Why I Fell in Love with Bali (a destination I had no interest in travelling to)
As an Aussie traveller the thought of going to Bali has always made me cringe. Why would I want to fly 6 hours to another country to be surrounded by nothing but other Aussies? I want culture and adventure and experiences, surely I will not find that in Bali?
We’ve all seen the headlines “misbehaving Aussies”, “the dark side of Bali” and “Bali’s had enough of our grotty bogan behaviour”, yep that was an actual headline about how SOME Aussies choose to behave on holiday in Bali. The number one reason I did not want to travel to Bali is that I didn’t want to be perceived in that way. As always a few bad bogans, make the rest of us good bogans look bad.
In 2017 I did my first trip to Bali, I was going to Bali purely to go scuba diving so was fairly confident I wouldn’t hate it. From my hours of research of the best areas to stay for diving I landed on a little town on Bali’s east coast called Tulumben, about 2 hours from Denpasar airport. Due to flight times I made the decision to do 2 nights in Seminyak when I arrived so I was well rested and ready to dive.
I will start by saying that there is no judgement on where you choose to stay in Bali and what type of holiday experience you want to have. But Seminyak is just not for me. A little too loud, a little too crowded and a little too pretentious, for ME. Seminyak seems to attract the insta-influencers who spend their whole time posing for a million photos, the too cool for school types who want to drink over-priced cocktails while smilitaniously scrolling Instagram. But me, I knew a different Bali was out there I just needed to find it!
Fast forward to December 2023 and a rare opportunity presented itself. After a hellish year, there was an 8 day window where I had an opportunity to have a few days of R&R. So I started looking for somewhere we could go for a quick break to relax and unwind. After researching all of the usual suspects, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Byron, and realising it was schoolies time I started looking further abroad for somewhere far enough but not too far. I scoured the internet for hours looking for a resort that was just right. I wanted something luxe that wouldn’t break the bank and I somehow ended up on the Luxury Escapes website, and found what I consider to be one of Bali’s best kept secrets Spa Village Resort in Tembok.
This was the only resort that ticked all the boxes and then some. It was beachfront, out of the hustle and bustle, the food looked incredible, private return airport transfers were included and then came the cherries on top. I must have re-read these inclusions 30 times to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. A 50 minute spa treatment DAILY, yep you read it right every single day 50 minutes in a day spa INCLUDED!!! And then to top it all off breakfast lunch and dinner and 1 cocktail were included and it was an adults only resort - I couldn’t hit book quick enough.
After the travel day where nothing went to plan, we finally arrived at Spa Village resort at midnight. We were greeted by the kindest staff, in the most beautiful reception area , who had to wait for us to arrive, they took us straight to our room and said come see us in the morning and we will fill in the check in paperwork then, and because we missed dinner they had put some sandwiches and fries in our room for us which was just so sweet!
The next morning we awoke, literally in paradise. A gentle breeze swayed through the palm trees as we went to our first breakfast and wow!!! I am not much of a breakfast person but even I was tempted by so many healthy and delicious options. From smoothies, fresh cut fruits and açai bowls, to bacon eggs and potatoes, there was not much that wasn’t covered in the breakfast menu.
We then went to the reception area to do our official check in and were presented with our own personalised itinerary for the duration of our stay. What left me a little speechless was when they said “madam Jessica as your flight was delayed we have booked you into the day spa for 100 minutes today as well as their 20 minute welcome ritual which we missed the evening before. This was part of what made this resort so truely special, the people who worked there genuinely cared that you had a wonderful stay.
After a quick swim and some lunch we headed to our booked spa treatments. This started with a 20 minute foot scrub and shoulder massage. After this we were ushered to the day spa with a kind smile. What followed was probably one of the most unique and revitalising spa treatments I had ever had. Escorted into a room where there were stunning water fountains and a giant bamboo covered square in the middle of the room. The spa therapist explained the treatment that was about to happen as they lifted the cover on a meter deep sauna filled with volcanic sand from the beach nearby. You sat on the edge of the pit and covered in towels while your legs had a volcanic sand and bamboo sauna. Like this was amazing enough about 10 minutes into your sauna the spa therapists brought in a delightful snack of frozen watermelon skewers and a palm sugar and crushed ice treat. Bliss is an understatement.
After another twenty minutes we were instructed to wash the sand off our feet and the water fountains, and taken to our spa treatment room for our massages to begin. A 50 minute full body massage followed and we were left feeling like we were truly floating. What a way to start a week of rest and relaxation.
The next week was a repetition of more of the (incredible) same. Eat breakfast, nap in the cabana by the pool, swim, lunch, spa treatment, nap, dinner, repeat. This was a place for true R&R, a getaway from your everyday in a quiet corner of Bali. And while the resort itself was probably one of the best places I have ever stayed, the reason I fell in love with Bali is the people.
Balinese people do hospitality better than anywhere else I have been. They are such kind, caring and hard working people who are all trying to give their children a better life with more opportunities than what they had. This resort made your feel like you were staying with family. From the moment you arrived you were welcomed into the Spa Village Resort family, and you stayed there until it was sadly your day to check out. What stood out for me the most at this resort was that every gesture of hospitality was genuine. They truely wanted you to have a memorable time and took care of you, and they meant it when they said come back and stay with us again. We loved getting to know the staff and sharing with them about where we are from.
As I said goodbye to my newfound Balinese family, I had a wave of sadness wash over me. It wasn't just the luxurious pampering or the idyllic setting that had stolen my heart; it was the genuine warmth and kindness of the Balinese people. They had shown me a side of their island that transcended the headlines, a side where ancient traditions met modern charm, and where every smile held the promise of a deeper connection.
Leaving Tembok Spa Village Resort felt like leaving a newfound piece of myself behind, but I carried with me a heart full of memories. Memories of volcanic sand massages under the sun, of fragrant frangipani petals scattered across my pillow, of whispered conversations with gentle souls who had opened their hearts and homes to me.
Bali, I had finally seen you, not through rose-tinted filters, but in all your glorious, unfiltered reality. And you were more than I ever imagined. You were a symphony of sights, sounds, and smells, a kaleidoscope of colors and emotions. You were a place where time slowed down, where worries melted away, and where laughter echoed through the palm trees.But most importantly, you were a reminder that the best souvenirs are not things, but the connections we forge with the people we meet along the way. And in that sense, I left Bali with the most precious souvenir of all: a heart brimming with gratitude and a longing to return someday.
So, to my fellow Aussies who might be hesitant to venture beyond the beaches of Seminyak, I say this: take a leap of faith. Explore the further afield, wander through the rice paddies, and connect with the Balinese people. You might just discover, as I did, that the true magic of Bali lies not in its hotspots, but in its hidden gems, and in the hearts of its people.
Happy Wandering
Jess :)
