Un-Bali-able Bali!

Another day exploring Ubud and Bali brings us an amazing breakfast spread delivered in the most unlikely fashion, a trip into Ubud town to feast on duck and an afternoon tea to remember.

It's amazing how easily one can get used to the time. Although Bali is four hours behind, we easily wake up at 8am Bali time, noon Sydney time. I'm at the Samsara in Ubud but I eagerly spring out of bed because we've got a rather special treat today. While stays include breakfast at the Kelusa restaurant, there is a special feature that wows guests.

The floating breakfast is one of the most popular options for guests at the Samsara. As each villa has its own pool they serve your choice of breakfast on a boat.

It not only makes for a gorgeous photograph but it is also a fun way to eat (and no, the boat won't go over the infinity edge, we checked). Lynne, Kathryn and I sit in the pool talking and nibbling on eggs benedict, nasi goreng, nasi lemak, fruit, pastries and sip juices.

Its time to explore Ubud a bit more so we take the 30 minute drive into Ubud centre for a spot of lunch. Our destination? Bebek Bengil Crispy Duck or the Dirty Duck Diner. The story goes that the owners were trying to think of a name for their restaurant when during monsoon season a flock of muddy footed ducks waddled over from the rice paddy opposite and left their trail of mud, hence the name.

We try their signature dish: the Beber Bengil which is half a duck steamed in Indonesian spices and then deep fried until crispy. It comes with a side salad of green beans and three sauces: two chilli sauces and a delicious shallot and ginger oil. The duck is delectable and crispy and really good dunked into the sauces.

For comparison we try the grilled duck with a Balinese sweet chilli sauce which is moreish and gutsy with lots of flavour and less sweetness than a Thai sweet chilli sauce. This ends up being everyone's favourite and we end up licking our fingers clean of all of the tasty sauce.

Tummies filled, we go exploring on foot to do some shopping. Hanoman Street is one of the busy main streets with lots of shops selling silver jewellery and clothes. But venture off to the side streets like Dewsita and Goutama for more boutiquey shops, easier walking paths, acai bowls, raw chocolate and many of the good restaurants in Ubud.

We end up at Milk and Madu for a cold respite. We order a range of cold drinks kombucha, Jamu tonic and for me, a sorbet iced tea. We rest up and rehydrate before heading back to the hotel where the only appointment for a few hours is with the pool and afternoon tea.

Guests at Samsara can also partake of the afternoon tea for $26AUD/250,000RPH per couple. The one offered here isn't an English afternoon tea, rather it's a traditional Balinese one and it is exquisite.

The woman laying it out brings it out balanced carefully on her head and sets it down with the teas on offer. It's a very generously portioned afternoon tea with spring rolls, pumpkin fritters, corn cakes and sate lilit.

The sweets are also comprehensive with a range of colourful cakes from pandan crepes filled with shredded palm sugar coconut, layer rice flour cakes, sticky rice sweets filled with banana and wrapped in banana leaves. There is also a box of chocolate, vanilla and oatmeal cookies on the side as well as crackers.

Dinner is by the main pool where a golf buggy whisks us off down the steep curves of the hotel. The food is such a feature here. It's of a superb quality here from the breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch to dinner.

Tonight we are trying the barbecue. We have a choice of a few different meats and seafood. The tuna salad is delicious, the tuna lightly seared on the outside but moist within.

I've chosen the pork rib and the for the barbecue plate. My pork rib is lusciously tasty and I finish every last bit picking up the bones and nibbling on them.

The dessert is grilled pineapple with creme anglaise which is the perfect ending for our meal. And really, for our stay.

So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever had a floating breakfast? How about a Balinese afternoon tea? Do you think you'd enjoy it or would you prefer an English one?

NQN stayed as a guest of Samsara but all opinions remain her own.

Samsara Ubud

Br. Ayah - Desa Kelusa Payangan, Keliki, Tegallalang, Gianyar, Bali 80572, Indonesia
Phone: +62 361 2091769
samsaraubud.com