Bali
Ananya KNOWS Bali

The man, the myth, the legend... Ananya Narayan.

An English professor wrote the words "A woman without her man is nothing"
on the blackboard and directed the students to punctuate it correctly.
The men wrote: "A woman, without her man, is nothing."
The women wrote: "A woman: Without her, man is nothing."

 

Heather and I joined a great group of friends from around the world in Bali from December 26th through January 7th (including travel). The following page includes some of the highlights and images from our journey. I also hope it will include shared images from some of our friends who joined the excitement and comments they had about the trip and/or Ananya's great planning!

Hey guys (To the rest of the group that joined us!) - I'd still like to get more of a photo exchange up here... send me the pics, I'll put them up and we can all share! I'd also like to get a section here about thoughts and experiences - can everyone contribute (a) a quote about/thanking/etc. Ananya and (b) a few sentences about your experience, anecdotes, tips, favorite spots, etc.?

Thanks!
Stenning

(From the original email sent out August 10, 2000)

To those of you who like to have fun -
Did you celebrate in style or did you have a low key New Year's last year? Well, this is the time to go all out! The whole idea about Bali 2001 is an excuse to re-unite with friends and spend some quality time with them. What Ananya and I have found is that once we start working, quality time together gets more difficult. That said, we understand there is nothing more important in life than good friends. The entire concept of our trip - the destination, the plans, the events, the planning - revolves around this fundamental force.

Why Bali???
First, Ananya has been there so many times, loves it, always has, and talks about incessantly. More than that, however, it is a destination that truly has all necessary facets of life and components for a kick ass trip:
Sun and Sand - Beautiful beaches and the resort activities
Truly relaxing destination - We can get massages cheap (included!) surrounded by tranquil ambiance
Cultural haven - It is a Hindu city in the largest Muslim country in the world [Indonesia]. The temples, dance, handicrafts, and overwhelming cultural identity is unique and memorable
Fabulous nightlife - The nightclubs and bars are open till 6am and is not only a place that you enjoy until sunset like many resorts, but that is just when the party begins!
Outdoor bliss - There is great scuba diving, hiking, and white water rafting*
Moreover, the food is great and the place is extremely affordable (even if the Indonesian Rupiah doesn't stay as low as it is now)

What are the Dates???
Guests should plan on arriving on the December 27th and leaving on January 6th. We planned these dates so people can spend the holidays at home, leave the day after (Dec 26th) and, because of the time difference and the flight time, arrive on the 27th. January 6th is a Saturday and thus if people leave then, they may reach home on Saturday or early on Sunday to be ready for work [NOOOO!!!!!] on Monday, January 8th.

What is the cost???
The cost of the package once one guests arrive in Bali will be US$1,190 per person.

What does that include???
- 10 nights accommodation in a gorgeous villa with a full-time staff of 19, swimming pool, gym, and spa... [2 people per room]
- airport transfers and chauffeured car throughout the stay (one vehicle for each 6 people)
- all breakfasts and any other meals that you wish to have at home. There will be 3 full-time chefs at our disposal
- 3 dinners at fantastic restaurants. Furthermore, a romantic candlelight rendezvous in the middle of a rice patty, a cruise dinner, and a beach side seafood banquet (these last three will be only our group)
- Millennium night festivities. No need to bring New Year's gear as this will be provided as there will be a theme night and everyone is expected to dress up. The costumes will be provided.
- Massages at the villa.
- Free manicures and pedicures for the women.

Back to the objective of being with our friends - Please invite your other close friends as this is the point. One united party. The general age group of the persons coming is from 25-35 from all around the world including US, Europe, Australia, and of course Asia. We don't exactly know how many people will be joining us - Until we hear from you! We're sure it will be more than ten - but twenty? Thirty? We need to hear back from you guys as we've already put a cash deposit on the Banyan Estate. If we need more than one villa, we need to put deposits in soon.

