Time in Ubud, by Garth

We spent five days in Ubud on the island of Bali from June 24th to June 29th. We wandered around the town, walked along Campuhan Ridge which was a hike on a hilly ridge overlooking some of the countryside, and watched Indonesian dancing (called Legong dancing) at Ubud Palace. In the town we did some shopping. You have to negotiate the price for anything you buy there. We walked by Monkey Forest when we were walking around Ubud but the monkeys seemed very vicious so we don't go in to that site.  One of the ladies outside the forest who was selling bananas had to take out a slingshot every now and then and wave it around to scare the monkeys away from her stall.

Hannah having a staring contest at Monkey Forest, Ubud

We had an opportunity to go to Dairy Queen for blizzards which was a huge treat for us. That was our lunch that day.  There are no Dairy Queens in Penang.

Dairy Queen, Ubud

Enjoying blizzards

Here is a picture of the cultural show with Indonesian dancing. It was called Legong, and took place at Ubud Palace.  The movement of the eyes and the fingers is very significant in this kind of dancing.  The eyes are made up with eyeliner and mascara to look very large and dark with a huge contrast of the whites of the eyes.  The fingers are stretched out to look very long.  There are drummers who provide the background music. The Legong dance is divided up into 10 sections, with each dance from a section telling a particular story.

Legong dancing at Ubud Palace

Another picture from Legong dancing

A group of five women dancing during the Legong dance

Short video from Legong dance at Ubud Palace: Legong Dance

We also took about a 2 hour walk along Campuhan Ridge, which is just outside of Ubud.

Hannah, Kate, and Eileen walking along Campuhan Ridge.  What is with Hannah's funny face?

One of the views from Campuhan Ridge

When we were in Ubud we stayed at Lokasari Bungalows in this particular building which is a former Hindu temple site.  It was very unique.  Every morning traditionally dressed ladies would walk around leaving their offerings outside each building and in the walkways, complete with smoking incense.

Villa we stayed in at Lokasari Bungalows