Ubud, Bali....

Eight days in Bali just wasn't enough... Over the Christmas break, Husband and I took all 4 kids on a trip... It has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to visit this part of Indonesia, and by golly, she didn't disappoint... I don't really know where to start!! So this will be Part 1: Ubud.

We flew into Denpasar, arriving at 1 Am, which is totally normal for Bali flights... (We also left in the middle of the night, but getting home was another story!) The airport is BEAUTIFUL and already we couldn't be more excited! We had been planning this trip for months, so already had our Air BNB's picked out, one in Ubud, one down in Bingin Beach, and our hosts helped us out arranging a driver! Heres a tip for anyone going to Bali, have a driver lined up!!! (And keep your driver, if you like him, for the whole trip! They will take you anywhere, anytime... but may become offended if you switch to another driver... This is their livelihood!) We were blown away right out of the gate by the hundreds of taxi drivers competing for our business... It was overwhelming! However through Whats App, our driver, Ketut, had told us where to meet him, and got us out of there safely!

Denpasar is hopping all the time, even 2 AM was crazy! We drove down to Ubud and arrived at our house before the sun was anywhere to be seen, got a little lost on a dirt road, (Yep, just like Asia to not use road signs!) but eventually Ketut translated and we met our host of the first house! Greeted by dogs and roosters who led us down an alleyway through a small gate to our little place... and it was idyllic.

Downstairs had two small rooms, a kitchen, and two outdoor baths... Upstairs was completely open to the elements, with another bath, kitchen and two beds... The 360 views were awesome... Rice fields and gigantic palms, overlooking the small pool and statues across the garden... It was a sight to wake up to! And the sounds... Oh my gosh, roosters everywhere, cows in the field next door, dogs running about, and horns and drums... It was like music!

Our kids travel great, and even though we were all pooped, we couldn't wait to venture out! Mainly in search of food.... Bali, my friends, is like a Vegan Paradise! So so so much fresh fruit and smoothie bowls, and Farm to Table Organic restaurants! We could have spent a month here just eating! Some of our faves in Ubud were Bali Buddha, Earth Cafe, and Ubudian Cafe... We ate at a bunch of other places as well, but I cant remember the names!

Madi had a touch of Bali Belly.... Didn't last long, but travel with Organic Coconut Charcoal friends!!

We spent time just walking, and driving with Ketut, through the streets and markets... The Art Market was interesting, they like their penis novelties, met many merchants selling hand crafts, haggled and bargained in some shops ( I suck at this!!!) and soaked in the people, the atmosphere, and well, the humidity!

Art lines all of the streets in Ubud.... There is a painting district, wood carving area, glass blowing... It just goes on and on... Completely inspiring and mind blowing!

One very important part of our visit was to head over to Conscious Art Tattoo Studio... I met the owner, Aren, through Instagram and found out that he supports many charities in the area, helping children in need! He has a current Mattress Project going on, funding beds for children sleeping on the ground, an Education project, which is helping kids finish high school, and working with a local orphanage that specializes in children with special needs! A percentage of every tattoo from his two studios goes to these charities... So, we came with a donation. We Brought Art supplies and Money, and even the kids pitched some of their Christmas funds! I didn't get to meet Aren in person, since he was out of town, and our trip to the orphanage didn't work out, but I met his brother, Gede, and Agus, the awesome Artist of Conscious Art, who gave me some new ink ;) Awesome guys, and if your in the area, drop by and see them! Visit Aren on IG @ink_pray_love or @consciousartstattoos

Being adaptable on a trip like this is everything, add 4 kids to the mix, and well the plan goes out the window! We had so much we wanted to do in Ubud, the Blessing fountains, Lotus Garden, but it just wasn't all possible on our few days there... We were able to visit the Bali Swing and Rice Field, and take a trip up north to Lempuyang Pehur and a waterfall, which will be in posts coming up! All in all, we got a taste for Ubud, and KNOW we will be back!

So stay tuned! xoxo