If people are interested in coming for a shorter period, they have a choice to ask for a hotel room which have been kept on standby at 2 beautiful Hyatt hotels. The cost will rise per night but you will still join us for the festivities. You would be included in the cars and drivers for every 6 people. The cost per room will be approx. US$200+21% tax for Grand Hyatt Bali and US$160+21% tax for Bali Hyatt. [These are discounted rates Ananya has secured] If you need more information on those, either write Ananya or visit www.Hyatt.com.

We look forward to celebrating with all of you. Please get back to Ananya and/or myself as soon as you can, but we cannot ensure availability after early September, so let us know by the end of August.

Your hosts,
Ananya (ananya.narayan@hyatt.com.hk) and Stenning (sschueppert@gtcr.com)

*Note: Ananya has done all the ground work for this and we should be thankful to him!

Singapore
You cannot get to Bali from Chicago without spending a night somewhere. Heather and I, using miles to get all the way to Singapore, had overnights in Singapore on the way out and the way back. While we landed late (11pm) the first night, the next day provided the opportunity to do some shopping and check out the National Orchid Garden. To briefly skip ahead, on the way back we enjoyed the sights and smells of Chinatown and eating along the river.

One of our early stops in Singapore was the National Orchid Garden in the Botanic Gardens - the largest orchid showcase in the world. Admission is a palty Singapore $2 - or about US$0.33 - for three hactares of orchid terraces!


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If you're a huge orchid fan, check out www.orchidspecies.com - I tried to find the names of a few of these that I took pictures of, but among 3,200+, I didn't think the time was worth it... ;)

 

From their brochure:
"Perhaps it is the balmy atmosphere of a secluded tropical garden...
or the splendor of the sweeping floralscape...
or the wide spectrum of every orchid hue...
whatever is personally enchanting, you will come to find it at the National Orchid Garden. A myriad of orchid blooms meets the eye here: stunning or subtle, patterned or unadorned, intricate or simple.

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Since 1859, orchids have been closely associated with the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The products of the Gardens' orchid breeding program, which began in 1928, deserve place where they can be displayed in their full splendor. The very design of these orchids are, one could say, 'hand-crafted' by the Gardens' horticultural staff, dedicated to bringing out the finest in any hybrid cross.

Over 700 species and 2100 hybrids are now found in the Gardens' collection, and every year, more vibrant and enduring hybrids will be added on. So that all may admire and enjoy their diversity, richness and beauty, the National Orchid Garden now offers a permanent showcase, the largest display of orchids in the world."



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The Lady Diana Orchid - part of the VIP Collection.

There is an entire collection of "VIP Orchids" - a select group of orchid hybrids named after visiting State Dignitaries and VIPs from within and outside Singapore.

 

 

 

 

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When we left the Orchid Garden and wondered about the Botanic Gardens, we found a great little public service to keep the Gardens clean. I scanned in the bag for your amusement (obviously shown smaller than actual size). The official language of Singapore is English (As Heather and I learned when we asked the cab driver from the airport, "How do you say 'Thank You' in your language?" "Thank You." "Oh - ok. Thank you.").

 

You'll note the bag is labeled,
"In the Interests of Hygiene Please Use a DOG POO POUCH.
The No-Touch Solution to Problems That Dog You."

 

 

 

 

Bali

Text and commentary... what to say about paradise??


One of the many beauties of Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah. As World Travelers - especially those that have been the SE Asia - know, the world gets much cheaper once you leave the confines of the United States. The dollar has, fortunately, been strong for years, making travel both possible and affordable for many. A trip to Indonesia - where the Rupiah was about 10,200 to the dollar - makes you look very wealthy when you ask for a balance in your checking account. Unfortunately I don't have $12 million in my personal account... just yet. ;)

 

Villa Santai
(Note there are two Villa Santais in Bali – ours was the "smaller" of the two.)
Our group enjoyed two different Villas during our stay. We spent the first few nights at the Villa Santai before joining the main group in the Banyan Estate. The Villa Santai is located just out of the quiet Balinese Village of Pererenan and only five minutes away from Canggu surf beach. It was supposed to be an easy 45 minutes drive from Bali's airport and 20 minutes from the popular shops and restaurants of Seminyak/Legian area, but traffic can vary that number dramatically.

