In Ubud Bali, there are usually two must-do food that the locals (or tourist management?) wants the tourists and visitors to try – Ibu Oka babi guling and Bebek Bengil Crispy Duck.

First travel tip and warning: DO NOT go to Ibu Oka babi guling. It costs 2 arms, no seats, very hot, bad staff service, portions is tiny, and you have to whisked off within minutes of seating. 30 000 Rupiah per plate. Half plate actually. And it doesn’t even smell fresh. I am shocked why dozens of tourists are still lead here by some Pied Piper song. I asked the local manager of a guesthouse what is the actual price. And he says usually it should be 10 000 to 15 000 Rupiah and portions are a lot more. And yes, I travelled by bike around and other parts of Bali and those are the actual price. Why the lamentation? Cos it shouldn’t be and surely some competitors could open a warung around that area soon.

Bebek bengil

Crispy duck - that chilli is so good it makes your head itch

Now back to the Dirty Duck Restaurant. It is called Dirty Duck in English. This is a proper full service restaurant so expect to pay high. 65 000 Rupiah for the signature dish – Bebek bengil. Crispy duck serving like over 500 customers a night. Besides this, there are other options like Ayam Betutu, and other chicken dishes. My brother must eat here every time. The duck is indeed very crispy. Look at the photo. That red chilli is very delicious. It’s not spicy to the tongue or throat or stomach (e.g. Indian food usually burns the stomach). But will make your head itch!

Tree are everywhere in Bali. Making it cool. Even on a hot sunny day, riding a motorbike gives you complete freedom and fun. When you pass a huge old tree or some garden, the cool breeze is worth more than the aircon in the hotel room.

On the road and trees

Trees everywhere keeping it cool

This photo features my brother on the roadside after a check-point. Usually we stop every 30 mins or 1 hour or whenever it is required to check the maps for ambiguous signs and mis-direction. Yes! Happens in almost every traffic corner, crossroads, and junctions. Road signs will mis-direct you and will stall your journey. The last trip back, I re-mapped several of our usual journeys from Legian to the north-bound connecting village called Kerobokan. Will write more tips on how to save time and beat the signboards.

Rice terrace

Rice terrace just beside a country road in Bali

The staple rice and thus rice field could be found everywhere. Here is one shot of a very beautiful strip of rice terrace just along a simple country road. The feeling is immense when you come across this view, especially if you have been living in a Western world, or big city life with dozens of cars. Speaking of cars, of which Bali isn’t lacking in the town/city area, but out on the roads to villages and the hills, the roads are narrow and thus cars are few. Pollution too is less. And with the abundance of trees along the road, it is cool.