When Mamamia Editor Jam told me I was going on a holiday to Bali, two things immediately came to mind:
1. A free trip to Bali? I get to drink cocktails by the pool FOR WORK? Well, if you insist.
2. My previous trip to Bali, which in hindsight turned out to be a disaster. I made the very silly decision to try and keep a relationship together by booking a holiday under the logic that ‘BALI WILL FIX EVERYTHING.’ While Bali has undeniable appeal with its limitless supply of strong cocktails and breathtaking ocean views, it turns out that spending 24 hours a day with someone – even in paradise – can be detrimental to a relationship. Who would’ve thought?
This time it would be different. I was riding solo.
Well, actually, I was with 8 other Australian journalists and the lovely people from Jetstar.
Jetstar has a new plane called the 787 Dreamliner, which travels from Melbourne to Denpasar and I was told it was revolutionary. I don’t know very much about planes, but I do know I normally walk off a plane with bags under my eyes and feeling like I haven’t showered in three days.
Jetstar must’ve heard the thousands of complaints of swollen feet, dry skin and the ‘I haven’t showered in three days’ feeling because the Dreamliner experience was far from any of those things. It was truly magical.
The Dreamliner is quieter, smoother, has lower cabin altitude pressure and LED lighting to make people feel as comfortable as possible. I guess I should also say that it’s extremely convenient that the Jetstar staff are only a buzz away from ordering another wine. And boy, does every feature make a big difference. A quick 5 hours later and I strutted off the plane and into the balmy Bali air feeling like Beyoncé.
Well played, Jetstar, well played.
Arriving in Bali immediately set the scene for the rest of the trip. I was greeted with frangipani leis and beaming locals playing Balinese music. By the time I was in the hotel lobby of the Semara Seminyak with a welcome cocktail and a hand towel (hand towels are totally a luxury in Bali), I was wondering why it had taken me so long to come back to paradise.
The Semara is located in the heart of Seminyak and is a hop, skip and jump away from some of the best restaurants and boutique shopping in Bali. While I would have been content relaxing in one of the sunbeds sipping cocktails all day, there was too much to see and do in Bali to even consider lying down. But I wasn’t complaining.
The first day was nothing short of spectacular. After possibly the best breakfast I ever had (the Semara has a menu which is Australian centric), we were off to Uluwatu. The Semara has a sister hotel in Uluwatu which was where J Hawks stayed for her wedding. The woman has class. The Semara likes to call these dwellings ‘villas’ however I would be more inclined to call them HUGE MANSIONS IN PARADISE. Each ‘villa’ boasts of private infinity pool overlooking the ocean and complimentary staff on hand to cater for you and your 10 best friends’ every need. It is the ultimate place to sit back, look out over the water and contemplate life. And this comes at the cool price of $3000/night.
Top Comments
Bali is the most beautiful place! I went a couple of years ago and the people just melted my heart. To those who say they wouldn't go because of the current reasons in the media - remember hundreds of thousands Australians go every week. Unfortunately some things go wrong for a handful of people. But that also happens everywhere in the world.
Until you've been to Bali and experienced the beauty of it, you will never understand!
I have no interest in going to Bali and given recent media coverage of Bali,I am even less inclined to go.