Activities in Ubud
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Threads of Life Indonesian Textile Arts Center
Textile appreciation courses in the gallery and educational studio last from one to eight days. Some classes involve extensive travel around Bali and should be considered graduate level.
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Bali Eco and Educational Cycling Tour
For the active, offers a combination of mountain biking (downhill!) and cultural and culinary activities.
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Ubud Fitness Centre
For a basic workout, Ubud has a gym, Ubud Fitness Centre, which offers weight training and aerobics.
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Yoga Barn
Yoga Barn sits in its own lotus position amid trees back near a river valley. The name exactly describes what you’ll find – although this barn never needs shovelling. A huge range of classes in yoga and life-affirming offshoots are held through the week.
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Wayan Karja Painting
Intensive painting and drawing classes are run by abstract artist Karja, whose studio is on the site of his guesthouse, the Santra Putra.
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Ubud Sari Health Resort
A spa and hotel in one. It is a serious place with extensive organic treatments bearing such names as 'total tissue cleansing'. Besides a long list of daytime spa and salon services, there are packages that include stays at the hotel.
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Casa Luna Cooking Courses
Janet de Neefe and her team run regular cooking courses at Honeymoon Guesthouse. Half-day courses (250,000Rp) cover ingredients, cooking techniques and the cultural background of the Balinese kitchen. Sunday tours cover sea-salt and palm-sugar production (300,000Rp).
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Balinese Music Course
The most visitor-friendly courses are in Ubud, where private teachers advertise instruction in various Balinese/Indonesian instruments. A well-recommended teacher of Balinese music will charge around Rp50000 for one hour, or lower rates for longer lessons.
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Wayan Nuriasih
Wayan Nuriasih, one of the stars of Eat, Pray, Love, can work wonders with medicinal plants – many are for sale out front – as well as massage and other treatments. The ‘vitamin lunch’ is the antidote for a Bintang dinner.
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Eve Spa
Will cleanse you of toxins. The menu is uncomplicated and affordable, and you can go on something of a spa orgy: an all-day festival of treatments is 410,000Rp.
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Bali Bird Walks
Started by Victor Mason, this tour, ideal for keen birders, is still going strong. On a gentle morning's walk (from the former Beggar's Bush Bar) you may see up to 30 of the 100-odd local species.
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Herb Walks
Three-hour walks through lush Bali landscape; medicinal and cooking herbs and plants are identified and explained in their natural environment. Includes herbal drinks. The couple behind the walks also run Utama Spice, which makes natural home and spa products.
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Taman Harum Cottages Arts Courses
In the centre of Bali's woodcarving district, this place offers carving and painting courses. You can also learn how to make the temple offerings found just about everywhere.
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Studio Perak Arts Courses
This studio has a friendly atmosphere and it specialises in Balinese-style silversmithing courses. A three-hour lesson, where you'll make a finished piece, costs Rp150000.
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ARMA Arts Courses
A cultural powerhouse offering classes in painting, woodcarving and batik. Other courses include Balinese history, Hinduism and architecture. Classes cost US$25 to US$50.
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Pondok Pecak Library & Learning Centre Arts Courses
Painting and mask carving classes. Sessions cost from Rp50000 for one hour. This is also a good place to find out about other courses being offered locally.
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Nyoman Warsa
Offers courses in basic Balinese instruments. Simple mastery can take six months or more. Those with less time can try a flute lesson (per hour 50,000Rp).
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Augung Rai Museum of Art
A cultural powerhouse offering classes in painting, woodcarving and batik. Other courses include Balinese history, Hinduism and architecture.
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Gamelan Course
Noted gamelan musician Nyoman Warsa offers courses in that most basic of Balinese instruments. Simple mastery can take six months or more.
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Santra Putra Arts Courses
Intensive painting and drawing classes are run by abstract artist I Wayan Karja, whose studio is onsite. Accommodation is also available.
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Meditation Shop
Part of the Brahma Kumaris Society, offers silent meditation practice between 18:00 and 19:00 daily, and five-day meditation courses.
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Nirvana Batik Course
Nyoman Suradnya teaches the highly regarded batik courses. Classes cost US$45 to US$150 depending on duration (one to five days).
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Bumbu Bali 2 Restaurant Cooking Course
Balinese cooking course, with Indian cuisine also offered. Courses start at the local market and end with lunch; Rp150000.
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Bali Trekking
Huge range of guided walks and treks around Ubud, including hills, river valleys, rice fields and villages.
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Jaran Bali Tours
See the Ubud area, including rice fields and small villages, from horseback and with a guide.
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