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Paradise Regained

Bali. Its people call it “The Island of the Gods.” Visitors have christened it the “Dawn of the World.” Sitting only eight degrees below the equator, this tropical paradise has provided the stuff of legend and art for centuries. Its natural beauty and warmth of its people make it the place for a magnificent destination wedding or honeymoon.

Bali is one island among the almost 13,000 that make up the nation of Indonesia. Although Indonesia itself is a predominantly Muslim country, Bali has remained Hindu, a result of its past as a refuge for Javanese royalty and priests.

Today, Bali is seen again as a refuge—this time, for those weary of the never-ending stress of modern demands. While the cities of the island offer some of the best in luxurious resorts and modern dining, there is still a sense of sanctuary among the terraced hills and spectacular sunsets. You can hike up a volcano, trek through a rainforest, dive in spectacular coral reefs or simply relax at one of the many world-class resorts. Whatever you decide to do, Bali will embrace you.

Many of Bali’s tourist areas are concentrated in the south, at the traditional site of entry for visitors, where you will find many of the luxury hotels and fine dining. Here, the famous Kuta Beach draws tourists from all over the world. Even farther south is Bukit Peninsula, with Nusa Dua and Jimbaran home to a number of luxury resorts. However, the rest of the island is filled with amazing sights and attractions, so venture out and enjoy everything Bali has to offer.

If you’d like to leave your planning to the experts, Artisans of Leisure has several Bali options that show you the best of the island while leaving plenty of time for…well, leisure. Visit artisansofleisure.com for more information and itineraries. For your destination wedding, the venues that offer wedding packages have on-site coordinators who are familiar with local vendors and customs.

Kuta Beach

Once the site of a leper colony, the famous Kuta Beach is now a haven for surfers, sunbathers and anyone who loves the jumble of bars, cafes and street vendors. If Kuta is a little too loud for your taste, just a short distance north is Legian Beach, where the decibels drop a little and expatriates take over the restaurants and boutiques, and Seminyak, center for many of Bali’s furniture craftsmen.

The Oberoi Bali

A stunning cluster of 74 lanais and villas on 15 acres, The Oberoi captures Balinese serenity while offering world-class service to meet every need. High coral stones around each villa ensure privacy while some have their own pools and raised pavilions that would be exquisite settings for dining by candlelight. For ultimate privacy, reserve the Presidential villa.

Besides the global cuisine of its restaurant Kura Kura, the Oberoi offers The Amphitheatre, a theme buffet dinner and performance space where dancers perform several times a week.

The spa offers the renowned Oberoi hospitality, with trained therapists handpicked from the Spa Academy in Thailand, and open-air pavilions that look out over a golden carp-filled lily pond. 62.361.730361 | oberoihotels.com

Bukit Badang

At the southernmost tip of the island is the Bukit peninsula, a limestone table that sits 600 feet above sea level. The landscape on the peninsula, with cacti and grazing cattle, is quite a contrast to the tropical lushness of the rest of the island. Jimbaran Bay and Nusa Dua are the centers for luxury hotels.

Jimbaran Bay

Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa

With 12 restaurants and lounges, dining at the Ritz is as amazing as the hotel itself. With curved booths and ocean views, ultra-sleek DAVA focuses on cuisine based on local ingredients, such as ginger flower, taro and lobster. Its two air-conditioned private dining rooms and outdoor water terrace would make spectacular venues for a rehearsal dinner. Offering a Balinese buffet in a village market atmosphere, Langit Theatre pairs dishes with traditional dance performances. Relax before dinner on an opium bed at C-Bar or hit The Martini Club and enjoy (you guessed it) a martini, from the classic 007 to a Mumbai Tang with Bombay Sapphire and Cointreau.

Several beautiful venues are available for weddings. The most spectacular may be the Tresna Wedding Pavilion, a dramatically illuminated structure that majestically towers above the Indian Ocean. It features a see-through glass aisle with a flowing, stone-lined river underneath that leads to a magnificent glass altar. Fully air-conditioned with a private porte-cochère, the two-story pavilion also features an adjacent villa for cocktail and dinner celebrations. Or for a more traditional feel, the Bale Kencana is surrounded by volcanic stone walls and lush gardens. A lotus pond pavilion for the bride and groom and 180-degree ocean views complete this private nuptial paradise. 62.361.702222 | ritzcarlton.com

Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay

Nestled into the hillside on staggered terraces overlooking the bay, the Four Seasons offers 147 villas with separate pavilions for sleeping and living, all contained within a traditional courtyard.

