Hi Guys, So today is our finally day in the beautiful Ubud. Its really is a special place. We arrived last weds by 'shuttle bus' (a clapped out old minibus) and were dumped at the 'station' (a car park out side a glass fronted building, that sold lights and sofas). No sooner had we collected our bags we were surrounded by people asking if we had somewhere to stay, "hot water, wifi, two hundred thousand" (two hundred thousand is probably about 15quid and way out of our price range) "too much" we said, "ahhhhh you want budget.... tutde tutde" and thats when we met Tutde (prenouced like today..ish) He was a smiley little chubby man, he explained he had budget accomadation and before we knew it he had my bag on his scooter and off we went while nic (who wouldnt get on the bike, walked behind...with his bag...and guitar!)

He had several little cottages in the grounds of his home, some nicer than others, ours (being the budget) was the most humble of them all lets say. Its fine, a bed, a ceiling fan that I still cant believe hasn't fallen on top of us yet its so rickerty! The bathroom however is pretty shabby, no sink, FREZZING shower, to be honest its smells quite funky too!! It could have been worst and the fact that tutde was such a nice man, his family also were very friendly we decided to ,take the room.

We spent the first few days just walking around, there is only a few streets but they are filled with bookshops, paintings, markets selling clothes, jewlery, souveniers and local food. Its a very eco way of life here, people seem to be really into healthy happy living.

We walked to the monkey sanctuary, we got some great pictures of cheeky monkeys who were clued up that tourists = food. My favourite was a big fat one right by the entrance next to the stall where you could buy bananas for them... he just lay on his back rubbing his belly waiting for his next meal.

We walked to the rice fields and watched the local farmers at work.

One evening we went to watch a balaniese dance show which tutde was performing in and then stumbled across and live band playing latino jazz music. It was great apart from the strange american man who we believe was trying to convince us to join his cult came and sat with us! Nic sat and entertained him so he didn't bother anyone else... i just ignored him and listened to the music... he was weird!!!

A french girl moved in to the room next to ours and convinced us the best way to get round the island was by bike. I was really pleased about this as i'd wanted to get bikes, Nic wasnt so sure, but he did it and in the end really enjoyed it.

We hired the bikes for two days, the first day we went up to the volcano's in the mountains, the views were amazing and then we drove down to lake butar and had lunch on a floating resturant in the water. On the way back we were pulled over by some 'bent' police who bascially wanted money from us, they soon changed there mind after Nic told them his father was a lawyer lol.

Day two we went to seminyak, a nice beach less touristy than Kuta but very expensive.... we got lost on the way back and ended up in a weird village at the top of another mountain, it was very cold and getting dark by then so it felt really spooky. Everyone was clearly on crack, that was the only explanation.

Tonight is our last night and tutde is going to throw us a little leaving party, with some of the other backpackers in our homestay... smoked chicken I think he said. Not satay or Nic may die!!!

Were meant to be getting the ferry to gili tomorrow but when looking online there is no where to stay on the whole island!! We may head to lombok first now or just risk it.... however it would be just our luck after an 9hr slow ferry for there to be no room at the inn, we will have to camp at the beach.

to be continued.....

Until next time, lots of love

Katie and Nic xxxx