This is my final Bali blog post! *sniff*
It’s not quite as adventurous as some of the rest, but it’s one I just had to share.
After our long and perilous sail back (pfft!) from Lembongan Island we drove to a new home. Not far from Seminyak, in Canguu.
We weren’t very sure what to expect as we trundled off the main road and into the darkness. We bounced along the dirt track for some time before arriving at two glorious wooden gates. After a little honking, they swung open and we arrived at Villa Asli.
We were taken to the open air sitting room to check in.
And I made friends with Susan, who made sure we were all taken care of.
In fact she held on tight for the entire process.
After cups of frosty iced tea all that was left to do was choose our bedrooms!
The Master Room, which Valentina and I eventually chose to share, was a hut at the top of the garden.
You walk through the tremendous old wooden doors onto a soft-toe-wrigglable-carpet and you’re greeted by a great big bed, surrounded by sheer, fluttering curtains.
Every inch of the villa is thought through and decorated impeccably.
I took a million photos, because I didn’t want to miss a drop… but I still don’t think my pictures do it justice.
You have to imagine the crickets singing, the full moon overhead, the warm evening air all mingled with the smell of fresh grass, carved wood, clean linen and jungle flowers.
Our bathroom was open to the elements with a carved stone bath tub, rain shower, basins cut from pillars of rock and sculptures hidden in every nook and cranny!
If you come out of our bedroom and walk down past the pool, you’ll find the other rooms.
Set on stilts over water gardens, you pad barefoot across wooden bridges, still warm from the sun.
Each room is a masterpiece in interior design.
All slightly different to the last, they overflow with a mixture of Balinese and western trinkets.
One of the rooms was split over two levels. You walk into its private sitting room, but have to venture up the stairs to bed!
Which is surrounded by sumptuously soft red velvet carpets, silk curtains and burning incense.
The main sitting room leads off to a snug where you can watch films.
Literally – filmS! You can each watch your own private screen, while still sitting together!
The dining room all centres around one heavy table, with benches and arm chairs for guests.
Gilded lampshades bathe the space in golden light, whereas the kitchen is a place of work.
Brightly lit and a brilliant balance of new and tradition.
Modern cooking equipment on the left, in harmony with the old woodfired grill on the right.
All watched over by Susan, of course.
We smothered ourselves in mozzie repellent (the only down side to open door living!) and stretched out in our crisp sheets.
In the morning, after having a cup of tea brought to you in the pool, chefs prepare breakfast.
This sounds extravagant, but the team of staff “comes with” the villa.
They go out and do the shopping and you just pay the grocery bill. They’re happy to make changes based on tastes and every morning they bring out freshly baked seedy bread, so hot it melts your butter instantly!
Something Billy gets quite envious of.
During the days you’re pretty much left alone to relax.
Valentina’s dress // Wildfox sunnies
Next door there’s a sister villa.
You can have them opened up as one if you’re staying with an especially large group. (Something one of the girls is keen to do for her wedding.)
Val and I couldn’t resist exploring and having a snoop of next door’s villa.
Tory Birch dress (55% off) // Sunnies
Is that not the most delicious table setting you’ve seen?!
But we decided that we liked our side better, so hopped back across the hot stones to wallow in the pool.
Even the shower is worth mentioning.
It pours from what seems to be a tree, and the handle is a branch! So you shower off jungle style!
In the evening you can turn the villa into your own private spa.
Girls come from neighbouring villages to pummel you with traditional massages, smooth you with oils, practice reflexology, fix your nails… anything you fancy!
All for less than the cost of a manicure in London.
While we were being pampered, the chef was busy cooking up an Indonesian storm in the kitchen!
^ That’s a fan, blowing on the hot coals as he cooks the satay chicken.
These were little parcels of steamed fish with chilli, coriander and lime.
I devoured far, far too many of those little parcels! (And had more as left overs the following day for lunch).
The villa was designed by owner Noelle Bonnemaison (a wonderfully fitting name!). She has another place in Courchevel that has just leapt into my list of places to visit.
Her attention to detail is second to none and I can safely say that I have never slept anywhere more beautiful, or met a more charming, hospitable team of staff.
I look forward to returning to Villa Asli for *someone’s* wedding one day! (Though she’s not actually engaged yet so we may be jumping the gun, just a little.)
Thank you for following along with my Balinese adventures. I promise to crack on with lots of British content now AND try and get my Christmas gift guide up this weekend!
