One of the biggest factors to consider when planning a retreat in Bali is the location. The island of Bali is as diverse as it is rich in culture. Every part of the island has something unique to offer. The location that is right for your retreat will really depend on the experience you want to create.
Ideally, what you are going to want to do is choose a location that will not only host your retreat, but enhance the experience, so it's important to know which areas will complement and contribute to your workshop itinerary.
Looking at the different areas, I will attempt to break them down and we'll take a look at what each of these locations has to offer in terms of activities, setting, pros and cons of each and which areas would suit different retreat groups. Now if I've learned anything, it's that every retreat is different and what may be the perfect location for one retreat and its participants, may not necessarily suit another.
IN AND AROUND UBUD
The Javanese Hindu priest Rsi Marhandya came to Bali in the eighth century and meditated at the convergence of the two Wos rivers at Campuan. At this time the area was a centre of natural medicine and healing. 'Ubad' is ancient Balinese for 'medicine' and consequently how the name Ubud originated.
In the 1930s, foreign artists were encouraged by the royal family to take up residence in the town. It wasn’t until the 1960s that intrepid travelers started coming to Ubud. In the last two decades, Ubud became the place people would go “up north” to escape the south to a still relatively undeveloped village, rich in culture, home to the Balinese royal family and with a growing expat population of writers, artists and poets.
In the 1930s, foreign artists were encouraged by the royal family to take up residence in the town. It wasn’t until the 1960s that intrepid travelers started coming to Ubud. In the last two decades, Ubud became the place people would go “up north” to escape the south to a still relatively undeveloped village, rich in culture, home to the Balinese royal family and with a growing expat population of writers, artists and poets.
In recent years Ubud has developed rapidly into a high profile, international destination, especially since the whole 'Eat, Pray, Love' phenomenon. While it still is regarded as the cultural and creative heart of Bali, and definitely has a dynamic unique unto itself, it is no longer what you can consider 'off the beaten track'. The current infrastructure is straining with the influx to what has now become a heavily travelled tourist destination.
Ubud has also become the virtual mecca of yoga and wellness retreats in recent years. And hence there is no shortage of retreat centres and facilities available to cater to them. With such a growth spurt, also comes the amenities and services that are not available in other areas outside of Southern Bali.
Is Ubud right for your retreat? I was going to list Pros & Cons of each area, but what may be a ''pro'' for one retreat, may be a "con" for another, so I will just list a few facts about each area and you can decide whether this information is going to be enhance or take away from the experience you are trying to create.
Ubud has also become the virtual mecca of yoga and wellness retreats in recent years. And hence there is no shortage of retreat centres and facilities available to cater to them. With such a growth spurt, also comes the amenities and services that are not available in other areas outside of Southern Bali.
Is Ubud right for your retreat? I was going to list Pros & Cons of each area, but what may be a ''pro'' for one retreat, may be a "con" for another, so I will just list a few facts about each area and you can decide whether this information is going to be enhance or take away from the experience you are trying to create.
THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT UBUD
Ubud is a destination that will give you the feeling of being away from it all while at your venue, most of which are designed to be a haven amongst the hectic outside goings-on, but is still close to shopping, restaurants, bank machines and other amenities.
Ubud has developed into a destination known for organic, vegetarian food. Most venues can cater to food preferences because they have access to ingredients that you may not find in other parts of Bali.
Ubud prides itself on being known as the 'cultural heart of Bali' so there is an extensive range of Balinese cultural performances to choose from. There are also lots of Balinese craft classes available, from silver smithing, mask painting and Balinese dance, to weaving, batik making and traditional painting, to name a few.
As Ubud has developed into a popular tourist destination, it sometimes can feel like you are walking through a Universal Studio Balinese theme park. You can see the kids in the Barong costume every day, daily shows and performances are run for the benefit of the tourists and and it doesn't seem like there are any Balinese people actually living in Ubud. The ones you do encounter will be lined on the side walks passing out flyers for tonight's dinner and dance show or asking if you want transport, every 10 meters.
There is also almost no local food to be had anywhere in the centre of town, unless you really know where to look. All food carts and street vendors have been banned.
