Bali Travel Tips

Diposting oleh Greg TWK | 07.24 | 1 komentar »

The following list has been compiled to help you make the most of your stay in Bali. If you have any further concerns that are not mentioned here, please do not hesitate to contact us via E-mail with any questions or queries that you may have.

General things that you should or shouldn't do...

Do...

...change money at a reputable looking location, use your own (or the hotel's) calculator before changing!
...put on loads of High Factor Waterproof Sun Cream (especially if you intend to spend a lot of time in the water).
...drink a lot of bottled water and eat a lot of fresh fruit - do your body a favor.
...be careful with your belongings at all times. Crime is on the increase and can ruin your holiday. Cases of handbag snatching have been reported, so leave important documents in your hotel safe and wear your bag across your shoulders!
...try not to step on offerings in the street (walk around them).
...respect the slow pace of processions when stuck behind one, i.e. don't honk!
...haggle when buying (except on price-tagged goods.)
...buy 'Immodium' to relieve bouts of Bali belly.
...have a great holiday!

× Don't ...

×...forget to take your passport (or a photocopy of your ID), with you at all times and a copy of Bali Plus!
×...swim outside designated swimming areas on the beach, currents can be very strong. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
×...do drugs! It can carry the death penalty, and there are enough foreigners residing in Bali courtesy of the Govt. prison service!
×...touch people's heads - it is very offensive to Hindus.
×...enter a temple during menstruation. Sorry Ladies!
×...forget to put salt on your food & drink water - you will probably sweat a lot.
×...worry too much about the ice - it's government-quality controlled in established bars and restaurants.
×...forget to look and listen while you cross the road. Cars may stop, motorbikes may not!
×..forget to reconfirm your flight 72 hours prior to flying. Airport Departure Tax is:
International = Rp. 100,000 Domestic = Rp. 20,000

Passports and Visas
Bali Visa. Important change to Indonesia's Visa Policy for Tourists.

Please read carefully as there have been changes to Indonesia visa policy. This affects all arrivals to Indonesia after February 1, 2004, are subject to new visa regulations

Countries that do not require a Visa to enter Bali.
Brunei Darussalam
Chile
Hongkong Special Administrative Region,
Macao Special Administrative Region,
Malaysia
Morocco
Peru
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

Countries that require and are eligible for Visa-On Arrivals - cost for these visas are US$10 for a stay of up to 3 days, US$25 for a stay of up to 30 days.
Arab Emirates
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Japan
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
South Africa
South Korea
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
United States America

It is important to also note the following:

  • The Visa on Arrival is non-extendable and cannot be converted into a different visa.
  • The Visa purchasing system will take approximately 3-5 minutes per applicant.
  • There are 6 payment counters, a bank and a money changer set up to process payments
  • Once you have paid for and received your visa you will need to proceed to Immigration where your visa will be processed

Citizens of countries not on the visa on arrival or visa free lists will be required to apply for a visa before entering Indonesia.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia, and you must have proof of onward passage (either return or through tickets). If you cannot fulfill both of these requirements, you may not be allowed to enter the country

Currency
The Rupiah. Notes 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000. Coins 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000. Currency Converter click here

Bali Time
Bali Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

Electricity
Most hotels use 220 volts, 50 cycles and a round, two-pronged slim plug. Bathroom shaver plugs usually have a transformer switch. We suggest taking an adaptor for your appliance.

Getting Around
You will find a range of chauffeur driven limousines, self-drive cars, taxis and hotel courtesy cars. Many taxis are not metered so it's wise to negotiate the fare before you climb aboard. Bemos are a unique form of transport. They are a mini-van masquerading as a communal bus. You simply hail the driver and negotiate the fare that suits you both. Motorcycles can also be hired in many places but special care should be exercised at all times as road and traffic conditions can be somewhat hazardous in certain locations. Traveling around Bali is made all the easier because everywhere you go you'll find friendly people only too happy to give you advice and directions on how to get where you want to go.

