Decided to put my 14 years experience working in the film, tv, entertainment and modelling sector, ...
Decided to put my 14 years experience working in the film, tv, entertainment and modelling sector, into something constructive - my own agency, database and directory - SYOS Casting.com
Fingers crossed x.
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This is fast becoming a travelogue (See 'The Scam in Kuta' and "Safe and Sanur').
Got the air-con tourist bus into Ubud - or so i thought. The bus actually drops you at the perimeter, where you are quickly approached by taxi drivers offering shelter beneath large umbrellas (rainy season), and quoting extortionate prices to take you anywhere; but of course it is haggleable (is there such a word?); then a few minutes later, dropped at the Artini Cottages 2, quoted another price, haggled again (you do get used to it) and then agreed. (Although, as i walk away, i always feel that i shoud have haggled some more).
Anyway, the Artini was amazing; wooden, two-tier cottage, huge bed, verandah, whirring fan, hot and cold water, and views out across the paddy fields, lush and green; plus complimentary flask of tea. And all for a tenner - quite expensive really; though that does include your breakfast and the large open-air pool, and, of course, choice of sun-lounger. I liked it.
Ubud is an amazingly easy place to get around (with a map), almost grid-like, and after doing the Monkey Forest Sanctuary (a tourist must), you walk up (and i do mean up) Monkey Forest road to find all sorts of tourist-junk shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and yoga/relaxation centres, until you arrive at Cafe Wayan, the place where i fell in love.
In the window of this patisserie you'll espy all sorts of delicious items; cakes made with pineapple, jackfruit, melon, apple, orange; all of them, i'm sure, equally as good as the next; but none, none so fine as the tender, moist delicacy that had me coming back each day that i was in Ubud.
Banana Cake. Banana Cake. Banana Cake. (So good i said it thrice)
Complimented by a bitter coffee. And afterwards, a cigarette, as you do.
For five consecutive mornings, this was my ritual - and then i had to leave.
I've got to say that Ubud is a really good place to chill; although its also got a little night life; as in video cafes (quite fun), cockfighting (not my preference), an excellent indoor market, and the obligatory balinese dancing for tourists. Its also got some very good Internet cafes, which are cheaper than in Sanur and Kuta.
Though i wouldn't necessarily recommend it for a singles holiday, it's very good as a base for hitting the rest of Bali; and also for some of the adventure trips that are being run: Kayaking, rafting, cycling, trekking and so forth. The food and the restaurants are excellent, and the beer's not bad either; Bintang, being my particular favourite.
Would i recommend it? Lets just say that i'm going back in april.
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Jan 14th, 2001
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