Healthy, Hearty Holiday
Alila Manggis is set upon the shores of a fishing village, yet boasts modern style. The centerpiece surrounding its lawn is a big swimming pool with sun beds and umbrellas for lazy poolside addicts. But on this special day we were completely void from that sort of stuff and were out and adventure bound.
After refreshing welcome drinks and checking in considerably late in the afternoon, we unwound to acclimatize to the ambience amidst the sounds of the brisk shoreline bordering the resort's tropical gardens. As sundown drew the night in, we headed for the Seasalt Restaurant, which serves fresh ingredients through regional specialties to contemporary dining with a strong health selection.
Chef Penelope Williams was in charge of preparing our feast for the evening, and gave us a sneak preview of the experience we were about to partake the next morning. And most interesting was the resort's organic garden up in the hills…
So that was an impromptu add-in to our previously tailored itinerary. We then came to ask, "What's cooking?" Penelope's personal cultural exposure to East Bali life has thus incorporated some exotic fusion into the dishes at Seasalt. The archetypal East Bali way of communal feasting called megibung found its way into a signature Alila Manggis menu choice. Our feast arrived on a large terra cotta dulang or circular offering plate serving turmeric rice with various assortments enough to please a party of four. 'Megibung a la Alila Manggis' included perkedel (baby corn fritter), Rujak Campur (mango, yum bean, and green bean sprout), chicken curry, sate, and grilled jumbo prawn - definitely one jovial feast to share. Our appetites quenched, we signed off to prepare for the coming day.
After breakfast we were geared up and ready. We left the hotel for the organic gardens, a kilometer or so up on the slopes of the range, bikes and all by pickup and minibus at first – no pedaling as yet. There on the slopes and stretching out in a backdrop of green, was Alila's dedicated garden of vegetables, flowers and fruits, all fresh and grown from the fertile soil and flowing traditional irrigation system. After this brief pause for scenic admiration, the adventure began...
We got on our saddles in Bungaya and rode up slopes and down hills, whizzing through small village roads. Linggasana, Jungsri, and Budakeling (home to the notable silver and goldsmiths of the area) are the traditional villages that are located throughout the upland cycling route. Budakeling via Nangka is also the southeastern route for those who plan to climb Mount Agung, the island's highest peak.
From Tauka we zipped through a forest of bamboo to Abian Jero before Tegalinggah. Lunch awaited at our goal, at Bale Warak Ujung, above the historical setting of the Taman Ujung Water Palace. Alila's staff was already setting up our hearty Indonesian lunch on a shady pavilion. Upon this 'throne' we feasted at the home of the kings… as the breeze cooled off our perspiration with a prized view to thrill!
Alternative trips are available on different levels and sceneries, namely the Besakih - Amed, or the Bungaya - Ujung - Penelokan - Alila Manggis route with a volcano trip via Kintamani.
By Nyoman Ari Gunadi, courtesy photos
Alila Manggis
Buitan, Manggis, Karangasem, (0363) 410-11
www.alilahotels.com |
