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Spa Holiday in Bali
We find almost every resort, no matter
how many stars it may have, has its own spa. Before you book a spa
holiday in Bali, check here to see what spa facilities they have to
offer as a spa destination or a spa holiday resort, and what other
spa holiday alternatives there are in the immediate area.
The Spas of Bali offer many different massages (Balinese,
Indonesian, Thai, Swedish, Shiatsu from Japan and Lomi-Lomi from
Hawaii), body wraps, polishes and scrubs including the Royal
Javanese Lulur and the Balinese Boreh, Chinese Reflexology and many
Ayurvedic styles of treatment. Advanced spas offer Colon
Hydrotherapy and personal treatments such as Vaginal Smoking. In the
Ubud area some spas offer Craniosacral Therapy and other Healing
treatments which you may try during your spa holiday.
Double rooms are often provided for couples who wish to share the
experience and the Four Hand Massage is very popular in Bali (two
therapists, male or female, perform a full body massage in perfect
synchronisation).
Extra Services are sometimes available in the smaller spas and
Kerobokan boasts Bali's first Gay Friendly spa (M Spa), although
others also now exist, mainly in the Kerobokan, JImbaran and Ubud
areas.
Bali is so picturesque that you could
be fooled into thinking it was a painted backdrop: rice paddies trip
down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soar through the clouds,
the forests are lush and tropical, and the beaches are lapped by the
warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
We simply saw Bali as a place for a great spa holiday. Bali is tasty
and plentiful, Bali's temples, ceremonies, beaches, mountains and
passion for life are undiminished and more easily enjoyed than ever.
Denpasar
The capital of Bali has been the focus of much of the growth and
wealth on the island over the last few decades, and though the
traffic, noise and pollution make it a difficult city to relish,
Denpasar still retains pleasant, tree-lined streets and gardens and
is very much part of the 'real' Bali.
Gunung Batur
The volcanic cone of Gunung Batur and the lake that fills half of
the surrounding caldera form one of Bali's most spectacular
landscapes. Climbing Batur (1717m/5631ft) to see the sunrise is a
magnificent experience, but be prepared for damp, cold and cloudy
conditions and some aggressive souvenir sellers.
Kuta Bay
The two beach sites of Kuta and Legian have been a major travel
drawcard for more than 25 years, offering cheap accommodation,
Western food, great shopping, surf, sunsets and riotous nightlife.
Bali Orchid Garden Flower Power Garden
Given Bali's weather and volcanic soil, no one should be surprised
that orchids grow very well. At this garden you can see thousands of
them in a variety of settings. Fans will love everything, others
will enjoy the back areas which have a wild tropical feel. The gift
shop sells orchid plants as well as books about the flowers.
Gunung Kawi Ancient Shrines
In the bottom of this lush green valley is one of Bali's oldest and
largest ancient monuments. Gunung Kawi consists of 10 rock-cut candi
(shrines): memorials cut out of the rock face in imitation of actual
statues. They stand in 7m/23ft-high sheltered niches cut into the
sheer cliff face. A solitary candi (memorial) stands about a
kilometre further down the valley to the south; this is reached by a
trek through the rice paddies on the western side of the river. Each
candi is believed to be a memorial to a member of the 11th-century
Balinese royalty, but little is known for certain. Legends relate
that the whole group of memorials was carved out of the rock face in
one hard-working night by the mighty fingernails of Kebo Iwa. One
theory is that the whole complex is dedicated to Anak Wungsu, his
wives, concubines and, in the case of the remote 10th candi, to a
royal minister.
Museum Le Mayeur Expat Art Gallery
The Belgian artist Adrien Jean Le Mayeur de Merpes (1880-1958)
arrived in Bali in 1932. Three years later he met and married the
beautiful Legong dancer Ni Polok when she was 15. They lived in this
compound from 1935 when Sanur was still a quiet fishing village. The
house is an interesting example of Balinese-style architecture.
Almost 90 Le Mayeur paintings are displayed inside the museum, with
information in Indonesian and English. A free guidebook in English
is available and is filled with useful information and beautiful
colour photos. Some of Le Mayer's early works are interesting,
Impressionist-style paintings from his travels in Africa, India,
Italy, France and the South Pacific. Paintings from his early period
on Bali are romantic depictions of Balinese daily life and beautiful
Balinese women - often Ni Polok. The more recent works, from the
1950s, are in much better condition and show less signs of wear and
tear, with the vibrant colours that later became popular with young
Balinese artists. There are also beautiful black-and-white photos of
Ni Polok.
Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30am-3:30pm, Fri 7:30am-1:00pm. 80228
Tel: 0361 286 201 (info)
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
This cool and dense swathe of jungle, officially called Mandala
Wisata Wanara Wana, houses three holy temples. The sanctuary is
inhabited by a band of grey-haired and greedy long-tailed Balinese
macaques who are nothing like the innocent-looking doe-eyed monkeys
on the brochures. They are ever vigilant for passing tourists who
just might have peanuts and ripe bananas available for a quick
handout. They can put on ferocious displays of temperament if you
fail to come through with the goods and have been known to bite if
provoked. Don't hand food directly to these creatures.
The interesting Pura Dalem Agung (Temple of the Dead) is in the
forest, for this is the inauspicious kelod side of town. Look for
the Rangda figures devouring children at the entrance to the inner
temple. You can enter through one of the three gates: at the
southern end of Monkey Forest Rd; further east, near the car park;
or from the southern side, on the lane from Nyuhkuning.
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