One of Ubud's memorable experiences is eating - a wide range of cuisine is on offer and rarely other than at exceptional value.

Eating in:

From your Villa Indah breakfast of fresh fruit, tangy juices, eggs, just right and toast with jam, tea and coffee, you can extend the in-house experience to a choice of traditional Balinese meals, either by referring to our menu or by discussing a particular dish with our staff.

Eating out:

The restaurant choice around Ubud is endless but firm favourites include:

• Casa Luna (home of the famed international cooking school)
• Murni's Warung
• Indus
• Café Lotus
• Moziac
• Terazo

For live music lovers, Jazz Café and Café Arma are established venues.

Drinking Water:

Remember to always ONLY drink bottled water.

Alcohol:

In Bali, imported alcohol is expensive and don't expect the range or choice that you may be used to. However, the climate more often than not favours consumption of beer and locally made Bintang hits the spot. It's not expensive and local rice wine, and rice spirit (arak - great with lime and ice, or honey lime and ice) are very cheap.

Bringing a bottle of your favourite spirits (one bottle per adult allowed duty free) is also worth considering.

Ubud Market:

The Ubud Market located in the middle of the town is a typical Bali market and ideal to try out your negotiating skills! Begin at about 20% of the price you are offered in the market!

Other shops:

On the main roads through Ubud, there is a fantastic choice of shops and galleries with an endless range of wonderful gifts and trinkets. And if you become a practiced negotiatior, the prices will make you smile.

Supermarkets:

For daily needs, there are a couple of excellent supermarkets; the new Bintang in particular is just a few minutes from Villa Indah on the road to Ubud village. Just ask the driver to take you there.

Monkey Forest:

After the markets, wood carvers and restaurants, the Monkey Forest, (officially titled "Jalan Wanara Wana") just a ten minute walk south of Ubud's town centre is a beautiful setting for hundreds of small monkeys which inhabit a typical Balinese temple within the forest.

Art & Galleries:

There are many galleries and art museums reflecting Bali's rich painting and decorative arts traditions. An example is the Neka Art Museum, just a few minutes from Villa Indah.
Balinese art and carvings are generally very well priced and provide great gifts and holiday memories.

Live Performaces:

Live dance and music performances are also imperatives on a visit to Ubud. Ask the staff as there is a constant programme of colourful activities and traditional performances.

Other Activities:

Besides walking or cycling the roads of Ubud, you might like to try white water rafting on the Ayung River, immediately below the resort, and elsewhere on the island,  adventure pursuits extend to golf, at the Greg Norman-designed Nirwana Bali Golf Club, rated in Asia's Top 5 golf courses. Or the Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club at Bedugul, ranked in the world's Top 50 golf courses and set in the cool highlands on the shores of Lake Bratan.

Walking:

Within the immediate vicinity of Villa Indah there are many attractions to visit on foot; from neighbouring temples to the other side of the spectacular Ayung Valley. Our staff will happily provide suggestions and directions.

Drivers:

Most Villa Indah guests prefer to hire a driver and enjoy being taken expertly to destinations. Our drivers are long time associates of the resort and know the ropes.

Taxis & Buses:

Ubud has no proper metered taxis, but plenty of people offer their services, up and down every street. Always negotiate the price before you start, and be prepared to find another driver if the price seems too high. A cheaper alternative are the local buses, if you are feeling adventurous.

Guilded tours:

A range of tours tours can be booked from Ubud to places all over the island.

Foreign Exchange:

Local currency is Rupiah and approximate conversion rates for 2006 are:

1 Australian dollar = 7200 rp
1 United States dollar = 9500 rp

When changing money in Ubud ensure the sign outside the exchange office says 'NO COMMISSION', or you will find you lose about 10% of the quoted exchange or more!
Take undamaged $50 or $100 notes to get the best exchange rate and hunt around for the best price. We have found that the changers in the Ubud market or at the post office are usually competitive.

Special Note:

ALWAYS count your money once you receive it, before you leave the counter. Its just sound practice, and the locals expect it. Once you have counted it, do not let the local person touch it again.

ATMs:

ATMs are also available n various locations around Ubud.

Restaurants:

Most restaurants will have a 10% tax charge on your bill and restaurants vary between 0% to 11% tip on the bill. That money will usually go to the MANAGEMENT, not the waiter on your table.

House staff:

It is usual practice to tip house staff when you leave. The size of the tip is at your discretion but at Villa Indah we like to pool the tips and share equally. Just remember when you empty out your rupiah, that you still have airport departure tax to pay.

Bali is a great place to indulge the body with a one hour massages in local facilities costing as little as 60,000 Rp. And manicures and pedicures for around 50,000 Rp or hair cuts, and facials are all great value.

It is a good idea to carry some medication with you to cover against 'Bali Belly' and, if you haven't done much travelling internationally, carry relief for headaches, pain, itches, infections.

Before you leave:

Your local doctor will know what shots you should have before you leave home, but should you need a doctor with western experience, ask our manager.