Bali Bliss: Your Private Pool Villa Awaits (Ubud Center)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Bali Bliss experience. And let me tell you, it's less a perfectly curated postcard and more like a sun-kissed, chaotic hug from the Island of Gods. So, let's get messy, shall we?
Bali Bliss: Your Private Pool Villa Awaits (Ubud Center) – The Real Deal (and a Few Gripes)
First off, let's be clear: I'm not just some robot spouting generic hotel reviews. I live for travel, and I'm also a real person, not just some SEO algorithm's dream. Hence, the mess.
Accessibility – The Good (and the Slightly Dodgy)
Okay, so straight up, "Bali Bliss" is mostly awesome for those with mobility issues, but I can't give it a blanket "YES!" because… well, Bali. Land of uneven sidewalks and charmingly rustic pathways. There is an elevator, which is a HUGE win. Some villas will be easier to navigate than others and you'll need to specify this when you book. Generally, though, they're trying their best. The fact that there are any accessibility accommodations in Ubud is a victory!
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges:
I can't give you a clear answer. Check directly with the hotel.
Wheelchair accessible:
As mentioned before. Mostly, but check.
Internet & The WiFi Saga:
- Free WiFi, Free WiFi. Seriously. In the rooms. In the public areas. Everywhere! Hallelujah! This is HUGE when you're trying to upload those Insta-worthy sunset shots. And, thank god, because trying to get anything done on Balinese internet is… an experience of its own. However, I have heard stories that it's not always the most reliable. So, maybe pack your patience along with your sarong.
- Internet [LAN]: This is a thing! A glorious, hard-wired, old-school internet. If you're old and you have a laptop that needs it, you are golden.
- Internet services: Not bad, not great. You're better off using the free Wifi.
Things To Do, Ways to Relax (My Happy Place!)
This is where Bali Bliss REALLY shines. Let's get to the nitty-gritty, shall we?
- The Pool with a View: Listen, the view from my villa's pool? Absolutely breathtaking. I spent hours floating there, watching the sun dip below the jungle canopy. It's pure bliss. Pure, unadulterated, Instagram-worthy bliss. Seriously, don't even think about missing it.
- Spa & Beyond! Okay, I indulged in a massage (or three). The spa? Oh, it's heavenly. Massages, body scrubs… the whole shebang! And the sauna? Yes, please! The steam room, too. You'll emerge feeling like a completely new, zen-ified human.
- Fitness Center: Gym/fitness. Listen, I tried to go to the gym once. I lasted about 10 minutes before I was back in the pool. But hey, it's there if you're actually disciplined, unlike me.
- The "Get Your Feet Did" Ritual: Foot baths. Yes, you need it after you are walking around Ubud.
- For the Soul: So they don't explicitly advertise a "Proposal Spot" but, like, if you want that, that's where you are taking people. A total romantic!
Cleanliness and Safety – Because, You Know, COVID
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Breakfast in room: Ah, the breakfast! You want it in your villa? You can! It's amazing to slowly wake up on your patio with a coffee and fruit.
- Breakfast takeaway service: A great options for those who have tours or who are trying to move.
- Cashless payment service: The future is now.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Peace of mind, people!
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Good for emergencies.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Everywhere!
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Yay!
- Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options: You feel safer.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Safe dining setup: They try!
- Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays: YES!
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Excellent.
- Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol: They are doing their best.
- Sterilizing equipment: Good.
- (I will admit, I walked around Bali with a mild sense of dread. It's just how I operate.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling Your Island Adventures
- Restaurants galore! The multiple restaurants and options are good.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: The food is just… chef's kiss. So many options! The breakfast buffet? Amazing. From fresh tropical fruits to made-to-order omelets, it's a feast for the senses. The poolside bar is practically required for happy hour. And seriously, the coffee? Divine.
- But a word of warning: Sometimes service can be… leisurely. Embrace the Balinese pace of life. You're on vacation, after all!
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: All the things that make your life easier and happier!
For the Kids (Families Rejoice!)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They're doing their best.
Access & Security – Keeping You Safe
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Safe/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Your safety is their priority.
Getting Around – Exploring Ubud
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Getting around is easy.
