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Graha Hotel in Ubud
wasn't as nice as seen in pics on the internet. US31 per day was not
very worth it tho its location in Ubud was on Jalan Monkey Forest
and only 10 minutes away to the Ubud market.
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There was a modern
structure amidst the traditional looking shops and cottages called
the GREEN HOUSE.
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PASAR UBUD |
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Pasar Ubud or Ubud Market is well known to be a
tourist attraction for selling wooden artifacts and
handicrafts.
Ubud is actually located around 1 and half hour from
Kuta/Airport. The distance is actually near, but
traffic is high due to the small road. Easy to find
actually.
I remembered buying a whole lot of stuffs when
coming here the trip before. Surprisingly, my memory
of the place was still good and was able to navigate
my way around easily.
Did stop by a few interesting shops and temples for
some photo shots. Well, in a way it was also to rest
from the hours of walking, shopping and bargaining
throughout the shops in Ubud.
Alex bought a nice art painting and also a nice
looking copper/steel miniture bicycle that is fully
functional, just like the real one. I bought a few
wooden puzzles and gifts for a couple of my gym
friends.
There is also a scheduled traditional performance in
Ubud everyday featuring all kinds of traditional
dances. Ours will be the Kecak Dance which we would
be seeing later in the evening that day.
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Bargaining for a
good price at Ubud. The key to bargain is not to ask them how much
an item costs, but to tell them how much you are willing to pay for
an item. They will tell u whether the price is ok or whether u are
crazy.. he.he.. think alex got the later... ha ha. Being able to
talk Bahasa Melayu made it easier.
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Typical stores and
stalls selling hand and artworks in Ubud.
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Ivan taking a
short stop for some photo oppurtunity
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Manage to snap some
pics during a procession
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It wasnt a long
procession, but was still colorful and lively.
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and yea... we walk and
we walk, and we take photos , and snaps some more...
til it was dark, til our photos turned out dark or
over exposed, only then til we started heading back.
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Pictures taken at
one of the Hindu Temple in Ubud
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Still managed to do
some shopping at nite. he he :P
We headed to Padang Tegal later to watch some cultural performance.
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THE
CULTURAL SHOW NI PADANG TEGAL, UBUD |
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THE
PERFORMANCE |
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Kecak..
cak..cak..cak..cak..cak... de'.. de'.. de' (click
here for the footage/sound files)
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Kecak is of the classical dance style, and is
performed by over one hundred dancers and singers. The music is unique and there is
no musical instruments. U will hear only the human voice and some
handclapping. The story to the dance is taken from the RAMAYANA
epic, written 100 years ago by an Indian Hindu Author, Bagawan
Walmiki. (I believe the original epic was written in Sanskrit).
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KECAK DANCE
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Scene 1 : Rama, Sita, Laksamana went hunting for the Golden Deer,
unknown to them that that the deer is an incarnation of Marica,
minister of Rahwana
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Scene 2 : Sita argued with Laksamana while Rama
goes catch the deer. Sita thinks Rama is in danger. Laksamana gives
in. When Sita is left alone, Rahwana captures Sita to the kingdom of
Alengka.
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Scene 3 : Sita is a prisoner in a Park in
Alengka. Hanoman(King of Monkeys) comes on a mission from Rama
bringing her a ring to make sure she is alive and by telling her
that she will soon be rescued.
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Scene 4 : Hanoman returns to Ayodya. Rama,
Laksamana and Hanoman leave for Alengka and outside the palace.
Meganada(Rahwana’s son) shoot a magic arrow that turns into a snake
and encircles Rama and Laksamana. They froze and cannot move. Wishnu
hears their plea for help, and sends a Garuda to eat the snake.
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Scene 5 : Sugriwa, chief general of the monkey
army and megana are seen fighting. Rama forces defeats Rawana. Sita
is rescued and they return to Ayodya in glory.
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THE ENTIRE CAST OF THE FIRST PERFORMANCE
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SANG HYANG DEDARI DANCE
Dance performed by two little underage girls.
Virgins. The dancers are put into a trance and sway freely in a
dream version of the legong. Their movements coincides
automatically, although their eyes are never open during the entire
performance. When the chanting stops, the girl fall to the ground.
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Inul
plenty much kept me company thru out the
performances. Alex, Ivan & Ooi was pretty much not
concentrating nor understood the performance.. ;P |
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SANG HYANG JARAN DANCE |
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A trance boy dance on a horse(Jaran. Behaving
like a horse and dances around the bondfire made from coconut husks.
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We left the cultural
show and headed back to the hotel to plan the next days agenda.
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Not bad for a packed
day vacation on the 1st day, not its time to rest for the nite.
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 ..:
BALI, UBUD - DAY 2 :.. |
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We had bfast at
Graha hotel before venturing to Pasar Ubud again. Got a taste of
'Kopi Bali' - Coffee Bali.
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Some pics at
GreenHouse and a Japanese owned Spa
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Ubud is filled with culture
and tradition that is reflected in their building
architecture and structures
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Shop, shop, bargain,
bargain
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Colorful art pieces
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Had lunch, so hungry. Started my
craving of eating Pisang Goreng.
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We got changed,
checked out and headed to Lovina, driving to Kintamani area and
visiting Gunung Batur
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