A story seen through his eyes!

The famous Island of the Gods, Bali is the dream island, that continues to surprise all who visit.

As I was seeking for a tropical island paradise, I was immediately considering Bali, an island that India’s Nehru described as “the morning of the world.” With its terraced rice fields and wild orchids, dramatic landscapes over Indian Ocean, cloud-capped volcanoes and lush jungles, I’m telling you, Bali is the last paradise on earth.

8 km from Central Jimbaran,  this Cliff-top boutique hotel, AYANA Resort and Spa Bali offered us majestic ocean views, breathtaking haven of tranquility, luxurious rooms overlooking the private beaches of Jimbaran Bay or the lush Balinese gardens. An ex-Ritz Carlton, that has changed into Ayana, it is a boutique hotel designed to ensure maximum seclusion for every guest, with incredible and picturesque views and an amazing service.

All the villas, set on limestone cliffs, feature light, natural decor and modern amenities that add a further dash of glamour to the beautiful Asian contemporary design, all hosted in the luxury of the tropical forest. You have that feeling that you are the only one on earth, in this sanctuary facing the Indian Ocean.

This holistic gateway revived us with spa treatments, gourmet style food, a number of Balinese healing therapies.

Where the Bali luxury villa is a sanctuary unto itself

Idyllic scenery, silent retreat, surrounded by tropical gardens.

Sybarite and rugged setting, with a plethora of Bougainvillea

Bali culture and  spirituality

Bali ranks the first travelling destination among the 13,600 islands that make up Indonesia.  This “island of a thousand temples” emanates a colorful and vibrant culture deeply rooted in religious tradition. Every visitor is touched by the magic of Bali, its pervasive spirituality and compelling sense of community that the Balinese exhibit. The principal Hindu-Balinese rituals and ceremonies are focussed on maintaining the balance between positive and negative forces. Mystical forces, both malevolent and benevolent, occupy a central role in the Balinese life.

India, through trading with the islands of Indonesia, brought first Buddhism and influences of Hinduism to Bali starting with the 8th or 9th century.  Hinduism continued to merge with local religious traditions, starting with 10^th century.

In the 15th century, Bali was bypassed by the Muslim trade and tide that swept the region. A migration from Java of the artistic and intellectual elite, escaping Muslim domination, added an energetic group of people to the Balinese mix. Today Bali is a Hindu oasis in a Muslim region. Almost 90%  of Balinese practice their Hindu-based religion, while 90% of Indonesians are Muslim.

Starting with the 16^th century, Bali saw Dutch expeditions, in their spices trading rush, Japanese invasion during World War II and since 1949 it became independent. However, through the years, The Balinese have maintained a cultural identity and belief system that has its origins back to the Hindu Majapahit Empire.

Bali’s charm is in the time-capsule quality of a simple life quietly unfolding around water.

The word Bali, dating from the 9th century, is said to mean “offering.” Maybe that’s how we’ re explaining that every Balinese is an artist. Performing and creating art is part of their living. Every child grows up learning to dance and to make artifacts. The visitor discovers history of Balinese art and starts to appreciate the symbolism of the local dance as well as of the local architectural design.

Pure bliss, unbound luxury, where spiritual serenity lives in harmony with nature.

Enjoying Balinese Food

Ayana offers unique restaurants with tantalizing cuisines, stylish lounges and cafés. My favorites were the open-air Padi restaurant, surrounded by lotus ponds, and the famous Rockbar, located on towering cliffs, on natural rocks, above the Indian Ocean. Rockbar, offering Bali’s most glam sunset was ranked as one of the top ten bars in the world. And indeed I recall it as one of the best places to watch the sunset.

After the sunset, I used to have a great lemongrass ice cream, at the Martini Club. You can enjoy it either at the open-air terrace or inside, in a glamour of an intimate club atmosphere. I prefered the first option.

On this island, part of the Hindu culinary traditions, there are festivals and religious celebrations of many foods. In their cuisine, the rice is a staple accompanied by vegetables, meat and seafood. The Balinese traditionally used banana leaves as plates. They eat with their right hand, as the left is impure, a common belief throughout Indonesia. They also do not hand or receive things with their left hand and would not wave at anyone with their left hand.

I recommend you to explore the Warungs (local restaurants) between Intercontinental Resort Jimbaran and Four Season Resort Jimbaran. One of the most popular Warungs is called Nyoman’s Café.

Jimbaran Beach is famous for the fresh seafood kiosks that are scattered along the beach. In Jimbaran you can also check the newly opened “Le Meridien”, where you’re taken in a culinary journey by chef Paul Lewis, a restaurant that dishes up traditional cuisine alongside western standards.

The local Balinese cuisine is a highlight of the stay. Your should not miss the seafood grilled over a fire of coconut husks that gives it a delicious smoky flavor, nasi goreng and steamed vegetables, the Rujak- a refreshing sweet and sour salad containing unripe fruit such as mango or papaya, mixed with sugar, chili and salt.

Activities

Jimbaran has very nice beaches offering the best surfing opportunities on Bali, in Pecatu Area. One of them is called Impossible Beach recommended to professional surfers only.

Chasing waves

Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), one of Bali’s six most important temples, is probably the biggest attraction in this area. Located on the edge of a pretty high cliff, it makes for some really nice scenery with the waves crashing against the cliff. Here we could watch the Kecak and Fire Dance at dusk. Mist shrouded temples and lush landscapes make this an exciting gateway.

Indulging the Spa treatments. At the Spa on the Rocks, the treatments aim to soothe the Body, the Mind and the Spirit. Located on a cliff from where you can hear the sound of the waves and feel the soft breeze, I experienced here massage treatments steamed in the ancient Asian healing philosophies. The Amazing Jade treatment had cast a spell over me.

This vacation was the perfect blend of relaxation, culture, and adventure! The people, the culture, the natural beauty… I fell in love with it all!

Real Bali can not be described in words, shown in photos, but only experienced and discovered there!

A coral reef with a swirl of colorful marine life, giant manta rays, moray eels.

I think travelling makes you a better person. It exposes you to uncovering exotic locations, surprising cultural exchanges and active adventures. You travel for a view into life in other parts of the world.