About
Ubud Area
 Ubud
lies 36 km from the resorts on the southern coast. The name
for this royal village is derived from the Balinese word ubad
(medicine), the moniker of a herb with healing properties
which grows along the nearby Oos River.
If
you aren't interested in overpriced tourist hype but want
comfortable accommodations at good prices, a central location,
and all the facilities in a less hurried rural environment
than the south, the Ubud area is for you. Despite the bumper-to-bumper
traffic, too many loud motorcycles, and thousands of tourists
during Bali's peak tourist seasons, when it's difficult to
find a parking space, Ubud still shows glimpses of its basically
rural character.
The
stars over Ubud almost crowd out the sky they're so bright,
and during the day the heavens are crowned with fluffy cumulus
and wispy cirrus clouds. Wandering around in the crisp night
air is pleasant and safe. Candidasa,
Denpasar, and the airport are all only an hour's drive from
Ubud, and beautiful landscapes and historical sites-Pujung,
Gunung Kawi, Goa Gadjah, Tirta Empul, Yeh Pulu-are within
easy reach.
You can enjoy dozens of scenic nature walks around the village-pick
any lane and just keep on walking.  The
best time is at dawn. Just east of Ubud is Bali's former capital,
Pejeng, the center of the Balinese Holy Land and home to the
highest concentration of antiquities on the island.
Ever since the German painter Walter Spies made his home here
in the 1930s, Ubud has been a haven for both native and European
artists. In an area of 10 square km in and around this village
live Bali's most accomplished dancers, musicians, painters,
and carvers. Temple festivals, celebrations, and performing
arts-baby's first haircut, dance rehearsals, even an occasional
cremation-are offered somewhere in the area every day of the
week.
Ubud
is also the expat capital of Bali. A permanent Western community
resides here because cultural and natural attributes make
it the ideal place for those who wish to stay for any length
of time on Bali. From your 'losmen' or homestay family you
can learn how to make a bamboo mouth harp, study painting,
maskmaking, and 'gamelan', or learn the art of the 'dalang'.
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