| An Experience
Frank Besant
“I never thought it would be like this!” Julie shrieked. “I love it”. I had taken Julie to Murni’s Villas, which are fifteen minutes outside Ubud towards Mount Batur. They are called Villa Kunang-Kunang, named after the fire-flies that illuminate the neighbouring rice terraces at night. The Villas are in the central highlands so it's much cooler than the seaside.
Infinity pool. Murni, who owns Murni’s Warung, the first real restaurant in Ubud, lives in one and offers the others to guests. Last week my partner Julie and I were lucky to stay in one of the Villas, dine on her splendid Balinese and Western food, and swim in the jaw-dropping infinity pool, a 15-meter (50-foot) expanse of crystal-clear water.
Chinese gate. Greeting us as we entered through the Chinese gate, watching over us at the villa, and hiding behind bushes to surprise us were 33 Buddha statues scattered around the 2.5 hectares -- 6.5 acres -- of tropical gardens.
Villa 1 bedroom. Villa 1, where we stayed, has two double bedrooms and a living room. Very comfortable for one to four persons. Two ceiling fans, two armchairs, a large sofa, a desk and dining room table make the living room ideal for relaxing.
Villa 2 living room. Villa 2 upstairs has one double bedroom, a study, a large bathroom with Jacuzzi and is perfect for one person or a couple. When we were there, an attractive American couple from San Diego, Steven and Kimberly, got married in the grounds and stayed on for their honeymoon.
Villa 2 verandah. Both Villas have walk-in showers, spacious wardrobes and refrigerators with a variety of drinks. Each has a television with satellite reception, bookshelves with books and magazines and an easy-to-operate electronic safe.
Lotus pond. We liked the complimentary tea, coffee and snacks and being surrounded by Murni’s art collection. Windows and verandas have uninterrupted views of the valley and rice fields. We normally ate on the veranda, which is a lovely place to enjoy your meals or relax with a drink and book.
Rice barn. On our last day Murni invited us to a fantastic Balinese lunch in her Villa. In the middle of proceedings a mile-long Barong procession, accompanied by a gamelan orchestra, slowly wended its way to the water temple by the stream below her property. Is this paradise or what?
More paradise for me, please.
Frank Besant
Murni's Villas, Ubud. Tel: (62) 361 972146, Fax: (62) 361 972146 Murni’s Warung, Jalan Raya, Campuan, Ubud.
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