Island of Gods

"At the end of the day your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling " - Shanti 

Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud.

Today was my first full day in Indonesia, I had an acai bowl for breakfast and immediately got a "Taksi" to Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest. I'm not sure if my pictures do the place justice, it was absolutely beautiful and the monkeys were so much fun! I bought a small bunch of bananas and fed about 6 different monkeys. Every time I took a banana out those monkeys came rushing towards me and climbed on me! It was fun :) 

Once I was done exploring the forest I ventured out to explore Ubud a little more. I went to the Ubud Palace and Ubud Market. The market has so many things to see and buy, I was overwhelmed. If any of you know me when I shop, you know I get zombie like... well that was me at the market. I walked around for about an hour and realized I wasn't even buying anything. I left towards Ubud Palace. The Palace was under construction so I didn't get a lot of pictures but here are some. Also before I left the market area I did snatch some beautiful silver earrings! ( I always buy a piece of jewelry from places I travel to) 

Selfie game so strong.

After what seemed a short but eventful morning I realized it was 1:30pm and lunch was long overdue. I walked around trying to choose a place... there are so many places in Ubud and they all look so good. I stopped and ate at Pundi Pundi.

The "liver cleansing" Bret, pineapple, carrot juice was amazing! The rest of the meal was alright. 

I finished my lunch and walked a little to take pictures of all the beautiful arquitecture!

I walked a lot again not realizing time was passing, I was just enjoying everything my eyes were seeing. It was about 4ish and I started looking for a taxi before it got late. Last stop of the day was Tirtha Empul Holy Water Temple. It was such an incredible place, people come here to cleanse their body and soul and the ritual is so beautiful to see and experience. I felt so lucky to be allowed into this place where locals come to bathe in the scared springs. 

It was magical and definitely soul cleansing. It was a perfect way to end the day. Well... it was all fun and games until I came out of this place and found out all the cars, buses and taxis outside the temple were pre-arranged transportation for people inside. I was just dropped off. Oops. I guess out in the middle of nowhere you can't really find taxis... because I am on the Island of the Gods, I woke up testing that whatever happens I would keep a smile on my face and trust that whatever happens, well happens. I walked around asking the locals why I could do. Everyone I talked to said " no taxis here" , by this time all the locals and vendors knew I was the "stupid tourist who didn't plan well" or whatever you want to call the wondering young woman. A man came up to me and said " look I have not sold anything today, I will take you back" I was delighted! I knew I wouldn't be stuck and that I would always be blessed in the Island of Gods. So now it was time for me to explain that I had come from about 3ish hours away on two taxis rides. This guy had no clue where my stay was and seemed as though he didn't get out much, other locals realized that our back and fourth discussion needed help. Next thing I know I am surrounded by about 10 women and men trying to help give my new driver points of reference. After about 15 minutes he reaffirmed me he would get me back to where I came from. Call me crazy but I trusted this man ( I swear I can see people's heart through their eyes2 he had a beautiful soul! Or when it was just the good energy of the temple... no se) I hoped on his motorbike, but on my helmet and we waved goodbye to the locals that all gathered to help. The drive on motorbike as the sun was setting was breathtaking! I tried to take videos and pictures but it didn't really work out. You must come to see it! 

Because we weee on two wheels it was easy to navigate through traffic so we finally made it to a mall I knew was 3 minutes from my stay ( we only stopped and asked two people on our way! ) I'm sad to say I didn't get this mans name, but here's a picture. God bless this beautiful soul. I woke up this morning and memorized 3 phrases, " how much is it", " do you speak English " and " that's too expensive ".... ( wow can you tell I come from a capitalist society ? And that I am a total westerner) I never used any of those phrases. I spoke the language of love wen I could not communicate. I should have learned only one phrase and that is thank you, " Terima kazi "