PROBABLY visiting Ubud is a must for travelers when spending holidays in Bali. It is a name of a village and subdistrict in Gianyar. This village has been known to have many local and foreign talented artists. Since the Dutch occupation, many foreigners have lived at the village and created their works with the inspiration of local culture and neighborhood.
Initiated by Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad and Rudolf Bonnet, a foreign artist living in Ubud, they established the Puri Lukisan Museum located in the heart of Ubud. It was the center of royal administration in the past. Layout and architecture of the buildings are still preserved until today. As the spirit of Ubud, the art field got incredible attention. A hall is established in front of Ubud Palace known as Ancak Saji, where an art performance is held every week and gamelan exercise by a number of local art troupes every day.
Other than the Puri Lukisan Museum collecting numerous beautiful paintings, Ubud also has many tourist attractions worth visiting such as the Ubud Palace, traditional art market, monkey forest sanctuary and Petulu village (famous for its white heron habitat). White herons come and go seasonally so that it gives new attraction to visitors. Uniquely, local people persistently protect the birds.
If you want to explore Ubud area, you can have a promenade while looking for various works of art such as painting, sculpture, local clothes, and other handicraft products. Of course, some of these products can be made into souvenir to bring home for family.
However, when you want to admire the local beauty owned by Ubud at a closer look, you can walk or rent a bike and then explore the Campuhan Hill or the Ridge of Hill. Fresh air, green grasses and reeds spread before you will refresh your mind and give new energy for next working days. In short, when making a visit to Ubud, do not waste your time and ask your guide where the location of nice places to visit are.
