Summer In London Is Magic. Here's Where To Eat, Drink & Be Merry

I opened my last blog post about London by saying I’m in love, and I’ll do it again. I’m in love with this city! What is it about London that is so incredibly compelling to me? Is it the familiar Western Culture mixed with alluring European distinction that combines to make me feel like this could be my home, yet an endless source of adventure & joy? Is it that both times I’ve been, I’ve encountered not one drop of rain? It’s hard to say.

All I know is I love the grand history mingled with the modern and varietized. I love the energy of walking home at midnight on a Wednesday, the streets still filled with young people talking and laughing and drinking beers outside of the pubs. I love the fashion, all pretty ruffled dresses and white tennis shoes right now.

How fortunate for me that I got to visit this place for four whole days (compared to my last trip was a whole 48 hours) with some awesome people that I happen to work with. 

Although it was a short trip, there were still many memories made & recommendations to be given. My trip in a bottle below:

London Drinks Situation

This was a focal point of the trip, as are most socially-oriented gatherings in my life. I’m actually really trying to cut back in terms of the amount that I drink (and kind of failing miserably). There’s just so many outings that revolve around it. If anyone has advice as to how to create a social life that is less dependent on alcohol for fun, I’m all ears. In the meantime, here’s some of the pretty awesome places that we enjoyed a beverage or four:

• The Coral Room: Located within the Bloomsbury Hotel, this has to be one of the most beautiful interiors in London. True to it’s name, the walls and furniture are all coral or salmon pink, accented with antique details and gold. Drinks are not cheap but nothing really is in London. Probably why this San Francisco girl feels right at home!

The beautiful Coral Room interior.

• Aqua Kyoto: Cute rooftop situation near Oxford Street. It’s also pretty massive in terms of bar space, so big groups work well here. I ordered Paloma after Paloma, as tequila is my new spirit drink (& helps immensely with the jet lag!).

A perfect Paloma at Aqua Kyoto's rooftop bar. Pardon the grown out nails, which are colored in my new favorite: OPI Cajun Shrimp. 

• Archer Street: We were in this bar for a total of 5 minutes, but I’m positive that if I lived here, I would be a regular. It was full of good-looking young people, jam packed at 11pm on a Wednesday, famous for its Broadway-theater actors who bartend on the side and take turns standing on the tables & belting out crowd-pleasers like Journey.
• Lamb & Flag: This is the spot if you’re looking for a traditional British pub that still has a ton of life. It’s picturesque in it’s quaintness, but still has a hoard of people drinking beers and smoking cigarettes on its doorstep. Aka fun. 
• The Shard: The Shard is the tallest building in all of London, and anyone can go to the top for the views if you’re willing to order an(other) expensive drink. We went to Hutong’s on the 32nd floor, which isn’t the highest (52nd is as tall as it gets), but we still felt pretty pleased with the view.

Sunset view from the 32nd floor of The Shard. Drinks ain't cheap, but the view is -- priceless. 

• London Eye Champaign Experience: If you’re going to spend a low key crazy amount to ride the London Eye for 20 minutes, you may as well get the Champagne Experience. You don’t have to wait in line (which can end up taking much longer than the ride itself) and you get a glass of champagne to enjoy as you look down upon the peasants. Roughly $50 per person.

Looking down from the top of the London Eye (champs in hand, bc life is worth celebrating).

• Brewdog: This was a cool, funky little spot in Covent Garden where we stopped to get beers. On a nice day, their upstairs is full of sunlight and the guy who started the place actually started and sold his microbrewery for the largest sum in microbrewery history. Then he started Brewdog. So the beers are pretty good! They also sell hot dogs.

A quick visual recap of where to get your good times on.

London Hotel Situation

• St. Martin’s Lane: I stayed here and was very pleased with the experience. Very modern hotel, much like The Standard or a Virgin Hotel with its funky oversize furniture pieces and retro décor. The rooms are beautifully white & modern, though a bit teensy. Nice & quiet at night and in the cutest area.

My bright, minimal room at St. Martin's Lane Hotel in London.

• The Bloomsbury: Most of my coworkers stayed here, so I became very familiar with it. Home to the gorgeous Coral Room and other beautiful spaces, it’s classic charm is pretty sumptuous & irresistible. I may try to stay here next time.