Driver's License
If you wish to hire a car you must be over 18 years of age and posses an International Driver's License or license from ASEAN countries.

Clothing
Light, airy, casual clothes are the most practical and you'll find natural fibers like cotton or linen are the most comfortable in Bali's often humid conditions. Waist sashes should be worn when visiting temples.

A Word of Advice

ATTENDING CEREMONIES
remember these are serious occasions and should be treated as such. Religious guidelines:

  1. Always wear a sarong and sash.
  2. Do not walk in front of people praying.
  3. Do not use flash camera or push your camera into the priest's face!
  4. Never sit higher than the priest or the offerings.
  5. At cremations, do not get in the way of the attendees - however important that photographic opportunity is!
  6. Women are not allowed to enter temples during menstruation.

DANGEROUS SPORTS
make sure you either have personal insurance or travel insurance that will cover any accidents.

DRIVING
In Bali always expects the unexpected; always keep your eyes open and your mind on driving. Beware of motorbikes! It is best to rent a car with a full insurance as this will save time and money if you are involved in an accident.

MONEY CHANGERS
be very careful when changing your money. Always check the rate of exchange and commission (if any) the money changer is taking. Most importantly, always count your money before you leave the premises and if you can, bring your own calculator, as the ones used by some places can be "a little inaccurate".

PETTY CRIME

  1. There have been a few cases of handbags being snatched after tourists have cashed money at Banks or Money Changers! Put your money away in your 'bum-bag' or hold onto your handbag tightly!!!
  2. When changing large amounts of money please check each note carefully as there are a number of (noticeably) fake notes in circulation.
  3. When trying on garments do not take your jeweler off and leave it lying round - give it to a friend or leave it in the hotel safe.

SWIMMING IN THE SEA
Current underflows can be strong, always swim between the red and yellow flags, don't swim too far out! Do not leave your belongings unattended on the beach.

N.B. When attending Special Ceremonies or Anniversary Celebrations as a guest or onlooker, small donations are gratefully received. Your donations will help in paying for the offerings and upkeep of the temple.

Thank you for respecting these suggestions

About Bali

Diposting oleh Greg TWK | 07.17 | 0 komentar »

Bali Culture

Bali is truly a unique isle; from its timeless traditions, colourful pageantry to rites of passage. The people possess a genuine sense inner happiness that is perhaps attributed to the strong Hindu faith. There is a fundamental belief in the spiritual world which should always be in balance and harmonize with the physical world to attain peace and prosperity.

HISTORY

Although there are no artifacts or records dating back to the Stone Age, it is believed that the first settlers on Bali migrated from China around 2500 BC. By the Bronze era, around 300 B.C. quite an evolved culture existed in Bali. The complex system of irrigation and rice production, still in use today, was established around this time.

History is vague for the first few centuries. A number of Hindu artifacts have been found dating back to the 1st century, yet it appears that the main religion, around 500 AD was predominantly Buddhist in influence. A Chinese scholar, Yi-Tsing, in 670 AD reported on a trip to India, that he had visited a Buddhist country called Bali.

It wasn't until the 11th century that Bali received the first strong influx of Hindu and Javanese cultures. With the death of his father around AD 1011, the Balinese Prince, Airlanggha, moved to East Java and set about uniting it under one principality. Having succeeded, he then appointed his brother, Anak Wungsu, as ruler of Bali. During the ensuing period there was a reciprocation of political and artistic ideas. The old Javanese language, Kawi, became the language used by the aristocracy, one of the many Javanese traits and customs adopted by the cause.

