The Secret Charisma Of Ricefield Views In Bali

Bali tourist attractions is not only about its endless sandy beaches, wild forests - with its exotic fauna and flora, rich surrounding coral reefs around the coast - that provide good waves to the wildest of waves that will challenge even the most experienced of the surfers, luxury resorts, spas and Bali villas - private and villa for rent, but also, Bali features charming and picturesque ricefields.

Ricefields in Bali have been an enduring part of Balinese religious life, as seen in their veneration of it in a special Hindu-Balinese temple called Ulun Swi or Pura Ulun Siwi temple - the principal temple in Bali dedicated to the welfare of both wet and dry rice fields, and the spirits, which live in the temple, are thought to control the mice and insects such as grasshoppers that periodically infest the fields.

According to the sacred Kutara Kanda Dewa Purana manuscript, the word “Ulun Swi” is derived from the word “ulu” which means “center” or “source” and the word “swi” which means ‘rice field” or “water” - so Ulun Swi temple is the center of rice fields in a certain area - with every ricefield has its own Ulun Swi temple.

An Ulun Swi temple is a place for farmers to ask for fertility and successful harvest - by paying homage to the deity of the land - Ida Bhatara Bhaka Bhumi - so the earth will yield good harvest and insects, mice, birds as well as to prevent other disturbances in damaging the crops.

Balinese rice terraces go back over 2,000 years where it had been carved on steep hill sides and broad, steadily descending mountainsides and constantly extended generation after generation, making these Balinese rice terraces meticulously shaped out of necessity but showcasing a natural scenic attraction to the visiting tourists in Bali.

One of the villas in Bali boasting this ricefield view feature in their villa location and design is Villa Bayad.

VILLA BAYAD

An Ubud Bali Villas, Villa Bayad a spacious, luxurious 4 bedroom villa set in the middle of lush green rice paddies, boasting the magnificent view of Bali’s mighty Mount Agung. The villa is just conveniently located ten minutes north of Bali’s cultural center, Ubud - providing its guests easy access to shops, restaurants and galleries.

Designed by Popo Danes, one of the most renowned architects in Southeast Asia, Villa Bayad is traditionally laid out as a compound, with the 4 bedrooms being in separate houses beside the main house, all connected by flower-covered pergolas. Every room showcases a beautiful vision of the surrounding rice terraces to Bali’s sacred volcano in the horizon.

Boasting of 4 private luxurious bedrooms, two swimming pools - surrounded by an 8000 m2 garden of sweet smelling flowers, lotus-ponds and waterfalls, Villa Bayad guests would surely enjoy the tranquility of nature and the local countryside as well as providing them a chance of experiencing the real Bali aesthetic from the inside - with friendly staff that is guaranteed to cater to their every need.

Villa Bayad in Detail

The 4 spacious air-conditioned bedrooms are all separate houses - differently styled and named after four distinguished locations in Bali: Tenganan, Klung Kung, Ubud and Singaraja. Two of these houses share a private open kitchen and dining bale as well as a private spring water fed plunge-pool and pool deck.

Each house provides a furnished veranda and bathroom complete with shower cabin and a small walled garden with outdoor shower. All bedrooms are equipped with cable-TV and DVD-player, and the beds are dressed with the best quality of cotton bed linen.

The main house likewise boasts of an air-conditioned media room / library with the best of audio- and video-equipment. The spacious living- and dining area opens up to a large veranda, surrounded by flower covered, multi-level fishponds and flanked by two comfortable bales, where you can relax, listening to the sprinkling water and enjoying the beautiful view.

An open, fully equipped kitchen is ready for the staff to prepare your meals on your request - or you can use the kitchen yourself, if you prefer to cook your own meals.

How Bali Inspires Most House and Resort Designs

The panoramically exotic Indonesian island of Bali has always been closely associated with the word "paradise". Its close association is not without reason for Bali is famous for its diverse and classy magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality --- particularly displayed in its diverse and sophisticated art forms, such as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts and its countless uniquely designed Hindu temples, with all of these art forms sporting a unique exotic Balinese designs.