Available in All Rooms – The Essentials
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Everything you need. EVERYTHING!
My Epic Moment - The Poolside Sunset Bliss
Okay, I gotta tell you about the sunset. I was sitting in my private pool, cocktail in hand (courtesy of the excellent room service, may I add), and the sky just exploded in colors. Pinks, oranges, purples… it was like someone had turned the most beautiful painting ever into reality. It was one of those moments where you just stop and think, "Wow. This is why I travel. This is why I live." I'm getting emotional just thinking about it again. It was beyond perfect.
The Imperfection – Because Life Isn't Perfect
Right, so, the only real "downside"? Well, it's Bali. Things can get a little… rustic. You might see a gecko or
Siargao's Hidden Gem: Al Luz Homestay - Your Paradise Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups and prepare for a Bali adventure that’s less "Instagram perfect" and more "me trying not to trip over a stray offering basket in flip-flops." This is… my Bali itinerary. Or, you know, attempt at an itinerary. It's more of a loose suggestion box, really.
The Goal: Survive a week in a ridiculously beautiful, private pool villa near Ubud, and hopefully, return with a tan and fewer mosquito bites than last time.
The Villa: (Calming 1BR Private Pool Villa near Ubud Center, remember that?) Basically, the stuff of dreams. I pictured myself as a glamorous, sun-drenched goddess. Realistically? Probably more like a slightly sunburned potato, occasionally yelling at a gecko.
Day 1: Arrival and Utter, Unadulterated Bliss (with a Side of Jet Lag)
- Morning (ish - thanks, time change!): Land in Denpasar. The immigration queue? An absolute MESS. Felt like I aged a decade. But then! My driver, Wayan (bless him, he seems to have unending patience) greets me with a big, genuine smile. The drive to Ubud? Lush, green, and everything I’d dreamt of! Okay, maybe a little more chaotic than I imagined, dodging scooters and the occasional monkey.
- Afternoon: Arrive at the villa. Holy. Freaking. Wow. The pool! The flowers! The sheer silence (until I start babbling to myself). I'm basically overcome. Immediately strip down, flop into the pool and feel my soul repair itself. Oh, and I try, and fail, to get a decent photo for my Instagram. "Look at me, casually lounging…" falls off pool ledge.
- Evening: Dinner at Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka - Ubud. The pork? LEGENDARY. Crispy skin, juicy meat, spice-laden rice… I definitely ate too much. Afterwards, I manage to make my way back to the villa after getting slightly lost in the dark. (My sense of direction is… well, it’s a work in progress. A very, very long work in progress.) And a mosquito bite. This is going to be a theme, isn't it?
Day 2: Temples, Terraces, and Tourist Traps (and a Mild Existential Crisis)
- Morning: Visit the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Stunning. Absolutely breathtaking. However, I'm pretty sure I'm helping to fund the local economy with the number of selfies I take. And the amount of "look busy, I know this place" I try to project.
- Afternoon: I attempted a cooking class. It went… okay. I burned the sambal. And maybe the rice. But I did learn how to make Gado-Gado. I’m now qualified (in my own mind) to open a Balinese restaurant. And also incredibly hungry again, because cooking is hard work.
- Evening: The infamous Monkey Forest. Ugh. Monkeys. They are cute, sure, but also little furry thieves. One attempts to grab my sunglasses. Another tries to yoink my water bottle. By the time I escape, I'm more relieved than exhilarated. I'm actually pretty okay with this. That's the point, right? So many people love it. I can pass, happily. Maybe the monkeys have some sort of vibe detector and knew I was not gonna be a fun target.
- Rambling Note: Does anyone else ever go on vacation and then just feel… weird? Like, you're in this gorgeous place, supposed to be relaxed, but your brain decides to throw a mini-existential crisis? Just me? Great. I spend about an hour in the villa, staring at the pool and wondering why I can't be truly, completely present. And then I order a Bintang and eat an entire packet of Pringles whilst I contemplate the universe and my lack of sunscreen application.
Day 3: Yoga, Rice Paddies, and a Near-Death Experience (Sort of)
- Morning: Attempt (and I use that word very loosely) a yoga class. Let's be honest, I’m more graceful at shuffling around in the dark than in a yoga pose. My balance is… questionable. By the end, I'm sweating, slightly bruised, and feeling a strange mix of accomplishment and the distinct urge to lie down and never move again.
