Amandari Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Timed with the full moon of each month, these events will begin in April and extend through October 2009. From exhibitions on Balinese textiles, painting, wood carving and photography to traditional dance performances, children's dance and gamelan instruction and a viewing of distinctive films, guests will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Bali's artistic and cultural legacy.

Amandari's inaugural 20th anniversary festival kicks off April 8th and runs through April 11th with a calendar full of activities. On the day of the full moon, April 9, the ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. with a prayer and blessing by the temple, followed by a children's Balinese dance and gamelan performance in the evening taught by two local teachers who have a rich history of association with Amandari. Other events include a lecture on Bali and its development, a viewing of the film "Myths and Magic" along with other historical footage, and a traditional dance performance.

Subsequent festivities take place during a three day period around the following full moons: May 9, June 7, July 7, August 5, September 4, and October 3. Exhibitions on diverse subjects such as wooden masks made by a renowned mask-maker, Balinese textiles created by a free-trade organization that is re-teaching local communities traditional weaving techniques, and local photography showcase the island's wealth of artistic output. Meditation sessions, blessings, prayers, viewings of historical films, dance performances and lectures on topics from "Balinese Cremations" and "Organic Food and Produce from the Islands" to "Balinese Textiles" and "Balinese Village Life" are also part of the festival calendar.

The resort has just completed three months of infrastructural refreshment including an extension of the library, refurbishment of the gym's fitness equipment, and a reconditioning of the roofs, stone work and wood surfaces. New fiber-optic cabling and other supporting infrastructure has been updated to suit the needs of sophisticated travellers.

Amandari ("peaceful spirits") is a tranquil resort overlooking the verdant Ayung River gorge from its perch in the village of Kedewatan on the fringes of Ubud. The property unfolds as an earth-toned Balinese village nestled in a panoramic sweep of rainforest and terraced rice paddies. Its open-air lobby was designed after a wantilan, or village meeting place. Thirty free-standing suites, each with a private garden courtyard or swimming pool, are connected by andesit walkways lined by high walls made of paras, a soft volcanic stone. Coconut wood and teak are used throughout, while the bamboo-frame roofs layered with alang alang thatching reflect a classic rural building technique.

Each suite is centred by an oversized king-bed, some of which are adorned with a Kamasan-style painting stretching over the bed's binkerai-wood canopy. An outdoor but walled bathtub is found in both duplex and single-storey suites. Located behind sliding glass doors, the sunken tub is framed by large stone planters of ferns, heliconia and baby bamboo - a beguiling setting for an evening bubble bath beneath the stars. Twin vanities and dressing areas, separate shower and toilet rooms and Javanese marble flooring lend elegance to this room with a view.

The Amandari Suite offers one or two detached bedrooms and a separate living room pavilion. An outdoor dining bale of teak and bamboo is set within the spacious tropical garden. From its private swimming pool, guests enjoy views of the adjacent rice terraces and valley.

Built alongside the resort, the Amandari Villa occupies a hillside location in a perfect rural setting. The coconut-wood-and-teak compound includes five pavilions: three detached, terrace-style bedrooms, a separate living room entirely walled in glass, and a fully-fitted kitchen. A two-tiered swimming pool, surrounded by a landscaped deck and garden, overlooks terraced rice fields that dip imperceptibly in shades of green and gold before tumbling into the chasm that is the Ayung River gorge. Villa rental includes full use of Amandari facilities. A butler is on call at all times.

Crafted largely of teak, the Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and specializes in Western and Indonesian dishes. The casual, two-storey space overlooks Amandari's green-tiled pool. This curving sweep of lightly-salted water replicates the rice terraces that tumble in tiers below, and was the first infinity-edged pool in Southeast Asia. The adjacent Bar, with its terrace seating, features a wide selection of drinks and refreshments.

When evening falls, the view from the Restaurant reaches the edge of the music pavilion just behind the pool. Musicians in bright-red destar (headcloths) play the soothing notes of gamelan as guests dine in the Restaurant or adjacent private bale.

Guest facilities include a floodlit tennis court and library with an outdoor patio and bale. Located in a garden, the library bale is a relaxing setting in which to take morning coffee, afternoon tea or a sunset nightcap while enjoying a selection of newspapers, magazines and rare books.

Amandari's health-and-fitness centre is in a naturally-lit room overlooking a lotus pond. Exercise equipment includes a recumbent bicycle, treadmill, Stairmaster and rowing machine, plus a four-way weight station, free weights and floor mats. The Spa features two open-air bales, a beauty room, sauna and marble steam room. Surrounded by a lotus pond, it seems to float peacefully above the water. A range of Balinese body and beauty treatments are available here, including scrubs and massage using traditional natural ingredients chosen by the Balinese for their soothing and healing properties. Facials, manicures and pedicures are also available. Beyond traditionally-trained therapists, Amandari’s Spa features a blind reflexologist with an intuitive sense of touch along with a respected local healer.

Amandari offers an ideal base from which to explore Bali's rich and thriving culture. From visits to craft villages and museums to a morning market tour and traditional cooking class, Amandari can customize excursions that tap into the colourful practices of Bali's daily life.

White-water rafting down the Ayung River is a scenic excursion as well as bracing sport for beginners and experienced rafters alike. Amandari keeps available a number of mountain bikes, and countryside tours can be arranged for both leisure day riders and keen cyclists. Among the more exhilarating routes is the long run down volcanic Mount Batur and back to Amandari.

For a fuller appreciation of the beauty of the Balinese countryside, Amandari guides lead guests on a variety of hikes to popular sites on and off the main tourist trail. Additionally, the walk from Ubud to the adjacent Monkey Forest cuts through several villages via a suspension bridge crossing the Ayung River. Amandari maintains a teak lounging bale just across the gorge from the resort. The 90-minute walk to the bale, following the Ayung River, is a fine start to any morning. Guests can arrange to have breakfast, served by Amandari staff, waiting when they arrive. Alternatively, one may spend the morning in a Balinese home cooking class taught in a local family kitchen and enjoy the preparations over lunch.

More information: Amandari

More information: Amanresorts