London Shopping Situation

• Covent Garden: Candles, tea, restaurants, other quirky shops. Very lovely setting, fun to wander.
• Seven Dials: Upscale boutiques, some big brand names (Vans, Urban, etc.), buncha shoes, fairly spendy. I loved this one little novelty shop called Magma. They had a bunch of stuff from this company called The School of Life that seeks to develop emotional intelligence with their products. An obvious fit for BSM.

Seven Dials inner courtyard. Saw some definite IG models doing their photo thing here.

• Oxford & Regent Street: All of the big brand names. Crowded and chaotic streets in the summertime. Didn’t spend much time here but would if I needed to do a legit shopping expedition.

London Food Situation

This was more of a social/professional trip than a cultural/foodie trip, so there weren’t many super notable culinary experiences. I don’t actually love traditional British food anyway, so it didn’t feel like too big of a miss. A few stick out though:

Classic English food just doesn't rev my engine. That's fried cheese on the plate & this is a healthy item!

• Bombay Bustle: Incredible Indian food & “Derailed” tequila-based drink. I went with a group of 13 and has 6 delicious courses. London is famous for their Indian food.
• Shake Shack: I know this isn’t even local to Europe, but as someone from San Francisco where we don’t yet have our own, it felt right to get this for lunch two days in a row.
• J. Sheeky: I wont say I had the best meal in the world here, but it is something of a London classic and clearly so, because we saw both Stella McCartney & that actress from Three Billboards finish their meals while we were eating. It’s on the spendier side.

J Sheeky, the apparently esteemed London eatery (movie stars eat here).

Mindful Travel Situation

Traveling for work is both an enormous blessing (one that I’ve wanted my entire life) and an exhausting lifestyle. In order to accept the yin with the yang, I try hard to maintain some sort of mindfulness practice while I’m traveling for work. That means finding time for my brain and body.

• Innerspace Meditation Shop & Space: I stumbled on this little gem while exploring the Seven Dials shopping area near my hotel. The first floor is a bookstore on all things mindfulness and meditation. The basement has a free, public meditation space, as well as a classroom where they run workshops. I took some time to leaf through a few books and felt inspired by the positive energy in the words.
• Insight Timer meditation: With all of the drinks and socializing that come with team offsites, it’s extremely important for me to get away, get some alone time to clear my head and find myself again. I found on this trip that meditating helped me feel more alert when I was crazy jet-lagged and also helped me pull back on the drinking once I’d realized it was just making me feel worse, not more fun.

It's not about what you're doing, it's about who you're with. But doing cool things helps!

• Gratitude journal: Just a few words at the end of the night about all there is to be grateful for really enhances my experience of life, no matter where I am. I have a naturally down disposition, so practicing gratitude helps get me up and stay up.
• Morning run: Part fitness, part plan to beat jetlag. I woke at 5:30 am on Tuesday morning, so decided to go on a run to explore the city and do something good for my body after the 10 hour plane ride. It felt really good to sweat, and it was such a fun way to explore the city.

Casual architectural sighting on my morning jog around London.

• 10K steps or bust: When in a new city, there is no excuse not to get at least 10K steps every day, because you should be exploring! If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself on vacation in a city that is not your own, you owe it to yourself and the place you’re visiting to give 10,000 steps to these new streets. Fill your eyes and your heart and your mind with the new experience. Absorb it through your feet as you walk. I know this sounds corny, but I believe this wholeheartedly. Try taking everything in with your whole being, rather than just your eyes and your mind. Feel the experience physically, viscerally. Walking helps me do this.
• Only indulge in what’s worth it: For me, that was Shake Shack. It used to be that when I would go on vacation, I would stuff my face at any and all occasions because I was on vacation, okay? It would leave me feeling overly full & lethargic, to the point where I was no longer enjoying the new experiences and just feeling guilty about pigging out. Now, I try to prioritize fruits, veggies, & protein while traveling, until the fancy dinner or delicious dessert opportunity. Even then, I try to eat mindfully and only indulge until I start getting full. Try being the operative word here, but that’s all being mindful asks.

After my second successful trip to London, I think that if I were to pick up and move anywhere tomorrow, it would be here. Where would you go if you had to do the same? What city in this big ol world calls to you? Let me know in the comments.

Up Next: Read Dealing With Travel Setbacks

10 Questions With A Badass Female Solo Traveler: A First Timer's Guide

I have some really incredible friends who motivate and inspire me every day. There are chicks that kill it in the workplace, rays of sunshine who touch everyone they encounter, and deeply thoughtful individuals who give me perspective and a sounding board when needed.

