So, after our experience on the ridge walk, we were looking for something more our style.  And, we found it!  The Kajeng Rice Fields walk is a thing of beauty.  In fact, we’ve already done the walk twice and will no doubt do it at least once more before we leave Ubud.

The walk starts right in the middle of town.  Just find the Starbucks.  I can’t believe in Bali I’m telling people to look for the Starbucks.  How utterly disappointing that Starbucks has moved in when there are non-chain coffee shops everywhere (and Robert tells me the local places make good coffee).  Anyway….turn up the side street (Jalan Kajeng) and keep walking.  First you will be on a regular street with lots of shops and cafes, and then the street will get narrower and narrower.  Eventually, it turns into a narrow path just big enough for scooters, you climb up a hill and, viola, beautiful rice fields.  Aren’t they stunning!

Eventually, after walking through the fields for awhile, the paved path turns into a dirt path.  Don’t worry — you aren’t lost quite yet.

Then, the dirt path turns into a life and death experience — you walk on a cement strip with water on one side and a steep drop on the other.  Don’t worry — you still aren’t lost.  (But, by now, you will be hot and sweaty!)

I wish that drop looked scarier than it was, but it really was that scary, especially for someone like me who can trip anywhere and everywhere, even on completely smooth surfaces.  Thankfully, the scary bit is over quickly.  Then, it is back to a dirt path through a bit of jungle.  Watch for skinks!  We saw quite a few but they are quick and nervous little things so couldn’t get a photo.

Eventually, you see the backside of a huge resort.  The path continues behind the resort, where it turns left and crosses some water.  You just might see somebody washing clothes here — we did on one of our walks.  Then it is another quick left, up some very tall and steep steps, and back out to more rice fields.  Take a left and follow the trail right back to Ubud.

Along the way, you are likely to see people working in the fields.

And fun scarecrows.

You will have to dodge some scooters.

You might see farmers carrying scythes and hatchets.

If you get lucky, you might spot someone shimmy up a tree to knock down coconuts.

You will probably see some herons.  (In writing this, I learned that egrets are a type of heron, so I’m not diving down the rabbit hole of trying to figure out whether this is an egret or a heron.  Feel free to tell us in the comments if you know.).

And you will see ducks.  Lots and lots of ducks.  Which means lots and lots of duck poop.  Which means lots and lots of fertilizer for the fields.  We were told by one person that the ducks eat bugs and by another person that the ducks eat the leftover rice after harvesting.  Don’t know which is correct — or if both are — but we can tell you that they eat loudly!  Clack, clack, clack!

Plus, there are dragon flies and butterflies everywhere.

And, the path is dotted with guys selling coconuts and little cafes with amazing views.  We couldn’t be happier when out on this walk.  If you are ever in Ubud, you should give it a try.