When the village of Ubud was first designed and laid out, it was a lot less travelled back then. Most of the streets that go through Ubud are one way and due to the exploding population, not only from tourists and foreign expats now living there, but also Balinese from other areas coming to Ubud to find work, traffic is totally congested almost all the time. Should you be trying to find a place in the centre of town and you're travelling by car, you'd better not miss it, otherwise you'll have to go all the way around again, which could take you almost an hour, depending on the time of day.
That having been said, there are areas just outside of Ubud, away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of town that provide a much more relaxed atmosphere, but still a just 10-20 minute drive into town.
Ubud is also famous for its natural topography of rolling hills, lots of green space and of course the rice terraces. Located at a higher elevation than the low lying areas of the island, the temperature can be a bit cooler as well. It also has its own weather which consists of a lot of heavy rains during the rainy season, which is one of the reasons it's so green!
SOUTH BALI
South Bali is often called the 'Australian Carribean'. With Australia's close proximity to Bali and cheap flights, south Bali is your typical tropical holiday locale for those looking to get away, enjoy the sand, surf, parties and discos. With the exchange, a weekend in Bali can be more cost effective for those in northern Australia, than a weekend at home.
The South is where Bali comes to play. With rapid development and a heavy influx of tourists, comes the amenities to cater to them. From the big hotels and high end shopping to the world class restaurants and night clubs to the beaches, water sports and tourists attractions, South Bali has become this island's playground.
For these reasons, South Bali has most people coming to the island in search of retreating, running for the hills and which is also why South Bali doesn't have a lot of retreat venues as compared to other areas of the island. But don't discount South Bali as a possible retreat destination.
South Bali is not just about vacation revelling. The few retreat centres that we have discovered in the South are perfectly conducive to leading a retreat. Here's my fact list for South Bali and I'll leave it up to you to decide if South Bali is right for your retreat.
THINGS TO CONSIDER IN SOUTH BALI
South Bali offers close proximity to shopping, medical services, bank machines, as well as a wide range of activities and water sports. Convenient location and access to amenities is a bonus if this is important for you and your participants.
If your participants are coming from Europe or North America, getting off a plane they've just spent 8 or more hours travelling in, only to arrive and have to get into a bus for another three hours, may not be their idea of a good time. With only a 15 to 30 minute drive from the airport to most southern destinations, your retreat participants will arrive more refreshed and relaxed.
Depending on what kind of retreat you are leading and the demographics of your participants, the few South Bali retreat venues we have found vary from a secluded and totally private cliff-top sanctuary with its own private beach cove to a venue located right on a popular surf beach, immersed in the island beach culture of the free spirited.
IN THE MOUNTAINS
A world away from the hectic south, the mountains rise up to 1,700 m above sea level, giving it cooler and less humid weather than the lowlands of the island. A dream-like retreat destination, tucked away within the velvet green rice terraces, fruit, coffee, clove and cacao plantations and traditional villages, the mountain region of Bali is a haven for peace and introspection.
If you are looking to really get away from it all, the mountain regions of Bali should definitely be a consideration for you.
THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE BALI MOUNTAINS
Being away from it all may be just what you're looking for, but just remember, if you choose a mountain venue, you really are away from it all. Not just the shopping plazas, night clubs and busy tourist areas, but also ATMs, hospitals and pretty much everything else. If you choose a mountain venue, it's important to prepare your participants about what to expect because they won't be able to wander into town to buy souvenirs or go to a cafe on their free time because there aren't any. On the other hand, they will be able to leave the venue, go on hikes, explore the village and surrounding area unencumbered by people chasing them down asking them to buy a sarong or to 'come into my shop'
.
One of the nice things about the mountains of Bali is that the people in the mountains, apart from the ones who work at the few hotels, don't make their living from tourism. The mountains of Bali are home to primarily communities that farm everything from rice, clove and coffee, to cacao, vanilla, fruits and vegetables. This also means that when you meet people, the experience seems a lot more genuine.
The mountains have their own weather, which can be totally different from the rest of the island. I never thought I''d be wearing socks and a scarf in Bali, but i have, while visiting family in the mountains. It can get cold, especially during the rainy season at night and early morning. In fact it's pretty wet and drizzly and foggy during the rainy season as well. I would recommend April to September as better months for retreats in the mountains.
