29 Jan 2016 27 Comments
Day Tripping around the Ubud Region
Having spent several days working on a book I am editing, I was excited to spend the day out and about in the region surrounding Ubud, Bali. My driver and I created an itinerary that would take us from watching a traditional Balinese dance to the return of thousands of herons, with much in between.
We headed to Gianyar first thing in the morning to watch a Barong and Kris dance, which tells an ancient Hindu story about the fight between good and evil.







From Gianyar we headed to the beautiful Tegenungan waterfall. Stunning views slowed our progress on the short hike down concrete steps. It was a hot day, and when we finally reached the fall, the water was incredibly refreshing.


After getting in a good hike back up the stairs from the waterfall, we headed to the famous Tirtha Empul Holy Spring Temple. This sacred historical complex was full of tourists dipping in the holy waters. It is a gorgeous area (as is all of Bali!), and I enjoyed strolling the grounds.

Onward we drove, to Goa Gajah, another famous temple, built in the ninth century. It sustained a lot of damage in the 1963 earthquake that devastated many areas in Bali, but the hilly terrain, meandering paths, and surrounding jungle made for a very pleasant stroll.

When one of the ninth-century temples was destroyed in the earthquake, the villagers stacked the rubble into a monument of sorts.

Upon leaving Goa Gajah, my driver, Yandi, and I drove through the sudden monsoon, the second of the season, and stopped for lunch at the Tegallalong Rice Fields cafe overlooking—you guessed it—the Tegallalong Rice Fields. The monsoon rain is torrential; it comes down hard, fast, and in one of the most vertical lines provided by Mother Nature! Streets are instantly flooded, and I was glad I had such a professional driver. I had already visited these rice fields, so it was fun to just sit in our own little covered area and watch the incredible view of the fields being pelted by the nourishing water as we enjoyed our lunch.

We ended our day at Petulu Gunung, a tiny village near where I was staying in Andong. This one-street village is home to the Kokokan, a white heron that stands about sixteen inches tall. The village is becoming famous because every day a huge flock of herons flies far away to seek food, then returns every evening around 5:00. We arrived right at 5:00 and already thousands of birds had returned to the trees. Baby birds had hatched and were being tended by their mothers in the hundreds of nests filling the trees. The Kokokan is important to the villagers, as word of their daily mass return has started to draw tourists from nearby Ubud to witness the incredible scene, relieving some of the devastating poverty that plagues the village.
As I stood, solitary, in a grassy field bordered by a couple of rice paddies, the beautiful white birds kept coming. Their graceful beauty was hard for this amateur photographer to capture. The villagers clearly respect and protect the herons, as they feel they were specially chosen to be stewards of this elegant bird.