With the death of Airlanggha, in the middle of the 11th century, Bali enjoyed a period of autonomy. However, this proved to be short-lived as in 1284, the East Javanese king Kertanegara, conquered Bali and ruled over it from Java. In 1292, Kertanegara was murdered and Bali took the opportunity to liberate itself once again. However, in 1343, Bali was brought back under Javanese control by its defeat at the hands of Gajah Mada, a general in the last of the great Hindu-Javanese empires, the Majapahit. With the spread of Islam throughout Sumatra and Java during the 16th century, the Majapahit Empire began to collapse and a large exodus of aristocracy, priests, artists and artisans to Bali ensued. For a while Bali flourished and the following centuries were considered the Golden Age of Bali's cultural history. The principality of Gelgel, near Klungkung, became a major centre for the Arts, and Bali became the major power of the region, taking control of neighboring Lombok and parts of East Java.

The European Influence

The first Dutch seamen set foot on Bali in 1597, yet it wasn't until the 1800's that the Dutch showed an interest in colonizing the island. In 1846, having had large areas of Indonesia under their control since the 1700's, the Dutch government sent the troops into northern Bali. In 1894, Dutch forces sided with the Sasak people of Lombok to defeat their Balinese rulers. By 1911, all the Balinese principalities had either been defeated in battle, or had capitulated, leaving the whole island under Dutch control. After World War I, Indonesian Nationalist sentiment was rising and in 1928, Bahasa Indonesia was declared the official national language. During World War II, the Dutch were expelled by the Japanese, who occupied Indonesia from 1942 to 1945.

After the Japanese defeat, the Dutch tried to regain control of their former colonies, but on August 17, 1945, Indonesia was declared independent by its first President, Sukarno. After four years of fighting and strong criticism from the international community, the Dutch government finally ceded and, in 1949, Indonesia was recognized as an independent country.

THE PEOPLE

Life in Bali is very communal with the organization of villages, farming and even the creative arts being decided by the community. The local government is responsible for schools, clinics, hospitals and roads, but all other aspects of life are placed in the hands of two traditional committees, whose roots in Balinese culture stretch back centuries. The first, Subak, concerns the production of rice and organizes the complex irrigation system. Everyone who owns a sawah, or padi field, must join their local Subak, which then ensures that every member gets his fair distribution of irrigation water. Traditionally, the head of the Subak has his sawah at the very bottom of the hill, so that the water has to pass through every other sawah before reaching his own. The other community organization is the Banjar, which arranges all village festivals, marriage ceremonies and cremations, as well as a form of community service known as Gotong Royong. Most villages have at least one Banjar and all males have to join one when they marry. Banjars, on average, have a membership of between 50 to 100 families and each Banjar has its own meeting place called the Bale Banjar. As well as being used for regular meetings, the Bale (pavilion) is where the local gamelan orchestras and drama groups practice.

Each stage of Balinese life is marked by a series of ceremonies and rituals known as Manusa Yadnya. They contribute to the rich, varied and active life the average Balinese leads.

Birth
The first ceremony of Balinese life takes place even before birth. Another ceremony takes place soon after the birth, during which the afterbirth is buried with appropriate offerings. The first major ceremony takes place halfway through the baby's first Balinese year of 210 days.
Names
Basically the Balinese only have four first names. The first child is Wayan or Putu, the second child is Made or Kadek, the third is Nyoman or Komang and the fourth is Ketut. The fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth will be another Wayan, Made, Nyoman, Ketut and Wayan again.

Childhood
The Balinese certainly love children and they have plenty of them to prove it. Coping with a large family is made much easier by the policy of putting younger children in the care of older ones. After the ceremonies of babyhood come ceremonies marking the stages of childhood and puberty, including the important tooth-filing ceremony.

Marriage
Every Balinese expects to marry and raise a family, and marriage takes places at a comparatively young age. Marriages are not, in general, arranged as they are in many other Asian communities although strict rules apply to marriages between the castes. There are two basic forms of marriage in Bali - mapadik and ngorod. The respectable form, in which the family of the man visit the family of the woman and politely propose that the marriage take place, is mapadik. The Balinese, however, like their fun and often prefer marriage by elopement (ngorod) as the most exciting option. Of course, the Balinese are also a practical people so nobody is too surprised when the young man spirits away his bride-to-be, even if she loudly protests about being kidnapped. The couple go into hiding and somehow the girl's parents, no matter how assiduously they search, never manage to find her. Eventually the couple re-emerge, announce that it is too late to stop them now, the marriage is officially recognized and everybody has had a lot of fun and games. Marriage by elopement has another advantage apart from being exciting and mildly heroic it's cheaper.

