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Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25] By Mark Carter on 12 / 01 / 2013 Comments : 2 Bali Holiday: A Weekend in Paradise A lightning quick break in Bali for our 10th wedding anniversary turned out to be the best holiday of my life! We touched down at Ngurah Rai (Denpasar) airport, Bali, and descended the stairs from our AirAsia flight (first time on AirAsia – ok for a budget airline). I looked across the runways, and saw a flat, relatively barren landscape – not the tropical paradise I was expecting! An hours’ queue getting out of immigration (ouch!) left us wondering if our baggage would still be there to collect – which thankfully it was, so no need to call on our travel insurance at this stage then! Gathering our forces we were soon in the taxi our resort had sent us heading for Kamandalu resort and spa, which was near the arts and crafts heartland in the town of Ubud – ducking and diving amongst the crazy traffic, which was not for the faint hearted. Kamandalu Resort and Spa, Ubud Our resort was really beautiful – we were greeted with garlands of sweet smelling flowers around our necks on arrival, bringing tears to our eyes. Subscribe to RSS Feed Search Archives June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 August 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 January 2011 Blog Home About Us Categories Contact Written By Mark Carter 10 more posts

The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

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Where else can you find so much culture and spirituality? The perfect holiday break at a spa resort in Bali - to explore Ubud and beyond.

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Page 1: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

By Mark Carter on 12 / 01 / 2013 Comments : 2

Bali Holiday: A Weekend in Paradise

A lightning quick break in Bali for our 10th wedding anniversary turned out to be the bestholiday of my life!

We touched down at Ngurah Rai (Denpasar) airport, Bali, and descended the stairs from ourAirAsia flight (first time on AirAsia – ok for a budget airline). I looked across the runways, andsaw a flat, relatively barren landscape – not the tropical paradise I was expecting!

An hours’ queue getting out of immigration (ouch!) left us wondering if our baggage would stillbe there to collect – which thankfully it was, so no need to call on our travel insurance at thisstage then! Gathering our forces we were soon in the taxi our resort had sent us heading forKamandalu resort and spa, which was near the arts and crafts heartland in the town of Ubud –ducking and diving amongst the crazy traffic, which was not for the faint hearted.

Kamandalu Resort and Spa, UbudOur resort was really beautiful – we were greeted with garlands of sweet smelling flowersaround our necks on arrival, bringing tears to our eyes.

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Written By Mark Carter 10 more posts

Page 2: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

We unpacked in our charming rooms, where every detail was attended to. Fragrant petals onthe bed, incense in the room, and gorgeous teak furniture throughout. That evening we justhung out by the pool – and what a pool it was! A swim-up bar was in the centre, with barstools under the water of the pool, meaning you could sit immersed in the warm water, sippingcocktails and talking in the jasmine-fragrant air.

Saturday comes after a restful sleep, and we are determined to see as much as possible of the*real* Bali, steering well clear of night clubs and beaches – we’re ‘culture vultures’!

Temple Festival PreparationsOur guide arrives and we set off onto the scooters, bikes and cars, once again with our hearts

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Page 3: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

in our mouths. The first stop is unscheduled – we pull up by two dozen women who arepreparing offerings for an upcoming festival at the temple next door.

We step over to get a closer look, nervous about intruding and getting our cameras out. But weare met with the warmest, welcoming smiles, and genuinely friendly faces. It was extraordinarythe detail and effort going into the offerings – woven grasses, flowers, and baked shapes madeout of flour and colourings – so much care and attention.

The Local SchoolThen we arrive at a local school. We step into the playground where schoolgirls are practicingtraditional dances. Tears of joy part two, as their graceful movements and sheer joy in theirculture charmed our hearts.

Stepping into a classroom it was my turn as a school teacher, as I took an impromptu Englishlanguage class, quizzing them for answers in English, and giving out pens and stationary asprizes. The kids were utterly charming: with none of the attitude you’d get from kids back inLondon, my hometown. No-one tries to be cool or tough in front of the foreigners, just a lovelyinnocence, and real happiness at receiving our little gifts as prizes.

