Relaxation in Ubud

Last Sunday was a real pain to us. Not only because we had just little sleep, mostly because we only waited and waited. We checked out at the hotel and had to wait four hours for the taxi. We played some card games, had lunch and so far so good. However, pain was just about to escalate - our flight was delayed for three hours. After some annoying passengers at Surabaya Airport holding up the lines too long, we had to wait for the airplane to show up. The airport staff was so slow and had little to no communication to any people. Three delayed flights before us took off, no signs or whatsoever. It was only because Ton said our plane was about to leave at 21:40 (instead of 19:35)...

After settling in the AirAsia flight, we finally took off with a three hour delay. Tim was so exhausted from frustration, he didn't even noticed taking off, flying and landing from this 45 minute flight. We quickly picked up our luggage and headed for the taxi, where our taxi was waiting for 3 hours as well (and he said at DPS, the flight didn't show a delay either!). Ubud will be our home for the next 7 nights.

We first checked in mum at the Bumi Muwa Hotel, a lovely place with small cottages surrounded in a green environment. Then, the taxi driver drove us to our hotel - the Sri Ratih Cottages - where the security gave us the key and said that we had to check in the morning.

My oh my, what an amazing accommodation with this huge bathroom. The entire set-up is a lush, green environment with cicak lizards all over the place. So lovely! The bathroom is exquisit, since it is half open, with beautiful marble/stone pebble walls. We quickly went to bed as we were exhausted.

Monday, September 17th, we woke up at 10 am and went to have some (continental) breakfast with fresh mango/pineapple juice and checked in at the reception. We also deposited our dirty laundry, since we have been around for a week already.

We relaxed a lot and then went out for a spa treatment at a spa (we actually couldn't find the one we were aiming for, but this salon proved to be amazing as well). We took a Java Luhur massage, which is a full body massage, and some scrubbing for 90 minutes. After a shower, we could enter a hot tub filled with rose petals in our semi-transparent black underwear. So lovely! And for only 150,000 Rp per person it is so cheap and worth it! We did take some pictures (albeit not in our transparent undies ;)).

We went back to the hotel for a dip in the swimming pool and went out again as night has fallen over Ubud. Time to find a place to eat! We strolled a bit, looked for some souvenirs... And then we stumbled at Cafe Lotus, which seemed very good until this cranky old fart nagged us by telling there was no place and that it's only reserved seats. He could tell us that a bit nicer though.

We managed to find a different restaurant with much nicer staff and probably better food. We ate Soto ayam and rendang/sate campur, along with fresh coconut juice. We had to explain Tim is allergic to strawberries despite his attempt to tell the waiter/waitress his dessert should NOT include strawberry ice cream. Anyhoo, we continued our way to the shops and found three little paintings we bargained. This Australian girl saw us and then bargained the entire shop haha - she wanted so many items for 50% off, but managed to seal some deals at 66% or 75%. Not too shabby!

We then stumbled on our Mum, and checked her apartment. We talked a bit and then took the taxi back home. She had a good day too, strolled a lot, but not without getting crazy about a monkey jumping on her rooftops haha.

Today, Tuesday September 18th, we woke up with a big head ache and just took it easy. We had some brekky, and are about to go to the food market, followed by a stroll in the Monkey Forest. Maybe visit the Palace as well! Next blog update in two days again!

Justin, Tim and Anna

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From Tims FB:

Dag #8 Bali (Ubud)

Een lekker dagje gehad, eerst goed uitgeslapen aangezien wij mega veel vertraging hadden in Surabaya.

Heerlijk genoten van een ontbijtje en na het eten wat foto's gemaakt van de leuke handdoek versiersels, dieren en bloemen.

Besloten om naar een spa te gaan voor een massage. Justin en ik hadden er al èèn opgezocht maar die was niet echt makkelijk te vinden dus uiteindelijk zijn wij naar een andere gegaan. ;)

Werden ontvangen met een heerlijk glas koud water en daarna werden wij over een binnenplaats naar onze kamer gebracht.

Deze kamer bleek gewoon in de openlucht te zijn met een soort tentje van doeken...soort van tuintje.

Kregen even de tijd samen om ons om te kleden, oftewel een klein zwart (semi doorzichtig) onderbroekje aangedaan...hier maar geen foto's van gemaakt hahaha.

Daarna gingen wij liggen en kregen eerst een massage en echt elk botje in de handen, voeten etc werd gemasseerd. Toen een scrub over het hele lichaam inc buik wat raar aanvoelde omdat wij honger hadden hahaha. Toen een olie over het hele lijf en werden wij in handdoeken ingevouwen...was hemels. Naar een paar minuten zo gelegen te hebben, gingen wij onder een hete douche en daarna in een bad met bloemblaadjes!!!!

Zeer relaxed terug naar het hotel gegaan en lekker gezwommen.

In de avond stukje door Ubud gelopen en nadat een zure vent ons te kennen liet dat je zonder reservering niet bij hem kon eten vonden wij een lekker en gezellig restaurantje waar wij meer dan welkom waren (alleen niet begrijpen wat No strawberries betekent, ondanks dat Jus zei dat ik zelf in een aarbei zou veranderen haha), ook wat dingen gekocht. En daarbij als echte Hollanders lopen afdingen hahaha maar een Australische meid was daar stukje beter in en ging er duidelijk helemaal voor!

Uiteindelijk even naar Anna gelopen om haar kamer etc te bekijken en lekker gepraat.

Toen was het tijd om met de taxi naar huis te gaan en heerlijk te gaan slapen!

Ohja, wij hebben ook huis cicak (hagedisje), hij/zij zit elke avond bij ons binnen op het plafond...nog even en wij geven een naam :p