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[From the property description:] Nestled into the rice paddies, just outside the quite village of Pererenan the rich cultural life of the Balinese goes on so close to Villa Serenity that one would hardly know you were situated only 20 minutes drive from the most interesting of Bali's shops and restaurants. It is a beautiful new villa (built in the late ‘90s) with stunning views of surrounding rice paddies to the west we woke up to each morning. We felt guilty enjoying the pool while farmers tended to their crops across the valley. The expatriate owners have tastefully furnished the Villa with selected Javanese antiques and paintings by local artists both Balinese and works by Barbara Anello, an American artist who has been documenting Indonesia's rich culture since 1985. Ross Franklin, the architect, has a sound appreciation of the needs of a tropical climate villa. He has superbly blended the Terracotta Ubin stone floors, high alang-alang grass ceiling, the large shuttered windows and the limed wood finishes to create a refreshingly cool retreat. The opened planned living and dining areas overlook the stunning infinity swimming pool. All the rooms are generously proportioned with high ceilings and views to the tropical garden and rice fields beyond. The spacious bedrooms all have air-conditioning and king-sized beds.

For more information, check out the Bali Properties site at www.bali-properties.com/villa-santai.htm. Another service that had both the Villa Santai and the Banyan Estate listed was www.baliprivatevillas.com.

 

Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana (Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary)
Padangtegal, Ubud, Bali
Any trip to Bali isn't complete without a trip to the Monkey Forest. And there's no excuse not to go - admission is only fifty cents!

Tri Jita Karana Doctrine
In accordance with Balinese Hindu philosophy, peace and liberty are obtainable in our lives only when we respect and observe the three harmonious relationships known as the Tri Hita Karana Doctrine:

This doctrine can be seen in practice during many special ceremonies. Two ceremonies which are related to the monkey forest are Tumpek Kandang, where people make special offerings to the monkey in the monkey forest (and to all animals in general), and Tumpek Nguduh, where plants are equally celebrated.


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The Pura Dalem Agung (seen here to the left) is one of three Holy Monkey Temples in the Monkey Forest. The temple is the main temple for the village of Padangtegal, and is the most prominent temple in the sacred Monkey Forest. It was built during the mid-14th century, around the end of the Pejeng dynasty or early in the Gelgel dynasty.

 

 

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Balinese Macaques (Macaca Fascicularis)
The monkeys that live in the forest are called Balinese Macaques, also known as long-tailed macaques. Their scientific name is Maca Fascicularis and, aside from humans, macaques are the most widespread and successful of the primates.

About 125 macaques currently reside in the forest (14 adult males, 49 adult females and 62 young). They live primarily in three clusters in the forest and conflicts "sometimes arise" when two groups are in the same area. But beware: as the brochure noted, "Monkeys are cute and funny but can be dangerous."

 

 

Dinner at Kafe Warisan in Kerobokan
Kafe Warisan became a central figure in our trip - we not only dined there, many of our group excursions would meet there before heading off rafting, climbing, or dining... Kafe Warisan was featured in Newsweek's "World's Best Bars and Restaurants." Kerobokan was the nearest village to the Banyan Estate, located a little Northwest of Denpasar. I just discovered they have an elaborate website at www.kafewarisan.com with reservation capabilities and menus...

[From one review (and the photo):] "While some establishments, not only in Bali but elsewhere in the world, tire with age, Kafe Warisan seems to just keep on improving. A recent visit, probably my twentieth, produced the most memorable meal I have ever enjoyed at this very well run restaurant… When you are first seated at your table you immediately notice, even before the pleasant ambience of sitting under the trees in an open courtyard overlooking the now unlit rice paddies, your name painted on a leaf signifying that this is your table. No, you do not come to Kafe Warisan for dinner unless you have already made a reservation.
This is one of those restaurants where the most difficult part of the evening is always choosing what you are going to order. If ever there was a place in Bali that should consider offering a menu degustation, this is it! The choices are all so tempting, and almost all of the surprises are good ones. …Like everything else at Kafe Warisan, most of the mains are exceptional. The steaks are superb, and even if you have that strange fetish for your steak to be cooked `bleu’, it will arrive exactly the way you order it. The Duck Confit is always the same, crunchy skin surrounding great tender flavorsome meat. That most Royal dish of all, Venison, is cut from the saddle, and the meat just dissolves in your mouth. Kafe Warisan has an excellent and very extensive wine list. …Standard Desserts are not forgotten but you have to choose between nine of them.
…An evening spent dining at Kafe Warisan is always a special occasion. One that you can rely on not to spoil the reason why you are dining out in the first place.

