OOH AHH, SANG SPA

LOOKING BACK ~ UBUD

Spas, spas, everywhere ~ how do you choose one?  Luckily the recommendation for to Sang Spa came with Frog Song.  From the first visit having chosen the full treatment: six hours of treatments can be blissful though much like Bali itself, it was much more than that.

Susie and I shared two treatments:  the first ~  the Holistic Sang Spa package, the second the Eat, Pray Love package with the ultimate Good Karma massage.  That's 90 minutes of four hands, twenty fingers of synchronous massage.  My third treatment, booked several weeks in advance was another 90 minutes with spa owner Asti called Intuitive Flow massage.  Her strong hands and even pressure most definitely increased positive flow of energy.

This last time with Sang Spa was magical on so many levels.  I had requested Ami as my therapist again having met her the first visit.  The driver came to collect me at Frog Song and so we began our journey to the spa talking about his family, his home town of Singaraja and hopes for the future ~ a bit about my life both personal and professional, where I'm headed, and so on.  Very accommodating, genuinely interested and graciously friendly.

The frogs at Frog Song villa near the entrance.

And 25 minutes later we arrive at Sang Spa 2 ~ there are three locations in Ubud.  This location just finished with renovations to the entrance...

a tranquil walk down an austere and tranquil path...

a curve to the right...

 past a rooster or two, down a few steps..

and you're welcomed by a warm smile and friendly greeting!

Ami on the left

After I've received a cool drink, the receptionist helps me choose my scrub, facial and of course, a light lunch choice.  Everything is offered with generosity and kindness and some times a giggle or two!

Owner Asti, Ami and other spa therapists.

A quick moment to take photos of the staff, therapist and owner Asti, on the left above.

After the initial 90 minute massage, a special herb treatment followed by coconut jasmine scrub, a shower then honey yogurt coating, and a rinse...this grand rose bath is a dream.

The compilation of music, combined with sounds of trickling water or light raindrops on the thatched roof is hauntingly soothing and comforting.

Cap cay, rice and special house made lemonade. A fabulous lunch of fresh steamed vegetables in their flavorful broth served in basket bowl lined with banana leaf. Perfect!

All over Bali you'll notice shrines and temples wrapped in black and white checked fabric and ornately donned with parasols, flowers, and offerings.  The black and white represents the age old battle of good and evil, in which the Balinese believe the good always wins over evil.

Preparation for the final treatment of the day, a decadent foot and leg massage and pedicure followed by a manicure.

Ami and I have a few moments while we await the arrival of the portable credit card machine from another location.  Asti agreed to allow me to use a credit card for my services and purchases ~ such encouragement!

Ami and my flat.

Below, Ami, the receptionist and driver are in awe as they learn the total of my Bali Tangi purchases! Sang Spa has their own product lines and shop just a minute down the road but I didn't dare walk through the store for fear of overspending. Ha!  With the help of my friends at Sang Spa, my suitcase was filled with five one-liter massage oil containers, toner, gel mask, facial and body scrubs, lotions, incense, moisturizers, and a foot treatment package.   Enough to put someone through school!

Never a need to experience another spa ~ Sang Spa offers an incredible array of treatments, in relaxing setting filled with a wonderful staff. 

Absolutely wonderful!

Bali Kopi & Luwak Coffee Tasting

STARBUCKS CORPORATE OFFICES

What better place to taste two exclusive Balinese coffees than with colleagues and friends at Starbucks?  Both of these coffees were purchased at a small coffee plantation down the road from Jatilwuth on the way to the sea.  

The history of the most expensive coffee in the world ~ this 100 gram packet was 600,000 rupiah or a little over $60 is interesting. In the 1650s the Dutch had command of the Indonesian farms and farmers and did not allow the common folks to pick the beans for there own use.  Industrious as they were, instead they collected the civet cat poop, who fed off bright red ripe coffee berries, carefully separately and cleaned the beans from the rest.  

The digestive system of the cats were delicate enough to pass the beans unharmed.  Farmers roasted them lightly and thus created a highly specialized Luwak Coffee.

Bali Kopi and Luwak Coffee...let the tasting begin!

Jennie with knife in hand!  

Always important to have delicate pairings when tasting coffees.  Here we share an Italian fruited panettone, brioche, and squash breads.

