Ubud Things to Do

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You will go to see some tradiional entertainment in Ubud.
Some popular group I can recommend,actually we went to two entertainment.
For example,
*1.Sada Budaya(Balinean traditional dance& music) at Ubud Place
*2.Trena Jenggala (Balinean trance dance)at Padang Tegal meeting place.
There are a lot of entertainment in Ubud.
Price is about 50,000 Rp.
You can get tickets on the street from whom a member of the assosiation of the entertainment,too. Of course you can confirm by their ID Badge.
You can enjoy typcal Balinean Traditional entertainment.

Throw in a bunch of nights down south and definitely stay in Ubud. I have stayed there on 3 different occaisions now and the beauty of the place really cant be seen on a day trip.The fields that run parallel to the Campuhan river are a patchwork quilt of rice paddies and farms.A morning spent walking and you will encounter children herding ducks and geese squabbaling in the rice paddies for insects.Even the traditonal touristy areas like the Monkey forest are well worth the time.The Ubud central fruit and veg market is great (I think this is Wednesday mornings)But that incredible gorge into the river is a divine place to explore.You can see women washing clothes,kids swimming,people cutting up mangoes.Even the restaurants in town have something that the south seems to lack...that magic heady scent of frangipani,tuber rose and incense that thickens the air at night.It is cooler in the mountains at night too so evening meals are a pleasure...listening to the frogs and geckos and the sounds of the night.A couple of nights while walking home in Ubud we were often amazed by the flickering lights of fireflys.Early morning around 6am is also another magic time for a walk to watch the town wake up.Chooks,ducks,dogs....people washing,cooking and beginning for the day.There are many areas around Ubud to visit to and I cant remember the name of the place but there is one tiny village just out of Ubud where every evening at around 6pm literally thousands of large white birds come in to roost for the night. Why they choose this one tiny village is unknown but it really has to be seen to be believed and is worth the bus trip out.Go to Ubud...and stay...you will not be disappointed
ps the food is fresher and more fragrant...they seem to use more lemongrass,limejuice etc....treat yourself

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While you are in the compounds of Pura Beji (Holy Bathing Temple), look out for 2 huge Komodo Dragons. They are nicely perched on the sides of the walls while you are walking down towards the steps to the stream. Green and huge - they look so real...

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Pura Prajapati (funeral or cremation temple) is located on the eastern edge of the main forest alongside a graveyard. Lots of macaques hang out here too. Some are on top of the roofs and many will just sit on the stone slabs or pillars around the pura. You can enter the pura but you must put on the "sarong" (material wrapped round your waist) and a sash which are provided (at a fee) at the entrance to the temple.

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Under this huge tree is where most of the macaques hang out. You can just sit and enjoy the beauty and magic of this sanctuary while watching the crowds of monkeys, some lazing around while others playfully chasing each other in the forest. Feeding time is usually held here, where the Wenara Wana personnel, dressed in green uniforms will come with sacks of fruits - payayas & bananas and also coconuts. Most visitors will spend some time under this shady tree to get "acquainted" with the "residents" of this forest.

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Feeding time is an interesting time to watch the macaques. The Wenara Wana staff will feed them with bananas and other fruits, usually in the Central Area in the Forest Sanctuary. We had a chance to see the feeding time at about 10.30am. The monkeys & their little ones will gather around waiting for the food to be "distributed". Some of these macaques are pretty notorious - they can be seen snatching food from each other. The macaques are good swimmers too. Once the staff of the forest threw some bananas right into the pond in the Central Area, the monkeys just "dived in" for the bananas. If you wish to feed the macaques, you will need to do it carefully - if they come forth to take food from you, do not attempt to retrieve it as this will anger the creature and they will turn rebellious. Absolutely do not tease or provoke the monkeys for any reason.

See 4 photos on "chow" time.

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These monkeys that have made their homes in the Forest Sanctuary are known as Balinese macaques (long-tailed macaques). There are about over 200 of this specie residing in this sanctuary . The adult females are smaller than the males (4-8kg) and have long facial hair like beards. Macaque mothers are very protective towards their infants.

These macaques are sometimes very fierce. They are attracted to plastic bags and water bottles, dangling earrings, spectacles and chains. Advice is not to carry or have any of these on when you are in the forest. We witnessed a young lady being "attacked" by one of the macaques - apparently the little creature wanted to get hold of the plastic bag (thinking that there was food in it) which the girl was carrying. See all photos on the macaques - some are really cute when they are not in its devilish behaviour!

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According to historical records, the Holy Monkey temples were erected during the mid 14th century during the Pejeng Dynasty or in the early Gegel Dynasty. There are 3 holy temples in the sacred monkey forest. Shown here (5pics enclosed) are the surroundings near Pura Beji, the Holy Bathing Temple. You can reach this temple by going straight into the forest, following the signs on the path. To the Northwest, down a long flight of stairs and next to a stream, you will arrive at the Holy Bathing Temple with the structure of of the "Three Mandala Concept". The Utama Mandala, in the most northern position is the area of the Gods. the Madia Mandala, for the disciples of the deities is located at the centre and contains the holy pond. Last but not least, the Nista Mandala at the southern bridge is the special bathing place for human beings.

The place is cool and relaxing. Explore slowly, walk down further the steps and you will find 2 giant stoned carved komondo dragons. Walk further down and you will find yourself looking down into a stream flowing beneath you.