Thanks to Hilton Honors rewards we were able to stay five nights for free in the 5-star Conrad Resort on the Tenjang Benoa peninsula near Nusa Dua, South Bali where Tony enjoyed early morning Yoga work out in the beautiful landscaped gardens, Bettina Aquacised in the large Lagoon pool and both road bikes along the beach to temples and seaweed farms. Nusa Dua was hosting the UN World Climate Conference and security was everywhere which made us feel very safe. However, after days of pampering we rented a car and made our way to the ricefields, woodcarvers and painters of the royal city of Ubud in the middle of Bali. After a rather scary first night in a dark room at the Bali Spirit hotel (overlooking a river gorge with gardens full of demon figures...) we explored the town's museums, palaces temples and cafes in between rain showers. The highlight of the day was our monkey encounter.
(Our room (top level - AlamShanti) in Ubud)
While walking off the beaten path through beautiful ricefields we found a little paradiese, at the Alam Shanti boutique hotel which was just finished and designed by a local famous painter who also owned the best bakery in town (we just loved our breakfast and afternoon tea cakes served on our private veranda). Since we loved our room so much, we decided to stay for three nights and enjoyed the best food and local dance performances. Tony found a great meditation center just down the road where Tini joined him at the evening community meditation class (she was shining white in between the local crowd.....).
Well we could have stayed for weeks but wanted to explore more of the island and moved on to the North of Bali to the black sands of Lovina Beach. Highlight here was the sunrise outrigger boat cruise to see dozens of dolphins jumping right next to us. From Lovina we drove over tiny little roads through the fishing and salt panning villages of the East Coast back to Bukit Island to see the Uluwatu temple on a majestic rock overlooking the rough see. Our Bali farewell dinner was at sunset on Jimbaran Beach where local fishermen serve affordable lobster on nice romantic cancle light lit tables set directly on the beach next to the Four Season's hotel. Next destination: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Cape Town, South Africa
- Bali, Indonesia: a) find art, tradition, great food, spirituality, yoga and mediation in the middle of the picturesque rice fields of Ubud (try to stay at the 8 room Alam Shanti Boutique hotel with Alam Wangi Spa and associated Wayan bakery and Laka Leke restaurant). b) For great ocean views, stay at Blue Moon Villas near Amed Beach. c) Find a Paul Bocuse trained chef and hidden luxury villas above Lovina Beach at Damai resort and hire an outrigger boat for a sunrise cruise to see the Dolphins making flipper jumps right next to you. d) enjoy sunset on the beach while eating affordable lobster at Jimbaran Beach. e) Visit famous Uluwatu temple before sunset and enjoy the traditional Kecak and fire dance performance at 06:00 p.m.
(Our room (top level - AlamShanti) in Ubud)While walking off the beaten path through beautiful ricefields we found a little paradiese, at the Alam Shanti boutique hotel which was just finished and designed by a local famous painter who also owned the best bakery in town (we just loved our breakfast and afternoon tea cakes served on our private veranda). Since we loved our room so much, we decided to stay for three nights and enjoyed the best food and local dance performances. Tony found a great meditation center just down the road where Tini joined him at the evening community meditation class (she was shining white in between the local crowd.....).
Well we could have stayed for weeks but wanted to explore more of the island and moved on to the North of Bali to the black sands of Lovina Beach. Highlight here was the sunrise outrigger boat cruise to see dozens of dolphins jumping right next to us. From Lovina we drove over tiny little roads through the fishing and salt panning villages of the East Coast back to Bukit Island to see the Uluwatu temple on a majestic rock overlooking the rough see. Our Bali farewell dinner was at sunset on Jimbaran Beach where local fishermen serve affordable lobster on nice romantic cancle light lit tables set directly on the beach next to the Four Season's hotel. Next destination: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Cape Town, South Africa
(Tony and Tini get a flat in the middle of nowhere. It is a good thing that the locals had a car jack.)
- Bali, Indonesia: a) find art, tradition, great food, spirituality, yoga and mediation in the middle of the picturesque rice fields of Ubud (try to stay at the 8 room Alam Shanti Boutique hotel with Alam Wangi Spa and associated Wayan bakery and Laka Leke restaurant). b) For great ocean views, stay at Blue Moon Villas near Amed Beach. c) Find a Paul Bocuse trained chef and hidden luxury villas above Lovina Beach at Damai resort and hire an outrigger boat for a sunrise cruise to see the Dolphins making flipper jumps right next to you. d) enjoy sunset on the beach while eating affordable lobster at Jimbaran Beach. e) Visit famous Uluwatu temple before sunset and enjoy the traditional Kecak and fire dance performance at 06:00 p.m.
