Hello again, beautiful souls,
Our last full day in Bali started with a slower, lazier pace after our lively night at Bali Bohemia. I could have stayed in bed for hours, the mattress is ridiculously comfortable, and after so much activity, it felt like pure heaven. But eventually, we made our way up the terraces (and what feels like a never ending staircase) to the restaurant for breakfast.
We took our time, rehydrating with fresh juices and fuelling up on caffeine. The energy boost was much needed! Our original plan for the day was to soak up the last bit of Bali sunshine by the pool, but the weather had other ideas. The sky was overcast, thick with grey clouds, and there was little sign of it clearing.
The morning passed quietly, with us sitting on the balcony, just watching the world go by. It was uneventful, but in a way, it felt like exactly what we needed, a calm pause to reflect on the past two weeks. Then, as if on cue, the torrential rain came, hammering down like it so often does here in the rainy season. We’ve learned that when in Bali, rain is nature’s way of telling you to slow down and embrace something indoors, so we decided to book ourselves into the spa.
The spa brochure had us spoilt for choice, with so many luxurious treatments to pick from. After about ten minutes of debating, we each settled on a deluxe double treatment, but when I called to book, I was told they were only offering hour long sessions today. That left us with a choice of two: a Balinese massage or an aromatherapy massage.
I went for the aromatherapy, hoping it would soothe rather than irritate my sunburn. It was relaxing, but I must admit, the therapist’s touch was so gentle that I felt like I was barely being massaged. Jason, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy his treatment, so it wasn’t all bad!
Feeling relaxed, we wandered up to the restaurant for our last afternoon tea of the trip. As usual, we had a lovely chat with the staff. Their warmth and friendliness have made every visit to the restaurant feel so special. It’s these little connections that I’ll miss the most.
After tea, and with the rain still coming down, we hopped on the hotel buggy back to our villa for a quick change before heading into Ubud on the 6 pm shuttle.
The shuttle dropped us off at the main market in the centre of Ubud, and thankfully, the rain had eased. We made our way towards the palace to see if we could get tickets for the Kecak and Fire Dance at Pura Puseh Temple. With tickets in hand, we strolled down a bustling street we hadn’t explored before. It was frustrating to realise we’d missed things like the museum and outdoor art market earlier in the week, but I suppose that’s just another reason to come back someday.
Eventually, we found the temple at the end of the road, and it was magnificent! The intricate carvings, the beautiful architecture, and the way it was all illuminated left us speechless. We took our seats in the open air arena, crossing our fingers that the rain wouldn’t return, and waited for the show to begin. We sat taking everything in, and as more people arrived to take their seats, the sky began to change to beautiful hours of golden oranges and pinks as the sun began to set. Suddenly, the arena was plunged into complete darkness and the performers began to spill out into the centre to begin their dance.
The Kecak, or Monkey Dance, is a traditional Balinese performance rooted in history. It tells a story from the Hindu epic Ramayana, with a large chorus of men chanting and singing in unison to create a hypnotic rhythm. There must have been over fifty performers, and the energy of the chanting and their colourful, vibrant costumes, was absolutely captivating.
Next came the Fire Dance, or Trance Dance, which was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The performer danced barefoot through burning embers, kicking the flames into the air, picking up pieces and blowing the embers towards the audience and even sitting in them. I’m still trying to process how he did it! it was really breathtaking and slightly terrifying all at once.
After the show, we strolled back along the street, browsing shops and market stalls that were still open. It felt bittersweet, knowing it was our last night here, but we made the most of it by soaking in every moment.
We ended up at the same restaurant we had sheltered in a few days ago during one of Bali’s infamous downpours. Jason ordered a Thai green chicken curry, and I went for a veggie yellow curry. Both dishes were delicious, and we lingered over our meal, savouring the flavours and the moment.
Feeling content but a little sad that this was the last evening of our trip, we hopped in a taxi back to the hotel. The driver took us through the familiar streets of Ubud, which already feel like a second home.
Back at the villa, as we fell exhausted into bed I couldn’t help but reflect on the day, and the entire trip. Bali has a way of getting under your skin, leaving you both enchanted and longing for more. Tomorrow, we say goodbye to this magical island, but for now, I’ll drift off to sleep, grateful for every moment.
With love and hugs from Ubud,
Jayne