Ubud’s Terraced Rice Fields and Rakhi Celebration

There are some days while traveling that feel less like sightseeing and more like simply following curiosity. This turned out to be one of those days.

I had decided to take Wednesday morning slow. After several busy days of traveling, snorkeling, wandering markets, and adjusting to Bali, it felt nice to wake up without a real plan.

I spent part of the morning at a small WiFi restaurant catching up on a little internet business, then wandered back toward my hotel along Monkey Forest Road wondering what the rest of Ubud looked like beyond the tourist streets.

So far, most of what I had seen was shops, hotels, restaurants, and busy little commercial areas. Beautiful, yes—but I kept wondering where the famous terraced rice fields were, where people actually lived, and what the countryside outside of town looked like.

When I got back to the hotel, I ran into Wayon and asked him if the rice terraces were close enough to walk to.

He laughed immediately.

“Very far,” he said.

A few minutes later he returned and explained that a friend of his named Made could take me there on motorbike for 30,000 rupiah, much cheaper than taking a taxi.

I wasn’t entirely sure how the arrangement worked. I could not tell if Made was planning to wait for me, come back later, or simply drop me off and let me find my own way home.

But honestly, that uncertainty was part of the adventure.

Exploring the Countryside Around Ubud

Soon I was climbing onto the back of Made’s motorbike and heading out into the streets of Ubud.

What started as a simple ride to see rice terraces became one of my favorite experiences in Bali.

We passed through neighborhood after neighborhood, each with its own personality. Even the more commercial sections somehow still carried the unmistakable beauty of Bali. Everywhere you looked there were carved stone gates, temple shrines, tropical gardens, and homes hidden behind incredible walls and architecture.

Eventually the busy streets began to thin out, and the countryside slowly opened around us.

The first rice fields appeared like bright green ribbons stretching across the landscape.

Made noticed me staring and asked if I wanted to stop for photographs.

Absolutely.

The terraced rice fields really were as beautiful as people say.

Layer upon layer of vivid green curved along the hillsides, surrounded by palm trees and jungle. The entire landscape felt peaceful and carefully balanced with nature.

And honestly, the ride getting there was just as memorable as the destination itself.

A Surprise Celebration

While I was wandering around taking photographs of the rice terraces, Made waited patiently nearby.

I remember feeling unexpectedly relieved when I realized he was still there and I would not have to somehow navigate my way back to Ubud alone.

On the ride back, we passed through a neighborhood filled with decorations, music, people in traditional clothing, and temporary ceremonial structures lining the streets.

I suddenly realized this must have been the Hindu celebration I had heard about earlier while staying in Lovina.

Because it was a religious celebration, I was offered a traditional sarong to wear over my clothes so I could respectfully walk through the area and take photographs.

That simple gesture made me feel welcomed rather than like an outsider looking in.

The atmosphere was joyful and relaxed.

Families were gathered together talking, laughing, eating, and listening to music. Children ran through the streets while older members of the community sat nearby talking with neighbors.

We had arrived toward the end of the celebration, so people were beginning to clean up and dismantle some of the temporary structures, but the energy was still very much alive.

Musicians were still playing, and groups of people lingered throughout the neighborhood enjoying the final hours together.

As shy as I am about photographing people, arriving toward the tail end of the event actually worked perfectly for me. I think I would have felt uncomfortable walking directly into the middle of a more formal ceremony with my camera.

Instead, I was able to quietly observe and appreciate the atmosphere without feeling intrusive.

Another Wonderful Day in Bali

Eventually I returned the borrowed sarong, climbed back onto the motorbike, and we headed toward Ubud once again.

The ride back through the countryside felt calmer somehow. The late afternoon light over the rice fields and villages gave everything a soft golden glow.

By the time we reached Monkey Forest Road again, I felt like I had finally seen another side of Bali beyond the tourist areas.

Not just the famous scenery—but everyday life, neighborhoods, traditions, and celebrations.

Another wonderful day in Bali.

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