But perhaps the coolest thing that any of my friends has ever done is take a three-month solo trip to Southeast Asia to spend some time with herself and the world.

Meet Linda, Your Solo Travel Inspiration

Linda Hsu is a talented product + visual designer living in SF. I’ve known Linda since we were freshmen in college, and over time, it seems our molding minds have grown toward the same sun. We have both gravitated toward the mindfulness community in the years since college, trading in partying and drinks galore for yoga, meditation, and more time outdoors. She’s also one of the most talented artists I know and has such an incredible eye for photography (which you'll see in this post).

One thing that hasn't wavered in all of these years is our mutual love of travel. You might remember seeing her on the blog back when I was studying abroad. I visited Linda in Paris where she was studying, and we also traveled to Dublin together!

Linda here! This is me getting SCUBA certified on Koh Tao island in Thailand, which is famous for its many affordable dive schools.

When she came back from her adventure in SE Asia, I knew I had to get her story on Blue Sky Mind. If I learned anything in my time studying abroad, it’s that solo travel can be a life-changing positive experience.

Yet it can be so dang uncomfortable that we seem to avoid it at all costs. I hope this post opens your eyes to the benefits of traveling solo and helps you feel like it's just a little bit more achievable than you thought before. 

Linda’s Solo Travel Tips

1. Can you describe your solo travel experience?

Linda: In early January, I left for a 3-month backpacking trip throughout Southeast Asia. I started off in Bangkok, made my way north through Thailand, crossed over to Laos, travelled down through Laos and Cambodia, then crossed over to Vietnam, made my way north from Ho Chi Minh City, then flew back to Thailand where I spent a week in the South of Thailand before going back to the states.

So in three months, I traveled to:

• Thailand

• Laos

• Cambodia

• Vietnam

Water buffalo are sacred in Southeast Asia. This photo was taken at a peppercorn plantation in Kampot, Cambodia.

2. What have been your favorite destinations? Why?

My favorite places in each country tended to be in the north. The landscape tended to be more green and lush and there’s a lot of gorgeous, untouched nature to be seen.

I loved Chiang Mai and Pai in Thailand; there's so much to do and see, but it still has a relaxed vibe, great cafes and restaurants, along with beautiful surrounding scenery. I also loved the laid-back atmosphere of Laos. It’s population is quite small and very spread out across villages, rather than concentrated in the “big cities,” so it never feels too crowded. I really enjoyed Luang Prabang in Laos, similar to Chiang Mai with a chilled vibe, great eateries and lovely nature reserves just a short motorbike ride away.

Elephant Waterfall, near Da Lat, Vietnam.

My favorite country I visited was Vietnam. It’s just so diverse and rich in culture, and the people are truly resilient -- man have they been through a lot. The landscape is absolutely stunning and the food is delicious. From the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh city, filled with seemingly more motorbikes than people, to the quiet rolling mountains in the center, beaches all down the eastern coast, the colorful ethnic tribes in the north, and endless rice paddies with the most vibrant green you’ve ever seen, Vietnam has got it all.

One of my favorite places in Vietnam was Phong Nha, a national park. Seriously jaw-dropping landscapes. Best seen by motorbike.

With my lovely homestay Mama in Sapa, Vietnam.

3. What inspired you to take this trip?

It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but the biggest trigger was coming to a crossroads in my life where it felt like it was going to be now or never. I had gone through a really hard time the past few years and was about to transition back into the “real world” with a full-time job in a new career in the Bay Area. I figured if I didn’t take the trip now, I might not be able to take it in the future.

During Thanksgiving, my cousin was talking about Southeast Asia with my sister’s mother-in-law. They both traveled there by themselves for months. Hearing them talk about it, I felt like it was calling me to do the same. I booked my flight a week later.

4. What were the highest highs of traveling solo?

Being on your own schedule and having the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want (of course, this can also be a double-edged sword). I love the sense of independence and openness you have to meeting new people and having new experiences.

Personally, I love being outside of my comfort zone, because I think that’s when you grow the most. When you’re traveling solo, you’re constantly out of your comfort zone, but in turn, you’re constantly learning and growing.

The Gibbons Experience in Laos, where you zipline everywhere & live in a treehouse in the middle of the jungle!

