Arriving to Bali the day before meeting the Orion was an introduction to a culture, people and scenery both unique and quite beautiful. Choosing not to stay in the city of Denpasar, we made our way to the outskirts to Ubud, an area known for arts and crafts primarily in the area of wood carvings, magnificent clothes, artist studios and traditional Balinese dances. The drive is a bit over an hour if you don’t stop to visit a Batik factory tour where local women painstakingly create masterpiece collections or the shop where silver jewelry is handcrafted based on a method passed down through generations. But, of course, we had to stop.
I am traveling with a long time friend, Linda Weiss, who is an excellent traveling companion that researches for weeks any destination we plan to go. After several purchases that lightened our wallets, we were on our way again to our home for the evening. We stayed at the most awe-inspiring resort I have ever seen; Kupu Kupu Barong Resort and Spa. The grounds were like walking through manicured gardens filled with Frangipani, most commonly called Plumeria trees in Hawaii with flowering plants lining the pathways. The resort terraces a hillside above the Ayung river that can be heard from your veranda along with numerous birds filling the air. Each villa stands separately amongst the lush scenery offering privacy in a paradise all alone. And, just as beautiful are the local Balinese staff that give a new definition to warmth. Always a smile “good morning” with a genuine offer to make your stay a treasured memory. The accommodations are very roomy and luxurious with the finest quality products utilizing local woods, highly polished to gleam in the light.
While the cost for the accommodations are at the higher end of the spectrum, the services and food are extremely reasonable. For example, after a long, tiring trip from the US, we decided to have dinner on the terrace in between soaking in the private jacuzzi. An excellently prepared meal with the freshest vegetables and quality meats cost us only $42. At hotels in the states a room service dinner like this would easily have cost double or more. The room also includes a full American breakfast that will leave any appetite filled to the brim. It was a location filled with so much beauty it was overwhelming to take all of it in with the wish to imprint what you’ve seen in your memory forever.
Next report, arriving to meet the spectacular Orion in Benoa Harbor and begin our adventure to the “Forgotten Islands” of Indonesia.
Tags: bali, cruise, denpasar, kupu kupu barong resort, orion expedition, SDNN, Travel
