Steven Raucher's World Tour
2001-11-02 in Bali, Indonesia
Not quite roughing it!
After an innocent email to Toby (see intro in previous story) we were flung into a world of luxury I haven't known for quite some time. 2 days in a beautiful house in Ubud, the lovely, cool climate cultural centre of Bali. Followed by 4 nights in a 5 star luxury resort as a guest of the chef! Can you think of a better way to mark one year on the road? Well I can't.
We arrived in Sayan village just outside Ubud the day of my anniversary. We were very excited at the prospect of being able to cook and live like normal people, if only for just 2 days. For something like this one needs to make some preparations. I started at Dijon, Bali�s gourmet food delicatessen. So many �first time in a year� foods were bought: sundried tomatoes, stuffed olives, chevre, real Italian pasta, baguette, New Zealand bacon and on and on� once sufficiently kitted out I felt ready to take on the kitchen and make some grub, but alas it was not meant to be. I was ordered out of the kitchen by Louise and instructed to put up my feet and begin working my way through a six pack of Bir Bintang, Indonesia�s finest frosty. By the time dinner was ready I had taken in the vista of paddy fields and the wonderful tranquillity of a peaceful home, and yes, four or five pints. A wonderful three course meal was laid on for me and I was soon sound asleep.
Two days later we drove to Candi Dasa the village where the Amankila
is situated. There I met Toby, our host, and we were shown a hotel suite (wow!) where we could change before moving to our more modest (but still amazing quarters). The next three days were incredibly relaxing, going down to the beach where the sun chairs are made up for you and each couple has their own cabana next to the sun chairs to retire to. And if you need anything on the beach there is this little white flag you wave. Quite rough I tell ya! I tried my hand at hobie-catting but spent most of my time sun-worshipping and knocking back cocktails. Of course I mingled with the guests blending in like a chameleon, what with my fine wardrobe of the T-shirts of South East Asia and flip-flops I looked like a regular full paying guest (yeah right).
So all of you reading this, please remember I will need some pampering somewhere in South America a year from now�
 trying my hand at something without wheels |
 the temple at Tampak Seering in the hills of Ubud |
 our wonderful hosts, Toby and Ali, with Louise |
 Louise admires the view from the swimming pool! |
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