5. What were some of the lowest lows?

There have been times of loneliness and some situations where I wished I was with another person. For example, having to take a night bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville in Cambodia where you literally have to share a bed with someone, and if you’re by yourself you’re going to get stuck with a stranger. I was really lucky with that one and ended up having the bed to myself, but that could have been bad.

A lot of shitty things happened (lost my GoPro, got $300 stolen from me, got left at the border from Cambodia to Vietnam), but you live and you learn and the highs definitely outweigh the lows.

And sometimes you are so taken aback by the kindness and generosity of strangers or of new friends that it warms your heart and renews your hope in humanity.

6. How did you stay safe as a female traveling alone?

You just have to have your wits about you. Don’t do anything stupid and stay aware of your surroundings.

Southeast Asia is pretty safe as far as solo female traveling goes, so I felt pretty safe while I was there. There were times when I felt a bit scared walking home alone at night, but I think it was mostly all in my head. Oftentimes you'll sync up with another person or group of people and travel together for a few days or maybe even longer. You're never really alone for long.

Our 9-person motorbike gang from all over the world, doing the Thakek loop together in Laos.

7. What are your top tips for traveling solo?

Be open to meeting people! Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger. Plan ahead, but don’t plan too far ahead. As much as you try and plan your trip it will always change and it's better to be flexible.

Say yes to (almost) everything; you never know what unexpected surprises are around the corner.

New friends from Israel in the treehouse we stayed in for the Gibbons Experience!

8. People often cite money as a reason why they can’t travel; do you have any advice on how to navigate that piece?

Of course, traveling is a huge privilege, and you do need to have some baseline needs covered before you can think about spending money on travel. But there are so many ways to travel on a budget, and if you really make it a priority, you can save for it.

Travelling also opens your eyes to the many extraneous purchases and material things we have in the western world. Why not forgo a few of those purchases for a while and use them somewhere where your dollar can go a lot further?

Kao Sok National Park, Thailand.

If you travel somewhere cheap like South East Asia and get a great deal on a flight, you can easily make it affordable. I probably spent less traveling in one month in Southeast Asia than some people spend on rent for two weeks (at least in San Francisco). I met a lot of people traveling who don’t have a ton of money or high paying jobs; they worked hard and saved their money.

There was one girl I met who spent a year saving up for her big world trip -- she said she basically didn’t go out with her friends or eat out for months, but it was worth it.

9. What’s your advice for someone has been thinking about trying solo travel and just hasn't pulled the trigger due to discomfort with the idea?

Try taking a smaller trip on your own, practice being independent and being by yourself in new and different situations.

Wat Arun, a temple in Bangkok. The temples in Thailand are magnificent and insanely elaborate.

If a 3-month Southeast Asia trip is a bit too much, try going somewhere closer to home for just 1 or 2 weeks and see how you like it.

I don’t think it’s for everyone, but I definitely think everyone can benefit from it.

10. As you end this trip, what are your parting thoughts about the experience? Are you a changed woman?

The experience was unlike any other -- some of the happiest and most fulfilled times of my life. It was a period of serious growth and learning. I feel like I expanded my mind and my worldview and I met some of the most incredible people along the way.

Traveling -- and really traveling, not just vacationing -- makes you realize how myopic your understanding of the world really is.

The very famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Some friends you just make in passing for one day, but they can be more meaningful than the relationships you have with people you have known for years.

You realize how enormous -- and at the same time -- tiny, the world is. I can safely say it was one of the best decisions of my life, and I can’t wait until my next trip. I’ve already planned it all out!

Time To Book Some Solo Travel

Linda decided to go on this trip to find something of a fresh start after a tough time in her life. Maybe that’s what will motivate you. But whenever you feel that pull toward experiencing the world on your own, don't let the fear of discomfort or financial limitations stop you. The world is waiting to be explored! 

For more of Linda, visit her portfolio for some awesome design work or follow her Instagram for more stunning photography. For more content like this, you can always subscribe to Blue Sky Mind.

Bali Travel Guide: Experiencing The Magic Of Ubud

Out of the seven cities that we visited in Bali, Ubud was at the very top of the list. It’s the perfect little microcosm of what Bali has to offer and why people are so madly in love with the place. It’s an oasis of lush green vegetation and interesting animal life, yet filled with good food, adventures and mindfulness alike, and interesting people.

