NICHE style Fall 2016

the second Karma property on our list.,
Karma Jimbaran. Large private villas are
hidden throughout the beachside jungle
and the faintest scent of incense followed
us everywhere as we explored the palmframed
grounds. No detail is overlooked.
Koi ponds wrap around plush day beds
and oversized, glass-fronted sliding doors
open to a private pool. Dining in-house is
encouraged, and the mahi mahi is a musttry.
Should you want to explore beyond the
gates of Karma Jimbaran, head to the
beach just before sunset. We slipped into
the easy rhythm of Balinese life while
watching families gather to play in the
sand and surf. Jimbaran Bay is an ideal
swimming spot for all ages, as the beach
is clean and the waves are calm. At dusk, a
confetti of restaurants extend their tables
to the shoreline and the entire beach
flickers with candlelight. This is the place
to try any and all seafood. Our hunt for
cocktails led us around the corner to Rock
Bar, one of the highest rated bars in the
world. The steep price tag is justified by
the intermittent fireworks displays that we
watched, round-eyed, from a cozy booth
suspended over the ocean.
The next morning, as we made our way out
of Jimbaran Bay, we stopped at the local
fish market (be prepared to have a variety
of freshly baited eyeballs staring at you as
you make your selection).
We left empty-handed and eager to
head inland, where we would reach our
final destination and the retreat-style
accommodations of Karma Mayura. This
property is nestled within a jungle-fringed
riverbank on the outskirts of Ubud - Bali’s
famed artisan village. The rooms feature
hand-carved beds and large balconies
with charming views of the Balinese
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