October 1, 2014

Nicola

Travel

Cool Things To Do In Ubud

October 1, 2014

Nicola

Travel

Hey lovely,

When I booked my trip to Ubud and started telling friends and family, many of them were shocked that I was to spend a full 11 day holiday just in Ubud. They thought that we would run out of things to do in 11 days and get bored. It seemed that they thought Ubud was one of those places you visit for a few days and move on.

I half thought that I might run out of things to do myself, although the holiday was more of a DIY Yoga Retreat (which I wrote about here) so I wasn't too worried if I did.

But boy was I wrong. There is so much to do in Ubud. We certainly were not left with nothing to do, unless of course we chose to just relax and do nothing.

Any Google search will bring back lists of all the main tourist attractions and activities. But there is more to Ubud than that. During our stay we did a few of the more popular touristy things but we also went outside of the box. So here in this post I'm going to share with you the top things to do in Ubud from my experience.

Bali Eco Cyclin g

The Bali Eco Cycling Day Tour was hands down the highlight of the trip for me. We got to see what life is really like in Bali on this down hill cycling adventure that took us through the stunning Balinese countryside. Starting at Mt Batur, with stops at a real Balinese village, Balinese plantation, rice paddy and a sacred Banyan tree it was an authentic Balinese experience. We got to try out different exotic fruits, local teas and coffee and enjoyed a delicious Balinese buffet at the end.

Photos: Breakfast overlooking Mt Batur Volcano, Girls weaving in a Balinese village, Balinese village, countryside street we cycled down, me at the rice fields

I highly recommend doing this tour. Make sure you book with Bali Eco Cycling. They are the original company who have been operating for over 10 years. There are a few copy cat tours around that, although cheaper, are apparently not as good. We got our hotel reception to book it for us. Price per person is 420,000 IDR (as at August 2014) which is roughly AU$40.

Natural Beauty Workshop

Angelo Store, located on Jalan Sugriwa, is a natural beauty paradise. They have all kinds of beauty products, herbal teas and essential oils. All their beauty products are 100% natural and made from local plants, herbs and oils.

They also run workshops where, for 250,000IDR, you learn how to make 5 different traditional Balinese beauty products including massage oil, Balinese body scrub, face mask, hair tonic and internal healing drink. Learning this ancient knowledge of the healing properties of the different ingredients we were using was absolutely fascinating. Inquire in-store to book.

Photos: Angelo Store, Products, Natural Beauty Workshop

Rice Paddy Walk

One afternoon we set out on our own to explore the luscious rice paddies tucked behind the main street Jalan Raya Ubud. I couldn't believe that such a stunning, serene landscape was within walking distance of the hustle and bustle of Ubud town center.

There are a few different paths you can take but none are clearly marked.We turned off Jalan Raya Ubud at Jalan Kajeng and followed it for about 10 minutes until we suddenly popped out onto the rice paddy. This u-shaped path takes you around and meets back up with Jalan Raya Ubud at the Museum Puri Lukisan. However the track is not clearly marked and we weren't sure if we were following the right one so we just got to a point and turned and went back the way we came.

Photos: Rice Field, Man making coconut shell bowls, Me and Wyan - we bought fresh coconut water from her at her little farm nestled among the rice fields, the cat that tried to adopt us,man working in the rice field

Day Spa

There are plenty of spas and beauticians to choose from in Ubud. Generally the larger spas and hotel spas are more expensive so if you are on a budget look for the smaller spas and massage places where prices for a 1 hour massage start from 50,000 IDR. No matter where you are staying in Ubud you'll find a massage place nearby. If you are looking for one that uses natural products SKIN Spa and Organic Waxing Salon in Jalan Gootama is a good one although it's a bit more expensive.

Komune Beach Club

Since Ubud is inland, we hired a driver for the day (500,000 IDR) to take us to the black sanded Keramas Beach where we relaxed by the sea, sipping fresh juice at Komune Beach Club. There we made use of their pool, sun beds, bar, restaurant and free wifi.

Photos: Komune Beach Club Bar/Restaurant, Komune Beach Club Pool, View of Keramas beach from my sun lounge

Ubud Art Markets

If you want to take back any cheap souvenirs the markets are your one-stop shop, or should I say markets. Here you'll find all the ornaments, wooden goods, clothes, shoes, bags etc. You won't find as much variety as you do down in Kuta but it still has a lot to offer. Oh and don't forget to get your haggle on. Check out this article for market prices in Bali.

