1. april|may|2016
SUITE RETREATS
four divine bedroom designs

3. Finding Balance in Bali
Island of
the Gods
Ancient temples, lush forests, and tranquil beaches are just a few of the
awe-inspiring landscapes on the soulful island of Bali. FROM LEFT: Fruit
stalls; a hut on the beach; and a resident of the village of Ubud.

4. 46 home by design|april|may|2016
Visitors to Bali come for the white sand beaches, epic surfing, ancient temples, local crafts, active
volcanoes, and lush jungles. You’ll find all of this and more, likely departing this idyllic Indonesian island
with a profound sense of spirituality brought on by a combination of the vibrant local culture and innately
soulful scenery. At only 2,232 square miles, it’s fairly easy to visit all the habitable regions of this island
oasis in one visit, taking in the important sites and still giving yourself time for spiritual rejuvenation.
Simply choose your home base, and begin to find your balance in Bali.
Written by Kim A Fuqua
SEMINYAK, KUTA, AND LEGIAN
The southwestern stretch of Bali includes
sophisticated Seminyak, wild Kuta, and luxu-
rious Legian.A great home base for exploring
the island, this area boasts diverse shopping,
world-class dining, authentic warungs (food
stalls), beach bars, and day spas.
Make a day or two of haggling for local
goods and people watching on Kuta Beach and
shopping and eating on Jalan Laksmana,
also known as Eat Street. Sunset cocktails
at Potato Head Beach Club are a must, as
are the conga lines and coconut cocktails at
Motel Mexicola.Mozaic is the spot for elegant
Balinese fusion food, with an inspiring
degustation menu featuring items such as foie
gras, Norwegian salmon,Victoria lamb, and
young Balinese jackfruit.
Clear your mind and escape the crowds with
an early morning ride along Seminyak Beach
with horses from Umalas Stables, and don’t
DESTINATION

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miss a spiritual journey to Pura Tanah Lot, a
temple that sits high above the crashing waves
on an isolated rock.The Hotel Tugu Bali on
Canggu Beach,a quiet surf and sunset beach in
the quaint fishing village of Canggu, is the
perfect place to call home for a week or two.
BUKIT PENINSULA, JIMBARAN
BAY, AND NUSA DUA
The circle of land extending out from south-
ern Bali features the Bukit Peninsula, with its
famous surfing waves of Uluwatu and the in-
conceivably clear waters of Dreamland Beach
and Padang Padang Beach. Jimbaran Bay itself
is more low-key, while Nusa Dua is decidedly
tourist centered.Impeccably beautiful five-star
accommodations are widely available through-
out the south, offering an array of upscale din-
ing choices. Visitors line up at warungs for
freshly barbecued seafood, while more adven-
turous travelers head straight to the Jimbaran
Fish Market to choose their own fresh catch.
For magnificent diving in crystal clear waters
teeming with marine life, charter a boat with
a local dive master and take the one-and-a-half-
hour ride to Nusa Penida.The Badung Strait,
which separates Bali from the small islands of
Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, is a top
dive site known for hefty fish, vibrant coral,
manta rays, and very strong currents. With
fewer than 50,000 inhabitants,Nusa Penida has
very little tourist infrastructure.Locals say that
its residents are experts in black magic, and
thus the island—now also an official bird sanc-
tuary—is enshrouded in magic and mystery.
Set on a bluff overlooking the cliff-lined
coast of Jimbaran Bay,Ayana Resort and Spa’s
infinity pools and famous Rock Bar afford di-
rect views of white sandy beaches and break-
ers.This glamorous venue is accessible by an
open-air elevator.While inside, guests enjoy
spacious rooms with traditional Indonesian de-
signs, roomy patios, and deep tubs.There are
several restaurants, and the nighttime buffet
includes a performance of Kecak dancers.
Amenities include planting a tree on the prop-
erty grounds, cooking and yoga classes, bike
tours, and golf.
UBUD AND CENTRAL BALI
The laid-back town of Ubud is a haven for the
artistic and spiritual, where cooking classes,
crystal shops, and art supply stores are ubiqui-
tous.Plan to bring a little of the island home,as
you’ll want to hold on to the magic of Bali.
Don’t miss an interactive visit to the Sacred
Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where the macaques
are very curious and not the least bit shy.
The Balinese come from all over the island
to purify themselves in the clear springs of
Pura Tirta Empul, or Temple of the Holy
Spring, where the water is believed to have
magical curative powers.As you travel through
central Bali, keep your camera handy to cap-
ture the intricate and infinitely photographable
system of rice terraces, which utilize the land-
scape to maximum efficiency.
A must for the famished traveler is the
charming Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku,
where guests dine on a fiery local specialty
called nasi campur—a delectable mix of
sautéed vegetables, chicken with pelalah
spices, sate lilit, simmered egg, sambal,
and spicy sauces. Ready to go upscale? Head
to Locavore for the exquisite seven-course
European-Indonesian fusion menu, made
with locally sustainable ingredients. Enjoy the
swanky side of Ubud with a stay at the indul-
gent Bidadari Private Villas & Retreat, a lush
garden sanctuary complete with private pools,
butler, driver, private cell phone, and special
meals prepared and served in your villa.
The temperature in Bali averages between 80
and 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, and the
dry season is approximately April through Sep-
tember. But the gods will welcome you to the
spiritual island of Bali, no matter the season.
DESTINATION