Taking it Slow in Bali

In one of Indonesia's best tropical paradises, unhurried days amid jungles, waterfalls, and waves soothe the soul.

- GRACE MA DIS

The storm came down, thick drops slicing through a grey canvas. Coconut trees swayed vigorously while the roar of the ocean was thunderous and foreboding. With a gin and tonic in one hand and a book in my lap, I watched this wild show snugly in a soft linen robe on the sofa.

Being in the moment can seem impossible when we are overachieving travellers. Nevertheless, I did just that on a trip to Bali, where I stayed at several Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) properties.

FOLIAGE-SWATHED PARADISE

At Lost Lindenberg, tropical rainstorms can be so awe-inspiring that they beg an audience, especially from my "treehouse" suite, one of only eight. Two of them stand atop each of the four elevated towers connected by a wooden walkway.

A two-hour drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, the Lindenberg hotel collection's fifth and latest opening is tucked into a sleepy town called Pekutatan on Bali's west coast. The foliage-swathed paradise can only be reached after passing through the hidden entrance in a neon installation and then walking down a stone path through a garden filled with plants, from ferns and bromeliads to banyan trees.

Right after that dramatic storm, I had my first surf lesson on its black lava sand beach, where I also took misty, contemplative walks. Despite not mastering the push-stand-balance stance and drinking a lot of seawater that day, I surfed successfully on Kuta Beach a few days later. Funny how being in a foreign land inspires courage to try new things.

One morning, I hiked to a secluded river where we frolicked in the water and had a natural hydrotherapeutic massage from mini waterfalls. As I enjoyed Lost Lindenberg's delicious banana bread, specially packed for our excursion, I soaked my feet in the cool water and enjoyed the tranquility. Our guide Putu owns the land we trekked through and knowing the hotel channels business to locals was assuring.