Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Wheat Grass Juice to Lift Up Your Spirit


fresh morning at Spa area

life wheat grass

wheat grass juice ready to drink


One early morning I came to the Spa area. I found this fresh plantation at the River Cafe, the plantation was as fresh as the morning.

Lifting up my spirit.

It was Life Wheat Grass available for Wheat Grass Juice served as one of River Cafe healthy drink menu.

Wulan, the lady who takes care of the garden and plantation explained that it takes 8 days to grow the wheat grass until it is ready to harvest. The wheat seeds need to soak for 1 day, and then strain and leave it for another day. The next stage is to spread the seeds on a container with healthy soil and black sand as the base. Water the seed every day with fresh water and then on the 6th day, it is ready to harvest.

Once the guest asks for the juice, Dewa Antara, or one of the River Cafe's team will cut the grass on the spot and juice it with special juicer.

The Wheat Grass Juice has great therapeutical benefits as it contains 100% natural detoxification agent and it's high enzyme content fight cancer, eliminates internal waste, energizes your body. It is nutritional pure protein, builds red blood cells and cleance toxins from body cells.

The get best result we should drink it regularly.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Temple Ceremony at Maya Ubud


offering parade during temple ceremony



Once every 6 months of Balinese Calendar (210 days) the resort hold a temple ceremony or Piodalan. The purpose of the ceremony is to purify, protect and bless the area and the people. The latest Piodalan was held in the evening of 17 December 2008. The ceremony conducted by Ida Pendanda (Balinese high priest) commenced with purification ceremony then continued with the piodalan and prayer. All staff members of the resort came along and to celebrate it.

The ladies wore balinese kebaya while the gentlemen wore white shirt with udeng (mind binder), saput and kamben. They sat down inside and infront of temple waiting for the praying moment.

Before hand, all staffs helped by community from Banjar Ambengan did preparation for the ceremony. Each person or group also prepare their own offering to be presented to the God. As you can see on the picture above, the offerings are so beautifully made with creations, everybody wanted to present the best to the God.




maya ubud temple from front



smiley face of our photographer


staff members with sunset background


the gentlemen with white shirt & udeng


Saturday, December 20, 2008

The Best in South East Asia Signature Resort & Spa and Indonesia Spa of the Year by HAPA















More awards for Maya Ubud Resort & Spa.

The Best in South East Asia Signature Resort & Spa and Indonesia Spa of the Year by Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards 2008-2010
.

World Asia Publishing the organizer of Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards garnered 139 nominees from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand for HAPA Regional Series. During a gala event in Kuala Lumpur HAPA awarded the Top Ten Best South East Asia.

The two awards were presented on the evening of November 27 at a Welcome Dinner and on November 28 at a Gala Charity Dinner in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Each year, World Asia Publishing through the HAPA Gala Charity Dinner & Award Presentation gives back to the community via charity foundation. This year all net proceeds from the event were in aid of the HAPA “Wish Tree” Program set up at the Paediatric Haematology & Oncology ward for children with cancer at the University of Malaysia Hospital.


Art of life, a Batik Exhibition at Maya Ubud



Maya Ubud Resort & Spa will feature Batik Exhibition titled “Art for Life” by Tjok Agung Kusumayuda Pemayun and W Gallery from December 20, 2008 – January 15, 2009.

The unique process of Batik making is through dyeing methods in which design is drawn or stamped on a piece of cloth with melted wax. When the wax sets it acts as a dye-resist, so that the waxed parts of the cloth remain unaffected by the dyes. The wax is then removed, usually by boiling the cloth, and the process is repeated over and over again until the desired pattern is achieved. There are two main processes to apply the wax: by hand, using a special tool for drawing with melted wax called a canting and with a copper stamp, called a cap. In some cases both techniques are used on the same cloth to obtain the desired pattern. Traditionally the canting is used by women and men use the cap.

Natural Dyed Batik is always the passion for Tjok Agung . He has been involved with Bali traditional textile conservation work with with Yayasan Pecinta Budaya Bebali (Bebali Traditional Textile Conservation Foundation). He is also developing programs in his village of Pejeng to build the local economy and community in ways that are sustainable and preserve the natural dyed batik tradition. Alongside to his effort in growing local economy among village people, together with W Gallery Ubud, Tjok Agung contributes 10% from sales of his batik artwork during the exhibition and at W Gallery for environment programs such include reforestation, organic agriculture, education and other community projects that being done by Friends of National Parks Foundation (www.fnpf.org).