- Afternoon: I'm trying to be adventurous, and I've decided to rent a scooter! I'm not kidding you, the ride, the driving! The first few minutes are a blur of near-misses and panicked giggling. I start to get the hang of it. It's exhilarating! Terrifying! I pass through some of those rice paddies I'd seen, I'm free! Until I try to park it. I hit a speed bump. I tumble. I'm fine. The scooter? Scratched and a little sad. I quickly decide my adventurous spirit is happy sitting in the passenger seat from now on.
- Evening: Dinner in Ubud town - at a restaurant I found via Instagram. This place has great food and a beautiful view, and the whole experience is just about perfect until a rogue rainstorm rolls in and I end up huddled under a tiny umbrella, looking like a drowned rat.
Day 4: Deep Dive: Tirta Empul Temple and Purification (and a Hilarious Disaster)
- Morning: Okay, this is the day I REALLY wanted to "do" Bali. A visit to Tirta Empul Temple. This place is magical! Watching the locals, the ceremony, the devotion… It genuinely moved me. I attempt the purification ritual myself. So, I'd read about it and I read that you should wear at least clothes covering your arms and knees. I thought I had packed appropriately. Then, when I arrived, the local women are wearing clothes that look like they've jumped out of a Vogue magazine! But I felt the energy of the place. It was powerful.
- Afternoon: So I'm feeling very cleansed and spiritual. And then I realize I NEED to go to the loo. I find a rather rustic public restroom. And the lock. I'm pretty sure it did the bare minimum of locking, as it looked like it consisted of a stick wedged in a loop. I was in a bit of a rush, so I didn't check it properly. And then, mid-pee, the door swings open. cue scream. Thank goodness the woman outside didn't speak English – I would have died of embarrassment. Suffice it to say, my spiritual "high" takes a bit of a nosedive.
- Evening: I decide to embrace the mess and get a traditional Balinese massage. It's the type of massage where a lot of people end up naked with a stranger. I was a little nervous. I actually had to change with my masseuse to get used to the feel of her hands. It was the most comfortable I've been in all week! I feel like a puddle of relaxed goo.
Day 5: Coffee Plantations, Waterfalls, and Impromptu Adventures (and More Mosquito Bites!)
- Morning: Coffee plantation! Try the Luwak coffee. It tastes… interesting. Like dirt with a hint of caramel? I'm not entirely sure. I, obviously, buy a bag. I feel like I should. I'll probably end up drinking it back home.
- Afternoon: Tegenungan Waterfall. Absolutely breathtaking. The water is cool and refreshing, perfect for washing off the existential dread and the dirt - and all those bug bites. My new favourite phrase: "Do you have any bug spray? I'll buy it!"
- Evening: Because I've rented a car and have my driver, I decide to just… drive! We take a winding road, we get a bit lost, we stop at a warung that looks sketchy but serves the best fried banana I've ever tasted. This is the moment. I do not have a plan, I am just… exploring.
- Emotional Reaction: This day. This day was it. The feeling of freedom, of letting go of the "perfect" itinerary, of just allowing things to happen… It was pure, unadulterated joy. I cried. At the waterfall. In the car. Mostly from happiness.
Day 6: Shopping, Sunset, and a Last-Minute Crisis (with a Happy Ending)
- Morning: Shopping! I love shopping, not gonna lie. I find some beautiful things. I also get wildly overcharged at a market. Bargaining is a skill I clearly lack.
- Afternoon: I decide to go to a sunset yoga class. This time, I'm not so terrible at it. I'm feeling zen, until about halfway through the class, when a swarm of angry wasps descends upon us. Everyone scatters. I end up running away, shrieking, and tripping over the yoga mat. So much for zen.
- Evening: Packing. Realizing I can't fit everything in my suitcase. Panicking a little. Then, a frantic session of stuff-everything-in-and-sit-on-it. It works(ish). Then, I discover I have a flat tire. My driver, Wayan? He appears like a superhero. Tire changed in minutes. He's amazing. Dinner at
So, like, what *is* this FAQ even about?