Kevin and I were able to spend three nights and roughly 2.5 days in this magical little town. We would strongly advise more for your stay.

Getting to Ubud

We traveled to Ubud from Seminyak by cab for a fixed rate of 300K rupiah. This seemed to be the standard price, and it took about 1.5 hours.

Total cost for getting to Ubud: $20

Where To Stay In Ubud

Our accommodation situation in Ubud includes both a hit and a miss. I was so excited about the place I’d picked for this part of the trip -- it was the only place we would be staying for 3 full days, so I chose what I thought was a cute and romantic, albeit minimalist, cabin experience via Airbnb.

And minimalist it was. Minimalist plus extremely loud construction next door, a thin, lumpy mattress, and mosquitos in the room. Kevin was not having it.

Our minimalist Airbnb cabin in Ubud. 

Complete with outdoor shower -- and mosquitos. 

We immediately got online to look for a different place to book for the next two nights and found Green Field Hotel, which had been recommended by a friend (thanks Lauren!). At $80 a night, it would be our splurge of the trip, but boy was it worth it.

To move from the Airbnb to the hotel, we journeyed a mile on foot in the middle of the day carrying our massive backpacks, so we arrived tired and drenched in sweat. Fortunately, we were staying in a palace, so pretty much all strife was forgotten at that point.

Our palace in Ubud. 

When we were first taken to our room, which overlooked a private rice field, we thought we had entered another part of the lobby. The ceilings were so high, the decor so lavish, the space for two people so immense. We thought $80/night couldn't possibly buy this.

But it can in Ubud, and we lived it up for two days in that room. This was our favorite place to the point that we calculated how much it would be per month to live here, and could we both work remotely to move to Bali? Just kidding...kind of. It didn't not come up.

The view from our palace. Naturally. 

Total cost for three nights in Ubud: $190

Things To Do In Ubud

I'm breaking this section down into two parts: adventures and relaxations. I'm definitely more of a relaxation-seeker on vacations, whereas Kevin is an adventure-seeker. I think travel buddies often have to deal with this dichotomy and I think Ubud is a great place to satisfy both. 

Ubud Adventures

Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest: Kev had been looking forward to this part of the trip more than anything else, so excitement was high as we entered the park. I immediately became fearful as we walked in and saw at least three monkeys jump onto unsuspecting people who looked absolutely terrified. I was under the impression that if you didn't draw attention to yourself, the monkeys would leave you alone.

But no, they were seemingly non-discriminate, aggressive, and wanted whatever was in your bag. Preferably food, but cameras were interesting too -- which I found out when one of the little weasels pulled my camera out of Kevin’s backpack. It was perhaps one of the more terrifying moments of my life stealing it back from that monkey, because the look in his eyes was of pure evil and hatred. He started coming after me to get the camera back until a kind bystander scared him away.

I sort of had a full on panic attack after that, and felt that we needed to leave the Monkey Forest immediately. Poor Kev. At least he got to make some monkey friends while we were there -- and keep all of his stuff.

Kevin & his furry friends in the Monkey Forest. Note that the coffee cup is also stolen!

Rent a motorbike: The motorbike rides would become one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. The wind blowing the humidity off your face, the freedom of mobility, and the amazing sightseeing to be had, especially as a passenger -- it’s just unparalleled. It costs about $8 USD a day to rent a motorbike and we had zero trouble with the whole experience (though to be fair, we both grew up riding motorcycles).

I got to ride on the back of this sweet rig. 

Happy Travel Favorites

Explore the streets: There are so many fun little shops and restaurants in Ubud. It’s a truly thriving economy, with a good mix of local and Western business owners. It’s a blast to just walk around -- you might even run into street monkeys!

Take a cooking class: We did ours through Peon Cooking Class and would highly recommend it. Not only was it a full cooking class, but we were picked up from our the Airbnb and given a tour of the local market tour and a working rice field. All this for just $26/person!

We made a massive amount of delicious food, and met some lovely people, including a woman who had quit her job at Microsoft in Brazil and was traveling the world for two years. She gave us the name of traditional healer in Ubud, who we tried to visit before leaving but never made it. 

Watching the rice field workers work do their thing on the way to our cooking class. 

Sweltering as I cook up some chicken satay at our cooking class.

The final spread, which we served family style. 

