Ubud

---

Despite our initial thrill at Kuta, we quickly tired of it. We were cured the moment we decided we wanted to hang out on the beach for a few restful hours, passed out in the sunshine. We arrived on the beach, and within seconds were surrounded by touts who refused to leave us alone. Beach plan thwarted, we escaped to the peaceful hotel pool instead.

After Kuta's shell-shock, it took us several days of doing nothing in Sanur. Lucky for us, there's nothing to do in Sanur so we weren't missing a thing.

Now we're kicking it in Ubud. Where Kuta was chaotic and cramped, Ubud, like Sanur, is (relatively) spacious and organized. But unlike Sanur, Ubud is lively, with a fascinating edifice peeking out behind every wall, a temple on every corner, and quality goods in shops in a central market. Along Monkey Forest Road (aptly named, believe it or not) one can find art shops carrying carvings, paintings, and colorful batiks for every occassion. There is a bookstore for every bookworm in town (in low season).

In Ubud, the traditional ways of life have not been lost among modern temptations. People still use the pavilion daily to practice gamelan, dance, or other village activities like making palm offerings. The traditional dress (Sarong, scarf, and lace shirt for women; sarong, sash, and turban for men) is still seen on the streets regularly. People here seem to be a closer knit community, judging by their friendliness and helpfulness.

Our losmen (homestay), Arjuna House, is nestled on a side lane which clearly is frequented mostly by locals. The corner shop has a pool table which, on Saturday night, was packed to the gills with young men cavorting. It was still that way Saturday morning. Numerous motorcycles were propped out front, on pavement which had been engraved by locals, messages, doodles, names carved out while the cement was still setting. It's touches like these that give this neighborhood a homey feel, something we can appreciate after having been a number of soulless places in the past seven weeks.

---