Bali, Ubud life

We recently had two shows on Indonesia: Bali and Central Java.

While in Ubud I went to a wedding.  What a sight! Look at the beautiful bride! The people were so welcoming, they never wanted me to leave. I spent hours sipping coffee and admiring the whole setting. The offerings, the fruits, the flowers, the incense and the Gander ensemble playing in the background.

I mentioned the Amandari as a place to stay. I cannot believe the place is turning 20 years old this year. The Australian architect that designed it got it so right that this year, after a refurbishment, nothing much has changed.  The villas are essentially the same. You really are staying in a village, are surrounded by rice paddys and have access to the Ayung River gorge down below. The Aman people are so sensitive to local customs that they have even chopped off part of a covered pathways to accommodate the village women who daily pass through the property on their way to place offerings at a nearby tiny Hindu shrine. It is their belief that nothing should stand in between the offerings they carry on their heads and the gods above, hence they cannot pass under any bridges or roofs.

Have you notice that all Bali temple gates have no overhead arch? That is the reason why… So the Amandari chops off the roof and instead offers their guests plenty of beautiful umbrellas to bridge the gap in a downpour. I just love that!

For more info see: www.amanresorts.com