Unique to the Four Seasons is the Balinese Purification package. Held at sunset, this ceremony is performed by a pemangku, or priest. After prayer, meditation and offerings of fruit and flowers, the pemangku ties a white string around the bride and groom’s wrists. This is the benang sidatu, and it is to be worn until it falls off.

For true romantic dining, arrange a Bali by Candlelight dinner to be served in your villa. Set menus that offer ceremonial Balinese dishes such as roasted duck and suckling pig are also available for in-villa dining. 62.361.701010 | fourseasons.com/jimbaranbay

Nusa Dua

Seen by some purists as being too isolated for visitors to truly experience Bali, Nusa Dua still offers some of the most splendid accommodations on the island. The parasailing is especially good here, as well as other water sports, and the views of distant mountains are spectacular.

The Conrad Bali Resort & Spa

The Conrad is located next to the popular Nusa Dua resort area, yet its nearly seven acres of secluded tropical gardens and lagoons with tumbling waterfalls will transport you into your own private world. The clean lines of contemporary Balinese architecture create a sense of tranquility throughout the 298 rooms and suites.

For your rehearsal dinner, book the private room at Spice, the elegant third-level restaurant with views of the Indian Ocean. With dishes ranging from tamarind-glazed duck breast to pancetta-wrapped kingfish, the menu deliciously spans the globe.

From the Beach Bale to the Water Garden where a gazebo sits afloat in a lotus pond, the Conrad has always offered beautiful locations for weddings. With its latest venue, Infinity, the resort now offers one of the most amazing sites on the island. Reflecting pools and a soaring 40-foot ceiling create a magnificent ambiance for your guests as they await your entrance, while the glass and marble walls represent two bodies becoming one. To complete the image, Infinity’s simple triangle shape reaches heavenward, the direction of love. 62.361.778 778 | conradhotels.com

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa

One of the most splendid hotels in the region, the 23 acres of the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel offer unsurpassed elegance and Balinese pageantry at its best. Rich fabrics and intricate detailing infuse all 381 rooms and suites. The large living room and bedroom of the Batur Suite are connected with a beautiful spiral staircase, while the Agung Suite gets its name from its magnificent view of sacred Gunung Agung.

The resort has seven restaurants, including its signature, Raja’s, and the Budaya Cultural Theatre where exquisite Balinese cultural performances are combined with a sumptuous buffet dinner.

Weddings at the hotel take place at a number of gorgeous venues, and the staff can provide everything from uniformed footmen with ceremonial parasols to a full gamelan orchestra. The Royal Wedding package includes a wedding night in the uber-luxurious Royal Residence. 62.361.771210 | nusaduahotel.com

Grand Hyatt Bali

Teak floors and high-speed internet, batik robes and 24-hour concierge service—the Grand Hyatt Bali combines the traditional and modern worlds with the sophistication that has become synonymous with the name.

The new Kriya spa draws its inspiration from an ancient water palace. Each of the 24 spa villas is set in a tranquil courtyard with a traditional bale, soaking tub and plunge pool. The spa treatments are based on indigenous healing methods to restore wellness in both mind and body. The Harmony body wrap incorporates papaya and aloe to help skin overexposed to the tropical sun, while the Energy therapy is a Baline odak ritual therapy of native clove, cinnamon, coconut and ginger.

The Salsa Bar atop Salsa Verde restaurant is a magical venue for a cocktail reception. Guests can gaze out at the neighboring islands or watch the costumed performers parade by on their way to Pasar Senggol, the Grand Hyatt’s night market. At The Watercourt Restaurant, which features Balinese specialty dishes, singing birds and splashing fountains add to the ambiance. 62.36.177 1234 | bali.grand.hyatt.com

Ubud and Environs

“Ubud” comes from the Balinese word for medicine and this upcountry town might be considered just that for those craving a diversity of Balinese experiences. Considered the arts and culture center of Bali, Ubud serves up both bustle and quiet. Art galleries and museums are clustered in Ubud as well as great restaurants and unique hotels. Ubud has also been among the first towns on the island to attempt to balance the demand for development with the needs of the environment.

