Mossy Ubud

Like a scene from a Laura Croft adventure Ubud rises out of the jungle, elephant-grey in colour with delicate arches, temple walls and fluroscent flowers. The main street heaves with humanity and every form of diesely contraption. Surprisingly so many Tattoo shops as doesn't appear to be Hindu traditions but like Kuta everything seems to focus on the tourists.

Dumped the boys at our accommodation: Nick's Hidden (in a rice padi) Cottages and a minibus pulled up for our cooking class in the hills. 'Rubber time' (like island time but more flexible) in full swing our 1.5 hour class went for 4 hours but notice we did not as we were busy with the freshest galangal, garlic and kaffir limes on chopping blocks of tamarind wood and pestleing and frying up a feast. The chef was amazing and we learnt heaps but not sure the 3 hours preparation will translate to my kitchen after work day or should I say the couch?

Van driver chickened out and dropped us at first opportunity with 20 mins still to walk. Slacker but walking was much faster than peak hour Ubud traffic. The boys messaged they had found a Mexican cantina which meant theyd found some cold ones and snacks. Being a bali belly day I went back to our temple-like digs to rest. Can't remember anymore about that day...

Massage Day 😄
Bill and Eric, excited maybe by the Laura Croft ideal, ventured out early and found some monkey friends and a not so friendly stray dog. Eric being the only one conned into rabies vax ($700 worth) they retreated.

How to choose the right massage from 297 listed establishments and to avoid criticism from those naughty travellers that don't contribute to research 🤔 but complain.

Bill and I did well and we had 3 x blissful massages. Eric didn't fare as well as he was left with the 'vely special' male masseur who was apparently mute and didn't hear Eric's groans of pain.

After a very strong pain killing lunch (margaritas to blame) we joined the western throng in shopping pilgrimage. So many shops !!

Sun came out in the arvo bringing with it memories of FNQ and Kuranda and the heat that matches with it. We were refreshed in our beautiful deep blue pool before heading out for our last night in this diversely beautiful country.

Mexican cantina for dinner and all that comes with it when it's $8 a cocktail. After dinner, dream-like we followed the vibes to find the source of familiar guitar tunes that were floating on the balmy mist. A 4 piece boy band was in full swing and playing everyones personal favourites. We settled in with a couple from Manchester and sang our nostalgic hearts out even getting up for a boogie.

Early start and sad thoughts of the wonderful and cultural interlude coming to an end. Without my glasses I mistook Kwells for nurofen and snored the 2 hour drive to the airport 'apparently'. No proof was given tho.

As we say goodbye and thank you (Terima Kasih - “it is accepted with love we to” to this warm friendly tropical island group we wish you all the best with so many tourists and that you will keep your good will and tolerance candles burning bright 🙏 Jakarta with 32 million inhabitants and only 1/4 of the DV rates in Australia.

An inspiration for us living with plenty to take some rubber time out, to improve our manners when behind the wheel, and to decorate our steps with flowers 🌺Read more