02Asia · Bali

Bali

A blissful getaway with Becky and Sarah — terraces, temples, and the quiet of the island before the day gets loud.

Green rice terraces in morning mist with a temple roof on the ridge — Central Bali, morning

Getaway

A Blissful Getaway to Bali

When Becky and I decided to escape for a little getaway, Bali seemed like the perfect destination. The plan became even more exciting when Becky's sister, Sarah, decided to join us. Having never been to Bali before, we thought it would be a fantastic experience for her to tag along.

Travel

The Journey to Paradise

Our trip began with a flight on Batik Air from Penang (PEN) to Denpasar (DPS), with a brief layover in Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Departing Penang at 3 PM, we landed in Bali at 9 PM, feeling the thrill of the adventure ahead.

Despite the two-hour layover in KUL, the journey was seamless, and we were eager to explore Bali.

Day 1

The First Night: Four Points Bali

For our first night, we stayed at the Four Points Bali, where I was delighted to receive a room upgrade, thanks to my status. The hotel's open-air design immediately made us feel connected to Bali's tropical charm.

The next morning, we indulged in a delightful breakfast, enjoying both the delectable spread and the breathtaking view from the restaurant. It was the perfect way to kickstart our Balinese adventure.

A handwritten welcome card from Four Points by Sheraton Bali Ungasan on a wooden table — A handwritten welcome back

Open-air terrace with a timber pergola, lawn and the resort building beyond — Open-air terrace, late afternoon

Koi pond with a stone fountain, timber deck and tropical planting — Koi pond by the lobby deck

Glass-roofed walkway lined with palms and bamboo leading to the resort — The walkway to breakfast

View from above of grass-topped roofs, palms and a garden pond at the resort — Green roofs from the room

Day 2

Immersing in Nature at Westin Ubud

After breakfast, our driver was ready to take us to our next destination, the Westin Ubud. Nestled on the edge of the jungle, this hotel offered a serene retreat surrounded by lush greenery.

It's no surprise that it's recognised as one of the best hotels in Asia — a well-deserved accolade. The tranquillity of the location and the warm hospitality made our stay truly unforgettable.

The Westin Ubud arrival pavilion with a circular fountain, palms and yellow Balinese parasols — Arrival, under the round pavilion

Curving blue infinity pool with a shaded pool bar, sun loungers and dense jungle beyond — The pool along the jungle edge

View from the room over treetops and palms to the resort's long blue pool below — Green in every direction

Timber walkway to the Heavenly Spa entrance beside a koi pond and tropical planting — The path to the spa

A boxed cake tied with gold ribbon beside a handwritten Westin welcome card addressed to Mr Yow — A welcome note and a cake

Day 3

Luxurious Comforts at Amarterra Resort

The following day, we headed to the Amarterra Resort in Nusa Dua. This resort was a haven of luxury and relaxation, offering an intimate escape with its stunning Balinese architecture and impeccable service.

It was the perfect place to unwind and soak in the beauty of the island.

A handwritten welcome card from Amarterra Villas Bali, Autograph Collection — A handwritten welcome from the general manager

Private villa pool edged by a timber deck, with bougainvillea and a carved door — The villa's private pool

Open-sided villa pavilion with timber roof beams, sofa, dining table and deck — The open pavilion living room

Villa bathroom with twin stone basins, a freestanding tub and garden view — Twin basins and a tub by the window

Villa shower with an open-air rain head under a timber lattice roof — The open-air rain shower

Lit garden pathway lined with slender trees at night — The path back to the villa after dinner

Resort reflecting pond and lit stone causeway at night, with palms behind — The reflecting pond at nightfall

Heron sculptures and reeds silhouetted against the lit restaurant across the water — Herons in the reeds

Lit lounge pavilion mirrored in still dark water at night — The lounge, doubled in the water

Stone causeway leading across a lit pond toward a Balinese gate at night — The causeway to the gate

Balinese gate lit by lanterns at the top of broad steps at night — Lanterns on the steps

Globe lanterns hanging from trees over garden ponds and a small bridge at night — Globe lanterns over the gardens

Thatched pavilions either side of a wide reflecting pond under a blue sky — The same courtyard by daylight

Night 4

Opulence at the Ritz-Carlton Bali

On our fourth night, we treated ourselves to the grandeur of the Ritz-Carlton Bali. The hotel exceeded all expectations with its world-class facilities and unparalleled views of the ocean.