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Heather one afternoon as we lazily relaxed in the Banyan pool...

New Year's Eve Celebration
Ananya had a wonderful New Year's Eve planned. He picked up native dress for all of us (sarongs for everyone and traditional shirts/blouses for the boys and girls) accompanied by masks. The chefs from the two villas combined forces to make another fantastic meal while we were entertained not once - but twice - by local dance troupes. The first peformed the traditional "Monkey Dance" and the latter were beautiful local dancers performing tradtional Balinese dance. Later in the evening we rocked to classic '80's music while the mixed drinks and local beer flowed freely. Watching movies, dancing to music and diving for a dip in to pool was the best way I could imagine ringing in a new year!

The Story of Rama (The Ramayana) – A Brief Synopsis
Retiring King Dasaratha of Ayodha chooses his son Rama as his heir. His wife Kaikeyi asks that he appoint another son Bharata, instead. Kaikeyi pleads that he owes her two favors, and she feels misfortune will come upon her if he doesn't crown Bharata king and banish Rama to the forest for fourteen years. The king reluctantly agrees, so Rama goes with his beautiful wife, Sita, and his brother Laksmana, leaving their riches to live a simple life.


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Part of the traditional dance with Sita and (I think) Rama... The many men provided the background chants and represented monkeys.

In the forest the three meet the demoness Surpanakha who falls in love with Rama. Rama refuses her advances and Laksmana wounds her. She flees to her brother Rayana, ruler of the island kingdom of Lanka. After hearing Surpanakha's report of the beauty of Sita, Ravana decides that he must have Sita and changes himself into in wandering holy man to find her in the forest. When Rama and Laksmana are distracted, Ravana carries Sita off to Lanka.

Sita mourns in Ravana's garden in Lanka, while Rama and Laksmana enlist the services of Hanuman, the monkey king, to help them find her. Hanuman, able to make himself larger or smaller, starts his search for Sita by taking a giant step to the Island of Lanka. Carrying Rama's ring he finds Sita and identifies himself as Rama's messenger. Sita is delighted, but Hanuman is caught and Ravana sets Hanuman's tail on fire. Hanuman escapes and sets fire to Lanka.


The main Ramayana dance performers after the show. You'll note the Monkey King on the left and another Monkey character (In red) still checking Heather out...

Rama, Laksmana, Hanuman, and his monkey army lay siege on Lanka. The monkeys make a bridge to Lanka, and after a long battle with spears, bows and arrows, Rama kills Ravana. Sita, however, is not received by Rama unreservedly; he questions her chastity after having lived in the house of another man. When he asks her to undergo the test by fire; she agrees. Proving her chastity by remaining unscathed by the fire, she rejoins Rama. Later, Rama abandons her to maintain the sanctity of public opinion and she goes to live in the ashram of sage Valmiki and bears twin sons Lava and Kusa, who as young men became reunited with their father, the god-king Rama.

The Ramayana story is still an integral part of Indian and Balinese culture. The Ramayana is one of the two great Indian epics. The Ramayana tells about life in India around 1000 BCE and offers models in dharma. The hero, Rama, lived his whole life by the rules of dharma; in fact, that was why Indian consider him heroic. When Rama was a young boy, he was the perfect son. Later he was an ideal husband to his faithful wife, Sita, and a responsible ruler of Aydohya. "Be as Rama," young Indians have been taught for 2,000 years; "Be as Sita."