Following are some of Tjok Agung's beautiful artwork of Batik handmade with natural dyes:







For further information, please contact Ayu Martiasih at marketing@mayaubud.com.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Romantic Ideas on Your Honeymoon



This resort is very popular among honeymooners and Ubud is always a perfect place to escape for couple celebration. There are many ways to spend your time together at Maya Ubud and surrounding area. Here what's suggested for couple in love :


Spa Villa Pampering

A better way to show your love is to treat a romantic getaway at private spa pavilion of Spa at Maya. Try Maya Escape, recommended couple spa treatment begins with Balinese massage, and then followed by a choice of body scrub, and finished with a romantic flower bath.

Village Tour

Ubud village and surround is an exciting experience. There are always so many things to see, whether you love to visit an art gallery, shopping, seeing the traditional cultural dance, or just enjoy country side rice field view. Professional English speaking driver will escourt you on your private tour in a comfortable vehicle.

Romantic Dinner

For your memorable evening. Reserve an elegant table for two on a romantic dinner with candle light during your honeymoon candle. Maya Sari Restaurant provides magnificent view of lush tropical Petanu River valley.

Get Pampered in a Private Villa

Imagine a tropical island, secluded village, bird singing, river stream sound and your private villa. Combined that with all the comfort offered by our resort, and you are in paradise. Ubud village in Bali is the tropical getaway catering to couples seeking romance.

Cooking Class for Couple

If you want a great experience that will leave a lasting impression, as well as skills, taking a cooking class together may be just the thing for you. Maya Ubud Resort & Spa presents balinese cuisine prepared by you under the guidance of our master chefs. five easy - to - prepare traditional home cooked dishes in one hour, followed by a balinese luncheon at your leisure.

Biking in Ubud

Explore Ubud surrounding countryside at your own pace. A qualified resort guide will lead you to enjoy the natural beauty of the rice terraces, distant mountains, turbulent rivers and natural spring.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

I met Resort's Leisure Guide

On my walk through the riverside garden, I met this gentleman called Arif. He is one of Maya Ubud Leisure Centre Team. He greeted me with warm smile, and said good afternoon. Then we had a chat

Me : What are you doing here Arif?

Arif : I am expecting a group of people that has a meeting program at Maya Ubud. They will be here very soon.

Me : What do you bring in that basket?

Arif : This is special blended tonic drink to be given to the group as the walk through the garden. It is part of their retreat program.

Me : Is that a kind of Jamu?

Arif : Yes, it is similar to Jamu, but we have our own blending.

Me : What are the group doing at Maya Ubud?

Arif : They have a retreat meeting program for 3 days.

Me : Why do they choose Maya Ubud?

Arif : One of the reason I think is because of our location, the other reason is because of the facilities and the commitment that we are able to accommodate their expectation.

Me : Apart from the nature walk exercise what else are they doing?

Arif : Their main program is the meeting, it combined with thematic lunches/dinners as well as coffee breaks. They are also do Yoga session to start the day morning and welcoming dinner with cultural show.

Me : It seems to be a very interesting program. Do you have many group come and use your facilities?

Arif : Yes, we have some national and international corporations come here for their meeting such as : L'oreal Paris, Nestle, Volvo, Nissan, Bayer, Adidas, Ford, UNDP, UBS, Cisco and many more.

Me : Wonderful ! I should go know, I see the group is approaching us. Thank you for your time Arif.

Arif : It's my pleasure, have a wonderful day !


What an nice conversation I had with Arif. It's interesting to know what the resort could offer for their meeting clients. It is so much different that the ussual one. I am sure client will enjoy different experience the resort could provide.






A journey to Riverside Garden


Few weeks ago I had a chance to walk through the Riverside Garden of the resort . The garden spread along between the resort villas and Petanu river. The garden has 700meters pathway that will guide you to see different variation of tropical plantations available in the garden. Fruit trees, flowers, herbs, vegetables can be lively viewed during the walk. More than 200 trees planted there a part from the orginal big trees that have been exist long time before the resort was built.

In the garden, the resort provides 2 bales (gazebo) for those who wish to meditate or practicing yoga in the natural setting or just to read a book. Picnic Lunch Menu also available for those who want to dine in the nature.

The pathway ended at the surprisingly Spa area, where you could find resort's River Cafe, Spa Pool and Spa at Maya.

If you are on lesurely speed, it will take about 30minutes to browse the area.

On your visit to Maya Ubud don't missed this eco-walk, it's very refreshing. Especially if you conclude it with spa pampering.




shrine among the nature beauty



meditation bale or gazebo


papaya tree



the path way


beautiful scenery commences the riverside walk