The Household
There are many modern Balinese houses, but there are still a great number of traditional Balinese homes. The streets of Ubud; nearly every house will follow the same traditional walled design.

Men & Women
There are certain tasks clearly to be handled by women, and others reserved for men. Social life in Bali is relatively free and easy. In Balinese leisure activities the roles are also sex differentiated. Both men and women dance but only men play the gamelan. Today you do see some women painters, sculptors, and woodcarvers.

Community Life
Balinese have an amazingly active and organized village life. You simply cannot be a faceless nonentity in Bali. You can't help but get to know your neighbors as your life is so entwined and interrelated with theirs.

Death & Cremation
There are ceremonies for every stage of Balinese life but often the last ceremony-cremation-is the biggest. A Balinese cremation can be an amazing, spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting event. In fact it often takes so long to organize a cremation that years have passed since the death. During that time the body is temporarily buried. Of course an auspicious day must be chosen for the cremation and since a big cremation can be very expensive business many less wealthy people may take the opportunity of joining in at a larger cremation and sending their own dead on their way at the same time. Brahmans, however, must be cremated immediately. Apart from being yet another occasion for Balinese noise and confusion it's a fine opportunity to observe the incredible energy the Balinese put into creating real works of art which are totally ephemeral. A lot more than a body gets burnt at the cremation. The body is carried from the burial ground (or from the deceased's home if it's an 'immediate' cremation) to the cremation ground in a high, multi-tiered tower made of bamboo, paper, string, tinsel, silk, cloth, mirrors, flowers and anything else bright and colorful you can think of. The tower is carried on the shoulders of a group of men, the size of the group depending on the importance of the deceased and hence the size of the tower. The funeral of a former rajah high priest may require hundreds of men to tote the tower.

A long the way to the cremation ground certain precautions must be taken to ensure that the deceased's spirit does not find its way back home. Loose spirits around the house can be a real nuisance. To ensure this doesn't happen requires getting the spirits confused as to their whereabouts, which you do by shaking the tower, running it around in circles, spinning it around, throwing water at it, generally making the trip to the cremation ground anything but a stately funeral crawl. Meanwhile, there's likely to be a priest halfway up to tower, hanging on grimly as it sways back and forth, and doing his best to soak bystanders with holy water. A gamelan sprints along behind, providing a suitably exciting musical accompaniment. Camera-toting tourists get all but run down and once again the Balinese prove that ceremonies and religion are there to be enjoyed. At the cremation ground the body is transferred to a funeral sarcophagus, this should be in the shape of a bull for a Brahmana, a winged lion for a Satria and a sort of elephant-fish for a Sudra. These days, however, almost anybody from the higher castes will use a bull. Finally up it all goes in flames funeral tower, sarcophagus, body, the lot. The eldest son does his duty by poking through the ashes to ensure that there are no bits of body left unburned. And where does your soul go after your cremation? Why, to a heaven which is just like Bali!

RELIGION

The Balinese are Hindu yet their religion is very different from that of the Indian variety. They do have a caste system, but there are no untouchables and occupation is not governed by caste. In fact, the only thing that reflects the caste system is the language which has three tiers; 95% of all the Balinese are Hindu Dharma, and speak Low or Everyday Balinese with each other; Middle Balinese is used for talking to strangers, at formal occasions or to people of the higher Ksatriya caste; High Balinese is used when talking to the highest class, the Brahmana, or to a pedanda (priest). It may sound complicated, but most of the words at the low and medium levels are the same, whereas High Balinese is a mixture of Middle Balinese and Kawi, the ancient Javanese language.

