Tourist troubles: Lawbreaking on holiday more common than expected
Austin Rulfs says he's still embarrassed about his recent visit to a Balinese temple. He was wearing a T-shirt and tattered shorts. The locals stared at him with disapproval.
'I underestimated how strict they are about respecting sacred areas,'
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NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Ayana Villas Bali review: Honeymoon paradise with stunning ocean views
Perfect for: Honeymooners, couples looking to treat themselves, or any water babies who fancy a private pool in picture-perfect surroundings. First impressions: As soon as you're whisked through the gates of Ayana Bali you know you've arrived somewhere special. The staff at the Ayana Villas lobby are your first taste of the exceptional service you'll receive throughout your stay. The open-air reception looks over mirrorlike pools, and you're left itching to explore the manicured tropical grounds as you sip your tasty welcome drink. One of the exclusive perks for villa guests is priority buggy service anywhere within the resort (remember it is 90ha!), so you arrive at your intricately decorated front door in style. The room: Where to start with this room. I never wanted to leave. The One-Bedroom Ocean View Villa is 500sq m and has been newly refurbished to bring together modern design and luxuries alongside traditional Balinese elegance. Marble and wood are used extensively throughout the suite, which features a spacious, separate living area. Each villa features an inviting gazebo by the pool, while sliding glass doors open from the bedroom. So, naturally, I started each day with a morning swim just steps away from my bed. The king-size bed is incredibly comfortable, and there's even a pillow menu with 14 different options. Ayana Villas delivers luxury, privacy and sustainability in one cliffside package. Photo / Supplied Bathroom: The spa-inspired marble bathroom is almost bigger than my Auckland apartment. A standalone marble bath is in pride of place, and I'm welcomed by a flower bath on my first night. I soak in the petals and admire a glowing sunset. Between the bathroom and bedroom is a full-size dressing room and vanity area, with all the bathroom amenities you might have forgotten to pack. To keep the spa theme flowing, the Villas use luxurious Espa products, with pure natural ingredients. Facilities: If you can drag yourself away from your slice of tranquil paradise, there is so much to explore at the resort. By the numbers there's the 53-room award-winning Ayana Spa (featuring one of the world's largest hydrotherapy seawater pools); a secluded private beach (accessed via its own funicular with jaw-dropping views); an 18-hole golf putting course; two tennis courts; three well-equipped fitness centres and two kids' playgrounds that I wished I was small enough to clamber on. Expect flower baths, a pillow menu and Espa toiletries in Ayana's premium villas. Photo / Supplied There are also 14 swimming pools, with the two-level River Pool, designed to mimic a natural river, available exclusively to villa guests from 10am. Any earlier and you'll find other resort guests taking part in a photoshoot – it's the stuff of an influencer's dreams. Ayana Hospitality has its own app allowing you to easily check out everything on offer, book at the spa or restaurants, or liaise directly with your butler for a pickup. Food and drink: With more than 30 restaurants and bars on site, you're spoiled with the variety of cuisines on offer. The bars include a beach club, multiple rooftops, and a music lounge for night owls. As a villa guest, you get priority access to the resort's famous Rock Bar, set on the cliffside, where visitors line up for a prime sunset seat. The Rock Bar is perched on a cliff and offers priority seating for villa guests. Photo / Supplied In the neighbourhood: The four hotels at Ayana Bali already feel like separate destinations; however, if you do venture further afield, Jimbaran Village is nearby and you can join trips to revered spots like Uluwatu Temple. Sustainability: Since 2023, the resort has eliminated single-use plastic amenities from all guest rooms, reducing an estimated 52 tonnes of plastic waste annually. Further plastic reductions include using glass bottles for drinking water, transitioning to biodegradable wooden keycards, and serving takeaway meals in compostable paper-based containers. The resort also has its own farm, which uses organic methods and traditional eco-friendly practices. There are plenty of activities for guests as well, including farm-to-table dining experiences and educational activities about sustainable farming. With expansive villas, priority perks and cliffside views, Ayana is as relaxing as Bali gets. Photo / Supplied Accessibility: The Ayana team is well-informed about the accessible rooms and amenities on offer. Most of the restaurants are wheelchair accessible; however, there are a few that, because of their location – such as on the beach or with many steps – would be challenging to access for those with limited mobility. Price: The 1BR Ocean View Villa starts at $1585 per night. Contact: For more information visit New Zealand Herald stayed courtesy of Ayana Resort & Spa.
