Bali's attraction to Europeans dates back to the 1970s when hippies selected the island for its spiritual lifestyle and low cost of living.
Fast forward to 2021, and another type of traveler arrived on the island in search of affordable housing and dining – digital nomads. Upon reopening its borders fully after the COVID outbreak, the island welcomed back a surge of tourists.
Many Balinese people rely on tourism to earn a living, but some feel that the negative consequences have not been handled properly – landfills are overflowing, sewage is occasionally flowing into the ocean and air pollution from cars is very noticeable.
This place is truly enchanting. The locals are warm and enthusiastic about their diverse religious heritage, and are more than happy to share it with visitors. The cuisine is exquisite, and there's a program to suit every individual – whether you're interested in exploring temples, beaches, or simply bar hopping, everything is within reach.
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On a recent trip, my first return here since pandemic restrictions were lifted, I decided to explore Jimbaran.
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It is also a short drive from the airport, which is ideal when you've just gotten off a long flight and can't tolerate Bali's traffic congestion.
Raffles Bali: A long-awaited vision finally takes shape
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The 58-acre property, cooled by a gentle ocean sea air, was originally eight distinct pieces of land. All of these were consolidated, with careful planning and construction spanning 34 years from inception to its opening in 2021.
We observed a clear dedication to excellence throughout our entire visit, from the welcoming reception to the lovely gifts we received upon departure.
The structures are scattered among native trees and foliage, thereby deepening the impression of isolation.
What does it feel like to have a reliable and dedicated personal assistant at your beck and call?
We were given our own personal butler like those often seen in movies. I had envisioned ours to be a seasoned, formal, middle-aged man with a penchant for bowing upon departure from the room. However, our butler, Rai, was a young and cheerful individual from the nearby island of Lombok who provided impeccable service.
And truly, how wonderful it is that, until recently, we were delighted to remain in a state of comfort and complacency.
Sensational, creative cuisine made with ingredients from our local areas
Meals at Raffles Bali are unrushed, allowing you to savour the thought and care that has gone into the sourcing and cooking of every ingredient.
It was infused with Indonesian culture during our five-step journey at the in-house Rumari restaurant.
A traditional hand-washing ceremony kicked off our gastronomic tour around the Indonesian archipelago. Spanning 17,000 islands, which makes it the world's largest, each region boasts its unique culinary tradition - at Rumari, we discovered a wide array of exquisite flavors, which our attentive waiter skillfully introduced to us.
Bali: a haven of wellness at its ultimate best
It is reassuring to know that 80 percent of the ingredients used at Raffles come from within Indonesia, while 20 percent is imported from elsewhere. Additionally, a thoughtful touch was taken to organize breakfast as an a la carte option, rather than a buffet, to minimize food waste.
The surrounding community also benefits from the spa since the healers are local Balinese.
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The session started with a numerology reading, a type of reading that had already piqued my interest.
According to our names and birthdays, the spiritual advisor shared insights into character traits that would be advantageous or detrimental to us, and provided guidance on how to tap into them. He then offered his perspective on what the upcoming year might entail. Given that he'd never met us before, I was surprised by the unsettling accuracy of his prediction. My husband was somewhat more apprehensive, yet still appreciated the experience.
I recalled the morning we departed Raffles, I ventured out onto the balcony for one last sunrise swim in our private infinity pool. I stepped out rejuvenated, feeling grateful and made a mental note to return to this enchanting haven.
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