Impossible to be in Ubud and not think about Elizabeth Gilbert, the writer of the best seller and autobiographic novel “Eat, Pray, Love”. 
Without trying to be cliché, I sometimes think about my trip as hers: a quest to find myself, a travel to exalt the senses (oh Asian food – EAT), glance a patch of spirituality sometimes (yoga, temples and meditation – PRAY) and dive into the real meaning of love (loving myself, true love – LOVE).

If I can criticize the work thought, the book is way more meaningful than the movie… Just saying.

Ubud will be the last new city I visit by myself. I planned to go to Canggu to be with my friends for a week and then I planned to fly to Chiang Mai to travel with Wes for the last part of my trip in South East Asia.

I have to make it count. And like Liz in Eat, Pray, Love, my staying in Ubud has to rhyme with peace of mind and balance. I didn’t find the famous healer Ketut, but the city itself is giving me the positive energy I was searching for.

Somehow, Ubud is perfect. I still don’t know if it was build to please the tourists or if it is genuinely and amazing and beautiful place on earth.

Whatever, my staying here was colored by the offerings dotting the floor, the funny or scary dark-stoned sculptures in the front of the shops, and the smile of the people on their scooter, in their shop, walking in the market, eating vegan ice cream or working in the rice fields around.

And always, always the soft smell of the flowers in the tree and on the ground, and the strong and sensual one from the sticks of encens at each doorsteps.

Alberto’s good address:
Melting Wok Warung For a goog Lunch
Onion Collective For a dinner or a bintang while listening to a rock band
Jungle Fish for a memorable sunset in one of the pool

Tested and approved:
Clear Cafe.
A tasty meal, an amazing mocktail and a superb view at sunset.

Also:
The Yoga Barn Famous School of Yoga.
Lobong Culinary Experience For a cooking class or two!