When you are planning your retreat in the mountains, choose a vegetarian or non-vegetarian menu and stick with that. The venues up here will not be able to cater to new age diet trends. Agave what? Not only are certain food items and ingredients not available in this area, the kitchen staff will be from the surrounding area and are not trained in nutrition, so there is no way they are going to be able to feed you properly if you are requesting a vegan, no soy, glutten-free menu. Believe me when I tell you that everyone seems to know how to cook, but where you're going to run into trouble is trying to get them to cook food they don't eat and are not sure what it is supposed to even taste like. I've ordered tomato soup in remote areas which was clear consume with a half tomato floating in it. I've had roti canai with sugar on it. If you order cheese cake, you may very well receive a piece of cake with grated cheese on top. I always tell people that the food is part of the experience. Better to go local and you will have a much more positive experience.
The mountains have their own weather, which can be totally different from the rest of the island. I never thought I''d be wearing socks and a scarf in Bali, but i have, while visiting family in the mountains. It can get cold, especially during the rainy season at night and early morning. In fact it's pretty wet and drizzly and foggy during the rainy season as well. I would recommend April to September as better months for retreats in the mountains.
When you are planning your retreat in the mountains, choose a vegetarian or non-vegetarian menu and stick with that. The venues up here will not be able to cater to new age diet trends. Agave what? Not only are certain food items and ingredients not available in this area, the kitchen staff will be from the surrounding area and are not trained in nutrition, so there is no way they are going to be able to feed you properly if you are requesting a vegan, no soy, glutten-free menu. Believe me when I tell you that everyone seems to know how to cook, but where you're going to run into trouble is trying to get them to cook food they don't eat and are not sure what it is supposed to even taste like. I've ordered tomato soup in remote areas which was clear consume with a half tomato floating in it. I've had roti canai with sugar on it. If you order cheese cake, you may very well receive a piece of cake with grated cheese on top. I always tell people that the food is part of the experience. Better to go local and you will have a much more positive experience.
Being off the beaten track also means the places of interests in the area are not often visited by tourists, so you'll often get a waterfall or a temple all to yourselves when you go to visit.
NORTH BALI
North Bali is dotted with idyllic, quiet seaside villages that offer the serenity of a true retreat destination. Far from the tourist hustle and bustle, the beaches of North Bali, that range from white to volcanic black sand, are home to some of the best fishing, diving and snorkeling spots on the island. From secret waterfalls to the oldest temples, this little explored part of the island offers some fantastic hidden gems not written about in any guide books.
THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT NORTH BALI
Much like the mountains, north Bali is pretty much off the beaten track. Access to amenities is sparse. The closest hospital and ATMs are in Singaraja, an hour away.
And also much like the Bali mountains, the meeting with the local Balinese is a much more genuine experience as fishing and farming are the primary industries, not tourism. If someone talks to you, it's because they want to talk to you, not because they're trying to sell you something.
The Balinese processions and ceremonies that you may see while you're here are happening for a reason, not for the tourists. Not only do you get to witness and guests are often invited to take part (depending on what's going on), you are doing so with the Balinese, not other tourists. So again a retreat in North Bali has the advantage of feeling like a much more authentic Balinese experience.
If you venture out of your venue, you never have to worry about your personal safety or security of your belongings. In the South, it's different. In South Bali, and now Ubud, there is a large transient population of Balinese from other villages and Indonesians from other parts of the country coming to the 'Big City' to find work, which leaves these areas with a rather disjointed population with no real ties to the community. Whereas North Bali is made up of very close knit communities. Everyone knows everyone and looks after each other. A small village also means everyone knows what everyone else does, just like a small village anywhere else. No one is going to do anything that would make them look bad or lose face to their family and neighbours.
The info regarding retreat menus is pretty much the same for North Bali as it is for the Mountain retreats. Non-veg, vegetarian and vegan (sometimes) diets can be accommodated, but don't try to get too fancy because you are not going to get what you expected. The choice of ingredients is not the same as it is in the South or in Ubud.
North Bali is fantastic for excursions. There are loads of things to see and do that are not offered by the million other retreats going on in Ubud. If you are looking to set your retreat apart from the others, integrating unique North Bali experiences that complement your workshops is a great way to do that.
A few notes about East and West Bali...
