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.

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

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.

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.

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

Photos of John Berendt Literary Lunch at Maya Ubud October 19, 2008

Enjoy some pictures from Literary Lunch of John Berendt, American author of Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, October 19, 2008.

We found article on the event. Click this link : http://blogs.smh.com.au/entertainment/archives/undercover/020389.html

More on Ubud Writers & Readers Festival :
http://www.ubudwritersfestival.conm/

More on beautiful Maya Ubud Resort & Spa :
http://www.mayaubud.com/

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival - Laskar Pelangi

One the writers in this year festival was Andrea Hirata, the author of Laskar Pelangi. Quoted as Indonesia's most powerfull book, this 526 pages book firstly published in 2005 has been inspiring so many people in Indonesia.

At least 6 of Maya Ubud staff reading this book, they discussed their thoughts after reading the book and the movie which is currently still in Bali cinema. Unfortunately they missed the opportunity to meet the author while he was in Ubud. Below books were queing to be signed by Andrea. On your next visit to Ubud Andrea... we will wait.

The Winning Team, Spa at Maya

Spa at Maya recognized as Best Spa 2008 from readers of The Yak Magazine through click to vote program on their website (www.theyakmag.com). Winners of 2008 Awards were announced on July 12, 2008 at Ku De Ta Restaurant in Seminyak Kuta Bali covering 19 Awards categories.

Maya Ubud Resort & Spa and Spa at Maya have been receiving numerous international awards
since the opening year in 2001.

Click this link o view award list : http://www.mayaubud.com/news_events_awards_memberships.htm

2008 Ubud Writers & Readers Festival

I and Ayu were on the gala opening of 2008 Ubud Writers and Readers Festival that took place at Saren Place, Ubud, Bali on October 15, 2008. This year is the 5th Festival that has been performed. The Festival comprises 4 days and the theme of this year is Tri Hita Karana which is the Balinese concept of balancing Man, Nature, and God.

This festival has been attended by about 100 writers with other participants such as journalist, academics, readers and sponsors. Maya Ubud is one of the main sponsors of this event.

The opening was started by the first speech from Tjokorda Gde Putra Sukawati from Ubud Royal Family, following by the words from Festival Director of Janet de Neefe, the Bali governor of Made Mangku Pastika, and the Ubud Royal Family’s member of Tjokorda Raka Kerthayasa. In the end, the traditional Balinese dance closed the opening gala.

Tjokorda Gde Putra Sukawati

Janet de Neefe

Made Mangku Pastika

Tjokorda Raka Kerthayasa

Photographs by Ayu Martiasih

Resort's Spiritual Person became High Balinese Priest

Ida Bagus Raka, the man who has been conducted daily prayer and offering ritual at Maya Ubud was inaugurated as Balinese High Priest or Pendanda. The ceremony called Mediksa held on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at his residence Griya Anyar in Banjar Ambengan, Peliatan Ubud, within walking distance from the hotel.

Pedanda, the brahmana high priest of Bali, is a special person who have ability to perform and oversee a religious ceremony, serves as the connection between God and mortal. The pedanda is also the source of holy water for ceremonies and declaim as holiest prayer.

Prior his new role as Pendanda, during the past seven (7) years on he was conducting daily offering presentation at the resort first thing in the morning, this include the temple and shrines that are available at Maya Ubud. Ida Bagus Raka presented the offering to resort’s temple and all seven (7) shrines spread out along the resort sacred areas, he got the area blessed before the other staffs starting their work. He brings a bunch of flower offering with incense lit and holy water, the smell the incenses awaken the resort and refresh the area as he sprinkles the holy water.

Now he is expanding larger role in the village society and serves the village community to perform Balinese ceremonies held in the area as a high priest. His role at Maya Ubud spiritual person is now delivered to his children, who will continue to present the flower offering to start the morning.

Ida Bagus Raka when still conducting daily religious ritual at the resort

Inaugural Ceremony "Mediksa" March 9, 2008

Ida Pedanda - High Priest is conducting his new role.

Dayu, one of the children who continue his role as a spiritual person for the resort

photographs by Ngurah Sanjaya

New Lounge of Maya Ubud Resort & Spa

As more and more needs emerge from the guests to stay longer in Maya Ubud Resort & Spa after their check-outs, Maya Ubud presents a newly created lounge that offers guests a comfortable air-conditioned area over looking the resort gardens and rice terraces and an outdoor seating area around a fountain area in which cozy enough to loosen up prior to the departure.

Whilst guests are staying, guests may enjoy reading some books, magazines, and newspaper that intently serve for Maya Ubud guests, as well as hearing music, or even playing games.

Tea, coffee, and cookies will be served in any convenience time. In the afternoon at 4 pm to 5 pm a special tea with assorted Balinese sweets will be also served as well. Feeling need more cuisine, in–room dining menu & bar service is available on request. Furthermore for more ease the bathroom facilities is also available which includes the changing area, showers, hairdryers, and fresh towel.

Maya Ubud is also aware the occasion of more late departure, so it makes the lounge available as late as possible until at 11 pm (open from 12 pm – check out time). All the above lounge services will be available for only US$ 15.00 net per person until 6.00 pm, while the departures after 6.00 pm, the additional charge of US $10 net per person will be applied.