Avalon Private Villa offers something that common hotel cannot offer. This gem located in Canggu cannot be better. The strategic location makes this villa so comfortable for all: couples, family, a group of friends, and etc. A couple will enjoy the cupid’s splendor in Canggu which is so serene; just perfect for couple who want to be isolated. However if they want to relish vibrant night life, Seminyak and Kuta are approximately a 20 minutes’ drive away. Canggu which has many surfing beaches is also perfect for the surfers who want to stand on surf board while strong waves hit it.

For you who want to bring your little family to Bali, Avalon Private villa offers 4 or 5-bedroom villa which suits to your needs. The villa is completed with various private facilities; private living room, private pool, and private garden; you name it. The kids will be entertained by the playground and beach in Kuta. Waterboom which is popular among the kids is the place that should not be missed when you come to Bali with your beloved children. Canggu is close to other tourism destination such as Tanah Lot. Your family will be amazed seeing a majestic temple standing on a rock and also a legendary beautiful sunset.

It is not only kids who will be pampered, adults who love shopping will also think that Seminyak and Kuta which are close to Canggu is the heaven of shopping. There are hundreds of boutique shops selling branded products ate reasonable price. Surely, there are many simple shops which sell local products from handicraft to clothes at very low price if you can bargain. Besides shopping arcades, Canggu and also Seminyak have various options of where to eat. You have abundant choices of high-end restaurants and of course simple place to eat at reasonable prices.

There are many plus points of Avalon, ranging from complete facilities to a strategic location that will make you comfortable. This stylish villa in Bali is blessed with serene and green surroundings enabling you to be your self during enjoying the holiday. With complete private facilities your holiday in Avalon Bali villa will be the most unforgettable moment. There is no need to think about others while using facilities. Avalon Bali villa is just your home away from, where every single piece of facilities is just for you.

Source breakingtravelnews.com

Some can be traced back to ancient kingdoms that once ruled the land and so it is with Hinduism in Bali.

One temple, in particular, stands as a testament to the religious harmony that’s existed for hundreds of years.

Pura Langgar is an ancient Hindu temple, just an hour’s drive from Denpasar.

Unique to this 16th century temple is a prayer room for Muslim visitors – a feature that stands as a showcase to the religious harmony that has existed in Bali for over 400 years.

Pura Langgar caretaker Ida I Dewa Gede Oka Nurjaya said: “We must remember that residents here are descendants of Muslims from Blambangan, East Java. When they moved to Bali, they converted to Hinduism. That’s why we must cherish both our Muslim and Hindu ancestors.”

Historical records show that there was a 16th century Hindu king called I Dewa Mas Blambangan.

Legend says he fell ill and searched unsuccessfully for five years to find a cure.

Eventually, his younger brother sought help from a Hindu shaman, who then told the King to build an Islamic prayer room in the temple.

After he did, the King recovered immediately.

Caretakers at the temple said Muslim visitors as well as locals come to the temple to pray.

“When the Islamic prayer time begins, our Muslim friends often pray here. We also have an ablution area where they can wash-up before prayer,” said Gede Oka Nurjaya.

At a recent fundraiser to renovate the temple grounds which includes the Islamic prayer hall, Muslims from as far as Cianjur in West Java donated money to raise US$15,000 – a sign that interfaith collaboration remains strong in this part of Indonesia which has been called “Island of the Gods”.

Source channelnewsasia.com

Luxury beachfront resort Conrad Bali has extended its raft of first-class promotional offers with the launch of its Free & Easy package, with simple yet irresistible offers focused on dining and spa pampering.

Following on from the successful launch of its Suite Escape package – where this exclusive sanctuary offered guests the chance to relax and recharge in one of Bali’s most luxurious and private Suites, while connecting guests to a world of personalised privilege and pampering – Free & Easy makes enjoying this world-class resort’s facilities uncomplicated and simply unmissable.

By booking the Free & Easy package guests will enjoy a free one-hour massage in the resort’s exclusive spa for two people. Balinese traditions have been a source of inspiration behind the spa’s new cutting-edge wellness retreats and holistic services that are offered in the spa’s spacious treatment rooms. Guests will be treated to world-renowned Thalgo skin care products, as the well-trained, friendly spa team welcomes guests to the five stunning spa garden pavilions.