Photos: Ubud Art Markets

Sacred Monkey Forest

And last last lucky last, The Sacred Monkey Forest. Although it's pretty touristy, no trip to Ubud is complete without a visit here. Aside from going to coo over the cute (read cheeky) monkeys, this patch of jungle, located at the end of Monkey Forest Rd, is worth seeing in it's own right. The forest, reminiscent of something out of Indiana Jones, is home to 3 temples and some beautiful jungle scenery. Entry costs 30,000 IDR and bananas can be bought once inside to feed the monkeys. However don't get too close to the monkeys. They will take any opportunity to nick any items within easy reach. So hold on tight to your hats, sunnies and water bottles . Best to put any lose items in your bag.

Photos: Me at the Monkey Forest, Monkey having a snack

I hope this has given you a bit of inspiration on what to do on your next trip to Ubud.

Nic xox

The Ultimate Bali DIY Yoga Retreat Guide

September 23, 2014

Nicola

Travel

Hey lovely,

As you may know, a few weeks ago I arrived back home after spending 11 days in the beautiful Ubud in Bali. This was my third trip to Bali but my first to Ubud and I now am even more in love with this little island than I already was.

Ubud has this incredible spiritual vibe and has become a mecca for yogis, health nuts and spiritual seekers. The abundance of organic / raw food cafes, alternative healers, spiritual book shops, crystals and yoga studios in the lively town centre contrasted with the tranquility of the lush rice fields just behind the bustling main street made me think I'd found heaven on earth.

Photos: Exploring the Rice Fields; Motorbikes parked on the main street Jalan Raya Ubud

I have always had an adventurous spirit and I consider myself a traveler (as opposed to a tourist). But this trip was not about sightseeing and exploring (although I couldn't help myself so there was a little of that), it was about taking time to reconnect and go within.

Since Elizabeth Gilbert's bestseller Eat Pray Love, loads of health, spiritual and yoga retreats have popped up in Ubud. However they can be rather pricey. Not wanting to spend that kind of money I decided to create my own Ubud retreat for a fraction of the price.

All together the trip cost me AU$2 500. That includes everything from flights to accommodation to food to spending money.

So how did I create my own Bali DIY Yoga Retreat? Keep on reading.

Full Disclosure:I am not affiliated with any of the below organisations and am not getting paid for writing this post. All prices are as at August 2014.

Flights

Flights are relative inexpensive when flying from Sydney, or anywhere else in Aus. We picked up a Jetstar return flight for AU$550. This price excluded checked luggage and you can find out how I traveled only with carry on here.

You could probably pick up a cheaper deal depending on the time of year you fly. We were travelling during peak season which is in July and August. Prices also increase during the school holidays.

Accommodation

There are 2 main cheap accommodation options in Ubud. You can stay in a boutique guesthouse/hotel or you can go the home-stay route. Home-stay accommodation is where a Balinese family rent out a room in their home (compound) for accommodation. They are generally the cheapest starting from as little as AU$10 per night.

When choosing accommodation also take into consideration the location. Where are the restaurants, yoga studios and day spas you want to go to? Try to find accommodation that is within walking distance to the places that you know you will be frequenting.

We stayed in the gorgeous Kunang Kunang Guesthouse. Because we were staying for a longer period we got a twin room for 450,000 IDR per night. For the 11 nights that equated to approximately $230 each. This price included a basic breakfast each morning.

The accommodation was basic yet comfortable. The rooms were clean, the grounds, complete with a swimming pool, were gorgeous, the staff were friendly and it was well located within walking distance of the Yoga Barn and the main street.

Photos: Kunung Kunung Guesthouse; View over the pool and rice field from our balcony; Our twin room at Kunang Kunang Guesthouse

Eat

Omg the food in Bali is amazing! Ubud is bursting with cafe's, restaurants and juice bars where you can enjoy every kind of healthy cuisine from organic, raw, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, dairy free, gluten free. You name it, you'll find it.