Aside from its art forms, these unique exotic Balinese designs have also influenced Bali lifestyle and its house designs as well as its Bali villa designs –-- of which Bali has become famous for, with its large collection of private villas in Bali for rent, complete with staff and top-class levels of service.

Balinese House Designs

Balinese designs --- be it decorative or structural --- displays a well-considered function which may be of an earthly or spiritual nature. It combines the peasant liveliness with the refinement of classicism of Hinduistic Java and the new vitality fired by the excitement of the demonic spirit of the tropical primitive.

Overall, just like any other traditional Asian designs, Balinese designs are uniquely exotic but basically simple and down-to-earth.

There is some house designs that are Balinese influenced such as:

The Bali T-House by Tony Gwilliam

Gwilliams’s T-house design celebrates Bali’s colorful fusion of Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

Designed by Tony Gwilliam, the T-House showcases the interdependent “living system” model inspired by traditional Asian architecture -- the bale, which is the pavilion structure in Indonesia compounds where Balinese families lived.

The T-House is built with simple rustic materials, designed to work with nature, as in Asian tradition. It is rafted in sustainable natural materials-ironwood, alang alang, and bamboo-harvested from forest in Indonesia so it is good for the earth.

These T-House designed houses are displayed in a village of T-houses located on a rice plantation near Lodtunduh --- which was said to be an experiment in “minimalist impact living,” where Gwilliam and his partner, Marita Vidal, an architect from Argentina, developed the pilot project Bali T in the Rice.

Bali Villa Designs

As Bali’s unique exotic Balinese designs, both traditional and modern, are everywhere in Bali and impossible to miss, these Balinese designs have also greatly impacted Bali villas with regards to its designs and architecture.

Though usually the traditional Balinese designs combines the colorful fusion of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, in today’s era of the glamorously provocative, edgy and high-tech modernistic designs, Balinese designs daringly departs from the traditional to the boldly avant-garde, with all its blings.

One example of these modernistic–inspired Balinese designs Bali villas is the W Retreat and Spa Bali.


The W Retreat and Spa Bali

Overlooking Seminyak’s strip of sand, The W Retreat and Spa Bali, is designed by Ed Ng, of Hong Kong-based AB Concept. It showcases a big on its façade brazenly dripping in bling.

As one enters the space-age airport terminal looking lobby, one can observe that the silver and granite finish artistically blends with splashes of fuchsia, lilac and gold. Moreover, fanning out above the lobby are the lower-category rooms, each of which has a view over the multi-level WET area and Indian Ocean from their balconies.

Furthermore, W has expensive rooms that are strategically positioned in the different corner of the property, with these gated villas having a private pool and ample living space.

Balinese–Inspired Artists

As Balinese designs has greatly influenced on house designs and private villas, these Balinese designs also has a great impact on artists and designers, with regards to their designs ---- specifically designer fashion outfits.

Alleira

Featuring a collection with vibrant palette consisting of bright colors including red, orange and terracotta, high-profile batik fashion house Alleira has launched its 2011-12 collection which is said to be inspired by the beauty of sunsets.

Combining traditional and contemporary batik motifs in many of its pieces, Alleira’s women’s collection boasted a chic, feminine look with simple, A-line dresses, feminine, long-sleeved blouses and flared tunics and caftans made of delicate Chinese silk.

While Alleira’s men’s collection retained a conservative look showcasing a range of formal batik shirts in a fusion of warm sunset colors blended with cooler hues such as purple and indigo to create a dramatic look.

What It Means To Be At A Tanah Lot Villa

Bali is among the best places to visit for anyone who wants to go on vacation. Aside from the very popular Bali villas, the Tanah Lot is also worth noticing.

The Tanah Lot is a temple located on a rock that is just offshore. This temple is the work of the Hindu priest in the 15th century, Nirartha. Over the years, the rock was formed by the ocean tides. This Tanah Lot has become a part of Balinese mythology.

