WeekendinFEATURE
WeekendinFEATURE
HOLIDAY
Overlooking the vibrant view of flora
An abandoned boat by the beach
Beautiful flowers
The lounge is where I get to enjoy my breakfast,
but the hotel must cater to 648 rooms. The garden café, the salsa bar and the Salsa Verde restaurants also cater breakfast, but my personal
favourite is the breaking of the night’s fast at the
water-court, located in the hotel’s west wing.
My love of history and ancient artefacts come
together in this serene setting – there are truly
no words to describe its beauty or the attention
given to its temple-like structure. This is the perfect place to enjoy high tea or a romantic candle-lit dinner – hopefully the hotel will consider
these in the future.
mous is suckling pig and pork belly. Traditional
dancers, drummers and singers add to the atmosphere and experience of eating dinner here
by acting out the Kecak (fire)Dance, depicting
the Ramayana battle.
The hotel’s four food outlets, under the guidance of Executive chef Marc Hagan, provide a
variety of menus including: Japanese, Italian
and a traditional Balinese buffet, where dining
is a theatrical affair.
The Kriya Spa provides a level of relaxation that
most hardened (and hard-earning) city dwellers crave. The challenge in a world where spa
experiences can drift towards the ordinary, is
to provide something exemplary in a flooded
market. The Krya certainly redefines the spa experience uniquely combining ancient Balinese
and Indian healing traditions – the best of both
ancient and modern techniques.
Conceptualised by one of Japan’s most cuttingedge designers, Super Potato, the Kriya continues the water-palace theme with cascading terraced waterfalls and traditional Balinese
Pasar Senggol is located in the centre of the hotel’s shopping village. This is the primary dinner
buffet venue and the resort’s evening activity
area which includes a handicraft exhibition and
market. Permanent food stalls with specialised
kitchens prepare and offer Indonesian and Balinese speciality dishes of which the most faWeekendin 58
Breathtaking view of the pool
Perfect tranquil surroundings for utmost relaxation
If, however, your aim is to rest and relax, this resort can help you to do so in a variety of ways.
For many, lounging next to the pool and sleeping behind a pair of sunglasses fits the bill. For
others, leisurely walks along the shores of the
Indian Ocean, beachcombing or spotting crabs
will lift their spirits.
Frolicking among the waves
materials, innovatively used in an aesthetic that
exudes harmony. Specially designed packages
and a-la-carte choices personalise and add to
one’s experience – I left the spa feeling relaxed
and restored with all my expectations met and
exceeded - and all my doubts diffused.
I have 2 sons and for those with families, this hotel can rightfully claim to be a one-stop holiday.
There are 5 swimming pools, each unique in its
design and target audience. The largest of the
5, snakes under bridges, past caves and culminates in a lagoon-like pool that separates the
beach from the Italian Salsa Verde Restaurant.
Countless adventures and imaginings can be
satisfied in these waters, the highlight being a
high-speed water slide down which cute, crazy kids can be seen speeding and catapulting
themselves into the waters below – and don’t
discount the older goats: many a tsunami is
made by dads displacing the water on rubber
tubes!
Other activities include: squash, volleyball, kickboxing, cycling, pilates, scuba-diving, surfing
and water-sports, tennis, beach soccer, yoga
and aerobics. I was also pleasantly surprised to
discover that cocktail classes, table decorating,
Off the beaten path
Romantic sunsets to behold
A haven for surfers
hotel tours, garden tours and a talk on the food
of Bali, are included on the activity list. There is
also an impressive gymnasium complete with
a lap pool for those who stoically refuse to let
their bodies reflect their holiday.
vice and pristine beach provide an experience
that will linger for months to come – listen to
the song of the sea, savour the delicacies of fine
cuisine and linger in the moment – something
that city folk never do these days.
Like the Philippines, the Island of Bali is famous
for its kites and also its kite-flying festivals. Return to childhood and either hire or make a kite
and watch it gracefully ascend the skies – the
Camp Nusa’s indulgent staff organise this and
a variety of activities throughout the week for
the young folk to enjoy. Baby-sitters can also be
hired should mom and dad want a night off.
One for the weather
Our first week in Bali draws to a close and we
prepare to continue our island adventure els