Karma-refic

Every travel lodge I’ve ever known has proved beautiful in its own way, from a simple back-packer hostel in Seville (when I was oh so young and way too innocent), to a luxury suite in Paris (when, shall we say, I was mature and knew my way around). But now I know, that in addition to privacy and luxury, culture and out-of-the-way experiences are even more important than ever.

I’d never been to Bali before, but had always wanted to go. You remember ‘South Pacific?’ And that song ‘Bali Hai?’ That’s what brought me here, what my father hummed over and again. It’s no wonder empires from every corner of the globe had invaded over the centuries, the people are genuinely friendly and warm. And the climate? Same, or ‘sama-sama,’ as the Balinese like to say.

In need of quality time with my family, we together decided to go. I hopped on the net, came across the Karma Jimbaran Villa Hotel. It had everything we wanted, a full kitchen and laundry, four bedrooms, pool in every villa, high speed wireless... It was easy to book our villa via their website. No commission, no worries.

A warm and sincere smile beamed from the Karma’s driver upon our arrival at Denpasar airport. You know, its amazing how something so simple can make a person feel so special. It was the respect we gleaned, from that first moment, which kept us at the Karma for two weeks, when we’d only planned on one.

I have to admit that I needed rest, more than did my wife and kids. She called it ‘breadwinner bake-off.’ I said she was right. So as soon as we got there, I slept. Then I got a gentle Balinese massage right in our master suite. And then I slept some more. And ate a little of the exotic fruit they provided— mangosteen, salak, kiwi fruit. Then I really crashed, like 14 hours down-for-the-count crashed, never have I slept better!

It was before ‘the big sleep,’ as my kids put it, that Miss Tricia, the Karma’s Guest Services Manager, became my best friend. Our two young daughters and son were full of energy, and demanded more entertainment, right from the start, than I or my wife could then manage. “No problem, sir, we know your needs and will keep them busy for you,” she beamed. Tricia then arranged a nanny for them (for us all, really!) who took charge of every in-house detail from then on.

Then Tricia arranged a private car with a driver/guide, who took them first to the Bali Elephant Park, then to Water Bom park for screams, water, and sun. The kids couldn’t contain their excitement while showing digital pictures of their tropical adventures on the suite’s wide screen plasma TV.

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