Not to mention it's also pretty cheap. On average I was paying AU$6 to $10 a meal including drinks*. And we were eating at the best organic/wholefoods places. If you are not so fussy on eating healthy food you can find even cheaper eats.

*In Bali the prices listed on the menu usually exclude the service charge and government tax. You will be charged and extra 21% (11% service, 10%tax) on the total of you bill.

With so many healthy places to eat I didn't get to them all but my favourites were:

Dayu's Warung - was my top fav. After the owner, Dayu, healed herself and her daughter she opened her own healthy warung in Jalan Sugriwa to share her passion for healthy food. You'll find everything from fresh juices and smoothies, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan and raw dishes as well as traditional Balinese dishes with a healthy twist. The entire menu is also gluten and MSG free. To top it all off Dayu's was the cheapest healthy eat we found in Ubud. Drinks were between 12,000 and 20,000 IDR (AU$1 - 2) and meals on average were 30,000 IDR (AU$3)

Photos: Aloe Detox Drink and Banana Juice; Coconut Gomasio Salad

Kafe + Garden Kafe - Both are owned by the same people and serve a delicious range of whole healthy foods, smoothies and juices. You can find something to suit every dietary requirement, whether you are a meat and grain eater or a raw vegan. Kafe was right across the road from our accommodation on Jalan Hanoman and Garden Kafe is located in the luscious grounds of The Yoga Barn. The menus vary slightly between the two locations to cater for the pre and post yoga appetites at Garden Kafe.

Photos: Green Smoothies + Raw Desserts; Weekly Sunday Vegetarian Buffet Lunch

Bali Buda - located in the quiet street Jalan Jembawan opposite the Ubud Post Office, Bali Buda is the slow food restaurant in Bali. With locations in Ubud, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua, Bali Buda serves fresh, tasty, homemade food prepared with sustainable, organic and chemical free produce to satisfy every dietary requirement. Aside from their food, I really loved their dedication to protecting the local environment and culture. I also liked that they didn't provide wifi because they believe that meals are a time for connection.

Photo: Pesto Pizza + Kombucha

Down To Earth Cafe - We didn't get to this one until our second last day and I only wish we'd gotten there sooner. This place serves of the most amazing organic vegetarian food. The Raw Chocolate Mousse Cup Cake I had was to die for. Down to Earth Cafe is located above* the Down to Earth Market on Jalan Goutama Selatan where you can also buy a range of holistic health products and foods.

*The cafe is accessed via the stairs at the back of the shop

Photo: Raw Chocolate Mousse Cup Cake and Coconut Goddess Drink

Clear Cafe - another popular healthy restaurant located on Jalan Hanoman that serves organic, natural and clean foods. Their extensive menu offers something to satisfy every diet. When you walk into this modern sanctuary you leave your shoes at the door and are adorned with a frangipani behind your ear.

Photo: Diamond Detox Drink + Rabbit Paradise Salad

Yoga

There are plenty of places to do yoga in Ubud. Most of the yoga studios offer a variety of different styles of yoga, meditation, Qi Gong, Pilates and Tai Chi.

If you are creating your own retreat the best and most economical way to do yoga is to buy a class pass. Most of the studios either offer a certain number of classes pack (e.g. 10 classes valid for 30 days) or a certain number of days pass (e.g. 14 day unlimited class pass).

Additionally the benefit of buying a pass upfront is that you will be more motivated to go since you'll have already paid for it. That's right. No slacking!

I bought a 10 class pass at The Yoga Barn for 750,000 IDR (AU$75) which gave me access to all their classes which range from traditional yoga styles of Classical Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Power, Pranayama, Restorative, Iyengar, Yin & Anusara to Meditation, Pilates, Qi Gong, Tai Chi Sound Medicine, Kirtan and Ecstatic Dance.

The Yoga Barn is the most beautiful place I've ever done yoga. Although they call it a barn it's more like a tropical oasis. The main yoga studio is in a large open traditional Indonesian building set in the midst of a tropical landscape and small rice paddy.

