We admit it, the arrival in Bali was undoubtedly far from everything we would have ever expected. It all started at the airport: suitcases forgotten by the airline at the Moscow airport (with delivery after 4 interminable days), the taxi driver's rate increases ad-lib, and the euro - rupee exchange skyrocketed (obviously to the detriment) in full Bitcoin style.

It wasn't exactly a great welcome, but it was the price to pay to get to bed after an endless flight in the middle of the night.

The loss of suitcases, however, was useful to confuse us with the locals and keep tourists away: try to keep the same clothes for 4 days, washing them in the evening and putting them back immediately in the morning, in a humid tropical climate where nothing dries, for more impregnated with the smell of soot coming from the offerings (and more) that are burned around the island.

To explore the island, we rent a scooter for 5 days. In our opinion, it was the ideal way to avoid the endless queues at peak times, and it served to get around the part of the island that we had set out for, an area that formed a kind of fan with the two sides about fifty long kilometers, right with Ubud as the summit, where we had accommodation.
And then, as good Genoese, it was impossible not to use it!

We reserved the first day for the exploration of Ubud, a town that we had chosen as a place to stay.

Being more secluded from the chaotic Denpasar, there was a more peaceful atmosphere, even if the presence of mass tourism was manifested in bars, shops and clubs.

We began our exploration of Bali by visiting the Ubud Palace and the nearby Saraswati Temple.
In Bali, the temple complexes are divided into three sections:

- Jaba Pisan, the front courtyard
- Jaba Tengah, the central courtyard
- Jeroan, the inner courtyard

The shapes of the structures enclosed in these 3 zones are typically oriental with multiple floors, and are surrounded by basins and small open secondary altars with a thatched roof.

In the area there are decorations on the doors and in the various passages, in addition  to the countless statues depicting mythological creatures, demons and dragons in stone of volcanic origin; finally, the exotic plants with their colorful flowers create a particular natural setting, often merging with the whole.
Absolutely not to be missed, in the Saraswati temple, the beautiful aquatic garden of pink water lilies.

Another place that deserves a visit is the sacred forest of monkeys with its splendid temples, where hundreds of mischievous monkeys live in complete freedom. Stroll along the narrow streets of this jungle park in search of your favorite Rafiki, but we recommend that you do not bring anything that can be easily removed from your backpacks or pockets: monkeys like to be in the latest fashion with mobile phones, hats and sunglasses.

Remember: Balinese macaques interpret the teeth shown in your smiles as signs of aggression!
We dedicated the afternoon to one of the many walks in the greenery in Ubud, along the ridge of Campuhan: we recommend only taking the first stretch, where nature dominates the scene on the slopes, giving back many photographic ideas.

Goa Gajah

On the way back, before ending this first day, we stopped at the ancient cave of Goa Gajah, also known as the elephant cave.

This cave, carved into the rock, probably from the 9th century, was used as a sanctuary.
Its entrance consists of a door depicting a large mouth of a demon, which leads to niches, with Hindu statues inside them. In the courtyard located in front of the door there are two square tanks that receive water from amphorae supported by 6 female figures, once used in the purification rituals that took place before prayers.