Baru di Bali

It was seven in the evening when I got to Kupu Kupu Barong Beach Resort in Tuban after a long, exhausting day cruising around the city of Denpasar. Looking at my tired face and the backpack I was carrying, the security guard responded quickly and showed me the way to the reception while politely asking me questions like, “have you booked your room, sir?” and even, “first time in Bali?” The last question made me giggled actually. Such greeting was not the one I expected to come out from a security guard; but it somehow assured me that a wonderful, careful treatment was something I would get during my stay there.

Mr. Lilik, the receptionist greeted me on the front office, where I had a cold towel and hot tea with lemon grass delivered only shortly after to welcome me in a compound that in night time looked almost like a ‘green’ fortress with walls covering the place from the public’s eyes on the street of Wana Segara Tuban. Yet, once I passed the reception, even at night I could clearly see the hidden beautiful lush, tropical garden. The sound of running water from a nearby fountain made me fantasized that I was lost somewhere in a tropical rainforest. But the sound of rolling and crashing waves of the Indian Ocean woke me up from my fantasy; it added even more mesmerizing feelings.   

My room was ‘hidden’ behind a bamboo fence, which again, made me wonder on how it would look like in the inside. Stepping in, I faced a number of steps leading to the terrace; but the best thing was the private plunge pool with a day-bed where I could lay down and relax next to it. I didn’t really care about the room for a moment because I was so excited about the pool; but when Mr. Lilik showed my way inside and explained about everything in the room, I was put in between two tricky options: should I use the plunge pool first or just relax in the wonderful, comfortable room instead. 

I had a separate living room and a spacious bedroom with all the comforts and facilities provided. Indonesian wayang or puppet hung on the wall and the room’s wooden, cubical furniture, create a fine-looking blend of ethnic-contemporary structure. Lilik flew me away to cloud nine when he showed me the bathroom with its big stone bathtub surrounded by natural brick walls. Pebbles were everywhere covering the floor with square pedals to step onto the tub and the shower. A wooden bench is also provided in case I felt lazy to stand up while enjoying my shower with the warm drops falling straight from the top of my head – just like playing in the rain. To conclude his introduction, Lilik opened up a bottle of rosé and poured it in a glass and handed it over to me while saying, “Welcome to Kupu Kupu Barong, I hope you a pleasant stay. Enjoy the rest of the bottle, it’s on the house.” 

I spent the morning in the natural, green-stoned swimming pool overlooking the ocean. My plan to stay in the pool for 30 minutes lasted an hour longer instead. It was already 9.30 in the morning and so I rushed my way to the restaurant and had breakfast. Kupu Kupu Barong Beach Resort has a romantic, elegant ocean-front restaurant that serves a selection of world-class French and International cuisine. Dining areas occupy an open area on the terrace covered with a traditional Balinese roof, where stylish decor is complemented by Indonesian artwork. complemented by Indonesian artwork.

Alternatively, guests may choose to dine within a lovely pavilion with stone pillars running half the length of the white sandy beach.