The renowned Monkey Forest is located just a short distance from the center of town. Pay for a ticket at one of the entrances and venture in at your own risk—the macaques are well-versed in the art of stealing anything they think might be tasty.

Although there are many fine restaurants in Ubud, from Ary’s Warung to Bebek Bengil, Mozaic deserves special mention as the first restaurant in Southeast Asia to be recognized as a member of the “Les Grandes Tables Du Monde,” joining such famous restaurants as Lucas Carton and The French Laundry. Its ambiance and menu make it a wonderful choice for a rehearsal dinner or intimate reception.

Dining under the stars or in a traditional pavilion of marble and carved red brick, guests are treated to a cuisine of Indonesian flavors created with a modern aesthetic of cooking and presentation. Chef/Owner Chris Salans studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, then trained under some of the finest chefs in France and the United States. He headed up Thomas Keller’s Napa Valley bistro, Bouchon, before coming to Bali. He proceeded to develop his style while at the helm of the kitchen at Ary’s Warung.

After dinner, your guests can enjoy carefully selected Dominican and Cuban cigars, with such brands as Romeo y Julieta or Cohiba, once reserved for diplomats. For a special cigar-and-cognac experience, the Jineng, a traditional Balinese rice storage hut, has been remodeled to seat 10 people. mozaic-bali.com

Kupu Kupu Barong

High above the valley of the Ayung River, Kupu Kupu Barong is a breathtaking example of Balinese luxury. As “kupu kupu” means butterfly and “barong” is Balinese for giant, the name doesn’t disappoint. Butterflies fill the lush gardens as mist rises from the forest below.

The private villa suites offer the utmost privacy with a personal butler to cater to your wishes. The Ayung River Pool Villa embraces and incorporates the landscape with its rich textiles and sunken terrazzo bathtub. The Royal Suite is a split-level indulgence in a separate compound with a private swimming pool.

Soothe every sense with a visit to the Mango Tree Spa, a bamboo tree house built in the uppermost branches of a giant mango tree. A couple’s delight, the spa offers packages such as Sweet Sensation, a four-hour journey to bliss with a signature mango and brown sugar body polish, massage and citrus body wrap, followed by a chilled bottle of champagne while enjoying the view. 62.361.975 478 | kupubarong.com

Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas & Spa

Traditional Balinese materials are infused with easy elegance throughout the 15 individually designed villas of this sophisticated retreat. The rooms are named after flowers, while splendid touches include antique carved wooden pillars and doors inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Unique? Absolutely. But for something even more unusual, book one of the rooms in Treetops, where the entrance is through a white stone cave and the views take in the lush rainforest valley.

At the boutique spa, indulge in the Mountain Ritual for two. A thalasso foot bath is followed by a body scrub (try the chocolate with cocoa beans from Tabana) and a massage, all topped off with a bottle of champagne. 62.361.974 466 | ibahbali.com

The Temples of Bali

Temples form an integral part of the everyday landscape in Bali. Unlike many other island cultures, Balinese traditionally believe the ocean is the place of demons, while the gods reside in the mountains. The structure of the temple reflects this belief in the blessed nature of the raised ground with each courtyard built a little higher than the previous one.

A three-day celebration, called the odalan, marks the anniversary of the temple. Since the lunar calendar is used for keeping time, the anniversary comes around every 210 days. With an estimated 20,000 temples on the island, chances are pretty good you will run across an odalan during your visit.

Three of the most famous temples are Pura Besakih, Pura Tanah Lot, and Pura Ulun Danu Batur.

Pura Besakih is known as the Mother Temple for its location on sacred Gunung Agung, the highest peak in Bali. Actually made up of almost 24 temples, Pura Besakih is the state temple and the site of the month-long Bhatara Turun Kabeh (The Gods Descend All Together) ceremony, when people from all over the island come to pay homage to their deities. If you wish to hike Gunung Agung, check with your hotel concierge for a reliable guide. Hikes begin in the very early morning hours to allow you get to the summit before the sun becomes too intense.

