The Tanah Merah Ubud Tour

At Tanah Merah our staff has good 'inside' knowledge of just where to go and what to see in and around Ubud. For our special Ubud Tour you will leave the hotel after breakfast and make the short journey through beautiful rice fields to the village of Ubud. First you will visit the famous Monkey Forest, a fascinating 'must see' tropical forest full of mischievous monkeys. After Monkey Forest you will visit the famous Antonio Blanco Museum.

Antonio Blanco was born on September 15, 1911, in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Both of his parents were Spanish, a fact that Blanco believed linked him geographically and spiritually to Miro and Salvador Dali. His father settled in Manila during the Spanish - American War, where he attained prominence as a physician. Blanco was educated at the American Central School in Manila. During his high school years he loved the arts, literature and language classes but struggled in scientific subjects. It is no wonder that he spoke six languages - Spanish, French, English, Tagalog, Indonesian and a bit of Balinese. After completing high school in Manila, Blanco studied at the National Academy of Art in New York under Sidney Dickinson. During those early formative years, Blanco concentrated on the human form, fascinated by the female body more than any other subject matter. To further his studies and ignite his traveling spirit, he traveled extensively throughout the world before he finally landed in Bali in 1952.The King of Ubud gave Blanco a piece of land to set up his home and studio in Campuan, Ubud, at the confluence of two sacred rivers. Blanco and his Balinese wife, the celebrated dancer Ni Ronji, lived in their mountain retreat, barely leaving it for the world outside. Following a brief trip to the United States, where Blanco acquired many new collectors, the couple never left their fantasy home again.

Then you visit the busy local market where you will rub shoulders with the locals selling every manner of fruits and vegetables and every manner of Bali souvenirs.

After the market you will visit the magnificent Royal Palace, home for centuries to the King of Ubud.

You will then return to the Hotel for lunch. After lunch you may choose to swim in the Petanu River below Tanah Merah. This is a wonderful experience with the river winding through virgin rainforest and leading to a dramatic hidden waterfall. Perhaps, after you swim you can enjoy a massage from our masseur Jero Juni.

In the early evening you will then travel to Petulu Village to see a unique phenomenon, the home of the Herons. At sunset, thousands of these beautiful white Herons come home to roost, a fascinating sight not to be missed. While in Petulu you will visit the famous dancer and sculptor Nyoman Kelinced, where you will get a good impression of how ordinary Balinese live. After Petulu you will return to Ubud to see one of the famous temple dances.