Despite the over-development in Southern Bali, the natural beauty this island has been renowned for remains largely intact in East Bali. The eastern part of the island boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in Bali and its fertile, volcanic soils make farming one of the main industries in the area. East Bali is also home to Besakih Temple. This most holy of Balinese temples is known as the island’s Mother Temple, located on the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali's most sacred volcanic mountain. The spectacular Mt. Agung towers more than 3,000 m and makes for a spectacular backdrop over East Bali. Few eastern villages encounter large numbers of tourists, and may be ideal for those looking for a true retreat destination, away from the tourist crowds. Though is a spectacular area, most of the resorts on the beach are high end, and very few with retreat facilities. But there are a couple of venues that we will be going to check out, but until we do our site inspections, I don't really want to be promoting an area for retreats if I am not even sure it has appropriate venues.
Most of West Bali is home to the national Park that covers 190 square kilometres. There aren't many venues out that way that I've been able to find, so as with East Bali, I don't really want to comment on a location that I'm not even sure is able to accommodate retreats.
As always, I welcome comments and topic suggestions.
And now for the shameless plug....
If you are looking to run a retreat in Bali, connect with us at Bali Biu Retreat Company at info@balibiuretreatcompany.com or come and visit our website at www.balibiuretreatcompany.com and let us help you create the ultimate Bali retreat experience. Feel free to send me a Facebook message as well if you have any questions.
THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT NORTH BALI
Much like the mountains, north Bali is pretty much off the beaten track. Access to amenities is sparse. The closest hospital and ATMs are in Singaraja, an hour away.
And also much like the Bali mountains, the meeting with the local Balinese is a much more genuine experience as fishing and farming are the primary industries, not tourism. If someone talks to you, it's because they want to talk to you, not because they're trying to sell you something.
The Balinese processions and ceremonies that you may see while you're here are happening for a reason, not for the tourists. Not only do you get to witness and guests are often invited to take part (depending on what's going on), you are doing so with the Balinese, not other tourists. So again a retreat in North Bali has the advantage of feeling like a much more authentic Balinese experience.
If you venture out of your venue, you never have to worry about your personal safety or security of your belongings. In the South, it's different. In South Bali, and now Ubud, there is a large transient population of Balinese from other villages and Indonesians from other parts of the country coming to the 'Big City' to find work, which leaves these areas with a rather disjointed population with no real ties to the community. Whereas North Bali is made up of very close knit communities. Everyone knows everyone and looks after each other. A small village also means everyone knows what everyone else does, just like a small village anywhere else. No one is going to do anything that would make them look bad or lose face to their family and neighbours.
The info regarding retreat menus is pretty much the same for North Bali as it is for the Mountain retreats. Non-veg, vegetarian and vegan (sometimes) diets can be accommodated, but don't try to get too fancy because you are not going to get what you expected. The choice of ingredients is not the same as it is in the South or in Ubud.
North Bali is fantastic for excursions. There are loads of things to see and do that are not offered by the million other retreats going on in Ubud. If you are looking to set your retreat apart from the others, integrating unique North Bali experiences that complement your workshops is a great way to do that.
A few notes about East and West Bali...
Despite the over-development in Southern Bali, the natural beauty this island has been renowned for remains largely intact in East Bali. The eastern part of the island boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in Bali and its fertile, volcanic soils make farming one of the main industries in the area. East Bali is also home to Besakih Temple. This most holy of Balinese temples is known as the island’s Mother Temple, located on the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali's most sacred volcanic mountain. The spectacular Mt. Agung towers more than 3,000 m and makes for a spectacular backdrop over East Bali. Few eastern villages encounter large numbers of tourists, and may be ideal for those looking for a true retreat destination, away from the tourist crowds. Though is a spectacular area, most of the resorts on the beach are high end, and very few with retreat facilities. But there are a couple of venues that we will be going to check out, but until we do our site inspections, I don't really want to be promoting an area for retreats if I am not even sure it has appropriate venues.
Most of West Bali is home to the national Park that covers 190 square kilometres. There aren't many venues out that way that I've been able to find, so as with East Bali, I don't really want to comment on a location that I'm not even sure is able to accommodate retreats.
As always, I welcome comments and topic suggestions.
And now for the shameless plug....
If you are looking to run a retreat in Bali, connect with us at Bali Biu Retreat Company at info@balibiuretreatcompany.com or come and visit our website at www.balibiuretreatcompany.com and let us help you create the ultimate Bali retreat experience. Feel free to send me a Facebook message as well if you have any questions.
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