The Best Things to Do in Bali, the Island of the Gods | Condé Nast Traveler

"Twenty minutes north of Ubud, Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of Bali’s most photogenic—and most-visited—destinations. The UNESCO World Heritage Site contains wide, undulating layers of rice paddies, kept alive by an ancient, sophisticated irrigation system and farmers who tend the terraces just as previous generations have done for millennia. You can explore this area freely. Take a short stroll or navigate its entire length; descend to some of the lower slopes (if the farmers don’t mind) for a different vantage point; or grab a seat at an open-air cafe when you need a break. It won’t be hard to find the famed “Love Bali” swing; the swarm of picture-takers gives it away. This is one of Bali’s most picturesque landscapes and, as such, you’ll have to deal with the crowds. Arrive before 9 a.m. You’ll find farmers at each entrance collecting a mandatory donation of around 25,000 rupiah (just over a dollar), so bring some cash." - Julia Eskins