Driving around Ubud with Andy
The day after the bombing Andy and I rented a car and hit some points of interest. The Suzuki Jimmy cost 80,000rp for 24 hours. It was a last minute thing and I know I could of saved dollar or so if I had more time to arrange it. Anyway the little car had AC and was fast enough to get us around. We took a windy route to get to Ubud, including some smaller roads I had never been on, a coffee at Bal Buddha gave Andy the impression he was back in Oregon, with the all-natural, granola, Earth conscious atmosphere. We visited Simon's Art Zoo and Museum Blanco on Jl, Raya Campuhan. I was interested in Andy's commented on both places as in my opinion they are entertaining and good for a laugh.
He reckoned Simon was probably in his 50's, due to his Andy Warhol, pop art inspiration and that he was gay due to the constant depiction of young Balinese guys. That's pretty much the case. As For Antonio Blanco, Andy really didn't like the place and said that Blanco's style was influenced by the Impressionists, as well as Gaudi and others. If you haven't been to museum Blanco, it's a palace of worship to himself and his love of erotic portrait. The interior is painted in vivid colors like Liberace's bedroom, paintings in elaborate carved framed painted in gold. Entrance to Museum Blanco is 20,000rp.
We also visited Pura Gunung Kawi, the ancient candi's, which pre date Hinduism in Bali. There is a lot you can pack into a day if you hire and car and explore.
By Nick | Permalink
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Nick, I stayed in Ubud the whole of one trip to Bali, and loved it up in the hills, with one of the little rivers running right below the window of my second floor semi-detached bungalow at the Kokokan Hotel. Made friends with a woman from Singapore who was spending a weekend there with her Mum from the UK, and we used the free hotel shuttle to go to one of the dance performances at the Ubud Palace or one of the neighbouring villages most nights, then finished up at the Lotus or Made’s or Casa Luna for a meal or coffee.
Sadly they departed before the end of my stay, and I suddenly felt quite bereft of company. Fortunately the Balinese girls and guys who manned the pool bar in the centre of the Kokokan complex until late at night were always interested in what I’d been up to each day, and the girls especially loved inspecting my purchases from the boutiques along Monkey Forest Road or Jl Raya. I took some photos of them the day I left and later mailed copies to them at the hotel. A memorable gang and a great trip.
I also went to Gunung Kawi - which was quite mind blowing. There was no-one else there at the bottom of the valley by the candis except (briefly) a yoga group with their white-clad Balinese teacher. Seemed very appropriate in the special atmosphere of that place.
After they’d gone and I’d walked around and taken all the photos I wanted, I sat in the shade of one of the old temple bales and re-read the history of the site in my guide book. The stillness, the gentle background hum of nature, and the nearby river, was a wonderful meditation.
Pitty about the climb up the hill afterwards! (Thank goodness for one of the stall holders offering a nice cold Coke when I needed it!)
Memories like this make me more determined to return some day. Besides, I never went into Museum Blanco (!!!) Thanks for the insight and the pic!
I loved reading about your little Suzuki rental vehicle, as I’ve been driving Suzuki’s here in Aust for 24 years! I still use my original Suzi Hatch to go to the footy locally (it’s a cinch to park in places no-one else will fit!)
Have always been very nervous of renting in Bali because of the way cars and scooters zip around the roads - but it would certainly make sight seeing out of the built up areas that much more economical - though have to admit my driver/guides have always been excellent. Still, I like the freedom of following my own schedule.
How do you find driving in the hills and villages on Bali?
Thanks for prompting my bit of nostalgia, and keep up the good work there!
Cheers
Kerry
Port Adelaide (Australia)