It might be the rainy season in Bali, but we've only had 60 seconds of rain so far. Flew in yesterday at noon (perfect, non-eventful Singapore Air flight) the sun was out and the air smelled of incense in the airport !! Frankly, I think they've piped some kind of drug into the air here. I've heard people say Bali is magical -- it really does feel the most logical word to describe it.
So, here are the highlights so far:
Hotel -- 4 Seasons Jimbaran Bay -- the smallest "room" is a walled villa with outdoor dining/lounging area, plunge pool, huge thathed hut bedroom with mosquito canopied bed, large dressing/closet area, and a bath the size of a master bedroom, with a huge franipani blossom filled oval bath, outdoor shower, indoor shower -- surfeit? I think.
They knew it was our anniversary. First, the champagne came -- had to tell them we don't drink. They scurried off to fix that and next the bell rings and the chef has sent up a tasting course of sushi fish/shrimp/squid/seared tuna. As we're trying to take a shower and wash off the flight grime, the bell rings again (we think it's the new 'drinks') and it's a chocolate ganache cake with Happy Anniversary in icing. By this point, we're just giggling when the bell rings again.
Went down to the beach later before spa time and our first (of many I think) Balinese massages. Rather liked it better than Thai -- oil and a pressure point/stroking approach. I fell asleep four times thoughout.
Slept like the dead and woke up at 5am this morning having completely changed to Bali time.
Our driver picked us up this morning (Dean -- who is much loved on tripadvisor and if I have anything to say about it, will be much loved here too) -- who took us down the street to a temple blessing ceremony, then through Kuta, Seminyak to Tanah Lot (there's a reason why places are tourist spots -- it's quite gorgeous -- the sea comes in like gang busters). Then up to Mengwi, a royal temple compound that just had a huge festival. A large Barong made out of grain was on display, then a huge 8 foot sculpture made out of pig products -- I kid you not -- entrail umbrellas, a pig head for the barong head. Next, a story sculpture made out of colored rice -- just as large. It's already enough for a day and a half of experiences but we were only half done. On the way back saw some of the cremation bulls lined up along the roadside, another temple ceremony, and stopped at Ku de Ta for late lunch. Amazing pesto shrimp with tomatoes, olive oil -- I haven't tasted anything that fresh in years.
We're sitting there watching the crashing surf roll in and two perfect little horses go running down the beach. Not those sad, I don't want to ride them ever horses, but beautiful this has to be a Fellini dream sequence horses.
We ended the day at Uluwatu -- where of course a monkey grabbed my hair clip right off my head and we watched the sun set with the chanting of a Kecak dance in the background.
Can you tell I'm in love ??
More to follow !!

Happy anniversary and we are glad that you love Bali as much as we do.

Oh, those monkeys at Uluwatu nearly had my sun glasses even though I had them on a cord.

Gill.

sounds like fun

Sounds just wonderful! I agree, Bali is magical. (I also agree about Tanah Lot - amazing!)

Happy anniversary!

jenstar, you know I've been there, done that, but postings like this still give me the shivers. I'm so glad to hear that you're swept away.

Here in Jakarta we've been have unseasonably splendid weather. People who have lived here for decades say they've never seen the so many successive days of clear skies. I hope this extends to Bali as well. Keep us posted on your adventures.

For a non hotel massage try Jari Menari in Seminyak - one of the best massages I have ever had.

Fabulous!
We spent 10 days in Bali in 1998 and loved very minute. I'd really like to go back someday. The 4 Seasons sounds like a little piece of heaven.
Are you going to Ubud?

Been to Bali perhaps 10 times over the past 35 years. What continues to astound me is how, though vastly more developed, touristy and expensive than once upon a time, the warmth, openness, resilience and joyousness of the Balinese people shines through. if you can, I CANNOT RECOMMEND TOO HIGHLY heading to the north coast...quiet, beautiful (swim with dolphins without the $100/15 min charges), share babi gulang (roast suckling pig) with locals 'just because you're walking by!"

Enjoy the most magical island on earth.

Steve

Thank you everyone for the anniversary wishes. I'm posting my trip report now -- will start one new thread for that. We did go to Ubud, we did go to the North Coast -- pictures to follow once I get the web site organized.

Jenskar----THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your post. I wasn't sure i wanted to go to BAli at this time of year, but i'm convince it would be best time to really take it all in with less tourists around.

I'm from NY and will travel mid march with my best friend.

Thanks again. I'll keep reading your 3rs installment of trip details.

I agree with Steve that Bali is the most magical island on earth, if not the most magical place of all!! But please get away from the resorts and the coast. My first visit in 1994 at the age of 43 changed my life!! I've been back twice, and the magic never fades!!

We just arrived from our trip to Bali and Thailand.
It was amazing, we will never forget all the experiences we had there.
We would like to thanks Dean, our driver, and now We can consider him as our family.
We would like to have a great vocabulary in English to express how wonderful was our coexistence with Dean.
He is a very pleasant, nice person, great sense of humor and he turned our trip a dream, we will never forget everything that he provided us.
Our permanence in Bali reached the perfection thanks to his professionalism and generosity. We felt as king and queen where everything that we wanted we received. He didn't measure efforts to please us and to turn our trip the best as possible. I never met a professional like him, kindly, playful and a lot, a lot, friendly.
We will keep in the heart that great friendship that was formed among us and all the great memories that he provided us.
Thank you very much .
Fernando & Luiza - Brazil