Arrival in Tembok

Tembok

Monday, November 29, 2010

We had no idea what to expect.  Barbara chose this place from the ‘Lonely Planet’ guide, but as our trip progressed, she became more and more uneasy about spending our last five nights there.  No one we spoke to had ever heard of Tembok, and Barbara considered canceling our reservation or at least shortening our stay there.   I used the mnemonic  ‘Timbuktu’ to remember the name, and it’s kind of like that – very remote – but also unspoiled.  The entrance is a marked by a simple stone sign on the road labeled ‘Spa Village Resort.’ 

It’s easy to miss, and our driver did, but I spotted it, and we turned around and turned into the narrow lane bordered by bamboo. 

At the end of the lane we came to a security gate and a guard.  We were expected, and he greeted us warmly and opened the gate. 

At the reception we were greeted by two men to take our luggage and two beautiful Balinese women to welcome us and pamper us.  Each hostess sat us down, served us a delicious tropical fruit drink, kneeled down to remove each shoe and wipe each foot with a towel.  Then she placed both feet in a copper basin, poured warm water over our feet, and added fragrant flowers. 

While our feet were soaking, she wiped our face with a cool towel, and then proceeded to massage our neck, shoulders and back for about twenty minutes.   Then she turned her attention back to the feet.  Each foot was massaged, cleaned with fine black sand, carefully dried, and placed into a slipper.  Our shoes and socks were placed in a tray that appeared later in our room. 

After our welcome treatment, Gede took us on a tour of the resort.  The first thing I noticed is how peaceful it us.  Everyone speaks in whispers.  The air was perfumed with plumeria blossoms.

 There was hardly anyone here – the advantage of going off-season.  We walked down from the reception area…

Past the water lily pool and fountains. 

Gede pointed out the seven spa rooms. Our package includes a spa treatment every day.

Gede pointed out the spa preparation area.  Every spa treatment is preceded by a preparation.  We wondered what that might be, and guessed a shower.  We were surprised.

We passed the dining room, with indoor and outdoor seating.

The exercise room is downstairs from the dining room.

The black sand beach is down a few steps from the exercise room.  The black sand is from the Gunung Agung volcano – the entire island was covered with ash.

The beautiful infinity pool overlooks the ocean.  The four little grass covered huts are just for relaxing by the pool.  Towels are always ready and waiting for us.

We passed the two private villas right on the ocean.  We got a tour of one later.  Each has its own small pool. 

Finally, we came to our room.  Our luggage and shoes had been delivered and tea was waiting.

Our balcony overlooks the grounds -- palm trees, plumeria trees, the pool and the ocean.

Barbara organized the bathroom and took a shower while I unpacked.

Then we went for a swim in the ocean.  The black sand is nice to walk on and manicured every morning by the staff.  The beach waterfront is rocky, and the rocks make it unpleasant to wade in the water.  The Village provides little rubber booties to wear next to the shower.

We opted to forgo the booties and brave the rocks.  I found it easier to negotiate on all fours until I got knee deep so I could swim.  Once past the rocks, the ocean is delightful to swim in.  The water is warm, clear and calm.  After our swim in the ocean, we rinsed off in the shower by the beach, then went for a swim in the pool, showered again in our room and went to dinner.  

The meals are five-star, in my humble opinion.  The lunch and dinner menus were different every day.  All food is organic and locally grown, including the spices and coffee.  The chef shops daily in the local villages to find the best of everything.  Our package included three meals per day, and three of the four courses for lunch and dinner.  Here is a sample dinner menu.

Dinner

Appetizers

Potato salad with bacon and red capsicum coulis

Green salad with bean sprouts, glass noodles, edamame, orange and balsamic vinaigrette

Soups

Lobster bisque soup with brandy

“jukut ares bebek”

Duck soup with banana stalk

Vegetarian selection

Sautéed vegetables with shallots and garlic served with steamed rice

Pasta with vegetables and spiced cocoanut sauce

Main courses

Pan fried red snapper with butter glazed vegetables and orange sauce

Char broiled local beef tenderloin with herb crusted potato, baby leek, mushroom combination with Balinese “kecap” sauce

Desserts

Traditional steamed rice flour pudding with sugar and grated coconut wrapped in young banana leaf

Butter cupcake served with home-made vanilla ice cream

Since Barbara made the reservations, ‘Miss Barbara’ is treated like a queen, and ‘Mr. Jim’ is the tag-along private yoga instructor.  Barbara enjoys this role a lot!  Each time our room is cleaned, (twice a day), our room attendant leaves a note on the bed for Barbara.  Here is one example:

Dear Ibu Barbara Frandeen,

I hope your morning is great, that good things come your way!  Because I want you to have a really wonderful day!

Your Room Attendant,

Budaya

On our first night, Barbara had a special note and a special treat.  Her bath was drawn and filled with flowers, candles were lit, bedcovers pulled back, and our room perfumed with an aromatic oil burner.