Despite much wailing and renting of cloth, I have torn myself away from the paradise that is the lush surrounds of Ubud, Bali. Gone from my reality are the green, rolling hills and the verdant valleys that have hypnotised me for the past month or so...but I shouldn't grumble. As I trawl through the myriad photos I have taken, already missing the warm evenings and tropical scents of Payogan, I know that Ubud is never far away...a mere 6 hours flight (albeit tedious and horrific) from Melbourne.
Back home and the promise of summer is with us. The days are getting longer and the weather is slowly but surely developing a reassuring warmth. This evening is particularly warm for this time of year and my photo trawl has inspired me to sink back into holiday mode. To complete the mood, I have selected a 2009 Curly Flat Chardonnay from the Macedon Ranges here in Victoria; a zesty drop with a stylish, new oak edge. Mmmmm! An delightful evening tipple, a warm evening and warm memories of the tropics. What folly!
As much as I have been recently crowing about the joys and pleasures of spending a winter in Melbourne, there must be some respite...a chance to laze in the sun and get the feet warm at least once! So as you can imagine, I jumped at the opportunity to go once again to the tropics, this time to the island of Bali in Indonesia. Unlike my fellow countrymen however, I have chosen to bypass the busy coastal regions and beach culture and head directly to the green, gentle and tranquil slopes of the village of Payogan, near Ubud to warm the bones, unwind and...to contemplate my navel. Well known as being the cultural centre of Bali, this region abounds with beautiful temples, ancient sites and traditional healing practitioners and is the perfect place to immerse oneself in peace, harmony and...indulgence. Yes, I am afraid its a restorative massage each day together with interesting and tranquil meanders through the surrounding jungle and rice fields for me. A hard job but someone has to do it!
Ancient monuments and verdant rice fields aside, this region also boasts a host of warungs (local eating places) and excellent establishments to while away an evening or three. I have managed to tear myself away from the rigours of relaxation and have uncovered the perfect location for my evening libation... a wonderfully located warung above the rice fields that makes a serious lychee martini! A departure from the more traditional martini but a departure certainly worth making. Mmmm! Navel gazing at its finest.
*PS: In a departure from my normal posts, I would also like to share with you, the establishment in which I enjoy repose while in Payogan. I am ensconced in the Villa Saraswati, a small and perfectly appointed B&B where the locally sourced staff provide a level of personalised friendly attention and service that is difficult to find these days. I think I shall be here for quite a while!!
