Having driven around the island of Bali in its entirety while on vacation, one of the things that struck me most were the uneven microclimates. Venture to the Northwest, where the national park is located, and you’ll be surprised by how arid and spartan the terrain is. Head to the East, and you’ll see some of the finest tropical fauna, flora and rice fields around (better than Ubud). Villa Surya and Chandra are located in the heart of East Bali, overlooking a large and very beautiful rice field, near enough to the Pacific Ocean to benefit from the breeze, but not so close as to be overwrought by the sound of the crashing waves.
The two villas couldn’t be better located.
Candidasa, White Sandy Beach and Amlapura, the capital of Karangasem Regency, are nearby. A chocolate factory is just around the corner, less than half a mile along a dramatic coastline walk. There you can sip organic coca milk and swing freely into the pacific on one of the gigantic, palm tree rope swings.
To the west of the east-facing villa (ie north) are a glorious set of mountains, including the highest peak in Bali - Mt Agung – which overlooks the entire area. The villa hosts can direct you on tours that lead you up to the top of the stratovolcano: the best vantage point from which to witness the arrival of dawn. They can provide you with snorkelling gear too, should you wish to take a spectacular drive over the mountain pass to the Northeast of the island, where local life will rush out and greet you at every dramatic twist and turn of the verdurous cliffs, before you begin your descent to Amed: a quiet stretch of white beach with a stunning coral reef.
Around sunset each evening, a squadron of ducks come quacking by the villa led by the farmers off the rice fields. Stay here for a while and you’ll get locked into the deeper rhythm of the landscape and the women working on the fields – from the cocks crowing in the morning to the gentle hum of the farmers retiring for the evening. When temperatures soar, simply dive into the two large and beautifully shaped pools at the villa – an absolute must given the humidity. I couldn’t recommend a better place to stay in Bali!
The impressions remain so vivid! Thank you again for such a wonderful time.
We were with a group of 10 persons so we rent the two villas. It was great! The view, the villa itself, the staff, the garden, the pools, the food, east of Bali! The bedroom with no windows and walls was very special and I think the best one of the whole villa!
Value | Rooms |
Location | Cleanliness |
Service |