Ubud, the artistic hub of Bali

From Sanur to Ubud, on the 26 Nov (already), we stop at the Bali Bird Park on the way. Another tourist spot with a concentration of Russians and French. IPads, Ipods and expensive cameras all around :-( .But, the jungle-like setting is beautiful, the birds just magnificent, lunch very pleasant and our taxi driver perfect; so we are soon able to enjoy the day.

Ubud seemed like a greener version of Sanur, just larger, with more tourist shops and without a beach! Our guest house (Pramesti) is nice enough with welcomed AC, a back view on a rice field, its own little temple, no pool but a very friendly owner Made (Uni) who welcomed us as if we were long time friends. We went for a stroll in the centre of town where even more taxi drivers, masseuses and shop owners stopped us but always politely.

Below a picture that could be a symbol of the place "Beauty and the purse":

We attented our first Balinese show, that night, hoping for the best and fearing the worst (as we had quite a traumatic experience in Sri Lanka, where our ears still remember the unbearable shrieks produced by the join effort of the musicians and of the singer). Legong was spectacular, the scene was set in a beautiful temple, the costumes were dazzling, the dances exotically intricate and the music suprinsingly "modern". It was a tiny bit too long (1.5 hours) for us who had no clue of what it's about...