Prince Rama was the eldest of four sons and was to become king when his father retired from ruling. His stepmother, however, wanted to see her son Bharata, Rama's younger brother, become king. Remembering that the king had once promised to grant her any two wishes she desired, she demanded that Rama be banished and Bharata be crowned. The king had to keep his word to his wife and ordered Rama's banishment. Rama accepted the decree unquestioningly. "I gladly obey father's command," he said to his stepmother. "Why, I would go even if you ordered it."

When Sita, Rama's wife, heard Rama was to be banished, she begged to accompany him to his forest retreat. "As shadow to substance, so wife to husband," she reminded Rama. "Is not the wife's dharma to be at her husband's side? Let me walk ahead of you so that I may smooth the path for your feet," she pleaded. Rama agreed, and Rama, Sita and his brother Lakshmana all went to the forest.

When Bharata learned what his mother had done, he sought Rama in the forest. "The eldest must rule," he reminded Rama. "Please come back and claim your rightful place as king." Rama refused to go against his father's command, so Bharata took his brother's sandals and said, "I shall place these sandals on the throne as symbols of your authority. I shall rule only as regent in your place, and each day I shall put my offerings at the feet of my Lord. When the fourteen years of banishment are over, I shall joyously return the kingdom to you." Rama was very impressed with Bharata's selflessness. As Bharata left, Rama said to him, "I should have known that you would renounce gladly what most men work lifetimes to learn to give up."

Later in the story, Ravana, the evil King of Lanka, (what is probably present-day Sri Lanka) abducted Sita. Rama mustered the aid of a money army, built a causeway across to Lanka, released Sita and brought her safely back to Aydohya. In order to set a good example, however, Rama demanded that Sita prove her purity before he could take her back as his wife. Rama, Sita and Bharata are all examples of persons following their dharma.

Traditional Balinese Dance
After we finished our delicious traditional Balinese feast, we retreated to the living room to enjoy the sights and sounds of another dance troupe (there are over 100 on the island performing 200 different dances) and their 15-person band. The Traditional Balinese Dance is a very complex set of distinctive moves and postures that clearly requires years of training and practice. I was fortunate to find a site to describe Balinese dance far better than I could...

"Balinese dance is much influenced by Javanese dance movements, which are a mirror of the Javanese wayang kulit theater in which all emotion is expressed through rigidly controlled gestures, the eyes unfocused, the lips closed, and the face fixed and mask-like as if the actor were a marionette. In both female and male dancing, the limbs form angles with the head sinking down so far that the neck disappears. At other times, the eyes flicker and dance.

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In Balinese classical dance, all movements and limbs are very expressive-the face, fingers, wrists, neck, eyes, hips, knee, feet, ankles. Unlike in India, the majority of Balinese dance movements-a tilt of the head or twist of the fingers-are decorative and do not carry any specific meaning. Sudden changes of direction and precise, jerky accentuation mark Balinese choreography. Each basic posture (agem) evolves into another posture through a succession of smaller, secondary gestures (tandang).

The transition from one series to another is marked by short steps (angsel). A typical posture is legs half bent, torso shifted to one side, elbow raised and then lowered in a gesture displaying the suppleness of the dancer's hands and fingers. The torso is always shifted in opposition to the arms-if the arms are to the left, the shifting is to the right, and vice versa.


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Here you can also see their band and some of the beauty that was the Banyan Estate.

Balinese dance is subtle, drawing the audience into the dancer's world. Simultaneously, it is blatantly erotic. Female postures are characterized by bent legs held close together, open feet, off-center shoulders, and spines curved to sensuously push out the buttocks. Although movement between dancers is highly synchronized, rarely in traditional dance do two dancers come in contact with each other. The Balinese dance with a mesmerizing intensity, as if they're always being startled. Like their music, Balinese dance is abrupt, dramatic. All the excitement gives Balinese dance an air of spontaneity, yet hides a mastery over a highly technical set of motions and a rigidly stylized technique.