The Balinese worship the Hindu trinity Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, who are seen as manifestations of the Supreme God Sanghyang Widhi. Other Indian gods like Ganesha (the elephant-headed god) also often appear, but more commonly, one will see shrines to the many gods and spirits that are uniquely Balinese. Balinese believe strongly in magic and the power of spirits and much of their religion is based upon this. They believe that good spirits dwell in the mountains and that the seas are home to demons and ogres. Most villages have at least three main temples; one, the Pura Puseh or 'temple of origin', faces the mountains and is dedicated to the village founders, another, the Pura Desa or village temple, is normally found in the centre and is dedicated to the welfare of the village, the last, the Pura Dalem, is aligned with the sea and is dedicated to the spirits of the dead. Aside from these 'village' temples, almost every house has its own shrine and you can also find monuments dedicated to the spirits of agriculture, art and all other aspects of life. Some temples, Pura Besakih for example, on the slopes of Mount Agung, are considered especially important and people from all over Bali travel to worship there.

Offerings play a significant role in Balinese life as they appease the spirits and thus bring prosperity and good health to the family. Every day small offering trays (canang sari) containing symbolic food, flowers, cigarettes and money, are placed on shrines, in temples, outside houses and shops, and even at dangerous crossroads.

Festivals are another great occasion for appeasing the gods. The women bear huge, beautifully arranged, pyramids of food, fruit and flowers on their heads while the men might conduct a blood sacrifice through a cockfight. There are traditional dances and music and the gods are invited to come down to join in the festivities. The festivals are usually very exciting occasions and well worth observing, if you are in the area. A crucial thing to remember, if you wish to join in celebrations or enter a temple, is that there are a number of rules that have to be respected. Please see back page "A Word of Advice" for Rules.

Diposting oleh Greg TWK | 07.06 | 0 komentar »

Villas within walking distance to the Beach – Seminyak - Price range: From US$ 600 >


The ultra avant-garde, four-bedroom villa known as 'Aqua' is located in the heart of Bali's fashionable Oberoi area, just footsteps away from Seminyak's sweeping beach, vibrant night scene, world-class restaurants and chic boutiques. Taking an inspirational approach to modern lifestyle, the villa is constructed on two levels and set within a large walled garden. It presents a 23-metre swimming pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, steam room, alfresco dining facilities and soundproof party room, in addition to four spacious bedrooms with queen-size beds and en-suite bathrooms. There is a secure carport at the main entrance.

Boasting funky tropical architecture, exemplified by an abundance of space, natural light and places to chill, Aqua was completed in 2007 and constructed of local materials. It was designed by 'Gfab', a well-respected, international, architectural company with an impressive portfolio of aesthetically beautiful villas, resorts and boutique hotels in Australia, Southeast Asia and Spain.

A party villa for relaxation and play, Aqua offers a captivating blend of luxury, recreation, party facilities, privacy, and exemplary service.

Dining Pavilion

The dining pavilion is furnished with a sleek black lacquered dining table for eight, positioned within an open air pavilion sheltered by a roof with a wooden ceiling and pendulous paddle fans. The pavilion features a bar and service area, offering a delightful alfresco dining experience.

Sunken Lounge
The open-air sunken lounge is located adjacent to the dining pavilion, and is an attractive space to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails or after-dinner coffee and liqueurs. Softly cushioned seating is arranged around three sides of a cosy nook, complete with a black terrazzo floor.

Garden, Pool, and Chill-out Areas
The entrance to the Zen-inspired property leads guests past an ornamental pond into a walled garden dominated by a 23-metre swimming pool, which is bordered by flat lawns punctuated with palms and frangipani trees. The spectacular pool extends the length of the garden and features a wide, deep channel for swimming laps, in addition to stepped levels that allow guests to sit, lounge or lie in the water without actually having to swim. Four poolside cabanas - actually modern translations of traditional Balinese 'bale' relaxation pavilions - appear to float upon the surface of the water. Each bale is fitted with a yielding mattress and sheltered from the sun by white roller blinds and a white Sunbrella canopy. Located in the centre, with two bales on either side, is a large bubbling, open-air Jacuzzi. Indeed, the theme of The Aqua is total relaxation, and everything has been designed around the comfort of the guests. Another restful seating area can be found at one end of the pool, where an external staircase leads to the sunny rooftop level.

