Aloha Cheryl,
We just came back to L.A (spent additional time in Hong-Kong
and Boston) and wanted to drop you a note about our stay
in Bali.
As I have written in your guest book, your house is a gem
in the middle of paradise. Staying in a Balinese house,
in this setting was quite a unique experience. Being surrounded
by such friendly people, as the ones that you have befriended
with, made the experience even better. I wish we had more
time to stay there. My wife and I have already decided to
come back and stay at your house for a longer period of
time. Until then, I will highly recommend the place to any
friend who plans to go to Bali.
Abe Queller
• • •
Our family loved staying
at the Rice Paddy House. The house is lovely, the views
incredible, and the service warm and friendly. It was great
to be in a real Balinese village, to meet the neighbors,
and watch the women harvesting rice. Our two sons had a
blast there. We highly recommend it.
Mary Earle Chase
• • •
There should be silence,
but there is not. You are a ¼ mile off a country
road smack dab in the middle of a pristine rice paddy with
a banana/papaya forest outside the bedroom view. No it is
not the sounds of traffic or the ticking of a clock that
interrupts the solitude but the symphony of natures song
and music. The evening’s crickets and fireflies {do
they sing too?} the geckos, the frogs harmonize with the
roosters, the birds and the real people bird criers in the
early morning light. This is nature and you are living in
the middle of it. Add to it the starry skies, the spiritual
blessings that appeared daily and one can only feel blessed
and thankful to be alive and experiencing the romance of
Bali. The house is 1/2 hour pleasant walk to town downhill
{find the signature paved street part of the way down and
you get off the road} and a good exercise walk back after
dinner. Even though it was dark we never felt threatened
even by the barking dogs that guard their homes. Do bring
flashlights so mopeds can see you. You can take a taxi back
up for a ridiculously low price if you do not want the exercise.
We did the rice paddy walk but we took 4 hours and the developed
pictures have wowed all family and friends. The outdoor
tiled shower is a tropical oasis with banana tree, ferns
and orchids growing out of the rock and a garden waterfall.
Very hot water {never running out with 3 gals}, the double
sink vanity area with carved wood mirror and flush toilet
will allay any fears that you might be camping.
Kitchen is not a necessity. You will
want to try all the restaurants in Ubud and can easily eat
for $10.00 and less a meal with beer. Ketut the maid has
hot water delivered before you awaken and then is back to
tidy up by the time you are ready to depart for the day.
She returns and is tending the garden at the end of your
day with your tea ready. She speaks very good English and
along with her 3 daughters coming to say hello, the morning
and evening visits and talks with Nyoman the property manager,
one gains a knowledge of the area and a love for the Balinese
people that have so little themselves and give so much.
You learn more about the area than any guide book tells.
The outside patio/living room alas, is very underused as
there is so much to see within Ubud and this small island
we wished we had another week to just lounge, read and paint
and enjoy the garden. We also greatly appreciated Nyoman
, the suggested driver for beach hotel and airport pick
ups with little tours along the way plus we used him for
2 full days of sightseeing around the island. Speaks very
good English and knowledgeable about all the temples and
the scenic views. As everything in Bali the price for your
own guide, car and driver was unspeakably low for the day
so make use of them. The people associated with this house
are an integral part of learning about and enjoying the
culture. Nyoman, the manager will tell you of the Sari spa
where you can have every treatment done and use of the pool
for what it will cost you for a massage in this country.
We found the treatments excellent although the spa facilities
are not opulent, it is well worth a long afternoon. Another
must is the smoked duck Balinese Theme dinner at Ketut’s
Place {not the maid} for $7.50 all you can eat. It only
happens once or twice a week and it is halfway along the
road into town. Yes I could go on and on as spokesperson
for this house and this island. Having traveled many parts
of the world in tents and in 5 star hotels I can honestly
say that the Bali Rice Terrace house and the mystical experience
of Bali and its people is a highlight. Since travel is my
business, I kept a keen eye for any downfalls to this experience
and there were none except the lack of time. I invite anyone
to contact me if they wish as I am a firm believer that
this is one of the better places to enjoy the wonders of
Bali.
Helpful hints: bring a mini booklight
if you are a reader
Budget extra US cash for tips. When
you realize how little the people make and how happy they
make you feel and how little you are spending any extra
contribution you make you know that 100% is going to help
a family.
Bring something to give to the kids.
We brought some new and used clothes. The more we unpacked
and left, the more we had room to bring things back.
Double the number of rolls of film
and carry extra batteries.
If you buy too much, a large Balinese
duffel bag is less than $10 and if it still doesn’t
fit you can have one made for a little more! Just watch
out for oversize regulations for the airline.
Thank
you Bali and Cheryl , Ketut and kids, Nyoman the property
manager and Nyoman the driver for the celebration of a lifetime.
The 3 of us girls who traveled in a pup tent with annex
throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa for a year in
1972 celebrated our birthdays at the Bali Rice Terrace House
with plans to come back again and memories to last us the
rest of our lives.
Linda Kavanagh, Travel Consultant