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Precise directions are laid down for seledet or nyledet, those quick eye flicks to the right and left, up and down, which convey so much expression. Eyebrows often lift and eyeballs roll sideways either slowly or extremely quickly. In the whole of Indonesia such energetic eye movements appear only in Balinese dancing; without these movements Balinese dancing would lose much of its allure."

Seafood at Jimbaran Beach
The best place in Bali for fresh seafood is still Jimbaran Beach with its rows of open restaurants right on the sandy beach near the Bali Inter-Continental Resort and between the Keraton Hotel and the airport. You can watch airplanes land and take-off during dinner which takes a little ambiance away from the otherwise tranquil setting, but it’s still a small price to pay… The number of eateries is fast increasing, but the original six restaurants on the airport side of the Keraton Hotel are still the most reasonably priced, and they serve the same delicious food. All kinds of fresh fish, squid, crabs, prawns, and lobsters are prepared on the countless open grills (burning coconut husks instead of charcoal) with exotic herbs and spices. We enjoyed a buffet-style dinner in which Ananya ordered a bunch of appetizers and main courses and we all shared… Watch out – we’ve heard some restaurants dramatically overprice and give commissions back to drivers that brought people there…

 


Bali Land Cruise

Late in the trip Heather and I joined a Land Cruise through the remote regions of Bali – the "Waka Land Cruise: Luxury Adventure – To The Secret Soul of Bali." Originally the entire group was scheduled to go, but Heather and I were the only ones to make it. It was definitely one of the trip’s highlights. Organized through "The Waka Experience" (See www.wakaexperience.com for more information on this and other offerings), we boarded a Land Rover with three others (at the Kafe Warisan of course) at 8am. Our driver was very friendly and helpful as he told us all about the local peoples, cultures, activities, and traditions. His love for both his culture and country made for a rich experience and some of the scenery we were able to enjoy was breathtaking.

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Rice terraces shortly after the harvest.

[From their brochure:] "Experience the mystical heart and soul of this amazing island, hidden far away from the bustle and the crowds of the Bali you have already seen. Travel by legendary Land Rover over grassy tracks, through terraced rice fields and untouched rainforest to the real heart of Bali.

Visit a traditional farmhouse where our picnic basket will be opened while you discover the fragrant spices in a tropical garden. [Ok – we could have done without this. We stopped at a local farm. While interesting to see the "real tropical farm" atmosphere (random banana trees in the forest with vanilla beans scattered nearby etc.), the tea and biscuits were accompanied by a soft sell to buy coconut utensils. Well – not me. A bargainer by trade, we had already picked some up in Ubud for 1/5 their price.)]

Explore an ancient quarry where stones are still cut by traditional methods to build temples and shrines of the island. [This was fascinating. Not really that "beautiful," but fascinating. Workers (like the one I pictured here) literally cut the stone bricks out of the mountain. Women carry these bricks back up the hill to the road six at a time, balancing the sixty-pound load on their head before returning home to cook the family meal.]

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Admire a hot mineral spring where Balinese have bathed for centuries.

Relax in our bamboo restaurant built by local craftsman surrounded by the rainforest. [This was great too – and luxurious in every way. The food (salads, fruits, vegetables, chickens, etc.) was excellent while the wine poured continuously. French Cognac completed the meal after a tasty dessert.]

The drive back took us through more rolling hills with their intricately carved rice terraces and local temples. We returned to Kafe Warisan about 4pm.


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The Balinese countryside.
Note the small temple for offerings in the lower right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Flooded Rice Terraces in Central Bali.


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You can see the rice carefully planted in each section. The terrace is first flooded and the rice is planted. Eventually the water is drained, the rice grows to a bright green color, and is later harvested. Each remaining stalk is then burn off and the terrace is replanted. This cycle repeats itself bi-annually.

 

Shopping in Kuta (also the nearby Legian & Seminyak) – very touristy and not "the Real Bali," but a great place to get to get your souvenirs and move on!
...currently a place holder - I'd love to get commentary from the women in the group!!

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We spotted these workers in a rice field on the way to the Banyan Estate from the Villa Santai early one morning. The hut in the back is one of many traditional stalls used for shadow when the rice is still young. Birds enjoy young rice and people are assigned to protect the fields from these "vultures" to ensure a bountiful crop.



