Bali Travel Ideas Photos Vacation South East Asia

A vacation for your body, mind and soul

Typically, when you think of Bali, Indonesia, images of white sand beaches, crystal clear water, bamboo huts and honeymooners undoubtedly come to mind. Sadly, both convenience and cost restrictions deter many North Americans from visiting one of the world's most exotic and picturesque getaway islands.

So, for a lot of us, Bali remains a screensaver fading in and out. What the postcards don't describe, however, is one of the island's most treasured gems, its inland paradise & spiritual center, Ubud a cultural hub for art, music and dance. This land locked town has been a gathering place for artists, backpackers and bohemians for centuries and now it's your turn.

Ubud first appeared on the pop culture map after the 2006 release of Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert's autobiographical story about self discovery around the globe. Gilbert mesmerized Oprah's book club with her candid account of escaping her charmed New York City lifestyle (and husband) in search of balance and inner peace in Italy, India and Bali. Though she writes about studying Italian (language, men and food) and meditating at an Ashram in India, it was her compelling recollection of Ubud, Bali that demystified the island and shifted its image from beach loungers to spiritual hot spot.

The town's close knit community brings together a refreshing array of strangers from spiritual teachers and lost souls to world travelers and honeymooners. I visited Bali with a friend last summer. We headed to Ubud without any preconceived plan of retracing Gilbert's steps or encounters. But within minutes of arriving in town, we were getting directions from a couple of New Yorkers to Ketut's house, the ninth generation medicine man Gilbert comes to see in Ubud.

We found Ketut on his porch, just as Gilbert had described, when we sheepishly poked our heads around the corner he didn't seem fazed by the intrusion and pointed to a straw mat where we could wait for him. A few moments later he emerged flashing a toothless smile, in hand a copy of Eat Pray Love. He handed us the book and pointed out the inscription Gilbert had written inside the cover, figuring that's why we had come

The afternoon went by talking about how the book had made him famous amongst North American travelers; he showed us his medical book which was in fact stacks of wooden slabs with drawings and words carved out. He offered to read our fortunes, and holding our palms, predicted that we would live to be 100 years old, a kind of Ketut-ism that he bestows upon all of his visitors, even Gilbert. He went on to see luck in my palm, wealth, marriage(s) and good karma. He also assured me that I'm going to heaven. Of course, I took Ketut's optimistic findings with a grain of salt, but still couldn't help feel oddly star struck by this insightful, worldly and spiritual man.

In Ubud, you are bound to meet a healer, or yogi, or astrological counselor, or yes, even a ninth generation medicine man! All of which will shape and influence your journey, it's unavoidable.

The very makeup of the town is a recipe for calmness, balance and tranquility. Yoga, yoga, yoga! The main streets are lined with open air studios offering several kinds of practices and meditation seminars lead by world renowned teachers. Health food stores are filled with organic goodies, cleansing teas and fruit smoothies; book shops display Eckhart Tolle's latest release and other spiritual guides; and spas offer Balinese massages, the perfect combination of pain relief and relaxation. It's no wonder tourists are eager to embrace an Ubud-state-of-mind and, with little effort, fall into their own well-being routine.

Vacation days can be spent touring the rice terraces, coffee plantations or natural hot springs in the hills; in town, there are open air markets selling anything and everything (including gorgeous kimonos and scarves); in monkey forest wild monkeys are grabbing bananas from unsuspecting tourists; and art studios selling drums, beads and mahogany carved Buddha's open their doors to novice musicians or those simply looking for a trip treat.

A refreshing alternative to a beach destination, Ubud provides sunshine mixed with well-being activities that leave you feeling much lighter and stronger both physically and mentally. Located in the center of the island, Ubud also makes a good base for traveling through Bali, whether you head south for the party and surf in Kuta Beach or north for dolphin watching in Lovina. Luxury is not lost on this no-fuss town either, and in recent years, five star hotels and restaurants have emerged that spoil you with poolside massages and the most flavourful dishes made with the freshest local ingredients. Be sure to try a young coconut, this jelly textured treat may not be your cup of tea, but it sure does make a good photo op.

By Lindsay Fellows

Lindsay Fellows
		About the author:
		Lindsay Fellows, Vancouver born but Toronto raised, thrives off her chilled out west coast roots but has happily succumb to the eastside hustle & bustle over her twenty some odd years in this city. An avid writer and wannabe foodie, Lindsay has a weakness for high fashion mags, coffee table books, non fiction and dining ‘experiences’ from Nobu to Beauty’s. She has a BA from McGill University, and after school landed an editorial internship at ELLE Canada magazine. A self proclaimed nomad, Lindsay has a passion for travel and just spent the last year backpacking abroad.
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