Another good night’s rest and we are up and at’em early today. It gets so hot, we want to be out as early as possible, especially today as we are going to do the Campuhan Ridge walk which is supposed to be one of the prettiest walks around Ubud. Striking out a little before 8, we hit the main road, skirting the scooters and taxi vans along our road and get to the turn off right before the river bridge to make our way to the path up the ridge.

Walking along the path, we get a good view of the river below as well as temples that line the pathway. Then we begin our trek…up…up…up…

Ok, we are taking issue with the “easy to moderate” rating this trek has on a couple of websites. Really? It is virtually straight up for a kilometer or more. Enough to make us stop for breathers on more than one occasion. Whose definition of easy would that be, I ask you?

Phew! Plus, the people! The path is pretty darn busy with people even at 8am on a Sunday. Oh well, there are lots of gorgeous rice field views as advertised, so we occupy ourselves with picture taking…

…before being rewarded with a refreshing beverage at Karsa Kafe, 30 minutes into the trek. And not the refreshing beverage you are all thinking about, oh no. It is 8:30 in the morning after all people! Come on. We actually, for the first time (I know, I know, how could we have missed this?) have an iced cappuccino. What a discovery! It is brutally hot – so who wants a hot beverage? And this fits the bill perfectly! Not only a great refreshment, the Kafe itself is situated right on a rice field and absolutely beautiful. Win win all the way around.

Now it is back to the grueling trek home – well semi-grueling. It is mostly downhill, although there are still some steep uphill portions, and it is all in the sun – there is precious little shade on this particular trek. Fortunately there are some gorgeous views and iconic photos to be taken, so that occupies our time while we make our way back to our little villa.

Back at home, Made, our cleaning lady has arrived. She is a doll, here every other day, cleaning and sweeping away, keeping our little home spic and span. Once she is done, she makes offerings and prays – every time she visits. As is the tradition absolutely everywhere here on the island. You will find offerings at every store, restaurant, cafe, bar and home – every day. Such a wonderful cultural tradition.

Unfortunately though, while Made was cleaning, the fuse box blew and we lost power. I had thought I smelled something burning, but couldn’t figure out what it was or where. It was the fuse box. We texted the owner Made, who came right over, inspected the box and said he’d be right back. He had to go buy a bigger fuse – he had just replaced the A/C in the master bedroom and the existing fuse wasn’t big enough. Handled! And with plenty of time to spare to shower, clean up and welcome our guest today – Ayu, the wife of Kadek Juniarta (from the NCL Dream). She came over after work to meet us and say hello. She is a wonderful lady, so fun and friendly and funny. We spent a lovely 2 hours hanging out and getting to know her. Hopefully, if her schedule allows, we will be able to go over to their house and meet the whole family.

After that fun afternoon, we make our dinner plans, deciding to step away from Indonesian food (well, ok, yesterday’s lunch for me was not really Indonesian) and go Mediterranean. There is a fabulous restaurant called Chora just down the street that has a selection of Greek and Mediterranean specialties. Why not? It’s here! The atmosphere here is fabulous too, with a lovely patio filled with fish ponds and ducks right beyond the dining area. This is pretty much fine dining too as everything is top notch with a bevy of waiters at your beck and call. And the food does not disappoint. Prawn Saganaki, seafood Avgolemono soup, grilled octopus, tasting skewers and sautéed vegetables are all delicious and perfectly prepared. And the cutest thing is the check – which comes in an envelope that says “The Damage”! Too funny.

Then it is onto Hideout, where Picka is there and we spend a delightful end of our evening listening to the band, signing our Valentine’s Day heart and talking with Picka, telling him hello form Kadek and thoroughly enjoying his company.