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We passed by this offering temple on a walk near the Banyan Estate. It's amazing - every house, store, hut, or temple has small offering centers located at their enterances. Many of these receive offerings of fruit, flowers, or woven leaves on a daily basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Banyan Estate
Ananya booked the luxurious Banyan Estate for our stay, comfortably housing twelve of us in luxury and playing host to a few group dinners and the New Year’s festivities. It is located right near Seminyak and Legian in the Banjar Umalas district.

[From the property description:] Villa Banyan is a newly renovated magnificent property. Named for the ancient and sacred "Banyan Tree" that dominates the land and the buildings, this property boasts many modern amenities to allow guests to enjoy their Bali vacation in style. Within the estate itself, following a compound style that is very common in Bali, are six individual structures. Starting from the main entrance after the parking lot, staff and security quarters, the main house is adjacent to the large sundeck which holds the swimming pool, next is the guest house, the gym, and two outdoor bales (traditional Balinese gazebos). A staff of sixteen is on hand to ensure that your stay is a pleasant one.

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The Banyan Estate at night.

The first thing guests will notice upon entering Banyan Estate is the impressive "Banyan Tree" positioned in the middle of the complex that towers above the dining bale that features an wooden antique round table and six chairs. To the west lies a small lawn, scattered with tropical flowers and strands of young bamboo. The property is roughly triangular shaped, bordered on two sides by high walls and on the longest side by a small river. The main house is made up of two floors with a large wrap around deck on the second floor, topped by a alang-alang (thatched) roof. At one end of the main floor is the dining room with its stately sixteen-seat wooden table that was custom made for the villa. All bedrooms look out onto the large white sandstone sundeck complete with six spacious deckchairs, that hosts a large blue tiled 12m kidney shaped swimming pool, and a smaller one adjacent to the other, containing built-in seats suitable for lounging. …All the buildings are painted in warm earthy colors set off by the white deck, green grass, thatched roofs, and the green ivy flowing down from the second floor of the main house producing a very Mediterranean feel. Terrazzo has been used for the all the floors, leaving them cool to the feet in the tropical heat of Bali. Ceiling fans provide extra ventilation in all living areas throughout the property, and all the bedrooms have air conditioning. Antiques and Balinese statuary are displayed in the house and grounds of the estate.

In front and off to one side of the main house is the outdoor dining bale. Between the guesthouse and the main house is the Massage bale. A semi covered pavilion that contains day beds and cushions, providing a perfect setting with which to enjoy the scenery or an afternoon massage. [which we did!] Banyan Estate represents an interesting mix of Balinese and Western architectural features, offering a compound that fits into the surrounding rice fields and tropical flora, while sacrificing none of the modern day comforts.

The Bali Hyatt Spa
"Indulge yourself in the transition between reality and nirvana, and step into the mystical Balinese world.
The Spa at Bali Hyatt is designed in a typical Balinese village style with several free standing villas and open-air pavilions. The alang-alang roofs, local stonework and traditional structure allow the Spa to blend harmoniously into the Resort's famous gardens under a range of towering palm trees. It is designed as a sanctuary for weary travelers, stressed professionals or loving couples where they can rejuvenate body and soul through proven healing aromatherapy and massage treatments. Burning scented oils, gentle rhythmic music and lush greenery assuage guests when in the Spa.

Visit the Spa at Bali Hyatt and experience the mysteries behind traditional natural tonics and essential oils applied by our professionally trained therapist, reliving the centuries old tradition of therapeutic treatment and holistic lifestyle."

Heather and I did the "Path To Swarga Loka ~ 2 hours 10 minutes
Swarga Loka means "the heavens." Our treatment provides a perfect way to spend the morning or afternoon. Path to Swarga Loka will rejuvenate you, giving energy while relaxing and expelling stress and toxins from your body. A heavenly treatment which starts with a body scrub, aromatic mineral bath, and finishes with an aromatic body massage and relaxing face massage."

