Approaching sunset on a beach in Bali. This photo was taken almost exactly one year ago.
My Balinese Birthday – The Sofitel Seminyak
January 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
On my recent trip to Bali, we stayed at the Sofitel Seminyak. My colleague had recommended this to me and an online special included free breakfast, Internet and airport transfers with the booking.
Located right on Seminyak beach the four-star resort has lush rainforest gardens throughout the secure complex. Bamboo grew right outside our hotel room door and banana trees with early fruit hung over a nearby walkway.
The gardens were home to a croissant-eating lizard. Whilst I enjoyed breakfast, this lizard leaped into the water to devour breakfast rolls from the waitstaff. He seemed friendly enough although I’m not sure that I’d want to meet him if I was walking alone in the evening.
We stayed in a ground floor room with a balcony that overlooked the moat. Ok, so it was more of a man-made waterhole surrounding the ground floor rooms but it did have the appearance of extra security from the balcony.
The hotel boasts two pools, a garden view pool and the more popular and crowded oceanview pool. Guests nabbed prime positions near the latter before breakfast so its recommended to go early although there were still some sun lounges available mid afternoon. The garden pool is a little more peaceful and secluded, plus its jacuzzi was great to relax in.
We were genuinely surprised by the food at the Capris beachside restaurant. There are a lot of negative comments on Tripadvisor about Balinese hotels having inflated prices at their restaurants. Yet I think if you’re hungry and don’t feel like venturing out from your hotel after a shopping expedition – you do get what you pay for. We ordered the mixed satay and gado gado salad with fresh juices. The satay came with an array of sides including white rice, steamed sambal spinach and sauces. The still-sizzling satay had to be turned over a couple of times on the hot rocks – which were not just for decoration!
On my birthday, we went for a hot stone massage at Le Spa. The massage was soothing for me but way too hot for my mum! Hot stone massage involves heating stones which are then used to massage all over your body with pairs of stones placed on your pressure points. It’s my favourite massage but maybe not for everyone.
Back in the room after the massage I was flicking through the TV channels when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a colourful cake on the coffee table. The hotel staff had left it there when we were away – it came with candles so I can only surmise that they wanted to sing to me? Either way it was a genuine surprise adding to a one-of-a-kind birthday. And yes, we did eat most of the cake for morning tea…
What completed our holiday though was the attentiveness of the staff. They were always friendly and assisted us with tour information, organising a taxi to Ubud and of course presenting a birthday cake. It perhaps accounts for the “regulars” that continually choose to stay there.
Seminyak, Bali – From the Streets to the Beach
January 7, 2010 By 1 Comment
Below is a travel writing piece that I entered into a competition. Not one to sleep in on my 24th birthday I woke up and walked on the beach at 6.30am…
Before stepping for the very first time on a plane to Bali, your head is filled with too many preconceived notions. Images of negative newscasts, of sunburnt tourists and harassing hawkers are the cause of apprehension blurring your excitement ever so slightly.
On the streets the stereotypes begin to fade. Motorbikes fill the roads driven by locals and tourists alike expertly darting through traffic. One motorbike has a white surfboard strapped to its side.
My taxi driver practices his English and burgeoning French on visitors. Wayan tells me that the fruit in season are mangoes, durian and the curious looking mangostien or “manggis” with tough purple skin and white flesh inside. Stopping at a junction, I watch as children use a long stick to prod manggis from a tree to be caught in a turquoise painted woven basket.
Waking up early for a stroll, I’ve found that the morning mist has broken on Seminyak Beach. My bare feet leave prints on the diamond dusted grey sand. I dodge the tiny crabs that make sandcastle homes on the beach. The sand is a kaleidoscopic pattern comprised of tiny balls of sand.
“Salamat pagi!”
Two young boys jog barefoot in their ragged t-shirts and shorts. Smiles envelope their faces as they wave at us, pausing to run backwards before breaking into a bolt.
I continue to walk across the cool sand, which is devoid of litter but strayed with seaweed and shells. I’ve approached the Balinese street dogs standing guard. One white skinny dog curls himself like a banana oblivious to the morning activity.
A family of fishermen untangle their long spiderweb nets, cackling with laughter. They drag the nets out meticulously, ensuring the red and orange baubles are upright.
Balinese children sit in the sand, drooping globs of wet sand through their fingers. A little girl with dark tresses of hair falling down her back wears solid gold earrings that catch in the sun. She twirls and runs and falls into the sand, only to pick herself up, dusts off her bright floral dress and dances again.
An offering lies on the beach. Encased in a pale beige square rattan basket, it contains colourful flowers, pandan leaves and a couple of cracker biscuits. The pandan leaves are “haram” meaning “nice-smelling” of a sweet earthy scent. A red incense stick in the middle blows smoke into the air.
Breathing in deeply, I can smell the pungent incense. The salty moisture in the air leaves my arms feeling smooth. It’s 6.30 am on Sunday morning. Good morning Bali.
