Maya Ubud Outing at Bali Safari & Marine Park

An outing in this December was held by Maya Ubud Resort & Spa for all its staffs at Bali Safari & Marine Park - a home to hundreds fascinating animals around the world.

The journey began by jumping in to the safari tram and riding through roaming Sumatran tigers, elephants in the jungle of Sumatra, hippos, cheetahs, leopards and many other wild animals; and then followed by watching beautifully themed exhibits by adorable elephants and monkeys.

We all have a wonderful day out. This safari is located on Gianyar area and is easily reachable from Maya Ubud Resort & Spa for approximately 30 minutes drive by car.

Tree Planting Program at Maya Ubud

Maya ubud Resort & Spa has been a regular donor to the Bali Bird Sanctuary for the past two years. All through a simple but great idea.

Guests of the resort are invited to plant a tree in the beautiful hotel grounds. For the cost of less than Rp. 195,000 (USD 20), a tree of the guest's choice is planted and a plaque installed with their name and special message engraved on it. Funds raised are then passed on to FNPF (Friends of National Parks Foundation is a local non-profit organisation working to preserve Indonesia’s wildlife and its habitat for her people and for the world). A gift that gives twice!

Since its inception the program has been resulted in millions if rupiahs to help plant trees as part of the Bali Bird Sanctuary reforestation program. This support means that we can increase the habitat for the birds who make their home in Nusa Penida (An island southeast of Bali island of Indonesia).

And the most popular tree selected... the mango tree.

Source: Newsletter of the Bali Bird Sanctuary 

Ubud Writers and Readers Festival Literary lunch: Indonesia at Home

As a part of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Maya Ubud Resort & Spa was held an Indonesian literature session with NH Dini, Laksmi Pamuntjak, Dede Oetomo, and Nurhady Sirimonok on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

NH Dini was born in 1936 in Semarang, Central Java. She is one of the few Indonesian authors who writes about social, cultural, and political injustices suffered by the country’s women. She has penned more than 20 books, and has been awarded the SEA Write Award and Best Literary Award from Ministry of National Education.

Laksmi Pamuntjak. Aside from writing the award-winning Jakarta Good Food Guide Series, she is also the author of two poetry collection, Ellipsis and The Anagram; a treatise on violence and mythology entitled Perang, Langit, dan Dua Perempuan (War, Heaven, and Two Women), and a collection of short stories, The Diary of R.S: Musings on Art.

Dede Oetomo co-founded Lambda Indonesia, Indonesia’s first gay organization in 1982, and Gaya Nusantara, the longest-running Indonesian gay organization in 1987. He is now undertaking research, training and mentoring Indonesian LGBTIQ activities and others concerned with studying sexuality critically.

Nurhady Sirimorok writes literary, history, and cultural critiques, short histories, and has translated several books on history and culture of South Sulawesi. He is currently doing his own research on history of social movement in the province, as a part a bigger wave of rewriting Indonesian history.

In this occasion a variety of Indonesia’s finest dishes were served as well. These include Bebek Betutu (Smoked Duck), Bregedel Tempe (Tempeh Fritters), Sate Lembat Ayam (Chicken Satay with Coconut), Pepes Ikan (Grilled Fish in Banana Leaves), Urab Pakis (Fern Coconut Salad), Nasi Putih (Steamed rice), accompanied by Rujak (Chili-Tamarind Fruit Salad), Sambal (ingredient that contains a large amount of chilis), Kerupuk (Crackers), Ikan Mekuah (Fish Soup), the dessert of Dadar Unti (Green coconut crepes served with caramelized bananas and black rice ice cream), and Balinese coffee and tea.

Gala Opening of 2009 Ubud Writers & Readers Festival

Ubud writers and readers festival is the annual event that brings together writers, readers, artists and performers from Indonesia and around the world, in the spirit of encourage cross-cultural sharing of ideas, stories, and voices. This year is the sixth festival that has been held with the special theme of Compassion and Solidarity. Compassion and solidarity (Suka Duka) is an ancient communal wisdom that for centuries has been one of the main pillars of Bali’s traditional institutions and communities, such as banjar (neighborhood organizations) and desa pakraman (customary villages). The detail information can be found directly on its website at http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com.

