Ubud: Beyond Paradise Island
Exploring Balinese Heritage, Healing, and Intellectual Enlightenment
It was the hottest time of the year in Ubud, during the dry season in October. Maneuvering through the bumper-to-bumper traffic on a rented scooter, with temperatures reaching their peak during the day, proved challenging.
But October in Ubud is also the time for literary-loving pilgrims worldwide to make their way to the 20th Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2023 (UWRF23). This year's festival features even more diverse programs and speakers than the previous year.
Sipping a cold kunyit asam jamu drink — a mixture of turmeric and tamarind — at Janet De Neefe's Casa Luna restaurant while immersing myself between yoga classes and UWRF23 programs, it becomes easy to forget and forgive Ubud's harsh, dry season. Ubud has been my spiritual home for healing and intellectual enlightenment for a decade. But it is no coincidence that an agricultural village like Ubud is a destination for wellness, spiritual, and intellectual enlightenment tourism events.
Only a few people know the true meaning of Ubud. 'Ubud' originates from the Balinese language and is derived from the words 'Ubad' or 'Usada'. 'Ubad' refers to traditional medicines, while 'Usada' means 'medicine'. So, in addition to its agricultural and artistic…