The Spa at The Samaya Villas, Bali
January 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Upon entering the Samaya Villas you know you’re stepping into a special place. After walking through the open air reception area and the lantern lined paths, the lagoon pool and the horizon stretched out before us. The Samaya is a well-maintained resort, although it appeared to be rather quiet at the time of our visit.
To make the day spa experience more “special” I had specifically chosen a spa outside of our hotel – a decision which I was very happy with! I pre-booked my mother and myself in for the Shita Ladies Package a four hour deluxe spa treatment – this included complimentary pick up from our Seminyak hotel. The spa manager promptly greeted us and offered us chilled lime juice. We sampled the massage oils on our skin settling on “relax” and “calm”.
Guided into the couples room a “Wow!” escaped my lips.
“Do you like the room?” Ani, my therapist smiled.
Uh, absolutely!
Large windows framed the spectacular view of waves breaking onto the shore. The room contained a sofa with two foot spas, two massage beds with rose petals strewn across them, a jet spa, a bathroom, shower, steam room and wardrobe. Attention to detail was paramount, with the walk in wardrobe having little jewellery boxes for your accessories.
The treatment began with an all natural foot spa with fresh limes and sea salt. We had a chat to our therapists, who both lived in Denpasar city and ride their own motorbikes to work. Both our therapists looked incredibly youthful, but were in their early thirties with young families.
My mother asked about whether Bali was afected by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Ani replied, “No, because we are guarded, protected by the Gods.”
Our therapists began the aroma massage and asked if the pressure was all right. I prefer a firm massage to ease away my desk job-induced upper back and shoulder tension. The candlenut scrub followed feeling cool on my skin. After a quick shower, a lavendar body lotion was applied all over and my skin felt incredibly buffed and smoothed.
Our milk bath was prepared for us and I’ve always rather greenly thought that a milk bath involved a lot of full cream milk. It was actually milk powder added to the warm water, with lots of bubbles. We enjoyed a tea ceremony in the bath – a sharp tasting ginger tea and lempur which is a specialty Indonesian dessert – glutinous rice wrapped around mince chicken.
A Decleor facial ended the treatment in the ocean view room and we were ushered into the salon for an OPI spa pedicure.
The service at the Samaya was faultless, both our therapists were warm, patient and welcoming. Even when mine had to gently wake me up after my massage. A little too relaxed perhaps?
After the spa I felt like drifting away but we ended up having sunset cocktails followed by dinner at the Breezes restaurant. It’s the only way to end a perfect day in Bali.
My Balinese Birthday – Cocktails at Ku De Ta
December 13, 2009 By 1 Comment
Seminyak Beach – patterns made by tiny beach crabs.
Rice paddy opposite Seminyak Square shopping centre.
I’ve been rather busy over the festive season and have been planning out my posts on the incredible Balinese Bithday I recently experienced. I’ve never been to Bali before and there are always so many expectations before you visit highly frequented tourist spots – everyone you meet is telling you about where to go, what to do and what NOT to do.
What I noticed when stepping off the plane? Bali smells like frangipanis. The pungent aroma follows you around, from your hotel to the streets. It lingers on your clothes and on your skin.
My first impressions of Bali were the mix of urban space, rainforest and of locals and tourists whizzing around on motorbikes. The image of an Australian surfer with tanned, leathery skin with his surfboard strapped to the side of his motorbike is firmly imprinted in my mind.
We chose to stay in Seminyak which is a beautiful area of Bali, far removed from the overtly touristy Kuta yet also a bit more “upmarket” with its boutique shops and cluster of beachside resorts.
On the first day we walked the streets of Seminyak, saying hello to street dogs and feeling the humidity tighten our chests. It was just a little hard to breathe after walking all the way from Softel Seminyak to Seminyak Square!
We did make it to the very popular chic beachside bar Ku De Ta. Upon entering Ku De Ta my plastic bag was removed – I’m hoping for security reasons but it perhaps also didn’t go with the decor.
Style & Ambience: A massive tree out the front is lit with colourful lanterns. Upon walking up the steps into KDT, the interiors are dark and woody and opens out to the large courtyard framed by palm trees and a clear view to the beach. Needless to say, it’s a big trendy place to be seen.
Drinks: The best way to watch the sunset is with a Sunset Martini. Vodka is married with lychee liqueur, fresh lychees, lemongrass syrup and apple juice – with a stick of lemongrass to swizzle! Cocktails are priced similarly to Australia – expect to pay between $16-$20.
Crowd: Australians were everywhere, girls are all wearing pretty sundresses and boys in designer tees and board shorts. Sunglasses are a necessity.
Tip: Come early to get a table or sun lounge. We arrived around 5.00 pm and we hovered by the bar, before perching on the sundeck. A lovely Australian couple chatted to us and offered us a seat at the table. We swapped Bali stories – like the fact my mum had visited before I was born! And they recommended must see locations like Ubud and Tanah Lot. I love meeting other travellers as well as locals whilst overseas… It adds to the allure of a place.