On the Tanah Lot are Bali villas that provide the best feeling and ambiance for a vacation. Among these villas include:

1.Villa Bunda

The Villa Bunda is located within the 100 hectare Nirwana Bali.


2.Villa Sunset Golf
The view of the Sunset Golf to the Indian Ocean is amazing as it is in the oceanfront of Tanah Lot. It is also very close to the Greg Norman designed golf course. Proximity is another feature of this Bali villa as it is only 45 minutes from the international airport and 25 minutes to the shopping area and restaurants of Seminyak. Its three bedrooms all have ensuite bathrooms. There are also the spacious dining and living areas that provide the feeling of home to its guests. The rate of its three bedrooms is $419.

3.Villa Lembah Hijau
The Villa Lembah Hijau sits next to the Le Meridien Resort. It provides a view of the river valley. It has a 20m infinity pool that also includes a children’s area and a large whirlpool. It further has a Balinese Bale Benong that is perfect for spa treatments. From this bale, guests can step directly unto the swimming pool for a nice cool dip.

4.Villa Amani Golf
The unique feature of this villa is its double swimming pool. It also has the best position in the Greg Norman designed Nirwana Golf resort. It also has a 270-degree stunning view of the Indian Ocean.

5.Villa Ocean and Golf
This villa has three bedrooms. The masters bedroom has a king sized four-poster bed. It also has an en suite bathroom and a bathtub and a standing shower and steamer. The second bedroom has a queen sized bed and an en suite bathroom while the third one has two single beds and an en suite bathroom.


6.Villa Samudra
This Bali villa is located only 50 minutes from the international airport. Its position is on the southwest coast of Bali, situated within the 100 hectares of the Nirwana Bali resort. This gives this Bali villa a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean.

7.Villa Senja
This villa has an enchanting entrance as it has traditional Balinese gates with a pathway that is made of Palimanan stepping stones. It has a landscaped garden, scented frangipani, palms, and fishpond with a stone fountain. Though its environment reflects traditions, its amenities and other facilities are modern that provide the guests the ultimate vacation.

8.Villa Surya
Though the natural air conditioning is very good, this Villa Surya’s dining and living areas are beautifully decorated and fully air conditioned. While the dining table accommodates eight people, the living area has a soft couch, a plasma TV, DVD and VCD players, and an IPOD speaker. This three-bedroom villa is priced at $340.

9.Villa Arjuna
A manicured garden is the added feature of the Villa Arjuna. Like the other Tanah Lot villas, it is located within the 100 hectare Nirwana Bali resort. It also has an overlooking view of the Indian Ocean. Its traditional Balinese gates will greet its expectant guests and the rest of the villa provides an experience of luxury.

10.Villa Golf Nirwana
This Bali villa has the largest area in the place. It is built in the best location in the Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort. It has four bedrooms that are fully air conditioned which gives that calming experience for the guests. This villa is priced at $415.

Balivillaholidays.com definitely has the answers for everyone when it comes to searching for the best villas in Bali. So next time one wants to see Bali, stay at any of the Villas in the Tanah Lot.

Ubud Has New Villas To Look Forward To

Bali Villa Holidays has been known for its elegant villas that are suited for any budget plans. One of these well-known Bali villas is the Ubud villas.

Ubud has been known as Bali’s cultural center. Ubud, as an artistic hub, specializes in one of the native arts of traditional or contemporary painting, wood or stone carving, delicately modeled silver and other jewelry, batik textiles, and furniture making.

Ubud villas have launched recently its new villas namely:

Villa Vajra is situated in a quiet traditional village of Sebali. It is a one hour drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Derived from its name Vajra, which is a Tibetan Buddhist ceremonial object that symbolizes for the wisdom that cuts through ignorance and compassion and equanimity, Villa Vajra is designed to generate an aura of peace and tranquility.

Villa Vajra is composed of several thatched pavilions that are connected by stepping stones across a magical lotus pond. A pergola covered by hanging thunbergia flowers as well as a floating stair that located beside a cascading waterfall veiling a traditional seated Buddha are also found within the pavilion. A comfortable lounge area is found beside a relaxing swimming pool and warming Jacuzzi. It has also stone stairs that lead to a ‘moon’ garden of white flowers and an intimate deck used for massage.

