BALI: Ubud

One day we did a tour around Ubud, the central city.

Ubud Temple - we tied on a sarong and went inside. We saw gorgeous stone, intricate carving, offerings everywhere, learned more about Balinese religion and the purposes for their temples.

And don't be fooled by the miserable little boy you see in the family shot. When it was time to take a picture, Noah would concentrate very hard to pull the saddest face he could, and then laugh mischievously when the picture was snapped.

The boys LOVED playing with the gamelan instruments, or picking their favorite statue. When they got bored, out came the suckers so David and I could keep looking around.

Ubud Market - colorful fruit stalls, and way way too many souvenirs.

Ubud Art - so many shops and galleries full of so many beautiful things: paintings, carvings, pottery, glass, handicrafts.

Royal Palace - Used to be a palace for the King and his family. Until the Dutch came in and colonized the place. The king's descendants still live there, some rooms are rented out as a hotel, and nightly dance performances are held in the courtyard.

Rice Terraces - so green and gorgeous. Each small patch of rice on each step is irrigated by an elaborate systme of aqueducts and dams set up 2,000 years ago. My little camera really doesn't capture it - check out these. Let's sit down and stay awhile, says Dave. Want a Fanta?

P.S. This is Noah's smile after he posed with the miserable face.