This was a much anticipated day. A few friends have told us what kind of value the US dollar can buy in Bali. After much research online, we found our destination: Ayana Resort and Spa on Jimbaran's southern Bali beaches. Recently renamed from the Ritz Carlton Bali, this hotel has an eye-popping website and accolades from Conde Nast as "Best Resort in Asia." After a week of mostly modest accommodations in some very local settings, it was time for a splurge.
After a 30 minute cab ride, we reached the front gates. The cab driver knew the routine, but we were surprised. Multiple security guards converged on the cab, doors opened, and the trunk popped. A bomb-sniffing golden retriever made his way around the car, earning his reward for a job well done. OK--this is definitely the first time I've been sniffed for weapons of mass destruction before entering a hotel property. The Bali Bombings in 2002 & 2005 have been successful mainly in being destructive to the local economy of the island. The locals speak of the bombings like we do 9/11. It has been devastating to some of their livelihoods. So the bomb dogs actually are a very smart move by the hotel. We proceeded onward, and it became clear very quickly that this place is the real deal. The grounds were immaculate. Flowers everywhere. Basically, we've seen nothing like it in Bali. It was like going from a 3rd World country, all of a sudden into the poshest resort you've seen on Maui. But far bigger. The place is enormous, touted at 200 acres. I think we had "perma-smiles" on our faces for about the next hour.
Exiting the cab, a man dressed in historic Balinese garb banged a giant gong three times. Loved the gong... A strikingly dressed Balinese girl offered plumeria leis and offered the obligatory passion fruit juice we receive upon check-in everywhere. Maybe it's the surroundings, but Terri and I both agree it's the best we've had yet.
At check-in, those sweet words were uttered by a hotel staff member: "Mr. Carlson, you've been upgraded to the Deluxe Ocean View Room." Well, this trip just got a helluva lot better... Smiles remain intact.
It wasn't long before we were at the pool, rubbing in sunblock, soaking in the 90 degree heat, and peering at the Indian Ocean off the largest infinity pool we've ever seen. At the risk of going on and on, I'll stop there. After 7 furious days of travel around the island, it was just nice to absorb Bali this way as well.
We also stopped in to Kuta, the local touristy beach area. Described as the "Waikiki of Bali," we both found it to be much worse. Although I certainly don't fault their topless sunbathing policy, there honestly wasn't much to this area other than shop-after-shop, and vendor-after-vendor. People solicited us for everything from massages to kites to beach chairs, nonstop. It's honestly the armpit of Bali, and we can say we've been, and not going back. It was good for two things, however:
1. A beer and snack run. We literally brought a box of beer/water/snacks back to the hotel. I'm sure the hotel loved that.
2. The International McDonald's Taste-Test: I have an ongoing debate with my buddy Rob. He states all McDonald's are 100% the same in product. I contend that not only can the product be different, but sometimes it's prepped differently. I have clear anecdotal documentation that Tokyo and Buenos Aires were different, but Bali proved to be mostly in Rob's corner. A cheeseburger and fries tasted identical. However, the bun was unlike anything I've seen at McDonald's before. That said, I should note I've had a self-imposed ban on McDee's since Dec. 2008. I've not had a single burger/fry from them in 1.5 years. While Wendy's has clearly benefitted from this policy, I still won't be going back. Regardless... Damn, that is a TASTY burger!
Dinner was an experiece worth sharing, though. Ayana is proud of their new Rock Bar, as well they should. They've managed to build a glass encased bar onto the lower part of a cliff, just a few feet above the rocks and crashing surf of the Indian Ocean. Accessing the bar can only be done via the "Inclinator," a cable-car that goes up/down the cliff's face. It's like a hybrid of an open-air elevator and a roller-coaster. Being the "Type A Travel Planner" I am, I knew from my research that you have to get to the Rock Bar BEFORE it opens to get one of a few choice tables. So despite Terri's griping that I'm insane to stand in line before a resort bar opens, we made it just in time. There was a line of 8 people before us, 15 minutes before the bar opened. We got the last "good" table, with a clear and unobstructed view of the ocean. I had the Shandy (50/50 Bintang Beer and Sprite), which I will definitely be drinking on the golf course this summer... Terri had her little fu-fu drinks. Dinner was lobster spring rolls, rock shrimp cocktail with Balinese sambal sauce, and lemongrass chicken-stuffed potato skins. Awesome. As was the sunset, which fell perfectly over the rocks as all the fishing boats made their way out to sea. Photos look to be great, and this day couldn't have gone any better.
If I've made you sick by asking you to read this, I'm sorry. But it was a great day. Hope yours is too. :)
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