The re-imagined and reborn Jiwa Spa has now put Conrad Bali back in the vanguard of spa, creating Bali’s 17-room rejuvenation destination, headed by newly appointed Australian spa and wellness specialist, Melanie James.

Dining at the resort’s award-winning restaurants has never been so enticing: Guests can now treat themselves to Conrad Bali’s superb selection of Asian and international cuisine with a 15% discount, valid throughout guests’ entire stay.

The promotion, which runs until March 31, 2013, also includes daily buffet breakfast for two people, plus two children below 12 years old eat free from the Kids Menu with every meal when their parents are dining.

These spectacular treats are the perfect addition to the resort’s luxurious and tranquil beachfront surroundings. Its 353 guestrooms and suites are spread across four low-rise wings, demonstrates the resort’s sense of space, luxury and style. Each boasts a private patio or balcony offering panoramic views over the resort, ocean, lagoons or gardens, while guest rooms and suites feature fascinating tribal Indonesian art, further complemented by contemporary in-room facilities.

*Indonesia’s Leading Resort, World Travel Awards 2012

Source luxurytravelmagazine.com

You are international travellers. You know what standards to demand. You know what the best is.

So what luxury stays do you like in Bali?

I wasn’t interested in the lists put out by companies. I wasn’t interested in the predictable … what “should be” in a list of 10 luxury stays in Bali. I was interested in where you stay when you are looking for something special. What you like. What you think is good.

For some time, I have been asking the question of the trusted WA people that I know and meet. So, there’s no marketing science behind it, but this list has formed. It isn’t definitive (these aren’t the only luxury stays in Bali, of course), it isn’t even presented as “the best” – just what is liked and recommended.

St Regis Bali Resort

From blue lagoons to the beach at Nusa Dua, St Regis rates highly. Two features often mentioned are the Remede Spa (the menu blends exotic therapies, Balinese philosophies and quality spa products) and the food. Kayuputi restaurant serves Asian fare with the beach as its backdrop. Then there’s Boneka International Restaurant, Gourmand Deli and King Cole Bar. The resort is spacious and has 123 suites and villas, each luxuriously appointed (right down to big marble bathrooms). It offers a butler service.

Amanusa

Nine bales offer a place to while away the hours or there’s a stroll in the bougainvillea-lined streets of Nusa Dua, punctuated, as they are, with boutiques and restaurants. Amanusa means “peaceful isle”, and it sums up the place. The owners say it was designed with an artist’s eye, celebrating space and Bali’s natural beauty. True. It’s a place to unwind, with attention paid to the details that define luxury and quality. A golf course separates the resort from the Indian Ocean.

Bulgari Hotel Resort

On the southern Bukit peninsula, Bulgari Resort is set 150m above the Indian Ocean. Enclosed within walls of white bukit stone, and near the village of Pecatu and Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple, Bulgari Resort has the air of a medieval fortress town. Its villas each have their own garden, pool and outdoor living room. While there’s great privacy in the villas, the social areas are glam.

Ayana Resort and Spa

It might have 368 guestrooms (from 209 resort rooms to 10 resort suites, 71 club rooms and suites, and 78 villas) but Ayana still manages to keep a sense of intimacy. On the limestone cliffs of Jimbaran, overlooking the Indian Ocean on the south-west coast, Ayana is set on 77ha and truly mixes modern comforts with traditional design.

The carvings, sculptures, paintings and artefacts set the scene.

Alila Uluwatu

Wood, water, stone and rattan define Alila Uluwatu, on the Bukit peninsula, almost as much as its location. It is high on cliffs looking out over the ocean, with bridges and walkways joining pavilions to pools. There are elegant social areas. Cliffside pool units are of open-plan design – the flat lava rock roofs and bamboo ceilings let the sea breeze though. One-bedroom pool villas have private pools and cabanas, and strong Balinese design accents. The huge three-bedroom villas cover 2000-3000sqm.