Barbeque
A black terrazzo outdoor buffet table complete with barbeque grill, offers a facility for alfresco party dining.

Steam Room
The large walk-in steam room is located in one corner of the garden. Big enough to accommodate four people, it features a frosted glass door, bench seating, a non-slip white granite floor, and creamy-white Palimanan stone walls extending into a arched ceiling.

Party Room
Accessed from the garden via solid sliding wood doors, the soundproofed party room is ultra private, spacious, windowless and cool. The air-conditioned room is equipped with ceiling fans and a wall-mounted, 39-inch, LCD flat screen satellite TV, together with a DVD player and a quality sound system with surround sound speakers positioned on the ceiling. It is furnished with large upholstered sofas and corner units, a coffee table and built-in shelving. A black terrazzo and teakwood bar is positioned at one end, adjacent to a guest washroom. Mirrored detailing adorns the white walls, lights are recessed into the ceiling, and there is plenty of floor space for dancing. With no fear of disturbing the neighbours, this room presents a wonderful party facility and can comfortably accommodate 20-30 guests.

Kitchen
The modern and compact, fully-equipped kitchen is located out of sight at the rear of the property, yet close to the dining pavilion for ease of service. It contains all of the facilities that the staff require for the preparation of delicious meals, innovative buffets, and party snacks.

Bedrooms
Each of the four air-conditioned bedrooms is accessed by floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, and each is furnished with a queen-size bed and built-in bedside cabinets, funky lamps, white wardrobes and drawers. Two of the bedrooms are located on ground level and two are located on the rooftop level. Embracing fresh white walls, cool creamy-white terrazzo floors, soft grey and white furnishings, and an abundance of space and natural light, the urban chic decor is a study in progressive minimalism. Each bedroom is linked to its own spacious bathroom, fitted with a large terrazzo soaking tub, twin washbasins, and a glass frosted cubicle housing a toilet and an indoor rainshower. Additionally, three of the bedrooms incorporate an open-air, garden rainshower; each shower is centrally positioned between the bedroom and the bathroom and is accessed on either side by clear glass doors. Each bedroom is equipped with a safe deposit box, a Bose iPod sound dock, and ceiling fans in addition to the hidden air-conditioning units. There is a satellite TV connection in three of the bedrooms, and a TV can be provided upon request.

Rooftop terrace and sundeck
On the rooftop level, fringed by pink flowering bougainvillea, a large open-air terrace is fitted with a huge 2 x 4-metre daybed, which is sheltered by a pergola dripping in red passionflowers. An open-air walkway winds around this upper level, girded by a glass wall and backed in places by banded wooden screens, with daybeds located at various intervals. A sunny timber deck, with a shallow ornamental pond on three sides, presents a great place for sunbathing with the provision of four large sun-mattresses. In this peaceful, elevated spot, guests will feel on top of the world.

Location
Aqua is located in the very centre of what is now considered to be the Seminyak 'Prime District' - a safe, upmarket neighbourhood that is home to some of the classiest properties on the island. It is close to the well-known Oberoi and Legian Hotels, twenty minutes' drive from the airport, and convenient for all of Bali's main shops, shopping malls, tourist attractions and vibrant nightspots. The villa is just a few minutes walk from a wide choice of internationally acclaimed restaurants, including the famous Ku De Ta, La Lucciola, Living Room and Hu'u Bar. It is also within walking distance of a varied collection of chic designer boutiques, and just 300 metres from the sweeping Oberoi Beach, renowned for its world-class surf breaks, panoramic coastline views and legendary sunsets. Easily accessible sporting amenities include a choice of spectacular championship golf courses, tennis, horseback riding, dive schools, sailing cruises and much more.

