Happy Galungan from Ubud!

Actual Monkey forest
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After we were through with Kuta, we took a fantastic tour to Bali's volcano, Butur, and then to Ubud, which turned into one of our Bali highlights.

After hearing much talk about the Galungan festival in Kuta, we arrived in Ubud to find preparations in full swing.  This involved preparing baby pigs for slaughter, and building the equivalent of Festivus poles, house high towers of bamboo decorated with palm fronds.  These are intended to represent dragons, and every household and business displayed one by the start of the festival.

Every morning Crowy the rooster woke us up, and our two resident lizards, Little Guy and Big Boy kept the mosquitos at bay

Our room
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Our tour guide from Kuta (Made) let us out at a fantastic hostel "homestay" tucked in a gorgeous tropical garden just off Monkey Forest Road (not kidding).  Every morning Crowy the rooster woke us up, and our two resident lizards, Little Guy and Big Boy kept the mosquitos at bay.  Our guy, (Made), brought us fantastic breakfast every morning and spent a goodly portion of the day placing fresh flowers on anything that would stand still long enough.  One afternoon he climbed a coconut tree and presented us with fresh "middle age" cocunuts that were huge, sweet, and according to Made, would make us strong for Galungan.

Michelle eating fresh coconut
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Our "guy" at the Dewi Ayu hostel was extremely helpful in coaching us on respectful ceremony behavior and dress, and we set out on the morning of Galungan garbed in sarongs, modest shirts and scarves around our waists.  Being about a foot and a half taller than the all of the local women, and about 4 shades paler than anyone, we were SUPER close to blending in.  Children actually laughed and pointed at the pale Amazons dressed for Galungan.  The festival occurs every six months or so, and is all about ushering out bad luck and bringing in the new.  Families assemble in beautiful, ACTUAL ceremonial dress with ornate offerings that they bring to temples all around town.  We observed respectfully from outside a major temple, until it got too hot and we had to go in.

Festivus Pole
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Ubud is a beautiful town, laid back and not nearly as touristy as we found Kuta.  The shouts offering "transport" are given with grins and waves and people are generally happy to answer questions.  The only thing missing in Ubud was a beach, but we managed to entertain ourselves.