destination – Bali

BALI
Ratua's special treats

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Australia is an egalitarian Country. The gap between richest and the poorest is not as large as in other countries. We do not have an underclass living on subsistence wages doing menial chores as in other countries with larger populations. It is only in recent years that the idea of paying someone to do our lawns, gardens or pools has gained popular currency in Australia.

>> Destination Bali, Weekends For Two

For the average Australian, the notion of having maids, cleaners, cooks, gardeners, chauffers etc is a fantasy described in books and movies. Not so in other parts of the world. And so it is that more and more Australians are discovering the joys of an all inclusive Villa holiday in Asia. This trend is particularly evident in Bali.

Regular visitors to Bali tend to go through a cycle of life as it were. They initially visit as young people seeking sun, surf and the nightlife of Kuta. As time goes by they start to return as a couple or even group of couples. The nightlife of Kuta becomes less important and they start to move along the beach to Legian or over the peninsular to the five star enclave of Nusa Dua. A recent trend has been to follow in other more experienced footsteps and rent a Villa further along the beach in Seminyak or Canggu. Here you can lead a quiet, relaxed lifestyle secluded from the bustling tourist areas. Australians and Japanese make up the largest contingent of foreigners living in Bali and are pretty savvy in making the most of what is on offer. And what is on offer is a spectacular lifestyle. The expatriates have made the Villa lifestyle popular around the Seminyak area. I recentlywalked up the beach to check out a very cool Villa I spied from the water while surfing in Canggu. Note the description of support staff: “A part time manager is taking care of 11 staff at your full service including five maids, two cooks, three night security guards, one gardener and a pool attendant”.

This is luxury living at the highest level. What do you think of having 11 support staff including drivers, cooks and cleaners? I am not suggesting it will be cheap, however I am suggesting it will be good value when the level of support staff and therefore service is taken into account. Look at the contracted inclusions:

• Welcome drinks and cold towels upon arrival
• Round trip Airport transfer.
• Free daily car and driver
• Tennis court
• Laundry
• Welcome Canapés
• Free Internet connection
• Fresh Flowers arrangement
• Fully staffed including: chef, cleaning service and house manager

A Bali Villa holiday could well be an interesting alternative to the five star hotel experiences.