NZ Herald
09-08-2025
- NZ Herald
Relax in luxury at Ayana Bali, the island's unrivalled 5-star tropical resort
Ocean Beach Pool. Photo / AYANA Resort Bali Dine at dozens of eateries With more than 30 eateries, you can find delicious cuisine suited to every palate. There's casual dining at many of the pool bars, and finer dining at Italian, Japanese and, of course, Indonesian spots. If you want something special, book the Pesta Lobster dinner at Kisik Pier. It's a prime private spot for spectacular sunset views. Have a drink with a view If your idea of a holiday isn't complete without a drink in hand, then you've come to the right place. There are multiple pool bars, with some also ticking the highly sought-after box of being on a rooftop. Kubu Beach Club (the resort's private beach) is particularly divine to while away a few hours watching the waves crash below. The Forest Bar tucked into the trees at the Rimba Wana lobby creates the illusion of being deep in the jungle. You can't miss the famous Rock Bar, a sprawling open-air complex built into the bottom of the limestone cliffs where DJs spin tunes. Reservations are a must if you want a seat at a premier sunset venue (resort guests get priority). Rock Bar. Photo / Supplied Dive into 14 different swimming pools I was keen to see them all, so I asked the resort app's AI chat for an itinerary to ensure I didn't miss any. All were stunning, and many adults-only, but the Ocean Beach Pool was breathtaking. The resort also has its own golden beach, Kubu, accessed by a funicular (or a lot of steps, if you prefer). Relax at the spa The spa offers 47 private therapy rooms and a full menu of services. Its decor, however, is enough reason to visit. Walking into the courtyard, a wave of calm welcomes you, while you take in the koi-filled waterways and utter tranquillity. One of the spa's unique features is the thalassotherapy pool. Imagine being immersed in warm seawater while being energetically pummeled all over by jet streams as you gaze out to sea. It is scenic as it is satisfyingly painful. Thalassotherapy. Photo / AYANA Spa Keep fit, however you prefer There are multiple, spacious, well-equipped gyms, a variety of extra activities like SUP and Aerial Yoga, and for those who want to pick up the golf clubs, an 18-hole putting course. For something a bit different, we tried Sound Healing, a meditative experience where you are 'bathed' in sound waves. I definitely felt relaxed as a result, but unfortunately not enlightened. Immerse yourself in culture While there's plenty on offer at the resort, including Kampoeng Bali (a traditional show and Balinese buffet), the showcase is Saka Museum. Yes, this resort has a museum, and it was named one of the World's Greatest Places 2024 by Time magazine. Saka Museum takes visitors on a journey to learn about Nyepi, a Balinese celebration where people spend a day in prayer and meditation. People don't leave their homes, and the whole island, including the airport, shuts down. Saka Museum, Bali. Photo / Saka If you have kids... I didn't travel with children, but the resort app details nearly 20 activities for kids, including impressive playgrounds, Kids Club activities, a Green Camp (nature-based day camp that runs from February to August) and a Montessori classroom. Ayana Bali has a sustainable, organic farm where daily walks take place, for adults as well as kids. While the kids play, adults can try a Farm-to-Bar Workshop, where you handpick fresh botanicals to craft your cocktail or mocktail. Worth embracing your inner mixologist and giving it a try! Checklist BALI, INDONESIA GETTING THERE Fly from Auckland to Bali direct with Air New Zealand. DETAILS New Zealand Herald Travel visited courtesy of Ayana Hospitality.
Otago Daily Times
17-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Balinese cuisine
About a month ago I came back from a two-week trip to Bali with my family. It was amazing; the culture, the people, the sights, but what struck me most was how quickly food is prepared there. We ate out most days to explore the local cuisine. With an exchange rate of $1 to 10,000 Indonesian rupiah, this was surprisingly affordable; less than $8 a meal. In almost every warung (food stall) my family dined at, our food would arrive within 20 minutes. From a hospitality perspective, this was incredible; dishes were always freshly prepared, with a depth of flavour I can only achieve after more than an hour cooking. Yet here they were churning out plate after plate of complex, balanced, and deeply flavoured food in a third of the time. What was the secret? I found out during a two-hour cooking class. Under the careful instruction of Chef Mudana, we made 11 different Balinese recipes. The trick to making so many dishes in such a short period of time? A blend of fresh aromatics and toasted spices called "magic sauce" that forms the base of Balinese cooking. "Magic sauce", also called bumbu Bali (Balinese sauce), basa gede (big spice), basa genep (complete spice paste), or Balinese basic sauce, is named for its ability to boost the flavour of everything it is added to. Traditionally prepared fresh every day at home, chopped aromatics and spices are ground in a mortar and pestle, then fried in coconut oil to release their flavourful oils. In restaurants it is usually batch prepped and frozen to save time. It got me thinking; how can I make this work in my own life? I often find myself at a loss for quick and easy dinner ideas. As the days get colder, I crave warming, comforting meals that get on the table in less than an hour. I adapted a traditional recipe for "magic