Villa Aqua - Villa Rates
Validity:
Year-round

Villa Type

Villa Rates (USD)

B'Fast

Booking

Low

High

Peak

Promo

4 Bedroom Villa

600

750

950

N/A

Excluded

BOOK NOW

  1. Rates
    All rates are net/villa/night, inclusive of applicable government tax, service charge, refreshing welcome drinks upon arrival, and airport transfers. Rates do not include breakfast. Long term, last minute, and per-bedroom rates are available upon request.
  2. High & Peak Season Periods
    High season period: July 15 - 31, September 1 - 15 and April 14 - 21
    Peak season period: August 1 - 31 and December 20 - January 8
    Minimum stay: LOW season: 2 nights; HIGH season: 5 nights; PEAK season: 7 nights.

Downtown Bali Villas

Diposting oleh Greg TWK | 22.02 | 0 komentar »

Nine luxuriously appointed villas in the heart of Seminyak offer Bali's most exclusive accommodation for discerning guests.

Perfectly situated just 2 minutes walk from the heart of Bali's trendy & chic district of Seminyak, Downtown's nine luxury villas, crafted into 1, 2 and 3 bedroom configurations are stylishly equipped with contemporary art & imported designer furniture & homeware.

All villas include a 20m lap pool (private plunge pool for 1 bedroom villas), fully equipped kitchens, broadband internet access and more than 37 cable TV channels delivered via Sony flat screen technology.

Downtown's Ku de Ta-trained chefs, together with a full room service menu, give total flexibility to suit dining preferences.

For those seeking to keep fit whilst on holiday, Downtown's fitness centre comes equipped with a multi-gym, cardio workout equipment & more.

Downtown Villas - Bali's first and only luxurious modern contemporary villa resort.

breakfast
included each day, prepared in our pantry kitchen or optional in your villa

all day dining menu
a breakfast/lunch/dinner menu has been developed to suit the needs of our guests. an option of live cooking in the villas by our chef can be made available upon request.

minibar
a wide range of spirits, wines, beers, soft drinks & snacks are available in your villa

functions - weddings, cocktail parties, BBQ, special occasions and events are also catered for.

kudeta restaurant
15% off food & beverage applies for reservations made through downtown villas

Promo Family Holiday

[ package rate ]

  • usd 1500 ++

[ includes ]

  • 3 nights/4 days accommodation in private 2 bedroom villa (max. 2 adults and 3 children)
  • arrival and departure airport transfers
  • welcome drinks and cold towels upon check in
  • daily breakfast
  • Lembongan Island day cruise
  • private barbecue dinner
  • laundry service (excluding dry cleaning and express)
  • 15% discount at KudéTa restaurant [excludes breakfast & special events]
  • mineral water, coffee and tea
  • fresh seasonal fruits

[ facilities ]

  • air-conditioning
  • optional open/closed living plan
  • cable flat screen tv with dolby surround
  • dvd/vcd/cd system
  • room service menu
  • mini bar
  • fine wines, spirits & liquers
  • fully equipped kitchen
  • idd telephone
  • in room broadband internet access
  • 24 hours security
  • in room safe
  • in room spa & massage services
  • full range of tours/activites
  • baby sitting
  • private car /driver arrangement
  • private 20 meter lap pool
  • laundry
  • access to the fitness center

[ validity ]

  • until 5 January 2008

[ remarks ]

  • rates quoted exclude applicable tax and service charge
  • surcharge of usd 50 net per night per villa for high season
  • high seasons period : 1 jul - 30 sep and 20 dec - 05 jan
  • contact us for rates based on occupancy in a 3 bedroom villa

Promo Romantic Escape

[ package rate ]

  • usd 750++

[ includes ]