It was truly a wonderful day of taking in the incredible variety of things to do and see in the region surrounding Ubud. The driver cost me $30USD for the full day, and I spent a total of about $18.50 on everything else, including entrance fees to some of the places and paying for Yandi’s and my lunch. I won’t be splurging like this very often, so when I do, you can be sure I will make the most of it!
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January 29, 2016 @ 10:04 pm
Looks like you’re having a blast! Very inspiring.
January 29, 2016 @ 10:07 pm
Thank you, Lars! Indeed, I am savoring every moment.
January 29, 2016 @ 10:26 pm
Wonderful dance costumes and masks! Looks like gamelon (sp) instruments. I’ve seen some really incredibly carved instruments from a gamelon concert I saw many years ago, I hope you got or will get to see some. Nice to see you’re having such a good time! Keep it up!
January 29, 2016 @ 11:32 pm
Thanks, Kevin! Yes, those are gamelons. I am thoroughly enjoying my immersion in the Balinese culture. I have spent most of my time so far with a wonderful family outside Ubud. I am now in Pemuteran on the northwest coast of the island.
January 30, 2016 @ 5:38 am
Oh Jessica. The pics are awesome, and the waterfalls are breathtaking. So refreshing! Thanks for sharing with us. Very inspiring. Continue to live your dream.
January 30, 2016 @ 3:47 pm
Thank you, Nancy! I am enjoying myself very much.
January 30, 2016 @ 7:08 am
I am so glad you are having such a good time. Miss you.
January 30, 2016 @ 3:48 pm
Thank you, Azella. I have been enjoying every moment. Bali is beautiful.
January 30, 2016 @ 7:15 am
Thanks for virtually taking me with you. Such beauty and fun.
January 30, 2016 @ 3:49 pm
Thank you, Wanda. It’s pretty spectacular so far!
January 30, 2016 @ 7:31 am
I’m loving your posts and traveling vicariously through you – meanwhile I get to move this weekend – boo !!
January 30, 2016 @ 3:50 pm
I feel your pain, Jennifer! Luckily, I get to keep moving . . . and moving . . . but with only one bag! 🙂
January 30, 2016 @ 7:46 am
Thanks for sharing, Jessica–so much to see and absorb when you step into a different world! Love the herons!
January 30, 2016 @ 3:51 pm
Thank you, Jeanne! The herons were mesmerizing! I especially enjoyed watching, up close, a mother feeding her hungry little babies. The birds seem almost tame because no one bothers them.
January 30, 2016 @ 9:04 am
So wonderful to be with you on your travels, The Kokokan are beautiful.
Is there lightning with the monsoon rain?
January 30, 2016 @ 3:52 pm
Thank you, Stephan. Oh, my gosh! Lightning and the most intense thunder, yes! One was so close to me I nearly jumped out of my skin during lunch on the rice terraces. Thrilling, really!
January 30, 2016 @ 9:36 am
thnks Jessica. This is really interesting and I thoroughly enjoy all the pics. How long will you be in Bali for?
January 30, 2016 @ 3:53 pm
Thank you, Debbie. I am here until early February, then on to Malaysia for several days before returning to another part of Indonesia. I have a special story to share soon about why I am returning!
January 30, 2016 @ 2:17 pm
Gorgeous day tour! I can almost smell the fertile soil and fresh rain! Very cool how they made art out of the rubble. The heron truly makes me feel peaceful. And wanted to also point out how hot you look in that blue bikini!! Nice pic. Nice work. 🙂
January 30, 2016 @ 3:59 pm
Ha ha! Thank you, Suzanne! I have learned to just relax and enjoy my presence here on the planet. The harder part is letting go of my hair and makeup! I am very aware of how much my external appearance matters to me. Having been in the beauty business for so long, it is hard for me not to look even remotely like the person I’m familiar with. I know all about internal beauty, natural beauty, blah blah, but I also know how I am most comfortable. While it’s nice to let it go for a little while, it is definitely not a permanent state!
January 30, 2016 @ 5:04 pm
I am so happy for you Jessica. You are living the dream.
January 30, 2016 @ 5:06 pm
Thanks, Debbie! Yes, I am living my dream, for sure.
January 30, 2016 @ 5:05 pm
That would scare the hell out of me.
January 30, 2016 @ 5:07 pm
World travel is not for everyone, that’s for sure.
January 30, 2016 @ 5:06 pm
🙂
February 8, 2016 @ 7:12 pm
I’m planning my trip to Bali now and am motivated and excited to follow your magnificent journey. I’m gaining fabulous ideas for adventures!! I’d love to hear how you crafted your trip, where to go in Bali, where to stay, how did you find your driver… Any and all information you wish to share would be greatly appreciated:) enjoy!
February 18, 2016 @ 1:12 am
Hi Kathryn, thanks for your kind words. I’m glad to hear you are finding my information valuable! I am not planning ahead much; mostly I am getting information from other travelers. Bali is a wonderland with lots to do. It is quite easy to find drivers. Mine was the bungalow owner’s son-in-law. Honestly, everyone has different tastes in adventure, but I would say one of the best parts of my stay outside of Ubud was to the Arung Rai Museum and my morning walks through the rice fields. The places I visited on the journey from Ubud to Pemuteran were all fantastic. I loved staying in Pemuteran and snorkeling off of Mangangen Island. It’s all fabulous!