Bali is Top Asian Holiday Destination

Bali is Top Asian Holiday Destination

The readers of an online travel magazine have named Bali as the top holiday destination in Asia for 2011.

The poll, conducted by Smart Travel Asia, also picked out several Bali resorts as the top places for a relaxing break.

Bali took the top spot from Kerala, India, which was bumped down to No. 4. Phuket, Thailand, and Hong Kong were the runners-up, respectively. 

In terms of top places to stay, a number of Bali resorts were included in the top 25 list, including the Bulgari Resort Bali and the Four Seasons Resort Bali at spots 2 and 3, respectively.

The poll also reported on preferred budget airlines, with AirAsia getting the gold star. Indonesia’s own Lion Air failed to chart.

The poll did not specify the number of voters, but the demographics skewed upscale. According to the magazine, voters took an average of 15.75 air trips over the past year and earned an average annual income of $150,000

read about our Bali hotels and Bali travel information at http://www.itravelindonesia.com/hotel/bali/bali-information.aspx 

 

The Year of the Rabbit. The Chinese New Year begins on Feb 4 this year

The Year of the Rabbit conjures images of fluffy bunnies, but fortunetellers in Asia predict that the coming year on the Asian lunar calendar will be anything but cuddly.



Among key predictions for the new year beginning Feb. 3: terrorist threats, continuing tensions between China and the United States, natural disasters around the world and wobbly global markets.

Even Hollywood celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is not immune from the grim predictions. Both were born in Rabbit years, and one fortuneteller sees their longtime relationship coming under increasing strain as the year wears on.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, Asians from Hanoi to Harbin put great stock in the soothsayers' predictions using feng shui - the traditional practice of foretelling events through dates and classical texts.

In feng shui lore, the Year of the Rabbit is associated with the natural elements of metal and wood. This is a likely recipe for conflict, according to Hong Kong-based feng shui consultant Raymond Lo.

Taipei-based colleague Tsai Shang-chi goes even further.

This year the West will suffer from a vicious energy and will be prone to more terrorist attacks," Tsai said. "The East will also be affected by a negative energy, reflected in ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula."

While Tsai and Malaysian prognosticator Rev Yong offer assurances that the problems between North and South Korea won't escalate into all-out war, Yong is less sanguine about the chances for avoiding an onslaught of natural disasters. He foresees severe flooding around the world, a powerful earthquake in Japan and the emergence of a number of worrisome new diseases.

One of the upshots, he says, will be big problems for the global economy and the possibility of a major stock market plunge toward the middle of the year.

"People think the rabbit is very gentle, but it's not going to be a mild year at all," Yong said. "It won't be a good year. There will be a lot of world conflicts."

www.itravelindonesia.com

Eat in Ubud

EAT PRAY LOVE IN UBUD
By www.itravelindonesia.com
Never mind the movie. We list our favorite places to eat, love and pray in stunning Ubud.

EAT

Ary’s Warung

Ary’s Warung
is located in the centre of Ubud. Ary’s Warung maintains its long and impeccable reputation of providing friendly yet professional service and of course, excellent food. The chef presents you with bold Balinese Fusion Cuisine. This creativity results in a variety of local flavours producing an unrivalled and unique combination of tastes. I am usually wary of fusion food, but the results in Ary’s Warung were worth the drive from South Bali.
The dining room at street level is finished in teak and coconut wood, marble and natural stone, antique wall decorations and tropical greenery with a stylish bar. The upper deck is an open-air terrace with a tree-lined veranda, boasting oversized rattan chairs to enjoy the view of the temple and Ubud’s main road below.
Ary’s Warung
Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud 80571 – Bali
Tel: (62-361) 975053

Casa Luna

Casa Luna in Ubud is a large restaurant. Casa Luna is spread over four different dining areas.
The Balinese food and homemade cakes and desserts are to die for. Casa Luna is also big on Mediterranean food.
There are nightly film screenings and many of the paintings by local Indonesian painters exhibited in the restaurant are for sale.
Casa Luna
Jln.Raya Ubud, Ubud
Tel: (62-361) 973283

Café Lotus

Café Lotus serves good food but is deservedly busy mostly for its lovely setting in the grounds of the Ubud palace’s family temple The Lotus Ponds surround the dining pavilions, stunning when the Lotuses are in full bloom.
Café Lotus is an old favourite. There are usually dance, gamelan and art practices on the grounds of the temple. Very atmospheric as you tuck into succulent pork satay.