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A statue outside the Bali Hyatt Spa. I love the simplistic beauty of this photograph and love it even more because the group was laughing at me as I lay on the sidewalk to get the right angle. Anything for a great photo...

"Aromatheraphy is the art of using pure essence extracts of petals, leaves, stems, seeds, roots, resins or barks or certain aromatic plants, flowers, herbs or trees to promote the health and well-being of your body and mind. Stress brought on by the peace of modern day living and pollution from the environment, is gradually attacking our physical, emotional and mental health...

...Essential oils are volatile liquids produced by certain plants and stored in tiny pockets between their cell walls. They are the life force of the plant and give the plant its distinctive fragrance. They are extracted mainly by steam distillation. As you inhale essential oils, their fragrance molecules enter your nostrils and waft inside your nose towards your olfactory nerves. Here, the molecules are picked up by special receptors that are like keys that fit specific locks, identifying that particular aroma. The information is then transmitted directly to a special part of the brain, the limbic system, which stores memories and emotional responses. Motivation, moods and creativity all originate from here, so smell can effect the way you feel, think and act."

For more information see the Bali Hyatt's website (http://bali.hyatt.com). [Note: this is the Bali Hyatt's website, the older brother the Grand Hyatt Bali.]

 

Ku dé Ta on Jalan Oberoi
Ananya had us set up with dinner at the (then very new) stylish restaurant Ku dé Ta - a great new stylish (too hip for us to be frank) restaurant along the beach. The owner, Anthony Bevilacqua, also owns the Banyan Estate where we were staying and joined us with his wife for part of our New Year's Eve activities. I strongly recommend a run over to Ku dé Ta for sunset (even if you don't stay for dinner but dinner IS great) to enjoy the lawn chairs drinking some exotic mixed drink (I recommend the Tolberone).

[From a review] Ku dé Ta "is a new (opened November 2000) stylish restaurant in a top beach front location right next to the Oberoi Hotel. The modern architecture and interior design of the bar and dining areas go well with the ‘fusion cuisine’ of the Australian chef. On the menu you find delicious Sydney Rock Oysters, a Mixed Sushi Plate, Chilli Salted Squid, Scallops, and grilled Fresh Water Prawns with truffle infused butter and chilli jam, Asian Spiced Duck, Rack of Lamb with lima beans and Greek salsa, and Fillet of Beef in a Merlot jus. The wine list starts around 200,000 Rupiah per bottle. There are comfortable deck chairs right on the beach to watch Bali's famous sunsets, and in Bali's first air-conditioned cigar lounge you can choose from nearly 30 Cuban cigars…

3 Sunset at Ku dé Ta

[And from an Aussie…] "…the Ku dé Ta (not quaisi-offensive kudeta) restaurant, bar and cigar room hard by the Bali Oberoi is FABULOUS. Great food, inspired décor: In the tradition of the great Aussie culinary expansion into South East Asia we now have a Melbourne Greek Temple to High Style. Congratulations to the whole team, particularly the design team for setting a new standard. Richard North-Lewis' murals and the man who did the cherry red bamboo dangling thingies deserve special mention. I chat to the charming aussie maestro, Anthony Bevilacqua who is running the restaurant with great panache."

©SS

A few of us who missed sunset the first evening returned to the restaurant the next night for drinks and appetizers.

 

 

 

 

 

For those that were there and could appreciate some of the gang...


Ananya and I...


Games of Risk became quite heated... While I wasn't part of the crew, I heard a few people played ALL NIGHT on New Years!


What else could a Brit, an American, a Frenchman and a Dubain do on New Years?

Your photos...

**All photographs (unless otherwise noted) are the property of Stenning Schueppert and may not be distributed or circulated for any purposes (personal or commercial) without his express written consent. Questions or comments regarding selected photographs are, of course, welcome.
Balinese Dance description courtesy of www.balifolder.com. For more information on the Ramayana, see www.maxwell.syr.edu/maxpages/special/ramayana.
1,2: Photos by Heather Henning. 3: From a Japanese Bali restaurant website. Last updated May 9, 2001.

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