sauce" as a solution to this problem. The authentic version uses galangal, candlenut and aromatic ginger. However, these can be difficult to find in New Zealand so I've substituted these ingredients, making sure to maintain the vibrant flavours of Bali. The other two recipes included here, aromatic miso soup and coconut-crumbed chicken, are some examples of how you can easily use "magic sauce" to add flavour into a dish. With a side of rice, they come together in a balanced dinner that takes 30 minutes or less to make. Ultimately, recipes should serve you. As with anything, you can, and should, swap out the ingredients to fit your taste. If you don't like heat, leave the chilli out. Want more lime? Zest to your heart's content. As a general rule, stick to fresh produce and whole spices; the extra effort tastes so much better. Coconut-crumbed chicken This recipe is inspired by sate lilit, a speciality of Bali which means "to wrap around". When I tried this in Bali, coconut chicken was formed around stalks of lemongrass and grilled. However, this proved a challenge during testing. My answer is to coat the chicken in a mixture of coconut and breadcrumbs before pan-frying. It brings a delightful nutty crunch while keeping the tropical coconut flavour essential to the dish. Makes 20 Cooking time 20 min 500g minced chicken 3 Tbsp magic sauce 1 tsp brown sugar 1 tsp salt ¼ C unsweetened desiccated coconut ¼ C panko breadcrumbs 3 Tbsp coconut oil Thinly sliced red chilli, to garnish Method Put the chicken, magic sauce, brown sugar and salt in a medium-sized bowl and mix well. Take tablespoonfuls of the mixture and form into ping pong-sized balls; you should get around 20. Set aside. Put the coconut and panko breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl and mix well. Roll the chicken balls in the mixture, coating both sides, then flatten into 1cm thick patties. Heat the coconut oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When you see the oil shimmering, add the patties and pan-fry, flipping once until golden brown on both sides and the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes (or until chicken registers 75°C on a meat thermometer). Place on paper towels to drain, then garnish with sliced chilli and serve with aromatic miso soup (see recipe this page) and a side of steamed rice. Tip: Make a double batch of these, then freeze and pull them out for a quick week-night meal. Reheat in the oven for 20 minutes at 175°C, no thawing required. Aromatic miso soup Miso soup is one of the most comforting dishes out there. It comes together in a few minutes and always delivers. Frying off some shallots and magic sauce takes it to the next level, bringing a fragrant Balinese twist to this classic soup. Serves 4 Cooking time 15min 1 Tbsp coconut oil 2 shallots or ½ a red onion, finely sliced 50g magic sauce 1 litre chicken stock [or 1 litre water and 1 ½ tsp chicken stock powder] 2 bay leaves 2 cloves 4 tsp miso paste Lime juice, to finish Method Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the shallots and cook for two minutes or until golden. Add the magic sauce (see recipe on this page) and cook a further minute until fragrant. Add the stock, bay leaves and cloves, bring to the boil, and simmer for five minutes. Take the saucepan off the heat and stir in the miso paste. Season with salt and finish with a squeeze of lime juice. Remove the bay leaves and discard. Serve with coconut-crumbed chicken (see recipe this page) and a side of steamed rice. Magic sauce Punchy, zingy and vibrant, this sauce is sure to bring some brightness into your evening meals. The ingredient list may seem daunting, but it comes together quickly and leaves your kitchen smelling divine. Double or triple the recipe to have a stash on hand to throw in curries, stir-fries or soups; the options are endless. Makes 150g Cooking time 20min 1 Tbsp macadamia nuts ½ tsp black peppercorns ½ tsp white peppercorns ½ tsp coriander seeds 3 cloves 1 tsp ground turmeric 2 medium shallots or ½ a red onion, finely chopped 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped 5cm piece of ginger, peeled and finely chopped 1 red chilli, finely chopped, or 1 tsp chilli flakes 1 lemongrass stalk, white part only, finely chopped, or 1 Tbsp of lemongrass paste Zest of 1 lime, finely grated 1 Tbsp coconut oil 1 bay leaf ½ tsp shrimp paste or 1 tsp fish sauce 1 tsp salt Method Toast the macadamia nuts, peppercorns, coriander seeds and cloves in a small frying pan over low heat until golden and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them as they can burn in seconds. Tip on to a plate and set aside. Put the toasted spice and nut mixture and turmeric in a mortar and pestle and grind until smooth. Add the shallots, garlic, ginger, chilli, lemongrass and lime zest and continue to grind until you have a deep yellow, smooth sauce. Heat the coconut oil in a small pan over low heat. Add the sauce, bay leaf, shrimp paste and salt and pan-fry the sauce until it is golden brown and fragrant, about five to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool, removing and discarding the bay leaf. To store, freeze tablespoonfuls of the sauce in an ice cube tray, ready to add to a marinade or for soup and a stir-fry. The sauce will keep for six months frozen, or one week in the fridge. Note: If doubling or tripling the recipe, work in batches when grinding, so you don't overcrowd the mortar and pestle. If you'd rather use a food processor you can, just make sure to grind the spices separately first. You'll need to pan-fry the sauce for five to 10 minutes longer too.
