Ubud was next on our list and though five days might be a
stretch for some, there’s plenty to do and see. Ubud is known as the cultural
and artistic heart of Bali and plenty of art there is. Plenty of everything,
really, as well as plenty of hagglers. Quite a shock after a week of peace and
quiet. Haggling here takes on an almost alien dimension. We’ve lived and
travelled a fair bit in Asia for the last six years and I can’t recall a place
where the locals are that aggressive or relentless. The trick is to avoid eye
contact, though they will still call you, jerk adverts or products in your
face, if you walk on, though, you’re good. But it gets to you as it is constant
haggling, even when riding a scooter! Picture this: we had rented scooters on
our second day to ride through the various villages that surround Ubud when
this guy, on his scooter too, asked us if we wanted a taxi service! Seriously!
That’s another level of haggling altogether. Another inside secret is shopping
for the best taxi ride to our next place, Tulamben. Prices ranged from 700.000
to 400.000 rupiah. But the best was yet to come: when I told a guy I had been
offered 400.000 he told me he would get me to Amed for that price because
Tulamben was too far. The only issue is we weren’t going to Amed. Hahahha. Got
to laugh at that one. Bargaining a price, I can see, but bargaining a lesser
ride, I had not experienced before! Let’s not change topic yet. Money makes the
world go round, as the saying goes. And
unfortunately in poorer countries, people try to make as much as they can.
Whilst I understand the principle, I really hate being cheated. It’s theft,
purely and simply. First “misunderstanding” at the money exchange bureau: the
guy tried and was very apologetic when I recounted the money only to find it
was short. Not nice! Second “misunderstanding” was in a shop this time.
Unexpected and very unpleasant experience too. As I was paying, the lady gave
me a price that didn’t seem right. She hadn’t put it through the till so I
asked her for the receipt, she went to check and again apologised for the wrong
price, higher, that goes without saying. Then she says she doesn’t have any
change and offers me sweets instead! “Is ok, sweets?” “Pardon?” “Is ok, sweets,
no change.” Well. At that point I just left.
In Ubud, we walked around the very pretty town, rode out to
the outer villages. We took a tour and visited gorgeous Hindu temples amongst
which Goa Gajah or Elephant Cave Temple, Gunung Kawi, went to Lake Batur and
admired the volcano. We even saw the tip of the volcano as they sky cleared. On
the way back to Ubud, we stopped at a coffee plantation and marvelled at the rice
paddies and how they are carved and sculpted in the hills in Tegallalang. Our
hotel, the Bliss Spa resort, was on the outskirts of town among the rice
fields. Very beautiful too. Overall, a lovely time.
More photos on google+. :)
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