From the moment we arrived, we felt pampered and rejuvenated, embracing the pinnacle of luxury.

Retirement cake, fruit and welcome cards at the Ritz-Carlton Bali — A thoughtful retirement welcome

Twin beds decorated with balloons and rose petals — A celebratory welcome in the room

Ritz-Carlton Bali grounds descending toward the Indian Ocean — The resort and ocean from above

Becky and Ken holding hands beneath the chapel's soaring window overlooking the sea — Together beneath the chapel window

White oceanfront chapel beneath a glowing evening sky — The oceanfront chapel at dusk

Sunset glowing orange over the beach and ocean — Sunset over Nusa Dua

Infinity pool reflecting palm trees beside the ocean — The infinity pool at the water's edge

Curving blue pool surrounded by palms and a timber deck — A quiet pool among the palms

Garden causeway between reflecting ponds leading toward the sea — The long garden path toward the ocean

Broad resort path framed by tropical gardens beneath a cloudy sky — Walking through the resort grounds

Basket of flowers and leaves prepared for making a Balinese Canang Sari offering — Making a Canang Sari offering

Two ornate Balinese gamelan instruments displayed against a patterned timber wall — Balinese music in the lobby

Resort bar with timber stools and staff preparing drinks — Morning at the open-air bar

Warmly lit open-air lounge with hanging lights and curved timber counters — The lounge after dark

Pink and white flowers floating before an illuminated tree sculpture — Flowers and light in the lobby

Palm-filled resort garden and fire feature illuminated at night — Gardens and firelight

Terraced treetop restaurant glowing against the dark hillside — Dinner among the treetops

Ritz-Carlton Bali grounds and ocean illuminated at night — The resort lights stretching to the sea

Panoramic nighttime view across the resort toward the ocean — Nusa Dua after nightfall

Camels led along the Nusa Dua shoreline while guests relax on beach loungers — Camels on the beach at Nusa Dua

Final three nights

Concluding at Laguna Nusa Dua

For the last three nights of our trip, we stayed at the Laguna Nusa Dua, a resort that perfectly blended sophistication with Balinese charm. Its pristine beaches, azure waters, and serene ambience provided the ideal setting to reflect on our amazing journey.

Each day was filled with relaxation, exploration, and moments we'll cherish forever.

Laguna Nusa Dua entrance framed by two mature trees — Arriving beneath the old trees

Balinese hostess standing beneath a cascading lobby chandelier — A warm Balinese welcome

Geometric wall of projecting wooden blocks glowing in warm light — Craft and pattern in the resort interior

Ground-floor room opening directly onto a lagoon pool at night — Our room beside the lagoon

Lantern-lit pathway crossing the resort lagoon at night — Following the lanterns after dark

Lagoon pool reflecting an illuminated floating stage and garden cabanas — The lagoon and floating stage

Floating stage glowing across the dark lagoon among tropical trees — Evening reflections on the water

Moon shining through illuminated palms above a garden path — Moonlight through the palms

Large turquoise resort pool surrounded by palms and open-air pavilions at night — The pool after nightfall

Lantern-lit path between beach cabanas and the sand at night — A quiet walk beside the beach

Open-air pool bar glowing beside the water at night — The pool bar in the evening

Becky standing at the shoreline beneath a softly glowing sunset sky — One last sunset by the sea

Final thoughts

A Bali Journey to Remember

This trip to Bali was a delightful mix of adventure, luxury, and bonding time with Becky and Sarah. From the jungles of Ubud to the sandy beaches of Nusa Dua, each destination offered something unique and memorable.

Bali truly is a paradise that never fails to captivate, and we're already looking forward to our next visit.

More of the Bali story — and the rest of the Asia collection — continues in the journal.

Open the Bali segment in the Asia journal →