Ubud

  Ubud, Indonesia
Thursday, September 18, 1997

September 18th: I left Pemuteran together with Kathleen (from Paris) for Ubud. We took a bemo to Singaraja and from there a bemo to Sidan and we finally arrived in Ubud. We stay in Gayatri which is clean and cheap (25000 rp)and we have our own terrace on the first floor. The rest of the day we visited some shops that sell art and all kinds of things. In the evening we saw a Balinese dancing performance which was very enjoyable and we celebrate Kathleen's birthday who became 22 years.

September 19th:

biking

we hired some bikes and went to the Neka museum which has an excellent and diverse collection of Balinese paintings. After that we visited the theatrical house of Filipino-born artist Antonio Blanco. Blanco's specialty is erotic art and illustrated poetry, though for Blanco, playing the part of the artist is probably just as important as painting. After the lunch we went to Monkey Forest which is inhabited by a handsome band of monkeys. We also visited the elephant cave (Goa Gajah) and we have to wear a sarong as well. After we visited the local market we left to our hotel to take a shower.
In the evening we visited a Kecak

Kecak dance I

performance which is very impressive. About 50 men yelling "chaka,chaka,chaka" and move their bodies.

September 20th: I decided to take a walk to Yeh Pulu and walked for about two hours through beautiful rice fields. On my way back I visited the Puri Lukisan museum which displays fine examples of Balinese art. I also bought a ticket for Sanur and confirmed my return flight. In the evening I met the other tourists (from Mny Bromo)in the Beggars Pub and we had dinner with a group of seven people.