Photos: Yoga Studio Sign; Yoga Barn Main Studio

Although The Yoga Barn was the only place that I did yoga, there are many other studios. The most popular ones include

Radiantly Alive in Jalan Jembewan (opposite Bali Buda)

Taksu in Jalan Goutama Selatan (near Down To Earth)

White Lotus Yoga + Meditation Centre in Jalan Kajeng

Ubud Bodyworks Centerin Jalan Hanoman

Heal

Alternative healers from all over the world seem to flock to Ubud. Whether you are looking for naturopathy, Chinese/herbal medicine, Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Reiki, Psychics, Mediums, Crystals, Energy Work, Colour Therapy, Sound Medicine, you will find it all in Ubud.

By creating your own DIY retreat you can customise your treatments and tailor it to your budget. The easiest way to find a healer is through the yoga studios.

Photos: Yoga Barn's Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Centre

The Yoga Barn offers a whole ranger of holistic healing treatments including CranioSacral, Kinesiology, Chinese Medicine + Acupuncture, Ayurveda Customized Consultations, Naturopathy + Allergy Elimination, Reiki, Shiatsu, Pranic Healing + Chakra Balancing, Deeksha Blessings, Indian Sound Healing, Sound Medicine, Thai Yoga Massage and Esalen Massage. Click here to find out more.

Radiantly Alive also has a good range of similar Holistic Therapies.

Do

The other added benefit of DIY'ing your yoga retreat is that you have the flexibility to add a bit of sightseeing into your retreat.

I actually think that experiencing the local culture is an important part of going on a retreat. It opens your eyes to different ways of living and being which helps you reflect on what is truly important in your own life.

I find travelling to be one of the easiest way to get into the present moment.

You are so immersed in the new sights, sounds, smells and tastes that your worries seem to drop away. That relaxed, holiday mode feeling is actually you connecting to your true self.

Now I'm not suggesting that you need to be doing something everyday. Experiencing the local culture also doesn't mean that you have to do loads of day tours and sightseeing trips. It can be as simple as going for a walk in a quieter street where there are less tourists. The beauty of creating your own DIY Bali retreat is that you get to choose the things you want to do and set your own pace.

Photos: Balinese Offerings to the Gods, Ancestors + Demons; Balinese woman carrying wood in the rice fields; Balinese men fighting their roosters in a side street of Ubud

The hard part is going to be choosing. There are tons of great things to see and do in Bali that it deserves a blog post of it's own. Stay tuned!

Now it's over to you.

Have you been on a DIY retreat in Bali or elsewhere? Let me know about your experiences, tips and recommendations below. And of course if you have any questions relating to my DIY retreat don't be afraid to ask :)

Nic xox

P.S. Are any of your friends planning a retreat in Bali? Then don't forget to share this post with them.

How To Pack A Carry On

September 9, 2014

Nicola

Travel

Hey gorgeous,

So I'm back from my getaway to Bali feeling rather rejuvenated. I will tell you all about it in another post (I'm still going through the hundreds of photos I took) but for now I thought I'd share with you my ultimate guide on how to pack a carry on.

On the day I left for Ubud I posted a pic on Instagram of my suitcase.

I was very proud of myself because I fitted 10 days worth of clothes into a carry on and I still had loads of room!

So much room in fact that, coming home, I was able to fit in the shopping I did without even using the expander! FYI the extra items included 5 bags, a sarong, 3 journals, a pair of sandals, 3 pairs of sunglasses, a leather wallet, a bracelet, 2 dream catchers, a Buddha figurine, a watch, some DVD's and 2 wooden spoons.

This was the first time that I have traveled light and I have to say that I surprisingly loved it!

There was something liberating about leaving all the 'stuff' behind.

It made me realise how little you really need not only when you are travelling, but just living in general. Previously I've packed trying to take something to wear and/or use in every eventuality. Half my suitcase was usually filled with 'just in case' items that I either never used or could have managed without.

This time however I kept it strictly to the necessities and the thing is I didn't even notice that I didn't have the usual variety of outfits, accessories and products. I didn't need them nor find myself wanting.

Even though I was packing for 10 days, I reckon could have lasted a month on what I took.

Ok. So you want to know how I packed 10 days into a carry on? Look no further than this info-graphic I put together for you. Consider it your ultimate step-by-step guide on how to pack a carry on so that you can travel light like a pro on your next trip.

Do you have any experiences of packing and travelling with carry on luggage? Or perhaps you're inspired to give it a go? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

Love

Nic xox

P.S. If you have loved this post then feel free to pin it and share it with your fellow travel loving friends.