Four Seasons at Sayan

Just outside Ubud, this Four Seasons seriously ticks the boxes. Elegant villas and the jungle overlooking the Ayung River. There are 18 suites, 42 private villas, and a sense of luxury and nature in harmony. The two-level swimming pool follows the river’s bends and has a wooden deck with lounges. Brilliant views. Indoors, the same harmony is represented by teak furniture and hand-loomed fabrics.

Amandari

On the edge of Ubud, in the village of Kedewatan, and on an escarpment above a gorge of the Ayung River, the resort is built to a traditional Balinese village design. Think coconut wood, teak and thatched roofs with bamboo frames. The 30 suites each have walled gardens, and pebbled walkways link them. There are views of the Ayung River Gorge and rice paddies, and the suites have wall-sized sliding glass doors on three sides. Pool suites have private plunge pools.

Como Shambala Estate

Como Shambhala Estate, near Ubud, offers a package holiday in quite a different sense, for its creed is “proactive holistic wellness” and to do this, the expert staff combine ancient healing techniques with modern science. Clean cuisine, spa therapies, yoga, activities are all packed into wellness retreats and, indeed, the word “shambhala” is used in old Buddhist texts to refer to a sacred place of bliss. The plan is to explore body, mind and spirit, and Como owner Christina Ong designed the place as a result of her personal pursuit of a meaningful spa experience.

Viceroy Bali

This luxury highlands resort was remodelled last year and has 25 luxurious villas with private pools. It overlooks tropical forests and the Petanu River gorge. While the architecture is pure Bali, inside the villas there are quality European fittings, with marble floors, luxury furnishings, sumptuous beds, fine thread-count sheets -and satellite television.

The Legian Bali

It’s the classic luxury stay, and it comes up in conversation time after time. On the edge of Seminyak Beach, with a great stretch of sand adjacent and nudging shops and nightlife, 68 guest rooms and suites edge the Indian Ocean. It’s a mix of modern architecture, coconut palms and colourful sunsets. The suites face the ocean and display the skill of Indonesian designer Jaya Ibrahim with natural fibre furniture, and artefacts from across the archipelago. From studio suites to specialty suites, all have balconies with unobstructed sunset views.

Source au.news.yahoo.com

Times have changed. For the majority of tourists, Bali is now just one more tropical island with white sands, dramatic sea views and luxury resorts and villas; only a very few of the tourists show a deep interest in the island’s rich cultural heritage.

As a prominent academic who has been researching and studying Balinese society, arts and culture for more than three decades, Adrian Vickers, professor of Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Sydney, shared his concerns with Bali Daily on the island’s tourism drives.

“People do not come to Bali for cultural tourism, but to stay in resorts,” Vickers said.

Bali, he added, still had mass tourism because it had a reputation as being cheap, so people only came to save money and were not interested in Balinese culture.

“Originally, cultural tourism was considered an important notion for a policy that would sustain Bali, and I think that the cultural tourism policy has got lost. Certainly, when you talk to tourists, they no longer talk about cultural tourism, but resort tourism. So, this is a problem,” the renowned anthropologist lamented.

The author of Bali: A Paradise Created, a critical book on the formation of images about Bali, has revealed many more problems facing Bali. In the newest edition of the book, Vickers has added a chapter in which it seems he is much more pessimistic about tourism in Bali.

The book deals with the multiple layers of images of Bali, the mirror of Western images of Bali and Balinese self-images. The final chapter brings the two images together examining Indonesian notions of Bali, portraying them as a complex blending of the two in the policy of cultural tourism; the idea that people come to Bali to share the experience of a reified version of the arts and ritual life of the people.

“I should say it. I finished the last book on a positive note about the way that tourism strengthened the Balinese culture. But in 20 plus years since I arrived, I think we’ve seen a lot of problems in Bali, in particular environment degradation. So, I think it is really the biggest issue facing Bali.” Vickers first visited Bali in 1972.

Since the 1990s, the emphasis in tourist promotions has been on resort tourism, with its spas, massages and promises of luxury.

“Cultural experiences take a back seat to beauty treatments, or to white-water rafting, scuba diving and banana-boat rides, meaning that much that is unique to Bali has been flattened into the generic perception of a tropical resort that could be anywhere near the equator.”