Bebek Bengil

This is our absolute fav restaurant in Ubud.
Bebek Bengil is located at the southern end of Ubud, where the road forks to the Monkey Forest Sanctuary.  The restaurant has dining Bales set in padi fields. Yes, there are the occasional mossies, but staff religiously light mosquito coils to keep them away.
Service is prompt and helpful. It does sometimes get too busy, but the attentive staff manage to keep track of everything.
The menu of choice is Crispy Fried Duck, which is served with rice, cooked vegetables and washed with Bintang. There are set menus which are an easy introduction to  enjoying Balinese cooking. 
Bebek Bengil
Padang Tegal,Ubud
Tel. (62-361) 975489
Book your discounted Ubud Hotels here.

Griya Santrian - Offer Something That Would Suit Just About Everyone !

This is the sister resort of Puri Santrian. It is also centraly located on sanur beach and has beautiful landscaped tropical gardens. Intricate, lovingly made offerings, elaborate ceremonies and festivals, traditional and modern arts are all a natural part of the culture of its people.

We warmly welcome you to what will surely become your choice for - "This is Paradise". We are confident you'll come to appreciate and enjoy the ambience of exclusivity, and the "personal touch" reflected in our products, and in all our facilities and services during your stay here in Bali. Balinese hospitality and outstanding service to the tourist industry are the driving force behind all our affiliated companies. Puri Santrian and Griya Santrian Hotels, are sure to offer something that would suit just about everyone !

ROOMS

Many of the rooms have a large balcony and are perfect for enjoy in large gardens. The rooms are plush and very comfortable. This is a good choice if you want an alternative to the five star chain resort down the road. Centrally located on Sanur beach, this resort features 98 rooms in landscape tropical gardens. It is an easy walk to restaurants and shops along the main street of Sanur. Witness stunning sunrises and enjoy the view of the offshore islands. The personal touch, friendliness and hospitality of the staff will ensure your stay is a memorable one. We recommand the Beach Wing. The rooms in the Garden Wing are sometimes noisy because of the cafe.

Garden Wing



A two-storey wings of 41 rooms situated in lush gardens. Each room has a large balcony/ terrace, hot/ cold water, IDD telephone and AC.

Beach Wing



20 spacious rooms close to the sea and pool. All rooms have TV and other facilities as for Standard Beach Wing.

Deluxe



25 rooms surrounding the garden pool feature large semi-covered terrace (upper level), marble bathroom, separate shower, tea and coffee making equipment and other facilities as for Superior Beach Wing.

Duplex Suite



Spacious suites feature a queensize four poster canopy bed and beautiful examples of real Balinese art.

Santrian Suite

The brand new room category is a spaciously appointed 68 square metre bedroom, dressing room and balcony designed with a tasteful modern Balinese approach. Ideal for romantic getaway, family retreats or peaceful hideaways.

FACILITIES



The Griya Santrian has its own beach and the evening barbeque is very popular. The restaurant serves good and surprisingly reasonable priced seafood.

Swimming Pool



When it's time to relax, our pool deck, perched right on the beach, offers a world of expansiveness in which to absorb fresh air and sunshine. 2 superb swimming pools, one with children's wading pool, plus facilities for windsurfing, snorkling, parasailing, traditional outrigger sailing, and numerous local sightseeing excursions await the more adventurous !



Restaurant



Avail yourself of our around-the-clock room service, or visit our open-air dining room or the beachfront Pizzeria to treat yourself to elegant international cuisine, expertly prepared by our own hand-picked chefs.

Art And Culture

The courtesy and efficiency for which Griya Santrian are renowned, combined with typical Balinese friendliness, will ensure your stay at Santrian is a unique and memorable experience ! If you're headed to Bali for a "get-away-from-it-all" holiday, you owe it to yourself to check out the Griya Santrian - we know you'll want to return, just as many of regular guests do !

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