Hello again beautiful souls
After yesterday’s less than glamorous introduction to Ubud, I’m delighted to say that today went much smoother.....well, mostly! It started with me cautiously accompanying Jason to breakfast after a reasonably good, nights sleep, considering the escapades of the evening before. Jason happily demolished his usual feast, while I wasn't taking any chances and stuck to toast and chamomile tea to be on the safe side. Thankfully, the worst seemed to be behind me (touch wood), but we decided to ease into the day slowly, just in case.
After breakfast, we wandered back to our villa, stopping by the Hotel Spa on the way to book some much needed pampering. Jason then headed off to the hotel gym, while I took a far more sensible approach: a blissful float in our private pool, accompanied by the soothing soundtrack of the rainforest. Honestly, if there’s a better way to recover, I’ve yet to find it.
At 11am, we sauntered over to the spa for our treatments. Jason went for a traditional Balinese massage, which he assures me was excellent, while I needed something more soothing so I opted for an aromatherapy version. It was pure bliss. The calming scents and gentle touch felt like being wrapped in a big, fragrant hug....just what I needed! If I could have stayed there all day, I would have.
The afternoon was spent lounging at the villa. The sun was gloriously hot, so we alternated between dips in the pool and sitting on the deck. It felt wonderfully indulgent, and yes, this time I made sure my suncream was applied properly....no more accidental red 
for me, thank you very much!
As evening closed in, so did the weather. A dramatic thunderstorm announced its arrival just as we were preparing to leave for Ubud Palace, where we’d booked tickets for the Legong Dance Show. The hotel shuttle dropped us by Ubud Market, and from there we began a slightly panic fuelled quest trying not to get soaked while we found directions to the palace. After a good 10 minutes of frantic map-checking and darting under shelters like headless chickens trying not to get soaked, we realised it was literally right in front of us. Typical. What we’d turned into a full-blown drama turned out to be incredibly simple.
With our tickets sorted, we took our seats in the Palace Temple, which is open-sided and beautifully atmospheric. As the rain hammered down and thunder rumbled overhead, we took in the sights and sounds of Ubud all around us and watched the fascinating preparations for the performance. The energy of the space, the golden light, and the storm outside all combined to make it feel like we were about to witness something truly special.
And we weren’t disappointed. Legong dance is nothing short of mesmerising. For 90 minutes, we were completely captivated by the dancers’ precise, intricate movements. Every part of their bodies told a story....fingers, toes, even their eyes. The fixed expressions on their faces somehow managed to convey so much emotion, and the costumes were a spectacle in themselves - vibrant colours, sparkling gold, and elaborate headpieces that moved with every gesture.
The thunder and lightning outside added a dramatic flair, as if the elements themselves were joining in. By the end of the performance, we were left in awe, feeling as though we’d been given a glimpse into not only Bali’s history and culture but also its soul.
Of course, the evening wouldn’t be complete without one more little twist. By the time the show ended, the hotel shuttle had stopped running, so we flagged down a taxi to get back. Once we were finally settled in our villa, we decided to order a cheeky pizza from room service to round off the night. Jason tucked in happily, while I silently prayed I could actually hold onto it this time 
Today was a perfect mix of relaxation, culture, and a little bit of chaos - exactly what makes this Bali adventure so unforgettable. Fingers crossed tomorrow brings more calm and a little less thunder.
Until next time, sending you love and hugs from Ubud
Jayne