Ugh, okay, good question. It's about… *gestures vaguely*… whatever’s on my mind right now. Maybe it’s about how to not accidentally set your kitchen on fire while trying to make toast (happened… *ahem*… last week). Perhaps it’s just a collection of random thoughts, anxieties, and the occasional moment of sheer, unadulterated joy. Think of it as a therapy session, but instead of a therapist, you get me. Consider yourself warned. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, bad puns, and probably some tangents about my cat, Mittens. She's a total drama queen, by the way.
Why are you writing this? Aren't there like, *better* things to do?
Listen, if my to-do list weren't approximately the size of a small country, I might agree. But alas, here we are. Actually, I’m procrastinating, big time. I’m supposed to be, you know, *adulting*. Paying bills, folding laundry (which, let's be honest, isn't going to happen). But the siren song of unchecked thoughts… it's just too enticing! It's like a delicious, forbidden cake. Also, it's therapeutic, in a weird sort of way. Gets the crazy out of my head. Hope it helps you too! (Don’t judge me, okay?)
Alright, Alright, Okay, give me a *real* question, let's talk about... stress. How do you *deal* with it?
Deal with stress? Oh, honey, buckle up, because I'm basically a walking stress factory. Okay, the REAL answer? I *don't*. I'm not good at it. I find it helpful to have lists in my head, and *overthink* every option available.
But Okay, fine, I'll tell you my secrets. First, I have a cat. Mittens. If you've been reading up to this point you know I have a cat. She’s a fluffy, judgmental ball of fur who demands attention. Ironically, her purrs are somehow, *somewhat*, soothing.
Second, I try to remind myself that nobody's perfect and that I'm trying my best. *Try*. Sometimes, I think too much about what "trying my best" is, and I'm back in the stress hole again. It is a vicious cycle but it's the only way I can think right now.
Third, if you can call it a solution, I rant to my friends. It helps to know I'm not alone.
But Okay, fine, I'll tell you my secrets. First, I have a cat. Mittens. If you've been reading up to this point you know I have a cat. She’s a fluffy, judgmental ball of fur who demands attention. Ironically, her purrs are somehow, *somewhat*, soothing.
Second, I try to remind myself that nobody's perfect and that I'm trying my best. *Try*. Sometimes, I think too much about what "trying my best" is, and I'm back in the stress hole again. It is a vicious cycle but it's the only way I can think right now.
Third, if you can call it a solution, I rant to my friends. It helps to know I'm not alone.
What about the hard days though? The ones when you just want to crawl under the covers and never emerge?
Oh, the days. Ugh. Those days... They're the worst. Listen, I have those. Bad ones. Ones where the world seems to be conspiring against me. On *those* days? I might binge-watch something completely brain-rotting. Like, reality TV brain-rotting. Don't judge. Sometimes I eat a whole tub of ice cream. Okay, I'd be lying if I said it was a *sometimes* thing though.
Then, the next day, the world is still there, and I have to deal with all the mess.
It's a mess. A delightful, chaotic, beautiful, sometimes awful mess.
Then, the next day, the world is still there, and I have to deal with all the mess.
It's a mess. A delightful, chaotic, beautiful, sometimes awful mess.
Okay, last question... What about... *happiness*? Do you… y'know… *have* that?
Happiness? Oh, yeah. It’s like a sneaky little gremlin that pops up when you least expect it. Sometimes it's a phone call from a friend out of the blue. Sometimes it's a perfect cup of coffee. Sometimes it’s the feeling you get when you crack a joke, and someone actually laughs. Or when My cat, Mittens, decides to snuggle up next to me instead of plotting world domination.
I think... I *hope*... that happiness isn't a destination, it's more of a side quest. It's in the little things. The messy, imperfect, wonderfully chaotic moments. And, frankly, the fact that you're still reading this probably means you're doing okay. So, yeah. I got that. And you probably do, too.
I think... I *hope*... that happiness isn't a destination, it's more of a side quest. It's in the little things. The messy, imperfect, wonderfully chaotic moments. And, frankly, the fact that you're still reading this probably means you're doing okay. So, yeah. I got that. And you probably do, too.
