First Time in Ubud, Bali: A Magical Experience until our Scooter Accident!
Updated: Apr 5
Ubud, located in the heart of Bali, Indonesia, is a captivating town known for its rich cultural heritage, lush landscapes, and spiritual charm. Renowned as the island's cultural and artistic hub, Ubud offers a serene escape from the bustling coastal areas. Its picturesque surroundings encompass terraced rice fields, dense rainforests, and sacred temples, creating a tranquil setting for visitors and locals alike.
The town is famous for its vibrant art scene, showcasing traditional crafts, dance performances, and galleries. This was what was most attractive to us, as it is what we had always envisioned when planning to come to Bali.
Exploring Ubud means immersing oneself in the local way of life, with opportunities to witness traditional ceremonies, partake in yoga and meditation retreats, indulge in wellness treatments, and savor organic cuisine. Ubud's serene ambiance, artistic allure, and connection to Balinese spirituality make it a captivating destination for those seeking cultural enrichment and natural beauty in Bali. For us our adventure here was sadly cut dramatically short because of a pretty bad scooter accident, but we still want to share our experience, no matter how limited!
Read on for our first impressions, our Ubud Airbnb, some of the eateries we tried, what happened on the scooter, and our Ubud experience rating.
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Our first impressions of Ubud in Bali
We arrived in Ubud fairly late, having left Bangkok in Thailand in the afternoon for the four hour flight to Bali. The journey from Denpasar International Airport (the only airport in Bali) to the Airbnb was long and arduous, taking over an hour, showing us the crazy traffic that is synonymous with Bali's roads.
Nonetheless we made it, slightly weary and blurry eyed, by around 9pm. It was dark, we were hungry, tired, but super happy to be in what has been our dream destination ever since we first thought about traveling over 2 years ago. We were actually supposed to start our travel journey in Bali, however back in 2021 Bali was still very hard to enter due to Covid, so we had to abandon our plans. So here we were, excited to check out our new digs (more on that later), and our jungle surroundings.
Ubud is absolutely beautiful. Like really really beautiful! It is lush and green, local and natural, and everything in between. Bali is majority Hindu, and there are temples and statues of worship literally everywhere. Pretty much every other building! One of the first things we noticed, on a road just a few minutes from our Airbnb, was this temple above, sporting a swastika. Of course it was kind of shocking to see that at first, but a quick bit of research later helped us to understand why.
The swastika, known as "swastik" or "swastyastu" in Balinese, is an ancient symbol that predates its negative connotations. It is a sacred and auspicious symbol that represents prosperity, good fortune, and protection in Balinese Hinduism.
The Balinese swastika is often depicted as a clockwise rotating equilateral cross with arms bent at right angles. It is commonly found in Balinese architecture, traditional paintings, and religious rituals. The symbol is considered highly sacred and is associated with the Hindu god Vishnu, who is considered the preserver and protector.
In Balinese Hinduism, the swastika symbolizes the wheel of life, the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It represents harmony, balance, and the interconnection of the physical and spiritual realms. It is believed to bring positive energy, luck, and spiritual blessings when used or displayed appropriately.
It's important to note that the Balinese swastika should not be confused with the swastika used by Nazi Germany, which has a different orientation and historical context. The Balinese swastika predates the Nazi symbol by thousands of years and has a completely separate cultural and religious significance within Balinese traditions.
It is fair to say that our first impressions of this spiritual wonderland were pretty epic. We were so excited to explore the artisan cafes, the abundant craft stores, clothing shops and Warung's, and the famous rice terraces that you will see as perhaps one of Bali's most famous places. Little did we know that this enthusiasm and energy would be dealt a huge blow, quite literally, on just day 2 of our adventure.