Bali itself had not helped prevent the dilution of its image, as Balinese-style pavilions and carvings had become ubiquitous in tropical resorts from Singapore to Mexico, Vickers wrote.

“It is not just tourism, but the growth of villas and hotels is uncontrolled. Sometimes, it is foreigners who lease the villas, sometimes, rich Indonesians who are sick of Jakarta. It really puts a lot of strain on Bali’s infrastructure and is destroying the landscape; we can hardly find views of rice fields anymore,” added the professor.

“But Balinese people are part of this [the destroying of the environment] because they are very ready to sell their land,” he said.

In Seminyak area, one of the opulent expatriate enclaves near Kuta, people come to live there but have no interest in local culture. “They do not even bother to learn the Indonesian language,” noted Vickers. Despite the gloomy picture, Vickers said: “There is no problem with Balinese culture, it is very strong. But the island’s environment is really under threat with pollution — air, visual and noise pollution. The more the environment deteriorates, the less attractive Bali will be to tourists.” News from thejakartapost.com

Real Balinese cooking is typically enjoyed at home, so you won’t find it on hotel menus. There might be lots of places to get babi guling (suckling pig) at lunch time, but for the most part, traditional Balinese meals aren’t offered to the visiting public.

In order to learn about true Balinese cooking, I took a cooking class in Ubud.

There are a number of cooking classes in Ubud. I chose Bumi Bali restaurant for a comprehensive experience and for the book of recipes.

The class met at the restaurant at 9 a.m. and headed over to the Ubud traditional market. I have been to this market before, but in the evening. It is completely different market in the morning, teeming with fresh produce and meat.

During the evening, the market transforms into a souvenir hunter’s delight, filled with art, crafts, fabrics and jewelry.

We walked past big woven baskets brimming with all sorts of flowers. Bright yellow marigolds and white frangipanis were the only two flowers I recognized in the market’s kaleidoscope. Porters whizzed by carrying loads of produce on their heads. Locals came to the market to buy ingredients for the day’s cooking.

Our instructor, Ketut, went from stall to stall pointing out ingredients that are the core to Balinese cooking.

I was fascinated with galangal or kencur, a gnarled looking root, akin to ginger. When I tasted a mere sliver of it, my tongue was immediately anesthetized. The taste is strong and spicy, but without the heat.

Root ingredients like galangal, turmeric and ginger are core to Balinese cooking. Palm sugar also tickled my culinary fancy. Sold in dark brown semi-circles, it can be shaved off and added into the pot. The taste is a mix of caramel and maple syrup.

We tasted raw ginger, limes and turmeric. The turmeric left our teeth and fingers stained bright yellow; bit of a practical joke on Ketut’s part.

The cornerstone of many Balinese dishes is a basic spice paste called base gede or bumbu. Its ingredients are garlic, red chili peppers, Asian shallots (smaller and bigger in flavor than their western counterparts), nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, palm sugar, cumin, shrimp paste and salam leaves.

Oyster and fish sauces can be substituted for the shrimp paste. When using the salam leaves, make sure that it’s dried and a half of a leaf will do.

Powdered alternatives are available, but it is best to use fresh ingredients for ultimate taste. The base gede will stay fresh in the refrigerator for three weeks and last six weeks in the freezer. The Balinese make big batches of this paste and it’s used on chicken, fish and some pork dishes.

Balinese cooking incorporates many influences. Early spice traders and European colonizers all had influence on Balinese cooking. The Chinese introduced the wok, stir frying, tofu, tempeh and bean sprouts. The Dutch colonizers brought peanuts, squash, pumpkin and cacao.

Throughout Bali, every region has a specialty dish. Ubud is known for duck. Many Balinese argue that the best suckling pig is in Gianyar. On the shorelines of Kuta, fish is the specialty. The spices are as varied as the dishes themselves.

Coconut oil is preferred because of its flavor. Ketut says it’s his mom’s job to make coconut oil. Older coconuts are grated then water is added to squeeze out the milk. The milk is then boiled for hours until all that remains is the oil. His mother makes coconut oil every week from about 15 coconuts.