  • 3 night/4 day accommodation in private 1-bedroom villa
  • arrival and departure airport transfers
  • welcome drinks and cold towels upon check in
  • daily breakfast
  • laundry service (excluding dry cleaning and express)
  • 1 x 1-hour massage for two
  • 1 x candle light dinner for two
  • 1 x 1 bottle of champagne
  • 15% discount at KudéTa restaurant [excludes breakfast & special events]
  • mineral water, coffee and tea
  • fresh seasonal fruits

[ facilities ]

  • air-conditioned
  • optional open/closed living plan
  • cable flat screen tv
  • dvd/vcd/cd system
  • room service menu
  • mini bar
  • fine wines, spirits & liquers
  • fully equipped western kitchen
  • idd telephone
  • in room broadband internet access
  • 24 hours securtiy
  • in room safe
  • in room spa & massage services
  • full range of tours/activites
  • baby sitting
  • private car /driver arrangement
  • private plunge pool
  • laundry
  • access to the fitness center

[ validity ]

  • until 05 January 2008

[ remarks ]

  • rates quoted exclude applicable tax and service charge
  • surcharge usd 50 net per night for high and peak seasons
  • high /peak season period : 1 jul - 30 sep and 20 dec - 05 jan

downtown villas
jalan pura dalem 9d, seminyak, bali 80361, Indonesia
t. +62 361 73 6464 / f. +62 361 73 6424

e info@downtownbali.com

Villa Air Terjun

Diposting oleh Greg TWK | 23.37 | 0 komentar »

Introduction

Villa Air Terjun is a secluded and stylish retreat in the cool hills of central Bali, 20 km to the north of Ubud. The villa consists of nine buildings with traditional alang-alangBali. The villa can accommodate 8-10 people in four spacious and independent bungalows, each with an iron four-poster bed and a Balinese garden bathroom.

Members of our friendly and discreet staff are present at the villa and at our guests' service around the clock. The team includes a talented chef who prepares high quality Indonesian and international food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The villa is especially suited for families, for yoga and meditation groups, and for anyone looking for comfort and relaxation away from the heat and bustle of the more touristed areas of the islands.

The Facilities

(thatch) roofs, set in 3000m² of tropical gardens over a hillside with wonderful views stretching to the volcanoes of western Dining
Our chef prepares high quality Indonesian and international food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wine, beer, cocktails and soft drinks are served. Feel free to place your special requests with our chef in advance.

Swimming Pool and Hot Tub
The villa has a beautiful and private pool of 10 x 5 m, with two bale bengong (pavilions) and a grassed area for sunbathing. We also have a hot tub next to the pool.

Television and Games Room
Satellite television is available in our games room together with a DVD player and a games console, traditional board games and a library of DVDs, books and magazines.

Local Attractions
The attractions of Ubud are also 30 minutes from the villa by car, with a number of fine restaurants and spas between the villa and Ubud.
Villa Air Terjun is approximately one hour's drive from the beaches of Sanur, and the same time from the North and North East coast of the island.

Transport
We arrange transport to and from the airport. We can also provide a vehicle and driver at other times, at reasonable rates.

Internet and Telephone
We have a dial-up internet connection which guests may use. Broadband is available at internet cafes in Ubud. We also have a fixed line telephone. There is mobile phone coverage (GSM and GPRS) of variable quality.

Rates

VILLA TYPE

RATES

One bedroom villa

USD 150.00

All compund

USD 550.00


Note :

  • Surcharge for high season (July 1 - August 31 USD 25.00)
  • Surcharge for peak season (December 25 - January 5 USD 50.00)
  • July / August and Christmas / New Year should be booked well in advance to insure availability

You have to do these in Bali!

Diposting oleh Greg TWK | 10.38 | 0 komentar »

Art shopping in Ubud
You can enjoy the opportunity to browse in galleries, maybe visiting houses of prominent collectors sensationalcollections of Balinese paintings and then followed by visiting private homes and studios of famous balinese painters.

Tracking in Ubud
Just imagine find yourself walking in the middle of a beautiful forest, countryside or having a picnic by a tranquil river. It is really seeing Bali in a very different way.