We have put together as much as we saw in those first two days, prior to a pretty bad and debilitating scooter accident, which cut short all of our plans not just for Ubud, but for our whistlestop tour of Bali. We were only in Ubud for 3 days, with the same amount of time planned in Kuta and Cenggu. Our idea was that we were going to see all three of these major areas, pick our favorite, and plan a longer stay when we return to Bali, in-keeping with our usual slow-travel mantra. But as they say, ce la vi, it was what it was! At least we are alive and healthy, and here to write this blog post for you!
Our Airbnb accommodation
Located just a short walk off of the main high street in Ubud (there is only one), we found our Airbnb, named Odesa, tucked away amongst the gorgeous palm trees and vibrant green bush of the Ubud jungle.
This Airbnb is about as close to outdoor living as you can get! The kitchen and bathroom are both semi-outdoors, and the main room is fully covered but has exposed gaps at the tops of the walls for good ventilation. The mixed concrete and wood decor felt really 'earthy' and we knew for sure we were in Bali. This is just the kind of experience we wanted!
There was one other unit beside us, and one opposite, but even in the tight space everything felt nice and private. The outdoor pool is completely natural and filtered by the plants, palms and soil around it. We sadly only got to try it once as our accident put paid to that, but when we did it was a great temperature and really refreshing.
In terms of facilities, this place comes with all of the basics that you need. Coffee was a little bit of an issue, which is kind of essential for us in the morning, however there are plenty of cafes on the main street. We actually got lucky as our neighbour gave us some, which got us out of trouble. There is a small local store just around the corner but options are limited, so it might be an idea to stock up on supplies if you are arriving late or if you like your creature comforts.
We really enjoyed our stay here and would definitely recommend it if you are looking to get as close as you can to Balinese life. It is very affordable and we would have stayed for longer if not for our plans to explore the rest of the island. The only downside is there are a rather large amount of chickens and roosters around the place, and they literally call out all day. Not a major issue but if you are a light sleeper, bring ear plugs!
If you would like any further information on Odesa Airbnb please do get in touch. You can do so in the comments section below or reach out on our contact page here.
Next up: Take a look at our first taste of Balinese Cuisine!
Thinking about an Airbnb? This guide outlines vital tips to safeguard your stay, including key security checks & red flags to look out for.
Blue Bliss Warung - Our first taste of Balinese Cuisine
It was coming up to 10pm when we rocked up here, it being the only place that looked open at that time on the high street. We were pretty hungry and thankful it was open! The staff here are super friendly and the prices are excellent. Most meals are $1-2 USD. We also had our first Bintang here (the national beer of Indonesia). It is great!
The menu is limited but if you are looking for good prices and a decent meal, we would recommend Blue Bliss. We tried the chicken curry and a soup, and we also returned in the morning for some breakfast too. The food is tasty and there is a decent vibe inside, albeit a little too close to the road and the copious amount of scooters that fly by for most of the day. You can rent scooters here too, although we did not get ours from them (our Airbnb offered us one).
What is a Warung?
A warung is a small, traditional Indonesian eatery or food stall commonly found throughout Indonesia, including Bali. It is a popular dining option that offers a variety of local dishes at affordable prices. Warungs are often family-owned and operated, creating a cozy and casual atmosphere.
These establishments serve a range of Indonesian cuisine, such as nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), sate (grilled skewers), gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce), and various types of soups and curries. Warung's are known for their authentic flavors and use of local ingredients. They cater to both locals and tourists, providing a chance to experience the diverse culinary delights of Indonesia in a relaxed and informal setting. Warung's are an integral part of Indonesian culture and serve as important social spaces where people gather to enjoy a meal, chat, and connect with others.
Coconut Kitchen
Coconut Kitchen is known for its fresh, organic ingredients and its use of traditional Balinese cooking methods. The menu features a variety of dishes, including nasi goreng, mie goreng, satay, and grilled fish. The restaurant also has a wide selection of fresh juices and smoothies.
The atmosphere at Coconut Kitchen is relaxed and informal. The restaurant is decorated with traditional Balinese artifacts, and there is a small garden where you can enjoy your meal al fresco, or you can sit at the bar like we did, and watch the world pass by as you eat.
