Visiting Ubud, Bali

Bali is a great World tropical destination with the unique culture of Hinduism. This Indonesian island has many cultures and great nature - and the one famous city of Bali is Ubud. Ubud is located in the middle of Bali at Gianyar Regency, so you cannot find a beach here. It is famous by the beautiful look of rice field terraces. This city population is about 8000 people.  This city is the important place of medicinal herbs and plants. That’s why the name of this city is taking from word “Ubad” that’s mean medicine. In 8th centuries legend told that Javanese priest, Rsi Markendya, who meditated at the confluence of two rivers at Ubud locality of Campuan, found the Gunung Lebah Temple on the valley floor, the site of which remains a pilgrim destination.  

Ubud is the center of Balinese culture such as dances, sculpture, painting, etc. That’s why there are many museum in Ubud, including the Museum Puri Lukisan and the Agung Rai Museum Art. You will find many art shops at Ubud.

The main street is Jalan Raya Ubud runs east west through the center of town, there many top world class villas and restaurant beside the street. 

Puri Saren Agung is a large palace located at intersection of Monkey Forest and Raya Ubud roads. It is the home of Tjokorda Gede Agung Sukawati (1910-1978) the last King of Ubud. It is also theUbud first Hotel from 1930s. Visitors can usually see the dance performance there at 7.30 PM daily.

Ubud tourism is focuses on culture, yoga, and nature. Contrast from another part of Bali, Ubud has forest, rivers, cooler temperature, and more quiet. Many boutiques style Hotel in Ubud offer a Spa treatment and mountain trekking. Spa treatment in Ubud is Highly recommended with it’s high class service.

Ubud was voted as the best city in Asia for 2009 on Conde Nast Traveller Magazine Readers’ Choice. 25,000 readers were surveyed with avaluation criteria Atmosphere?ambience, Culture/Site, Friendliness, Lodging, Restaurants, and Shoping. Balinese felt very thankful when they heard about the good news. The Julia Robert filming in Ubud (Eat, Pray, Love) making increasingly popularity of Ubud in the world. Many foreigner called this place as their second home. I think it is good to say Ubud is the best destination in Asia.

So welcome to Ubud - Bali  

Original article: Travel Guide: Visiting Ubud, Bali - written by agus putu agung on Factoidz

Celuk Village a Heaven of Silver Market

Celuk Village is the famous village in Bali as a tourist destination cause of the local residents is very proactive and full of innovation to the gold and silver crafting. This countryside is located in sub district of Sukawati, Gianyar Regency and owns the individuality and excellence in production of gold and silver crafting. Most of them are Balinese professional, artistic and skillful of design development related to the silver and gold crafting.

Celuk is a home of silver and gold works. The productions of gold and silver at this village have penetrated the local, national and international market. Here, you can find many beautiful accessories like various kinds of rings, bangles, chokers, earrings, mother of pearls, broach and other types. Along the 2 km way of Celuk Village you will find in the left and right side the various type of gold and silver shop which are opened to the domestic and international tourist. It is also inside of this village, you can find the activities and workshop of crafting which are ready to be ordered in small or huge number.

Location : 
Celuk Village is strategically located in main road from Denpasar to Gianyar regency which is about 5 km from Denpasar town. The next door villages are Batubulan Village which is famous of Barong dance and stone carving, Singapadu Village with the art village equipped by places of recreation such as Bird Park and Bali Zoo Park, Batuan Village with the traditional painting, Guang village with the wood carving and Sukawati as a center of art market. Along way of Celuk Village about 2 km, we will find in the left and right side the various type of gold and silver shop which are opened to the domestic and international tourist. It is also inside of this village, we will find the activities and workshop of crafting which are ready to be ordered in small or huge number.

Balinese silversmiths are known worldwide for their intricate designs and meticulous attention to detail. Their skills are passed down from generation to generation. You don’t have to worry about the price. All the gold and silver craft here are in everyone’s budget. It means that the price range from the cheapest to the most expensive. One rule to remember when you are about to shop here is to bargain. The entire price here is not fixed price, you still be able to kindly ask the seller to lower the price for you. It is also a great idea to travel here with some local tourist guide, for they can help you with the bargaining process. Therefore, visiting Celuk is a must when you are already here in Bali.

Shoping Mania At Sukawati Art Market

Spending a nice holiday on the island of Paradise is full of endless experience. This tiny island has so many treasures and challenging adventure to explore. See the unique rice terraces in Tegalalang or Jatiluwih with its serenity and beauty on the rice fields. Or follow and inhale fresh air along the rapid on the river with a wide choice of different rapid. Another activity you will enjoy is an original "shopping adventure" to hunt souvenirs and the like in the art market. 

One of art markets that are already popular among visitors is Sukawati art market. Sukawati road-facing market located in the Gianyar Regency has a strategic position as it is passed
through during the tour to some destinations to the east. Sukawati art market is close to the village of Celuk, the center of gold & silversmiths. You can drop in after watching barong and keris dance performance in the morning. It can be accessed through bemo transport, tour bus or taxi.

It is just like a myriad of art shops that offers wide range of products. Simply one stop shopping. Many items sold in Kuta or other areas originate from here and are considerably
cheaper if bought here. One outlet may provide more than one item, like garments, souvenirs, paintings (unframed), basketry, colorful kites and so on.

Buying giveaways to commemorate the holiday has to be a must. So take advantage the holiday time to find out something memorable on the art market of Sukawati. This market is very
unique as it is already open in the early morning and visited by both domestic and foreign visitors. It is very close to other destinations in the Gianyar Regency.

A good place to explore the shopping experience in a natural way, get in touch with common people and see how the locals go about the art of negotiation. Yes, shopping is also an art of
experience. On the one hand, you may enjoy many kinds of art products all in one spot. It reflects the diversity of local art and crafts and the creativity of its people.

You will get a new experience in the 'art of buying'. You must bargain the price eventhough the vendor offers you a "morning price." Meaning especially low, to start off the trading day with a few sales already and make the day a successful one.

It does not mean you have to accept it as it is, it's not a fixed price. If you are good at bargaining you will get the best price you can afford and the vendor keeps "smiling and thanking you". If they don't smile anymore, you know his cost is higher than your offer. Good at bargaining is a bit more than insisting on a price. You need to provide a logical reason why your offer is so low and still should be accepted.