“Back in class, we don our complimentary black and white aprons.”

Ketut explains to us culinary facts about the ingredients. These little details surprised me like nutmeg is a natural hallucinogen; black and white peppers come from the same plant. Sea salt is used in everything, including drinks.

The saffron you see everywhere in the market is “cheap” and is most likely safflower seeds. I must admit I fell for the last one on previous trips to the market. I thought I was getting away with a steal.

The Bumbu Bali class is demonstration-based with plenty of opportunities to volunteer, stir, sauté and squeeze. We
prepared six traditional Balinese meals; base gede, sayur urab (mixed vegetables) tuna sambal matah (sauteed spicy tuna), tempe manis (tempeh in sweet sauce), opor ayam (chicken curry) and Bali sate lilit (pork skewers).

The first dish he made was base gede. Traditionally, all the ingredients are pounded with a mortar and pestle for more flavor.

For today’s class, Ketut used a blender. “Sorry mom,” he grimaced. After the ingredients are blended with a little water, it is transferred into a saucepan with four tablespoons of coconut oil, stirred constantly for five minutes, and then set aside. If storing the paste, use up to 15 tablespoons of oil for preservation.

The cooking class rolled on as we prepared dish after dish. In between the opor ayam and sate lilit, Ketut did a 10-minute dish of sambal prawn sauce, his mother’s recipe. For a sweet treat we enjoyed a black rice pudding dessert.

I truly got to experience Balinese culture through the food instead of having a burger at my hotel. After class, I was buzzing with excitement and planning the meals I would prepare at home. First, I needed the ingredients from the market, not a bad place to shop.

Source thejakartapost.com

Research conducted by property consultant Knight Frank (PT Willson Properti Advisindo) shows that Bali will have an additional 10,466 hotel rooms by 2014 from a total of 60 construction projects currently underway.

According to the research, which has been published recently and made available to Bali Daily, as many as 3,922 rooms, or 37 percent of the total new room supply, have come into operation as of the second half of this year.

The supply of new rooms is dominated by four-star hotels, which account for 52.8 percent, followed by five-star and three-star hotels with 23.9 percent and 23.3 percent respectively.

Kuta is recorded as having the highest supply of new rooms, at 3,358, half of which are in four-star hotels.

Nusa Dua has 924 new rooms, 72.5 percent of which are in five-star hotels.

Four-star hotels dominate new room supply in Seminyak, Sanur and Legian. There will be an additional 691 rooms in Seminyak, 1,025 rooms in Sanur and 671 rooms in Legian, the research shows.

The property consultant also predicted that the occupancy rate would decrease or stagnate during the second half of this year due to the high number of new hotels.

Occupancy could increase during the year-end holiday, but not significantly, said Fakky Hidayat, senior associate director of Knight Frank, the global property consultancy headquartered in London.

“To anticipate an increase in the electricity tariff predicted for 2013, which will affect operational costs, hotel tariffs are predicted to rise by five to 10 percent early next year. There will also be an adjustment for inflation,” he said in a statement.

In line with the country’s economic growth, Bali remained a popular and attractive tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists. The government’s commitment to accelerate infrastructure projects in Bali, including the expansion of Ngurah Rai International Airport and Benoa-Nusa Dua toll road, ahead of next year’s APEC summit, would further optimize and accommodate the fast growth in tourism on the island, he said.

“Old hotels will continue to improve to be able to compete with new hotels, not only by renovating their buildings but also providing better service, and offering unique concepts.”

Commenting on the research, chairman of the Bali Hotels Association, Djinaldi Gosana, emphasized that Bali should only have higher quality accommodation, instead of “just ordinary hotels” since hotel rooms on the island were in oversupply, especially in the south.

“It’s just regrettable that some speculators might make use of the infrastructure development to promote tourism to investors or anyone who might care about the island’s sustainability,” he said.

Source thejakartapost.com

Perched up high on limestone cliffs that stretch down to the sea below, Bali’s Alila Villas Uluwatu is the ultimate place to get away, relax and rejuvenate. These exquisite villas are anything but ordinary with sweeping views of the ocean and luxurious features and amenities.

Each of the one-bedroom Pool Villas comes with a private pool and cabana so guests can take in the beautiful Bali landscapes.
Contemporary interiors are mixed with touches of natural elements and traditional Balinese designs. Through walkways and bridges, guests can venture over to the relaxation pavilions and pools.

The three-bedroom villa is a great escape for families, with 21,500-32,300 square feet of space. Each villa is specifically designed to showcase the natural wonders of Bali’s bounty. Using traditional Balinese accents of wood, water, stone and rattan, the villas are elegant tributes to the surrounding culture, with modern conveniences.

Villas can accommodate up to six adults, which include three king-size beds, a rain shower, jet shower and bathtub. The living room opens up to the outside, where guests will find an outdoor shower, private 69-foot infinity pool, private cabana, and spacious lawn large enough for special events. The villa also includes 24-hour butler service and concierge service. Indoors, guests will find a plasma TV in every room, an iPod docking station and other technological advancements, including Wi-Fi, which reaches across the property.

For dining within the villas, guests can enjoy contemporary Western cuisine at Cire (Seer) where all meals are prepared with regional produce. Truly an experience, every detail within the fine dining restaurant has been designed to create a one-of-a-kind evening. Guests seeking more traditional Indonesian and Balinese fare are invited to dine at The Warung. Indoor and outdoor dining offers a more casual, laidback experience, in the welcoming yet sophisticated space.

During a visit, book a spa treatment at Spa Alila with their trained specialists who have studied in anatomical physiology, massage, meditation and service. Using only the finest ingredients and age-old beauty recipes, the staff puts a contemporary spin on ancient Asian healing techniques. Indulge one of their lavish treatments and you will feel restored and re-energized.

The five-star resort is amongst the most impressive places to stay on the island, complete with expansive villas and scenic views in all directions. With one of the world’s most spectacular swimming pools right outside your front door, the villas are not to be missed. Representing a new generation of high-end travel, Alila Villas Uluwatu are an innovation in style and superior luxury.

Source justluxe.com

The annual Bali Meditators Festival has attracted the world’s attention, and this year, registered participants attending are from the United States, France, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Germany, and Malaysia, while from within Indonesia, confirmed participants are from Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Lampung, and Kalimantan.

Last year’s event was attended by around 1,000 people, and this year, organizers expect the numbers to increase significantly.

International speakers from a number of spiritual organizations in the world will share their knowledge and experience, and teach meditation and yoga techniques during the festival.

“IBMF 2012 shall be the place where people meditate and celebrate in love and togetherness. While meditation builds and strengthens human beings’ inner cores, celebration is the way to share the overwhelming joy. Together, participants are going to re-learn the forgotten language of love, and create a path towards a peaceful world and a united mankind.”

The Festival features music and dance performances, apart from formal sessions such as panel discussions and workshops. Special events will include various programs such as yoga for kids, yoga for youth, and many more. There is also a bazaar area with a beautiful view on Ubud’s green landscape.

In connection with the International Bali Meditators Festival, Deputy Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies in Bali (ASITA Bali), Bagus Sudibya, told the press that Bali was rapidly becoming increasingly popular as a spiritual tourism destination, as evidence from requests made by foreign travel agents for their clients, said Bagus Sudibya. Most groups are from Australia, the United States, Japan, and Europe, and their itineraries include yoga and meditation.

ASITA estimates that already 10 percent of tour programs handled by Bali ASITA member include Spiritual Tour Itineraries. Sudibya estimates that some 5 percent of all incoming foreign tourists to Bali enjoy spiritual tours.

“This shows that Bali has the potential to become a meaningful spiritual tourism destination, and most importantly, spiritual tourism can contribute to providing deeper meaning to Bali’s tourism development.” Today, travel agents actively offer tour spiritual tour packages to their clients, and the response has been positive since a growing number of people in the world seem to be looking for inner peace and happiness through self-healing amidst problems and turmoils in their lives.

IBMF was initiated by Anand Krishna, a world spiritual leader and founder of the Anan Ashram foundation. While the aim of the Festival is to spread awareness, wisdom, and care towards other human beings and the environment in order to create communities that are bright and healthy holistically.

Source eturbonews.com