NICHE style Spring 2017

NICHE magazine
the
editor
when was the last time you saw
something for the first time?
by Tracey Drake
Traveling to Bali has been a dream
of mine - to spend time enveloped
by its ancient culture, incredibly
friendly people and awe inspiring
landscapes. Getting to Bali was a
big part of the fun. Flying from
Hong Kong, I had heard about
some of the regional airlines with
cramped cabins, questionable
cuisine and frequent delays. So, I
chose to travel with Cathay Pacific
Airlines, from Hong Kong to
Denpasar, Bali and it was a lovely
flight. The cabin was spacious and
clean, the food was regional and
delicious and the five-hour flight
literally flew by!
Arriving at the Ngurah Rai
International Airport in Denpasar,
Bali was an assault on the senses -
the arrivals terminal is open-air so
the heat hits you instantly. It can
be quite loud coming through the
gate. There are throngs of people
everywhere you look - some waiting
for travelers; many trying to sell
you transportation or tickets to a
local attraction. Emerging from
the crowd was a smiling Balinese
man dressed in crisp white linen.
He introduced himself as my
driver, and would escort me to the
Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay,
EXPERIENCING THE
FOUR SEASONS IN BALI
He deftly gathered my luggage,
and whisked me away into a cool
car. I was grateful to have a driver
navigating the frenetic streets of
Denpasar. It was early evening
and the city was pulsing with
daily life. The streets were filled
with motor scooters - literally
thousands of them! It seemed to
be the smartest way to navigate
the traffic. Despite the congestion,
I found the authenticity of the
region to be amazing. Families
were settled in restaurants and
along the side of the road by food
vendors, enjoying an evening
meal. The colors of Denpasar
and the melding of ancient ways
and modern technologies is truly
fascinating, and something every
traveler should experience.
About twenty five minutes
later, and just barely outside of
Denpasar, we arrived at the shores
of absolute paradise.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at
Jimbaran Bay doesn’t feel like a
hotel - not even remotely. It feels
like you are staying in a traditional
Balinese village. The welcome
area is filled with interesting and
tasteful Balinese furniture and
overlooks the 35-acre oceanfront
property. There is no “main”
building - just luxurious villas and
several authentic style compound
areas that offer dining, spa,
boutique and poolside services.
86 . SPRING 2017