Day 256: Goodbye Griya Villa — Amed to Ubud — Two Meals at Watercress
Getaway day. But not rainy — Bali will break that streak. Another gorgeous morning.
Standard AM program: I worked out and met the team for breakfast. We finished packing up while the kids took a final swim.
We loved Griya Villas. I have a feeling that our memories of our time here will age well. On a cold, hectic Tuesday in February 2020 we’ll look back and think: did that actually happen? It was a special week of complete relaxation.
We checked out at 10am. As we were walking towards the van a French couple who had been at the villas for the last few days stopped us to say “Your children are very gentle.” Margaret said they meant “nice” (gentil in French means nice).
The 30 mile drive from Amed to Ubud took three hours.
We checked into the Sri Bungalows — a well-located but budgety place in the heart of Ubud. We have a lofted bungalow with a couple balconies and views of a rice paddy. Sounds nice — and it potentially could be. But unfortunately it’s pretty outdated, not super clean and the little AC unit was struggling to cool the place — especially the hot lofted kids sleeping area.
It’s far from terrible. And we’ve stayed in way worse places this year. But as we walked to get lunch Margaret and I were discussing if we want to stay here for all seven nights we’re in Ubud.
We walked two doors up the street to Watercress for lunch. It’s a welcoming open-air spot with Edison bulb lights and Insta-thirsty signs like “love is in the kitchen.” But it had a great menu of fresh juice combos and healthy options. We had juices, and shared avocado toast, chicken wings and a salad.
After lunch we spent a couple hours walking only a few blocks, poking around several boutique stores selling beach / surf style gear to 20-something tourists. I actually saw a woman wearing this RIDICULOUS sun hat while crossing Broadway a couple years ago.
We didn’t have any specific mission but we got Willa a cute pair of shorts and James an epic green tropical shirt.
Margaret bought herself a black thong bikini bottom. It’s far from skinny mini, but still more bom-bom-revealing than anything she’s had previously. It’s Bali! She’s giving zero effs. No complaints here!
I’ve been in the market for a new baseball hat and Margaret urged me to buy an all black option from a surf shop — I think it’s part of her vision of a 40-something NYC dad. Happy to oblige. Will likely send it back home in our next shipment.
I promised the kids some gelato. James got Oreo and Willa strawberry.
We took it half a block down the street to El Mexicano where we met Margaret for 2-for-1 margarita happy hour (it seems like everyone does a 2-for-1 thing here).
We then stopped into a mini mart and stocked up on snacks, beers and a small bag of ice.
On the way back to the hotel we passed Watercress again and realized that if we go all the way back to the room, we won’t want to motivate to come back out for dinner — and we didn’t want to do room service at the Sri Bungalows. So we re-racked Watercress for an early dinner, conveniently timed within their 2-for-1 happy hour window. Full vacay mode in Bali!
The kids took advantage with 2-for-1 virgin mojitos and each knocked back a mac and cheese (not 2-for-1 unfortunately) — something they have been craving for these last several weeks in Asia.
The restaurant even kept our ice in their freezer while we ate!
