Antonio
Blanco's Gallery
The gallery is an homage to Bali's famous Catalan expat.
Born in the Philippines, Blanco arrived in Bali penniless
and befriended the king, married, had children, and lived
the life of Riley all his days. He was a favorite at court
and the confidant of many powerful people on the island
and in Indonesia. This grand gallery houses a collection
of his work that is as much a romp through Blanco's sexual
dalliances as anything, a collection of homespun, baroque
pornography. Some paintings feature Blanco's raunchy prose
poetry. Don't miss touring his studio space. The consummate
egomaniacal artist, Blanco envisioned this monument to
himself and participated fully in its creation before
shuffling off this mortal coil in 1999. The museum grounds
are a trip, with Blanco's menagerie of dachshunds, monkeys,
and exotic birds still ruling the roost. |
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 Elephant
Safari Park
The Elephant Safari Park, run by Bali Adventure Tours,
is less safari and more elephant ride, and it's a real
hoot. These native Sumatra elephants are well cared for
and live in large, lush enclosures. The owners have worked
carefully with locals from Taro Village, previously one
of Bali's most remote and untouched villages, to make
sure they leave little more than elephant tracks. A safari
starts with Pachyderm 101, as knowledgeable guides tell
about the animals' care and feeding, local ecology, threats
to the native population, and preservation efforts. Then,
along with a mahout (a guide), you'll have a galumphing
trip through the jungle. Don't miss the antics of their
youngest pachyderm; he's just taken up the game of soccer
and can usually be found pouncing on an oversize ball
in the central pond. They have a fun elephant show twice
daily at 12:30 and 3:30pm. The price is a bit dear, but
they take good care of you here, with a tasty lunch buffet
and attentive service |
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 Monkey
Forest
Yes, there is a monkey forest at the southern end of Monkey
Forest Road, and this is a popular day trip. The towering
tree clusters here are home to a troop of bad-tempered
but photogenic primates who swing from branches, cannonball
into pools of water, and do everything short of putting
on suits and paying taxes, all to the general delight
of photo-snapping visitors. Signs warn you not to feed
the monkeys, but locals stand under those very signs selling
you bananas and nuts for precisely that purpose. Do so
if you must, but do not tease the critters, who are grumpy
enough as it is -- just hand them the food. Make sure
you have no other food on you: They will smell it. They're
also known to snatch at dangling or glittering objects
or gnaw on sandals. There's a small temple in the forest,
and the track also leads to Nyuhkuning, a woodcarving
village. |
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Neka
Museum
Founded in 1982 by Suteja Neka, a former schoolteacher
and patron of the arts, this museum is a good introduction
to the Balinese school. Housed in several pavilions, works
are labeled in English and provide informed access to
rural traditions and modern movements on the island or
locally in Ubud. The collection features the work of the
Dutch-born Indonesian artist Arie Smit, as well as contemporary
works both local and from abroad. Don't miss the view
of the Campuhan Gorge from the Smit Pavilion, and see
what inspires local artists (or get inspired yourself). |
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Pura
Saraswati
The royal family commissioned this temple and water garden,
dedicated to the Hindu goddess of art and learning, at
the end of the 19th century. The main shrine is covered
in fine carvings, and the bale houses (small pavilions)
and giant barong masks are interesting. The restaurant
Cafe Lotus is situated at the front, on the main street,
so that diners can look out over the lovely grounds. |
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Puri
Lukisan
A major renovation has turned this formerly dilapidated
display into something nearly on par with the Neka Museum.
The gorgeous gardens of lily ponds and rice paddies are
worth a visit on their own. Founded in 1956 by a prince
of Ubud and a Dutch artist, the collection of painting
and sculpture here traces the evolution of Balinese art.
One space is dedicated to a revolving exhibit of up-and-coming
local artists. |
