Four Nights in Bali: A Short but Sweet Escape

I recently spent four nights in Bali, and despite initial doubts about the travel time and brief length of my trip, it was worth it. Next time, though, I will definitely stay longer!

Arriving at the W Bali - Seminyak was a breath of fresh air. The large, airy lobby with a gentle breeze and a refreshing welcome drink set the tone for relaxation. The hotel is in the heart of vibrant Seminyak, surrounded by bustling restaurants and nightlife. The smiling receptionist informed us about the 24-hour spa and gym, which sounded enticing, but all I could think about was getting to bed – if only I were 20 years younger!

A good night’s sleep was followed by a hearty breakfast, complete with Kombucha shots. A morning walk around the hotel grounds revealed more of its charms. The quirky touches of coloured lighting and modern art added a unique flair, all set along a beautiful stretch of beach.

This afternoon we were taken to the Jumeirah Bali Hotel, our home for the next 3 nights. On arrival, we were greeted by the smiling receptionist in the cool, tranquil lobby, with gentle sitar music being played before being transferred by buggy to the Segran Dining Terrace for lunch. After lunch, we were taken to our villas, where we could relax before sunset yoga. My first impression of the villa was, "Wow!" It was beautiful, serene, and sympathetically decorated to keep with the essence of Bali. Even the door was in traditional Balinese village style. It was hard to leave the pool and meet for the sunset yoga class, but I managed to pull myself away and I am glad I did. A gentle, relaxing yoga session relieved the tension from the flight and I felt good. That evening we were treated to dinner at the Akasa Restaurant, a Mediterranean-Asian fusion that was fantastic. The tuna was superb. After cocktails at the bar overlooking the Indian Ocean, we retired to bed.

After a blissful night's sleep, in the largest bed I have ever slept in, and a delightful breakfast, I enjoyed a relaxing morning by the pool, dozing on the deep cushioned sunbed, overlooking the ocean. It was hard to tear myself away for the Half Day Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Dance Tour.

Travelling to the southernmost tip of Bali to visit the famous Uluwatu Temple, one of seven sea temples that are said to form a ‘chain’ around the island, left me in no doubt that it is one of the region’s most venerable places of worship. Perched approximately 70 metres above sea level on top of a cliff, the temple has one of the most dramatic locations on the island and is the perfect vantage point to watch the crashing waves and sunset. However, you have to take care as the macaque monkeys are excellent thieves, stealing glasses, phones, and anything else which takes their fancy! The highlight of this excursion was watching the Kecak dance, where a hundred male performers chant and sway to hypnotic music, and dancers tell an ancient story of the battle between King Rahwana and the monkey god Hanuman.

The following day we had an early start and embarked on a traditional Bali and Natural Wonders Tour, a scenic tour where we interacted with local Balinese people, visited a traditional farming village and compound and strolled through a local farm learning about rice growing, from planting to harvesting and cooking, before enjoying lunch in the middle of a rice field.

Afterwards, we visited the town of Bangali with its attractive courtyard guarded by a mythical dragon, and the Temple of Pura Kehan, an 11th-century temple complex, considered to be the most beautiful on the island, before proceeding to Penglipuran, a Bali Aga village where time-honoured traditions are still very important. Our last stop of the day was to view the active volcano Mount Batur before returning to the hotel for dinner.

After another sumptuous night's sleep followed by another morning relaxing by the pool, no stay in Bali would be complete without sampling a Balinese massage, which was so relaxing for the mind, body, and soul—a truly enriching experience.

I loved my stay in Bali as, although it was short, I felt that I had experienced what this paradise has to offer.