I never got around to posting more about our recent trip to Bali because of what happened with mum at that time. So excuse the delay but still wanted to share with you about our 4 days in Ubud as we had just the most beautiful relaxed time.
We stayed in hotels/resorts for most of the time but while we were in Ubud we wanted to experience villa life so we found this place, Pondok Langon, on AirBnb. To book this amazing family villa in Ubud on AirBNB or the smaller villa just follow the links. Let the owners Alex and Yoga that Fiona from Lilyfield Life sent you.
The owners are just lovely - Alex is Australian and her husband Yoga is Indonesian. They are environmental activists, and Yoga works in the NGO sector in sustainable forests and climate. They own a reclaimed wood business and their house and furniture is testament to this beautiful wood. The villa is very open but there are mosquito nets in the bedrooms which actually is quite romantic (and necessary!)
The downstairs is almost totally open except for a small intimate TV loom. The kids swam in the pool and lounged around, playing with Alex and Yoga's son and dogs. I loved sitting at the table, drinking coffee and chatting to the Balinese kitchen staff while they cooked for us. Yuli, the main housekeeper is just so lovely and took such good care of us.
Here is the review I left: Alex and Yoga's villas are truly incredible. A definite highlight of our trip to Bali. The house is so beautiful with its open living and the beautiful pool. We loved the beautiful views over the ricefields and being lulled to sleep by the sound of frogs. The staff are wonderful and so friendly. The breakfasts that are included in the price are delicious (esp the fruit and the tomato, basil and fetta frittata) and we asked the staff to cook us dinner several nights and it was cheap (around $5) and so delicious and healthy. Our kids loved it here also.
Do not hesitate in booking this place.
You will not be disappointed!
and check out the view - can you see why we were so relaxed?
This enormous platter was mounted on the kitchen wall - I just loved it and the way the walls were painted. Alex did tell me how the walls were prepared and painted - a traditional Balinese way but I didn't write it down and have now forgotten. I think it is so beautiful - probably similar to a limewash but using local materials.
Yuli and her team cook an amazing breakfast - this is all included in your stay. Lunch and dinner can be arranged for around $5 per person and are delicious. The girls also baby sat for us when we went out for Phil's 40th birthday dinner.
For Phil's birthday dinner we splurged and went to Mozaic. Mozaic is an incredible restaurant and dining experience and has won many awards - including "Top 50 restaurants of the world" and ranked by Traditions & Qualité as one of Les Grandes Tables du Monde (Great Tables of the World). We had the degustation menu called the Discovery Tour paired with Premium wines and I have never had a better meal. Totally worth the money.
And if you need a driver while you are in Bali (which you probably will if you travel at all because driving yourself really isn't an option!) please contact Ketut. We used him for the whole 4 days in and around Ubud and between Ubud and Legian. He is such a lovely man, has great driving skills, great local knowledge and speaks so many languages. His car is very spacious, modern and comfortable also. You can contact Ketut Arta on +62 812 3616274 . Please tell him you found him via me and Phil and say hi to him from us.
A must do in Bali is a cooking course. I've lost the details of the one we did but to be honest they are all pretty much the same menu and cost. Ours included a market tour to buy ingredients and we loved this except for the meat area which was (almost) enough to turn me into a vegetarian.
Bali was a very different sort of holiday for us. We are normally trekkers/backpacker/adventurers. This was the first resort holiday I've been on (since Club Med when I was 20) and it was a great place for a short relaxing time.
Have you been to Bali? What was the best part?
Oh my! That wss simply beautiful. Someday...
ReplyDeleteWow Fiona! what a beautiful place. those rice fields are so green! I just love how your photography always captures the scene so beautifully. your market shots are beautiful also. I'm glad you were able to have a break at that stressful time.
ReplyDeletetake care
Janie xx
thanks Janie =- I was so sad to leave those rice fields behind. the view was sublime.
Deletethanks for commenting
Fiona xx
Beautiful shots Fiona and that villa, wow! Such a reasonable price but then I suppose it is pricey by Bali standards.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Bali, twice. Way back in the dark ages though, lol, in 1995 and 1999. First time was as part of a couple and 2nd time as a couple with my best mate and her partner. My mate and I just wished we were there with other boys, lol! We stayed in Kuta both times (Bounty Hotel and Adi Dharma Hotel) and I loved it, but I was only 24 the first time I went, so what I'd love now would be completely different! My funniest memory from Bali is on the second trip, at that stage I was totally into wearing Skechers with the big chunky soles on them, and took a short cut off a ramp in the resort and landed on something slimy. Turns out I had landed right on top of a poor wee green frog, oops! My worst was getting very very ill on the first night of my second trip there, the quantity of duty free Malibu consumed didn't help I might add, but I thought I was going to die. Best part, the wonderful friendly people, we had a great driver too, think his name was Wayan or Made but lots of boys in Bali are called that depending on their birth order in the family I believe. Best meal was a sunset dinne on the beach at Jimbaran Bay...have to say though why it was so good was that we received a fax (yes I told you it was the dark ages!) from Westpac where my mate and I worked, and also where Geoff worked, and him and I had just started getting a bit friendly. To see his message on that fax was very special and oh my goodness how I wished he was there with me! When I got back to NZ, the first thing I did was sort out the boyfriend issue, and the rest is history :)
Thanks for reminding me of this little stroll down memory lane :)
xx Karen
really beautiful photography Fiona! and that villa is divine. I want to go!!
ReplyDeletethanks for this gorgeous break from everyday life- I'm so restless now.
ML xx
thanks ML, much appreciated. go book some tickets somewhere!
DeleteOh the colours in your photos!.. and that villa! What a wonderful experience to have. I have never been to Bali. I lived in Vanuatu for a few years when my big son was little though. An Aussie expat amongst the French. The locals were beautiful people too.... although the food was not much chop. A-M xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Amazing colours in your gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteSo beautiful, love the color of the water.
ReplyDeletethanks Judy -it's spectacular isnt it. I just loved having the pool so close to the house to jump in whenever we felt like it
Deletethanks for stopping by
Fiona
Hi Fiona looks a beautiful spot.So glad you had a great time there.love dee
ReplyDeleteI recently went to Bali for the first time too and loved it! Where you stayed here looks like a thorough balinese experience. The photos are so beautiful and vibrant! The favourite part of our trip was stayind at The Safari Park. I'd highly recommend it!
ReplyDeletex kl
hi KL I havent heard of the safari park, we also stayed at Legian and Tandung benoa - both were great as well but much more touristy than this place.
Deletethanks for stopping by!
Fiona
I've never been to Bali but now I want to go and stay at that villa. I love your photos - so colorful.
ReplyDeletelove Susannah
Thanks Susannah - it was a great trip. I'll have to share some more of it later.
DeleteI too have stayed with Alex and Yoga and the boys and the sound of the frogs is memorable. The changing colours and activity in the rice field always makes it interesting. It is a privilege to share the home with such wonderful people.
ReplyDeletehi Cathy - that is such a small world (for some reason your comment went to the Spam folder of my blog and i've only just seen it now, sorry). I just loved Alex and Yoga's place and you're tight, it was an absolute privilege.
Deletecheers Fiona
Wow you have good luck that you have seen that beautiful villa from near, when this looking so muck gorgeous in images then we can think how much beautiful in Real!, thanks i will like to visit here if i got a chance to see this amazing villa......Very nice information i love your all the blog post...Great share mam!
ReplyDeleteWow..I'm lucky who find this awesome post at here..This is really so nice or also you represent this in this sufficient manner,Thanks to you for the sharing of this king of post..!!
ReplyDelete