Yin and Yang

Our trip to Bali and Singapore allowed us to revel in opposites.  Singapore is the ultimate 1st world urban nation.  Agriculture accounts for less than .5% of its gross national product.  Tourism, although welcome and appreciated, makes up slightly less than 10% of GDP.  Trade and financial services are the prosperity engines.  The wows are modern architecture.

Here we are enjoying, what else, a Singapore Sling, at Smoke and Mirrors, a rooftop bar.

The Marina Sands Hotel which was featured in Crazy Rich Asians as seen from Smoke and Mirrors

Clarke Quay, a major dining and entertainment center, has its share of structural eye candy.

The Singapore River has more delights including a Tulip shaped museum and a ferris wheel.

Even Gardens By the Bay, a breath taking floral wonderland, is every bit as much about the architecture as the fauna.  The displays are encapsulated in giant domes with overhead walkways and even illuminated super trees.

Another 1st world box checked off is well curated museums, including the National Gallery, housed in the former Supreme Court Building.  The art is the most diverse collection of Asian paintings I have seen.  Asian sensibilities are well represented, as is the influence of European art movements which filtered in through art academies.

Bali, although enjoying a similar climate, is the polar opposite of Singapore.  Until recently Bali's GDP was dominated by agriculture, with rice being the main crop.  Other crops include coffee, vanilla and tropical fruits.

 Because of the lovely terracing, this is the most photographed rice field in Bali.

My wife, Roslyn, using the traditional, but largely abandoned, method of roasting coffee.

In recent years, tourism has edged out agriculture as the largest contributor to GDP.  Already a prominent tourist destination, Bali blossomed when featured in the wildly popular book, and irreparably tedious movie, Eat, Pray Love.   I did not read the book, and did not get past Eat, when watching the movie.  Ubud in central Bali was love.  Tourism has made Bali one of the wealthiest parts of Indonesia, with average wages higher than in Jakarta.  Perhaps least poor would be more accurate, with median wages less than ten dollars a day.

Given massive tourism be prepared for main thoroughfares, near tourist centers, to combine the charm of 1st world traffic, with the joys of 3rd world 2 lane roads.  You will eat scooter fumes, pray for deliverance, and love the moment you finally arrive.

Ubud is a great hub, based on its central location and ample amenities.  But where you stay is crucial.     In my guidebooks, I counsel against tourist ghettos.  This warning must be amplified for Ubud.  Avoid accommodations on Monkey Forest Road and Jalah Raya, unless your Bali high couples  excessive drinking with random coupling.  If your Spring Break has long since broken, find an oasis outside of, but within walking distance, of the center.

We chose Kano Sari.  If I could give it 6 stars I would.  Hell this is my blog, so I can.  It is a 6 star accommodation.

More to come including Kano Sari pictures.