Coconut Kitchen is a great place to experience the flavors of Bali in a casual and relaxed setting. The food is delicious, the service is good, and the prices are reasonable. What more do you need?! Plus it is just a 10 minute ride from Monkey Forest, if that is where you are headed.
The Lazy Cats Cafe
Lazy Cats Cafe is a popular vegetarian and vegan cafe in Ubud, Bali. It is located on Jl. Raya Ubud No.11, at the end of the main road towards Blanco Museum. The cafe is open daily from 8am to 9pm, and on Saturdays there is a live DJ from 7pm to 10pm.
Jenn found the Lazy Cats Cafe online and we decided to plan in a stop here on the way to the Ceking Rice Terrace on our scooter. This was our last stop before the accident sadly! It is fair to say we were kind of expecting there to be cats, but aside from references in the menu and on the walls, there isn't any of our favorite furry friends here.
But what it lacks in actual cats, it makes up for that with its charming, rustic-chic atmosphere, exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and vintage decor. There is a cool bar style half-outdoor seating area with plenty of shade, making it a great place to relax and people-watch.
The menu at Lazy Cats Cafe features a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes, including salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pasta, and desserts. There are also a number of gluten-free and raw food options available.
The food at Lazy Cats Cafe is fresh, delicious, and reasonably priced. The service is friendly and attentive. Lazy Cats Cafe is a great place to enjoy a healthy and satisfying meal in a relaxed and stylish setting! Be sure to stop here while you are in Ubud, especially as it is technically on the way to the rice terraces and literally around the corner from the monkey forest.
As good as it was here, little did we know that just a few moments later our world was literally about to be turned upside down...
Our Scooter Accident
The traffic in Ubud is literally insane, so we decided to avoid the main route of chaos and take the only other option, the quiet backroads. Leon was worried about the traffic (ironically) so he thought it would be way easier. But.... these roads are tight, bendy, hilly and pot holed. We felt OK, it was a 30 minute ride and we were halfway through. It is so hard though; without a sat nav or any form of road warning signs it was impossible to anticipate the bends. So we were going slow!
We were going down a hill and around a bend when it happened. There was a truck and bike behind us trying to overtake, and then as we got round the bend there was an oncoming truck on the road and it didn't honk (this is usually standard practice to warn bikes). We had to swerve to dodge him, then the bike slipped; Leon ended up underneath it; Jenn went over the top of him and the bike.
We are so thankful it was not worse, with no broken bones, despite the intense pain of our injuries. It absolutely sucks as we were in one of our dream destinations and for a good week after could do nothing but rest up and recover. But we are so thankful we are alive.
Moral of the story here is please do not get on a bike or scooter in Bali if you are inexperienced. Even more so, read our blog post via the link below (or tap the thumbnail above) about the new regulations that may prohibit all foreigners from using them anyway. Be smart, be safe, and don't take the risk if you are not confident. It really is not worth it!
Exploring Ubud on YouTube
Take a look at our video over on Jenn and Leon Travel for more from Ubud! We also have videos on our other travels across Bali, which we battled through despite our injuries! Grab a cuppa, sit back and relax, and enjoy this stunning Indonesian paradise!
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Read more: Indonesia's New Capital of Nusantara: All you need to know about the move from Jakarta in 2024
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Our Ubud experience rating
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
The name 'Ubud' in Bali literally means 'medicine', which is kind of ironic given our accident! It is such a shame that this incident overshadowed our time here, even to a point that we were unable to visit the places we were so excited about, such as the Ceking Rice Terrace.
We were determined not to let it spoil our time in Bali, but that was kind of hard to do. It is what it is, either way we are super grateful to have seen what we did manage to see, and we will most certainly be back in Ubud at some point. We loved what we did experience, and we are very excited to return!
Thank you for reading, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comment section below. All feedback on the post is welcome too!
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