Pampered on the island of the gods
August 26, 2001 | 12:00am
Once in a while, we are blessed with moments of real grace. For a moment, I thought I was in a perfect state of nirvana here at the glorious Ritz-Carlton Spa and Resort in Bali, Indonesia. The resort has been cited by the Travel and Leisure Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler – the latter bestowing upon the property the 2001 Readers Choice award for "Best 100 Percent Top Service."
Built on a 70-hectare property overlooking the Indian Ocean, the Ritz-Carlton Bali is an architectural marvel comprised of 48 ocean-view villas and a 335-room resort hotel. The resort follows the basic architectural principle that no building is to be higher than the island’s coconut palms.
Located on picturesque Jimbaran Bay in Southwest Bali, it is only a 15-minute drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. To get here, my traveling companion, Atty. Arlene Mendoza, and I experienced a most comfortable and pleasurable flight on Singapore Airlines from Manila. We had a brief stop in Singapore, where we did some duty-free shopping. We hardly felt the flying time because we enjoyed the in-flight movies, music and sumptuous cuisine on board. Then it was just two hours to Denpasar Bali.
We drove up the scenic limestone mountains and saw the enchanting marble landmark of the Ritz Carlton – complemented by cascading water under a full moon – which imbued a certain tranquility that permeated the soul. Upon entering the magnificent facade, one notices the Balinese architecture with traces of Chinese design that emanated a very positive aura. We later learned that the very location of the hotel is significant as it symbolizes harmony between heaven, earth and man. Its location on a bluff exemplifies yang, balanced by the ocean below, the yin.
No wonder Bali has acquired the sobriquet "island of the gods." It is truly a place where ancient culture meets modern sensibilities. Our ocean villa epitomized the marvels of an exotic island paradise and elegance of Ritz-Carlton accommodations. Our two-bedroom villa allowed us to experience enchanting Balinese culture while enjoying views of the ocean, lush tropical gardens with indigenous flora and fauna, private indoor plunge pools and open-air showers.
We were welcomed by charming Belgian GM Marc Dardenne together with PR manager Keke Hidayat. Marc, who had previously worked in Manila, was pleased that we were visiting. Over a sumptuous lunch of nasi goreng (Indonesian rice topped with fried egg served with satay sticks of beef and chicken) and rijsttafel, we listened to the activities that we would embark on in this invigorating sojourn.
It was awesome to step into old Indonesia at the Spa threshold. The reception area is the foyer of an 1800s Javanese teak wood home, believed to have belonged to the royal family of Demak. It had been carefully reconstructed. The ceiling is a nine-layered tumpangsari symbolizing Javanese royalty. The woodwork is embellished with traditional carving and the original chandelier has been preserved.
We chose from the menu of therapies designed to bring physical and spiritual health to island visitors. The body and beauty treatments are based on Balinese and Javanese cultural concepts of well-being. My masseuse Sandy explained the treatment of my choice – the Javanese Lulur. As I lay face down on a white linen bed (with an opening for the head), a bowl of brightly-colored flowers met my sight. Scents of citrus-blended oils filled the air soon after the aromatherapy burner was lit. Lulur began with a Balinese massage followed by exfoliation with powdered tumeric, fine rice grains, almonds and spices. Fresh yogurt was applied lavishly before I relaxed in a soothing flower bath of red rose petals, ilang-ilang herbal bath salts and vanilla milk. Truly, it was a balm for the senses.
A refreshing facial using only natural ingredients is an easy and effective beauty ritual which can be done even in your own home. First, Sandy prepared the ingredients by mixing fresh yogurt with uncooked oatmeal, fresh yogurt with corn kernels, egg white with fresh honey, fresh orange slices, and fresh cucumber slices which had been chilled. Each mixture was then applied gently on my face for a minute. Using a cold face towel, the mixture was removed and a subsequent mixture applied. After this, we were served refreshing ginger tea and native rice cakes. Generous servings were poured from a pitcher of ice-cold water with slices of cucumber and lemon wedges to drink. What an exhilarating experience, Arlene and I agreed when we stepped out of our private spa villas.
Other activities at the Ritz Carlton include the "cultural pathfinder" which provides a multitude of eye-opening experiences. You may accompany the pathfinder to a local village temple or Balinese family compound to discover traditional culture and beliefs.
One may opt to take a bicycle ride through the Bukit Jimbaran, the southern plateau that was once the hunting grounds of Balinese kings. We chose to cycle straight to the southern Peninsula’s clifftop Uluwatu, one of Bali’s most revered temples. It was where we watched the multi-colored fishing boats unload the largest catch at nearby Kedonganan beach, followed by a lively fish auction. Our guide then led us through a traditional produce market where we bargained and chose from hundreds of exotic ingredients and spices, decorative baskets and home remedies known as jamu.
If so inclined, the guest can indulge in 18 holes of putting, visit a secluded surfer’s beach for snorkeling, fishing, shelling on pristine shorelines. And there’s much more.
Bali will continue to beckon. The exotic culture and natural beauty which unites in serene harmony has created a longing to keep returning to this sanctuary of the gods. Here, our hearts and souls were recharged. We found peace. We found ourselves. We may have left Bali behind for now, but those moments of real grace are with us wherever we go.
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