Dear Luke and Leia,
We are off to Ubud for Monkeys, Markets, and Rice Paddies.
Ubud – Monkeys, Markets and Rice
Luke and Leia, last week I told you that you would love Tanah Lot, but this week I know better, after visiting Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali. Monkeys everywhere and they even come and visit you. It was such a great time, one monkey climbed on Ms. Vonce’s head and another tried to get into Nana’s purse.
Monkey Ache? Not a head ache.
Okay, I know the bananas are in there.
A Monkey on a Monkey statue
Besides the monkeys, the trails through the forest were beautiful with other statues, water falls and small creeks that run through a gorge. We even saw a monkey siting on a statue of a monkey, quite funny to me.
Trail through a gorge along the creek in Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali
Dragons watching the falling water.
After the forest visit, we went into the downtown area of Ubud and visited the local market place. I can’t recall seeing so many different colors all in one place before, they were overwhelming. From foods to clothing and all things in between were available at great prices spread out under stretched canvas to shield the sun. When buying something, you have to be careful because it is not customary to pay the price on the item, they expect you to negotiate a little bit.
Market full of amazing colors
Canvas above shields the items for sale.
We saw so many people working hard in the market but I saw one women that was so tried she just took a nap. I sure wish I could have taken one, but right now I am getting hungry for some lunch and a rice paddy visit.
Taking a nap in the Market
From the market we wanted to visit the rice paddies but stopped at a Batik factory on the way and saw several artists working on fabric paintings. The skill level of the artists were very impressive. One lady even had her dress painted on making it a one of a kind fashion, Leia you would love that.
Beautiful hand-painted Batik Clothe
a “One of a kind” hand painted dress.
A second stop saw some lunch at a restaurant in a rice paddy. Looking out from our table we saw tons of rice and a house in the distance. For lunch we had Soto Ayam (Chicken soup), Satay Ayam (Chicken on a stick with a peanut sauce) and Bebek Goring (Fried Duck) and they were so delicious I could have ordered more.
View from restaurant
Soto Ayam
Satay Ayam
Bebek Goring
We made it to the rice paddy located just outside the city of Ubud. It was beautiful and very green. I liked seeing how they carved the terraces into the side of the mountains and then watered the rice from the top downwards. It looked to me that the rice was nearing ripeness, but I am not an expert.
Rice paddy in Ubud, Bali
Rice in the stalk.
Love the hat!
I came across one Lady who wanted me to take her picture, but I couldn’t get her to stop moving her hands. We communicated in her broken English and my basically non-existent Indonesian and had a great laugh. I gave her a few Rupiah for her time and she was grateful.
Wonderful lady in the Rice Paddy.
Wishing you guys were here and we miss you.
Love,
Nana and Pap
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