Hi guys,
I would like to share with you some pictures of my trip and my first Yoga experience in Ubud in Bali in autumn 2016. According to the elders, who often come here, Ubud has recently taken on the character of Saint Tropez : international restaurants, nice little cafes, boutiques of chic clothes, and so on, but it remains a really nice city that I think , Kept its cultural identity and its very special atmosphere. As Wikipedia says: "it remains above all a place of artistic quest".

credit photo : siavach
If you have read the famous book by Elizabeth Gilbert, or seen the film with Julia Roberts, you must remember her pretty temples, this old Balinese healer and her beautiful rice terraces ... Is you remember? So we go to Ubud!

What to see in Ubud?

What is nice about Ubud is first of all to get lost in the narrow streets, to enter an aromatherapy shop or yoga clothes, to climb the few steps to discover a magnificent temple or a superb Traditional house, to bargain souvenirs in the famous market of Ubud, to visit an art gallery, to eat a good vegetarian dish (or a good pizza) and to benefit from all the conveniences offered by this pretty village. Do not miss the streets of Jalan Hanoman and Jalan Monkey Forest, where you will find dozens and dozens of nice little shops.

credit photo : siavach
On the side of tourist attractions, do not miss the Monkey Forest where you will meet ... monkeys, obviously !! It's nice to spend an hour and you may be friends ...

credit photo : siavach

credit photo : siavach
Then, what I particularly like in Bali in general, and in Ubud in particular, are the temples. And what's good is that there are dozens and they're all very alive. You will certainly have the opportunity to attend a religious ceremony during your stay. I love seeing the Balinese who go to the ceremonies because they are really beautiful. They are all dressed very elegantly (sarong mandatory), they look happy and they always wear pretty little offerings with them.

credit photo : siavach

Excursions from Ubud

Next, I would say that the best way to explore the surroundings of Ubud is to rent a scooter for the day and to walk around the small villages of the region.
This time we decided to leave for a longer but really superb excursion: Ubud to Batur Lake, the magnificent Tegalalang rice fields, Tampaksiring sacred springs, coffee plantations and of course the Majestic temple of Besakih, the largest of the island.

credit photo : siavach
I let you enjoy the photos ...

credit photo : siavach

credit photo : siavach

credit photo : siavach
Here is the temple of Tirta Empul, known for sheltering a sacred spring. The Balinese go there to pray according to a very precise ritual. I confess that I did not remember everything, but we must first make a wish before entering the water, then immerse our heads under the different fountains, drink a sip of water, and so on. It was very beautiful but I found it a shame to see so many strangers who surely believe in all that as much as Santa Claus to get into the water and follow the ritual. This is obviously my opinion but I find that it loses a bit in authenticity.

credit photo : siavach

credit photo : siavach
The famous Batur lake and the neighboring volcano.

credit photo : siavach

Start Yoga in Ubud

Well, I have not really mentioned it yet but it must be said that Ubud is very frequented by neo-hippies or "wannabe hippies" who only eat vegetarian, meditate and take yoga classes. I do not criticize it at all, on the contrary, it gives the place a relaxed atmosphere that I appreciate very much.

credit photo : siavach
So, Ubud is the perfect place to start to practice yoga and you can imagine that I took advantage of it ... There are many places that offer yoga classes, retreats and even trainings to become a yoga teacher. I chose the school "Yoga Barn" because it is very famous et i love their restaurant. So I bought a pass 3 days and I went there twice a day ... Here is my first yoga Teacher : GREG from Canada :)

credit photo : siavach

Eating and sleeping in Ubud

Let's finish this Ubud express visit with a few addresses of hotels and restaurants tested and approved :

[Green Lagoon of Ala](Green Lagoon of Ala) : superb little "homestay" lost in the rice fields. The room is superb, the pool overlooks the rice fields and the Balinese crepe at breakfast is a real killer !!

Lokasari Bungalow : Between the SPA and the hotel, this property offers a very high level of service for a very reasonable price (especially if booked via Booking.com). Breakfast a la carte, swimming pool, free shuttle to the Palace of Ubud and ... free massage if you stay more than three nights !!

Dewa Warung, Jalan Gootama : a local restaurant offering delicious dishes at all prices !! I particularly liked the potato cake, the aubergine curry and the nasi campur ... Hummmm !!!

Pignou di Penyu, Jalan Gootama : Mixing local cuisine with French gastronomy, this restaurant is delicious and surprisingly cheap! (Special mention for the beef pie ...).

Warung Lokal, Jalan Gootama : As the name suggests, this restaurant is a local address at the top! Small prices and delicious dishes on the menu ... Especially the excellent tempeh sautéed with vegetables.

Warung Citta Ovest : a pizzeria run by a Japanese ??? And yes, the worst is that the pizzas are delicious and not (too) expensive!