A traditional open-sided pavilion, quaintly known as a ‘bale’ for rest, meditation, yoga practice, is located on the next level. A cathedral sized living/dining is widely open to the elements, with marble floor, aviary and orchid garden.

Villa Vajra includes 3 full bedrooms in which each bedroom is equipped with telephone and distinguished by its furnishings, antique and contemporary art objects and unique view. One bedroom faces the rice fields while the remaining two face the river valley. It has also a lounge which can be converted to sleep two persons.

Another new Ubud villa is the Villa Griya Aditi which means ”The Abode of the Light” in Sanskrit. It is located in the village of Tengkulak Kelod, near Ubud. This Ubud villa is designed as a modern interpretation of Balinese traditional living, where each room on the ground floor opens onto a wide patio.

It has a dining / living room area that opens on the garden, the swimming pool and rice fields. Facing the back garden is the family room. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and fan. Facing the rice fields and the infinity swimming pool is the Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom with bathtub and an outdoor shower as well as an outdoor daybed and a private garden. Two other bedrooms are located on the ground floor that faces the swimming pool, of which both have indoor bathroom with showers.

Used only for final preparation of the dishes before serving, the kitchen has a refrigerator, a microwave oven, and a water dispenser.

Villa Griya Aditi has also a swimming pool that is tiled with natural stones coming from Java as well as a Bale Bengong, a place where you can relax or get a traditional massage.

Villa Sebali is another Ubud villa. The villa is surrounded by three sides of a grassy, flower-ringed courtyard, with the fourth side an infinity pool looking down over a cascade of lotus and water-lily ponds to the orchard. It is a four bedroom, spacious villa situated on the edge of Sebali, a village just outside Ubud.

Villa Sebali includes four bedroom suites that combine the luxury of air-conditioned bedrooms with the delight of open air living. It has eco-friendly features such as solar power and water heating, and a beautiful garden with organically grown fruit trees.

Villa Sebali has also a fully equipped kitchen with large fridge-freezer and permanently chilled drinking water. The dining area is spacious and equipped with a 12-seaterer table and opens to the garden at one side and has two steps down to the living area. It also has an enormous living area that opens to the garden with ample seating and many art works. It also boasts of a library/games room and a table tennis room.

Villa Bayad is a luxurious private 4 bedroom villa with two swimming pools, surrounded by a flower garden, lotus-ponds and waterfalls.

Traditionally laid out as a compound, Villa Bayad has 4 individually separately housed bedrooms located beside the main house. The bedrooms are all connected by flower-covered pergolas. Each bedroom has a beautiful view of the surrounding rice terraces and Bali’s sacred volcano in the horizon. Two of the bedrooms are sharing a private open kitchen- and dining-bale as well as a private springwater fed plunge-pool and pooldeck.

Each house or bedroom includes a furnished veranda and bathroom complete with shower cabin and a small walled garden with outdoor shower. All bedrooms are also equipped with cable-TV and DVD-player.

Villa Bayad has a spacious living- and dining room area that opens up to a large veranda, surrounded by flower covered, multi-level fishponds and flanked by two comfortable bales, where you can relax, listen to the sprinkling water while enjoying the beautiful view.


Finally, another new Ubud villa is the Puri Darma Agung. It is a luxurious privately owned villa set amongst the beautiful rice fields of Pejeng. It has four contemporary air conditioned suites with King/Queen/Single size beds, which can accommodate up to 8 adults & children. It has also four large en-suite bathrooms of which 2 of the bathrooms have large bathtubs and separate showers.

There is also a large open air living and dining pavilion that overlooks the pool, spacious tropical gardens and rice fields and includes comfortable lounges and dining area for up to 8 people. An outdoor shower and toilet is located at the side of a generous private swimming pool and Jacuzzi. It also has two fully equipped kitchens, large relaxation gazebo overlooking rice fields and pool, satellite TV and DVD player and free wireless internet.