Page 4: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

A Local MarketA quick stop-over at the local market near the school was a crazy mixture of sights and smellsto delight, together with rubbish strewn ground with rats scurrying around! After grabbing someSalak (snake skin) fruits we were back in the tour car.

Buddhist Temple – Vihara Shanti BhumiAnother stop well off the tourist trail – this quiet temple overlooks a river below the gorgeouslybamboo forested hillsides, at once auspicious and peaceful. We made friends with someone atthe temple, and shared understandings on meditation and teachings, though coming fromdifferent sides of the world.

Page 5: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

By this stage it was becoming clear that there was something truly special about the Balinese– everyone we met was so kind, so open, so relaxed – a world away from our frantic lives inthe city.

Mount Batur Volcano‘Buy one – get one free’ – a stop by a recently active volcano, and a chance to sit down andeat a sumptuous buffet style lunch! It really was amazing to be so close to a volcano thatmade whole villages up and move location a mere 30 years ago. The vegetation had still toreturn to the jet black volcanic lava rocks covering half the view in front of us. This was thefirst time any of us had ever set eyes on a volcano, which was quite stirring, with a sense ofthe awesome power of nature that lay before us.

Page 6: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

Yet somehow the teaming hordes of tourists feverishly prowling the restaurant (yes, I know wewere tourists too!) meant it had none of the charm of our previous stops. We ate, and movedon.

Kopi Luwak, and the Coffee PlantationBack up along winding roads into the hills again, and we find ourselves at a small, un-signposted gate, which leads into a lush abundance of tropical vegetation.We’re at a small localeco-business, where they have begun to help preserve bio-diversity and grow a multitude offruits, spices and all manner of goodness!

Galangal, chillies, turmeric, tamarind, jackfruit, durian, pineapple, clovers, cinnamon, vanilla,peppers, lavendar and a host of rarer spices were to be found, along with an abundance ofcoffee varieties. Alongside this array of goodness were some lovely people too, including thisdear old lady who was absolutely gorgeous

Page 7: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

A close encounter with Civet cats brought us to the heart of the venture – Kopi Luwakproduction! For those that don’t know, the Civets eat the coffee beans, pass them through andout of their digestive systems, then these ‘special’ beans are ground and brewed for a uniquetaste! Sounds bizarre, and even disgusting to some … you need to try it to judge it!

Page 8: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

Pura Tirtha Empul – Holy Bath TempleBack on the road – that crazy road, and our next stop is one of the most sacred sites in Bali –the Tirtha Empul holy baths.

As always we pass through the outer and middle courtyards/shrines of this Hindu temple, eachone preparing us for the inner sanctum which houses the natural baths. Whole families bathedtogether in the cool waters in a ritual of purification.

Page 9: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

At once both profoundly meaningful, yet filled with joy and laughter, we left refreshed in bothbody and spirit, and set out for our last port of call on this extraordinary first day of our holidayin Bali.

Tegallalang – Terraced Rice Paddy FieldsBali is famous for its terraced rice paddy fields, and our last stop brought us to a roadside stopoverlooking a beautiful valley. It really was ‘picture perfect’, and like the beautiful templesexactly as the minds’ eye imagines Bali to be.

Back to our resort for a lovely meal, with the sound of crickets and cicadas serenading usthroughout.

What a day, and what a place!

About Mark Carter

Mark is the Senior Manager Ecommerce at DirectAsia.com and is in lovewith family, meditation, reading and life in general!

Page 10: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

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Tags: bali, family, holiday, indonesia, resort, spa, travel, ubud,

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Sonia on 22 January 2013 at 4:32 PM said:

Truely awesome place and description! Best Wishes to both of you for thislong bonding

Mark on 23 January 2013 at 10:50 AM said:

Thanks Sonia – hope you get a chance to go too – I’m sure you’d love it. Anda really interesting development of hindu culture there.

Page 11: The ultimate weekend in paradise - in Bali!

Bali Holiday - A Weekend in Paradise | DirectAsia.com Blog

http://www.directasia.com/blog/travel/bali-a-weekend-in-paradise/[14/06/2013 20:10:25]

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