Bali Bliss
The Globe-Trotters Collective
Over the years, Bali has grown tremendously and attracts a lot of tourists, particularly along the coast from Kuta to Seminyak. If you prefer to stay away from the crowds, we recommend staying around Ubud, about an hour away from Denpasar. Ubud is still somewhat preserved and offers beautiful landscapes of rice terraces. If you're looking for a place to relax and revitalize yourself while surrounded by nature, Ubud is the place to go.
WHAT TO SEE AND VISIT
The Green School
Entirely built with bamboo, the Green School was created with a didactic focus on green initiatives and lifestyle. The school is laid out in different sections carved in the rainforest with majestic bamboo structures. A great display of a modern built form with indigenous materials, the Green School is a must see for architects and environmentalists. The bamboo structures are amazing and the school looks like it came straight out of a science fiction movie. The Green School organizes daily visits and we recommend that you book your tour in advance.
The Green School
WHERE TO STAY
Chapung SeBali
Chapung SeBali
Located a few kilometers away from Ubud near Keliki Village, Chapung blends Scandinavian modernism with Bali's tropical environment. The hotel is composed of individual villas with a private pool and overlooking rice paddies. The restaurant serves delicious food, mixing local and western flavors, with herbs and vegetables coming from the hotel's organic garden. You can also rent a bike (for free if you booked directly through the hotel website) and explore the hotel's surroundings on wheels. Although not inexpensive, we found that Chapung offers great quality accommodations and amazing service at a reasonable price, considering the rates for most private villa hotels in the Ubud area.
Tip: ask for Villa 6!
Note: during our last stay (in December 2013), we found out that the hotel was building a new section with hotel rooms and a pool. We hope that by increasing the hotel capacity, Chapung won't lose its peacefulness and serenity.
Address: Jalan Raya Sebali, Keliki, Ubud, 80561 Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 898 9102 / +62 361 898 9103
WHERE TO EAT
Karsa Kafé
A short walk or bike ride away from Chapung SeBali, Karsa Kafé is a great lunch spot where you can enjoy a nasi goreng and fresh mango juice overlooking rice terraces. The road is said to take you all the way to Ubud. We haven't tried going all the way down to Ubud but the walk or bike ride along the rice fields and temples is definitely worth it!
Address: Bangkiang Sidem, Keliki, Tegallalang Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 817 344 658
View of the rice terraces from Karsa Kafé
WHERE TO HAVE A COFFEE
F.R.E.A.K. Coffee
Famous among coffee drinkers in Ubud, F.R.E.A.K. has become an institution in Bali. The original coffee shop is located in Ubud but they also have a branch at the entrance of the Green School, where you can have a cup of joe while waiting for your tour. Address: Jalan Silang Karang, Singekerta, Tebongkang, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 878 6212 9173
Globe-Trotting Contributors
Marie-Adélaïde & Rafael Fernández