Pura Tanah Lot in Tabanan is a spectacular sight, perched above the sea on an enormous rock. Completely surrounded by water at high tide, this much-photographed temple is dedicated to the guardian spirits of the sea. On the way back south, stop off at Canggu Beach, a quiet stretch of black sand usually overlooked by tourists.

Pura Ulun Danu Batur is the second-most significant temple, after Pura Besakih. One shrine of the old temple survived the 1926 eruption of Gunung Batur, and when the people moved to higher ground, they took this remnant with them as a seed for the new compound, yet to be completed. The goddess of the lake, Dewi Danu, is worshipped for her role in keeping the vital irrigation waters flowing.

Spice of Life

Explore the islands east of Bali in luxury aboard a phinisi, a traditional Indonesian sailing boat. The Silolona, built by hand by Konjo craftsmen, is available for custom itineraries throughout Indonesia and even up north to the west coast of Thailand and Myanmar. The luxurious amenities, crew of 17 and world-class Asian fusion cuisine are only the beginning of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Travel to Komodo where the fabled “dragons” dwell or venture even further east to visit the West Papuan tribes of New Guinea and the Moluccas, the legendary Spice Islands where cinnamon and nutmeg were once the currency. silolona.com

For Something Different

Forget Vesuvius. Forget Krakatoa. To visit the site of an event of global proportions, hire a private plane to fly to Mt. Tambora on the island of Sumbawa. In 1815, this still-active volcano experienced the biggest observed eruption in recorded history. The boom was reported 600 miles away, and the column of smoke and debris climbed to a height of more than 25 miles. The dust hurled into the atmosphere resulted in the famous 1816 “year without a summer.” Today the mountain rises nearly 10,000 feet, creating its own peninsula. Don’t worry—seismologists keep a constant eye on its internal activity.

Planes and helicopters will also carry you over all of Bali for a gull’s-eye view of the island. airbali.com

Depths of Love

Bali is one of the finest dive destinations in Indonesia. Its location just west of the Lombok Strait means strong currents and the chance to view some ocean dwellers rarely seen at dive sites. Steep drop-offs, coral ridges and volcanic outcrops provide a wealth of habitats, and residents such as hairy frogfish to pygmy seahorses will delight even the most seasoned diver.

If you and your beloved are true diving aficionados, one way to celebrate your passion for both each other and your hobby is to book a liveaboard cruise. Generally a week long, the itineraries are designed specifically to take divers to the best diving spots, some so remote they can be reached only by boat.

For detailed information on diving in Bali and luxury liveaboard adventures, visit divetheworldindonesia.com.

A Quick Look

’Tis the Season

Since Bali is so close to the equator, it comes as no surprise its climate is marked by tropical heat and rain. The dry season generally runs from June through September, with July usually being the coolest month. The rains last from December to March. Highs are around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but the humidity fluctuates from 65 to 90 percent, depending on the season. The mountains are, of course, cooler and can provide a nice respite from the lowlands.

Current Currency

In Bali the currency is the Indonesian rupiah, which can be divided into 100 sen. At the time of printing, the exchange rate was 9,025 rupiah to one U.S. dollar. Many stores and restaurants in the more heavily traveled areas take credit cards, but if you are going to shop at local stalls or go out into the more rural areas, it’s a good idea to have a little cash.

Keep in Mind - Nyepi Day

Because of their incredibly rich history, the Balinese celebrate holidays from most of the major religions as well as civil observances. The one important holiday to remember when making your travel plans is Nyepi, the Balinese new year, which will fall on March 7 in 2008.

Nyepi is a day set aside to remember and maintain the balance of nature. Three days prior, statues of gods are taken to the river for a ritual cleansing. On Tawur Kesanga, the day before Nyepi, each village holds an exorcism carnival and giant effigies of ogoh-ogoh, or evil spirits, parade through the streets. But on Nyepi, all streets are quiet. No traffic (except emergency vehicles) is allowed and everyone stays indoors. All ports of entry, including the airport, are closed. While hotel guests are exempt from staying indoors, you will be asked to remain on the grounds and keep noise to a minimum. You may want to check if your hotel has a government dispensation for keeping the lights on at night.

In many ways, Nyepi is a perfect holiday for newlyweds. After all, your honeymoon is supposed to be a time of reflection about your past and future. Nyepi emphasizes the importance of taking an entire day to do just that.

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