All of us have special places which bring to mind very personal memories. The “Campuhan Ridge Walk trail” in Ubud, Bali is such a place for me. Marla and I have enjoyed the trail many times over the years and on three occasions we brought Wesco Fabrics’ clients with us to experience impossibly luxuriant rice fields, artist galleries, and a view of Balinese rural life. We knew our grandsons would love it as well!

We had dinner at the Bittersweet restaurant in Ubud the night before to discuss the hike. We wanted to give the Boys some history of the trail and why it was important to us.

It is totally easy to miss the Bittersweet restaurant as it looks like an art gallery and florist shop. It is all of these things and much more. The interiors are very unique and the food is very good!

We started early to escape the heat of mid-day. I have photographed this view of terraced rice fields many times over the years. There are more buildings and villas being built now, which is a little sad but inevitable. Field irrigation is managed by a “Subak”, an ancient system incorporating cultural, religious, and practical tradition, going back at least a 1000 years. https://thebalivillages.com/Bali-news/2016/10/18/subak-a-sustainable-system-of-irrigation

Paxton and Logan stand next to an offering to “Dewi Sri”, the Goddess of rice.

Workers in the rice fields next to the trail. On the trail, over the years we experienced an old Bali far away from the hustle and bustle of Ubud. It is great to see old traditions still intact.

Cut stalks are shaken over a tarp to collect the rice. It is amazing that the process is still done all by hand!

Daily offerings are made to the Gods.

We came upon this fantastical door entrance carving. Check out Paxton’s observations below.

A few art galleries line parts of the trail. We rarely walk away empty-handed.

We passed the Karsa Cafe and their beautiful lily ponds.

A delicate balance.

Klub Kokos has been our refreshment stop on the Ridge Trail for many years.

Marla leads a group of our intrepid interior designer clients on the Ridge Trail in 2010.

The trail ends next to an ancient temple near the river. We were tired and famished so I suggested one of my favorite places to eat near the old Campuhan bridge, Murni’s Warung. http://www.bali-indonesia.com/magazine/murnis-bali.htm

We descended numerous flights of stairs on our way to our lunch table by the river.

Murni’s is filled with amazing treasures from the owner’s travels around the region. It is almost like a museum for me! Her gift shop is a treat for shopaholics like you know who!

After lunch, we spotted this cool shop with fascinating finds.

Back at the Komaneka Monkey Forest Hotel, I saw this gorgeous flower creation!

On our last night in Ubud, we shared a candlelight dinner with Paxton and Logan. We were all a little sad to leave but very happy to have made adventurous discoveries of secret temples and rural village life!

Sharing Bali and Ubud with our grandsons was one of the happiest experiences of my life! As we dined on regional Balinese cuisine we reminisced about our trip so far. The next morning we traveled to Legian and a new part of Bali.

PHOTOS: DICK GENTRY. NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION.