Our Editor-in-Chief discovers the natural wonders and mystical allure of this legendary Island of the God.
By: Diane Forden-AS SEEN IN BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE-
Photo Credit: Diane Forden
Bali — it’s paradise on earth. The magical Indonesian island is blessed with natural wonders — cerulean waters, white- and black-sand beaches, volcanoes, rice paddies and sparkling rivers. Bali has a unique approach to hospitality that’s rooted in the deep spirituality of its people. On a recent visit, I discovered all of that and more — stunning resorts, exquisite temples and activities that range from laid-back to action-packed. For a get-away-from-it-all fantasy island retreat, Bali truly delivers.
Eat, Play, Stay
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay
A pair of Four Seasons Resorts promise awesome architecture, impeccable service, fabulous restaurants and luxurious spas. The Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay is a seaside Garden of Eden perched on a hillside overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay
The 35-acre property is a collection of seven Balinese-style villages, each housing ultra-private villas ensconced behind stone walls and carved wooden doors. All are spacious, with modern amenities and a courtyard with an outdoor living area; all have private pools.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay
Winding path-ways weave past water gardens, temples and shrines. There are loads of water sports at Coconut Grove Beach; the resort’s partnership with TopicSurf is a marquee amenity. For only-in-Bali experiences check out the Ganesha Cultural Center, which showcases local artists woodcarving, painting, weaving and more (room rates start at $600 a night).
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay
In a valley on the banks of the Ayung River sits the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan — an architectural wonder 90 minutes from Jimbaran Bay. The resort’s entrance is otherworldly: A walk on a suspension bridge above the treetops leads to a rooftop lily pond and garden set atop a circular building, where stairs descend to the lobby.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort at Sayan
The structure is echoed throughout the property. Each guest villa also houses a rooftop lily pond and meditative seating area with stairs. They descend to an outdoor living space, plunge pool and teakwood villa with a spacious bedroom and bath with sleek amenities.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort at Sayan
Request a romantic dinner-for-two poolside in your villa or on the rooftop lobby pond. During the day, take a guided raft ride on the Ayung River. The thrilling two-hour adventure transverses rushing rapids past forest-ed cliffs, towering palm trees and numerous waterfalls. Another must-do: A Day in the Life of a Balinese Farmer. It starts with a tour of the property’s rice paddies. Then there’s a visit to a nearby Balinese Village. After, you can help plant a rice paddy with the guidance of local farmers. I loved standing in the mud paddy placing my seedlings in uniform rows (room rates start at $500 a night).
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort at Sayan
Travel Tip: Fly to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific’s Business Class with lie-flat seats, noise-cancelling headphones and more. In Hong Kong, the airline has seven lounges offering meals, drinks and showers. The newest, The Deck, has a noodle bar and a runway-view terrace.
Namaste
There are innumerable yoga activities available at both resorts. At Jimbaran Bay, I enjoyed an Indonesian bamboo stretch yoga class in the open-air Nirvana Shanti Bale overlooking the ocean. Another standout is hot-stone restorative yoga, a practice that features the placement of sacred rocks on muscles during asanas (poses). At Sayan, the bamboo Dharma Shanti Bale, surrounded by rice fields and palm trees, offers individual and group classes in various styles and themes — antigravity yoga or full-moon yoga, for example. My favorite was the 60-minute Sacred Nap, where I was cocooned in a silk hammock suspended from the ceiling as Ibu Fera, a former Buddhist nun, gently rocked me while she sang and told a story.
Travel Tip: Nyepi (Day of Silence) is celebrated once a year: The entire island shuts down for quiet and meditation — no work, travel, electricity or noise is allowed. It is the ultimate Earth Day.
Spa None
The Balinese belief of sekala (the seen) and niskala (the unseen) inspires all who visit. The philosophy — the health of the body is entwined with an inner well-being — deeply informs the Balinese way of life. At Jimbaran Bay’s Healing Village Spa, the 90-minute Aura-Soma Chakra Balance Massage uses crystals and oils and focuses on breathing to reach a relaxed state. Chakra-balancing treatments are also offered at Sayan’s Sacred River Spa, where three villas are perched above a lotus pond. Here, I indulged in a blissful two-hour traditional Balinese massage of gentle stretching, long strokes, reflexology and aromatherapy.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort at Sayan
Spirit World
With more than 20,000 temples on Bali, a visit to one or more is a must. Both Four Seasons hotels have several on property with tours available. Go off-site at Jimbaran with a visit to the 9th-century Goa Gong Cave Temple and experience a traditional melukat (water purification) ceremony. Inside the cool, ancient cave a Buddhist priest lit incense, recited prayers and blessed me with water.
Food Network
The body in balance approach extends to local cuisine. At the Jala Cooking Academy, I took a class in healthful cooking with Chef Kristya Yudha. His patience and humor had me feeling like a top chef in no time. The Sokasi cooking school offers the farm-fresh Chef’s Table Dinner, a seven-course Balinese meal presented by Chef Wayan Sutariawan.
Photo Credit: Diane Forden
Photo Credit: Diane Forden
