple’s outer courtyard, are 20 fountains each with its distinct significance. Dressed in traditional attire, I step into the pool. The water is chillingly cold yet soothing. With one step, my body is halfway submerged, and my feet touch the bottom.
After waiting my turn, my purification ritual begins. I place my palms under the spout, letting the water hit and drench my head. It feels like being showered with calming cold water. In this purification ritual, 7-10 fountains each hold a different meaning—from self-purification, health and well-being, cleansing of negative energies, to protection and good fortune. nAnd don’t worry about capturing the moment; temple staff are there to help take photos.
We complete all the rituals, hoping the tranquility of Tirta Empul imbues us with positive energy amidst Bali’s bustling beach clubs and bars. It provides a balance between the beats of music and the rhythm of the heart.
Tirta Empul offers everyone a chance to feel reborn, as if entering a spiritual world and returning to reality with calmer, flowing energy, much like water.