The grind of these coffees is extremely fine so Dixie was kind enough to figure out the best way to "brew" the coffees.  It took a bit of time for the grounds to sink towards the bottom of the press. 

Dixie:  Strong cherry berry flavor with a clean finish.  It left the tongue quickly.  It wasn't roasty, which makes sense since it would take away from the flavor.

pictured left to right:  Dixie, Jody, Jeremy, Kelly, Alicia and Jennie's head

Jeremy especially like the soft bread with fruity goodness...when you drink this much coffee perhaps the flavor nuances are not as critical!

Carlos:  I thought the Bali coffee was outstanding! My favorite was the first one we tried. I like it because it was strong but not overwhelming.

Taiece:  I thought the coffee tasted great!  It was really smooth without that bitter after taste many coffees have.  The flavor was earthy/organic like a homegrown tomato.

left around the table: Jeremy, Kelly, Alicia, Jennie, Carlos, Taiece, Dixie's head and Jody

ready, set...slurp and swish!

Myrna and Jody

Kelly on Bali Kopi:

I was surprised that this coffee had a very mild aroma – nothing really stood out to me at all.  I was also surprised when I tasted it. It had no acidity – which is typical of an Indonesian coffee, but it did not have the typical body.  The coffee had a surprisingly light mouthfeel – and the flavor was very balanced.  It was quite yummy, and I would definitely drink this coffee again.

Luwak:

This coffee was very intriguing from the first smell.  It had a strong earthy, herbal aroma – it smelled…..green.  The aroma in the cup reminded me of the smell of green coffee beans.  The flavor was very similar to the taste – rich with notes of grass, soil and herbs.  Like the Bali, the Luwak had no acidity, but was still very light in the mouth – no heavy, lingering aftertaste. 

Jeremy's tasting cup

Chocolates go well after a coffee tasting!

Jennie and I wired!  Nah, not really...

Nice pose Alicia and Carlos

Louie gets the girls with chocolates!

Coffee tasting....Part two!

More Bali Kopi & Luwak Coffee tasting with Jennie, Sara, Colleen and Karrie.

Isn't Sara wearing a cool sweater??? Oh, yea...coffee tasting.

Pretty smokey,.earthy, raw...

Karrie found that in tasting them against each other, she preferred Bali Kopi.

Yumm....Civet coffee. This time Jennie and I took the time to taste each
coffee. Jennie liked Luwak and I preferred the other.

Daydreaming of Bali...

BACK IN WEST SEATTLE

Daydreaming about my days in Bali reliving moments through the stories shared with you along the way.  When I think back, my heart goes to the welcoming warmth of the villagers.  The smiles, the waves, the curiosity, the generosity.  That's what sends my heart aflutter.  A deep breath, eyes closed, relaxed frame of mind, a shining face and I'm THERE.   Sounds of the crickets, geckos, roosters, and cows.  Gamelan drums, chimes and gongs wafting across the valley.  Daily fresh papaya, pineapple, bananas and mangoes.   The gardens, the flowers, the pool, the trees and shrubs.  Simply being there...

When you decide to stay in the jungle at the villa ~ you have plenty of down and quiet time but there are folks who come on a daily basis so you do have some contact with other humans!

Komang picking up fallen leaves and blossoms

Komang and his Dad when we first met

open air living room every night

solar lights

sunset between the trees

soon the two boys sat with me as I made flats

Topo when he first arrrived barely said anything to me!

Topo has Sony and Komang has my "flat"

Karya the driver and Wayan the manager

Most nights I have the company of one these boys who accompany their father, the security guard who stays on the property in a guard shack. This night both Komang and Topo came along and played with the iPad, and drew pictures and sang the songs they knew from school. The security guy is the father of the property manager whose first wife died early so he eventually remarried and has these two younger boys. So he and his first son Wayan have kids about the same ages. 

front entrance

Komang showing me the kind of work he does!

The boys are all smiles with the Ipad

a little night music

sweet, sweet smile!

Komang wanted to make sure these flowers were perfect!

Komang and his Papa

the neighbor bringing the daily offerings

part of my nightly routine

The pool specialists come often but really don't say much other than hello and goodbye.  Seems neither of them may speak english.

Wayan Tirta and family

breakthrough smiles with Topo and the iPad

he loves playing music!

Wayan at the volcamo

Nik and Wayan

bedroom doors that overlook the pool and gardens