Hi Gram,

We’ve been having such a fun and relaxing time in Munduk these past few days, but it’s time to pack up and head back to Ubud for the next leg of our adventure. This morning, I stayed in bed a little longer, enjoying the view of the rice fields before begrudgingly dragging myself out from under the covers, lacing up my shoes, and heading out for my morning walk. I really love the area—so many hills and a peaceful, calming atmosphere. It’s funny, but the hills and stairs kind of trick me into getting more exercise than I usually would, especially when I’m distracted by the stunning scenery and nature around me. I do wish there were more sidewalks—any sidewalks, really—but there wasn’t much traffic, and the drivers here seem so much more aware of their surroundings than at home.

Along my walk, I came across some beautiful fields and statues, and even had a fun moment high-fiving a little kid on my way back, which always puts a smile on my face. Back at the hotel, I packed up and had breakfast with everyone just in time for our driver to arrive. The drive to Ubud took a few hours, but we made a pit stop at a café halfway through. When we got out of the cars, there was a bat hanging on a tree nearby, just minding his own business. I think bats are nocturnal so he was probably napping, wondering why a bunch of weird humans were taking pictures of him. But he tolerated us just fine.

The café had a beautiful view of rice fields, where we saw workers busy at their tasks. We tried some treats, like fried bananas and a local dessert that was explained to me, though I didn’t quite catch the name. It was delicious, though! After stretching our legs and satisfying our sweet tooths, we piled back into the cars and continued on our way. We arrived at the Plataran, where we’ll be staying for the next week, about an hour later. It’s amazing how the hotel is right in the heart of Ubud, surrounded by all the hustle and bustle, yet it feels so peaceful and secluded, with lush greenery making it feel like it’s miles away from everything.

After unloading our luggage and saying goodbye to the drivers, we were handed cool towels to wipe off the sweat and a refreshing glass of juice while we waited to check in. When it was my turn, the staff told me I’d been upgraded since I’d be staying a bit longer, so I was excited about getting a nicer room or a better view. We all loaded our luggage onto the motor cart, then loaded ourselves onto another cart to be whisked away to our rooms. The others were dropped off first, then I was shown to my room and Oh. My. Golly Gee Whiz! When I was finally escorted to my room, I was absolutely floored. I hadn’t just been upgraded—I’d been given a stunning luxury suite!

We walked into a kitchenette and dining area, where the tour guide showed me a guest bathroom with its own shower, then into the living room, which had doors opening out to a private balcony. The bedroom had a king-sized bed with mosquito netting, and another door to the balcony. But the real wow factor came when I stepped into the main bathroom—it was the size of some hotel rooms I’ve stayed in! It had a deep tub, a long vanity with double sinks, a large shower, and of course, the toilet. I was completely blown away by the size and luxury of the suite. I immediately wished I had someone to share it with.

The next couple of hours were spent showing the room off to friends, bouncing on the bed, lounging on the terrace, and just feeling like royalty. Eventually, I sobered up from the glee and headed to tea time, where we enjoyed finger foods and drinks with other FFR friends, both old and new. Later, about 20 of us decided to head to dinner at Mudra Café, one of my favorite spots from last year. We exited the hotel and I led my ducklings through the busy streets of Ubud, winding through traffic and past street vendors and art galleries. It was fun to see everyone’s reactions as we made our way through the hustle and bustle.

At the café, our table was set up on the second floor, and we all settled in to enjoy the meal. I ordered a curry dish and was surprised when the waiter laid a banana leaf on the table and began arranging various sweet and savory items on it, explaining each one as she went. It felt a little awkward at first, being the center of attention, but soon enough a few others had banana leaves laid down in front of them, and we all enjoyed the beautiful presentation. The food was amazing, and we agreed it was one of the best meals we’d had so far.

The conversation carried on for another couple of hours before we all started to peel off, some of us heading out to explore the town a bit more, others in search of dessert, and the rest returning to the hotel to soak it all in and prepare for another full day tomorrow.