Things to do in Bali
Ubud is a magical place that has been attracting visitors, tourists and artists from all over the world for more than 100 years. The people of Ubud today continue a unique combination of traditions based on rice-field cultivation, a rich Hindu-Bali religious ceremony cycle, and a dynamic life of dance, music, art and sculpture. Since the 1930s Ubud has also attracted Western and other Asian artists; and since the 1990s the town has developed a name as a traditional healing centre, a centre for yoga and meditation; and increasingly, a gourmet diner's paradise!
Some things to do:
Relaxing ... just hang out in Villa Sukmawati, read a novel, watch a video or two, write, paint, enjoy the garden, take a dip in the pool...
Walking ... take a stroll along Jalan Raya Andong and explore the handicraft shops. Turn off down a side alley and into the rice fields. Walk to Petulu village to watch the White Herons (Kokokan birds).
NB you will need a map of Ubud (there should be one in the Villa, or you can buy one at Delta Dewata).
Biking ... hire a mountain bike and explore the villages of Ubud. While traffic along the main roads is often busy, only local traffic passes through the villages and riding the back lanes of Ubud is a delight. Note: there are some steep hills!
You can also join a bike riding tour - the tour company will pick you up from the villa and drive you to Kintamani: you can then coast downhill through picturesque villages to Ubud or the nearby village of Pejeng.
Driving ... hire a car and explore further afield.
Exit the Villa driveway and turn right then just go straight uphill - a
one hour drive takes you to Kintamani, the town on the ridge overlooking
the Mount Batur volcano and caldera. Fantastic views, and some
reasonable restaurants for lunch.
White-water rafting, canyoning, elephant rides, diving: numerous tour agencies in Ubud can organise these activities for you. Most tour companies will pick you up from the villa.
Painting and sculpture: visit the art galleries (Neka Museum, Puri Lukisan, Rudana Museum, Agung Rai Museum of Art and many other smaller commercial galleries).
Watch a traditional dance performance: every evening in the forecourt of the Ubud Palace there are dance performances; there are also dance performances for visitors in many villages around Ubud. See: the Bali information guide.
Get into some serious literary discussion at the annual Ubud Writers and Readers Festival.
Go dancing at the Jazz Cafe, Cafe Havana, and several other lively Ubud night spots.