Day 5? First Impressions of Ubud: Sunrise, Scooters & Spirituality in Bali

Finding My Rhythm in Ubud

I think it’s a good sign that I’ve already lost track of how many days I’ve been here. Time moves differently in Bali - the days seem to fly by. The sun sets at 6 p.m. sharp, and within just 30 minutes, darkness settles in. Back home in the northern hemisphere, I usually arrive at photo spots 30 - 60 minutes before sunset or sunrise. It gives me time to scout compositions, set up my gear, and ease into the moment without feeling rushed. Here, I’m still figuring out the right rhythm, but I’m confident I’ll master it soon.

Tomorrow morning, I’ve booked a local “taxi” to take me to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace for sunrise. It’s only 12 km away, but with Bali’s traffic and road conditions, that short ride can easily stretch to half an hour or more. Still, I’m excited - the photos I’ve captured so far were all taken during the day with the sun high overhead, and I can’t wait to see the landscape bathed in morning light.

First Rides & First Impressions

Today came with a little adrenaline: my first time on the scooter I rented. It’s been about 20 years since I last rode anything motorized on two wheels - back when I was working on my motorcycle license in Germany. Since then, I’ve stuck to bicycles, where I feel steady and balanced. But scooters are a different story.

My first stop was a gas station. Refueling took all of 15 seconds, cost just 10,000 IDR (around €0.65), and the tank was full. It’s these small details that remind me how different daily life is here.

This trip, though, isn’t just about getting around. My main goal is to relax, explore Indonesia, and meet inspiring people.

Ubud, with its reputation for spirituality, attracts travelers from around the world searching for something deeper. I’m not sure I’m looking for spirituality myself - but who knows? What I do know is that nearly everyone I’ve met so far has been open and friendly…except for one less-than-kind encounter in a pharmacy earlier today.

Work & Monkeys in Ubud

For the article I’m writing, I need to interview people from different countries and backgrounds. Ubud is perfect for this - it’s a hub of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital nomads. Many of them gather at Hubud, a co-working space located right next to the Monkey Forest. It’s a fitting mix: laptops, startup conversations, and mischievous monkeys roaming around.

I visited Hubud today and signed up. Even though it was Sunday and nearly empty, I used the quiet time to edit more photos (though I’m quickly falling behind). The space feels like the ideal spot to not only conduct interviews but also to focus and upload my work. The only challenge? The monkeys. They wander the garden, climb the roofs, and could easily reach through a window to snatch a phone. I’m sure it’s happened more than once.

Food, Traffic & Local Insights

For lunch, I returned to a restaurant I had tried on my third day. The food was tasty - a vegetarian curry with rice and a Diet Coke came to 60,000 IDR (around €4). Still, the garnish vegetables on the plate had clearly been sitting out too long, and as a former chef, that’s a small disappointment. I’ve since heard about a nearby vegetarian restaurant that comes highly recommended, so I’ll be giving that one a try tomorrow.

You’d think Sunday traffic might be calmer, but Bali has its own rules. Leaving Hubud turned into a mini-adventure when I discovered the road becomes one-way right at the exit. That meant a detour through Ubud’s chaotic streets. As frustrating as it was, the upside was seeing more of the town - though to me, the streets still all look alike.

One thing I’ve noticed is how often people honk their horns here. On my third day, I asked a driver about it and learned that Hindus believe souls rest in quiet places. Honking, he explained, is a way of asking forgiveness for disturbing that peace when passing bridges, bends, tunnels, or other sacred spots. Whether or not that’s the full story, I like the thought—and I’d bet at least half the honks I hear are for those resting souls.

Ending the Day

I wrapped up the afternoon by the pool, reading Origin by Dan Brown. I’ve always enjoyed the Robert Langdon series - the blend of religion, science, and plot twists keeps me hooked.

And as for today’s sunset? I didn’t miss it entirely, but I did miss that perfect moment when the sky turns red. Tomorrow, I’ll try again.