Visit the Tegalalang rice field terraces: We rode our motorbike out to the famous Tegalalang rice field terraces early in the morning, before it became overrun and chaotic with tourists. Upon arrival, we met a local named Wayan, who took us on an impromptu private tour and even lead us via motorbike to a coffee plantation afterwards.

Tegalalang (teg-ah-LAH-long) was lush, peaceful, and expansive. Wayan was goofy and talkative in his broken English. We passed by a mother washing clothing in a little stream as her two children splashed in the water and exchanged good morning’s. We stopped to chat with an incredibly frail-looking rice field worker carrying a huge load of rice up a 45 degree terrace slope. Kevin picked up the carrier himself and was shocked at how heavy it was.

One of my favorite shots from Tegalalang, the famous rice field terraces. 

Pro Tip: Most people you meet will be named Wayan, because that is the name of every first-born child in Bali, men and women. There are four total names: Wayan, Made, Nyoman and Ketut, meaning first-, second-, third- and fourth-born. I think I read this in “Eat, Pray, Love,” and it was confirmed by the locals.

Visit a coffee plantation: The coffee plantation we visited was called Bali Pulina, and was just up the road from Tegalalang. You walk in and get to meet the animals responsible for producing the most expensive coffee in the world, called civets ("luwaks" in Balinese). They’re these furry little cat-pheasant looking things, that I wanted to pet but was told would bite.

The best part of the plantation is their cafe deck, which overlooks more lush green rice terraces. When you buy a cup of kopi luwak here, they also bring you eight other teas and coffees to taste beforehand, like ginger and ginseng coffee! Our thoughts on the world’s most expensive coffee: I don't understand. But you can't not try it.

When you buy a cup of luwak copi at Bali Pulina, you also get to taste test seven other teas and coffees! 

A happy girl sipping her coffee in paradise. 

Do yoga: I tried a vinyasa class at the world renowned Yoga Barn. To be honest, I was a little disappointed with the experience, because the class was indoors, packed, and boiling hot. Also expensive for yoga at 100K IDR a pop. But again, it feels like something I needed to see once. I wish I’d had time to try some other studios.

Relax: We spent our afternoons at the hotel (infinity) pool, swimming and tanning and getting some much-need relaxation time. In the evenings, we shared a bottle of Balinese wine on our terrace overlooking the rice fields as the sun set and went to bed at a hard-fought 9:30 pm.

Enjoying the sunset on our private back patio overlooking more rice fields. Heaven. 

Ubud Foods

Now for the delicious part. Because what would a vacation be if you were mindfully devouring the local fare?

Sweet & spicy fried tempeh at our cooking class.

Classic chicken satay, also at our cooking class. 

For breakfast at our first Ubud accommodation, we climbed up to the top floor of the Airbnb’s restaurant, watching the monkeys climb all over the construction site before the day’s work started. There, we were served coffee, OJ, eggs, toast, and fresh fruit. There is so much amazing fruit in Bali!

At our palace hotel, we also got a free breakfast. This time, it was a luxe buffet of classic Indonesian dishes.

Free breakfast buffet at our Ubud palace hotel, including the requisite Nasi Goreng. 

Here’s a list of recommendations from the aforementioned Lauren, who actually lives in Ubud. We didn’t make it to most places on the list, but I definitely trust her judgement for mindful eats: 

• Seniman: Best coffee
• Alchemy Cafe
• Kafe Ubud
• Bali Buddha
• Clear
• Mama Mia
• Sopa
• Mudra: Trendy, healthy lunch spot
• Seeds of Life: Raw food
• Warung 9: Vegetarian buffet
• Clear Cafe: Microbiotic & raw food
• Sari Organic: Lunch out in rice fields
• Down to Earth: Cool nighttime theater
• Elephant: Evening dinner, good for sunsets

The Thai peanut "salad" at Mudra, one of the most popular places on TripAdvisor in Ubud. 

Pro Tip: Don’t get sushi here...you will not be impressed. Kev and I tried it so you don’t have to.

Ubud Is Happy Travel

Ubud might just be the happiest place in the world for how many mindful activities it has to offer. It’s not surprising that so many yoga and meditation retreats take place here. Both Kev and I really wish we’d had more time (and no accommodation drama). There is so dang much to do and see, I think you could spend a whole week here.

Ok, ready to go back. 

For the next part of our Balinese adventure, read about our sunrise hike at Mount Batur.