The 4-days festival began on October 7, 2009 with the Gala Opening Ceremony that was held at the Ubud palace featured local and regional dignitaries as well as traditional and modern Balinese dances.

Solo Painting Exhibition by Dewa Sugi

Maya Ubud Resort & Spa is featuring a solo painting exhibition by Dewa Sugi, titled “Spirit of Bali” from September 17 – October 30, 2009.

Born in Pengosekan Ubud in 1970, Eewa Sugi combines a high degree of Balinese traditional technical painting skill with his imaginative sensitivity resulting in modern-traditional artwork that is representative of his views and the spirit of Bali.

Dewa Sugi is displaying sixteen (16) of his unique art works at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa. In the creation of his works, Dewa Ougi is influenced by traditional Kamasan inspiration with Japanese motifs that make his work unique and enjoyable to view. Throughout his works of art, Dewa Sugi concentrates on events and figures that influence the Balinese way of life, such as the barong, epic stories and mystical deities.

Community and Charitable Activities

As part of community-led environmental and charitable activities initiated by UHA (Ubud Hotels Association) - a non-profit and non-government organization whose regular membership are comprised primarily hoteliers and allied members who actively service the hospitality industry, Maya Ubud participated in the humanitarian charity and tree planting.

Visitation & Donation to Yayasan Senyum - the smile foundation of Bali. Yayasan Senyum helps people with craniofacial disabilities by facilitating operations for cleft lips and palates which is financed mainly by Smile Shop that sells particular second-hand goods and old stocks gathered from local business. 

Visitation to the temple of Pura Gunung Rawung at the village of Taro to pray and plant 300 white Cempaka trees, often planted near Hindu temples and being used as an offering to the Gods.

Balinese Table Set Up Competition

Maya Ubud has participated in Balinese Table Set Up competition held on August 16, 2009 as part of Sanur Village Festival. The fourth Sanur Village Festival was set on August 12-16, 2009 at Sanur’s Mertasari Beach. This festival offered numerous activities, including Balinese art and cultural performance, music performance, fashion show, food bazaar, cartoon exhibition, kite competition, and many more.

The contestants demonstrated their competences to create unique Balinese table settings. The winners were selected based on the selection criteria such as creativity, innovation, as well as aesthetics. Maya Ubud was selected as one of the winners.

Cycling around Ubud

A special bike tour is one of the wonderful ways that Maya Ubud offers to explore the surrounding countryside of Ubud, and experience the exotic beauty of island, its people and culture.

Accompanied by one of our qualified resort guides, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the rice terraces, the distant mountains, turbulent river, natural springs, fascinating archeological sites and artisans at work in their villages, visit a workshop of Balinese painters, wood carvers, a Balinese traditional houses as well as a traditional village market.

What a wonderful way to explore the surrounding countryside of Ubud at your own pace.

Ubud Rice Terrace

A Balinese Farmer

Duck Parade

Goa Gajah

Balinese Fruits

Bamboo Tray Seller

Balinese Dancer

Pevonia Tropical Treats at Spa at Maya

Maya Ubud Resort & Spa is pleased to announce the introduction of Tropical Rejuvenation by Pevonia Botanica, an elite spa care line chosen by prestigious spas worldwide.

The Spa at Maya in conjuction with Pevonia Botanica has carefully created five new spa treatments using these tropical spa care products. The Tropical Rejuvenation range includes three facial treatments; Rescue & Repair Facial, Detailing Facial for Him and Hydration Infusion Facial, and two body treatments; Tropical Escape Papaya-Pineapple Crème Fraiche Wrap and Slimming Green Coffee Body Wrap (anti cellulite).

“Each of these 75-minutes facial treatments has its own power to invigorate the skin, depending on your needs.” advised Made Suarini, Director of Spa at the Spa at Maya. “The Rescue and Repair Facial is perfect for ladies who suffer from heat and redness, the Hydrating Infusion Facial is suitable for those who have a problem with humidity or dehydration caused by long flights, while the male visitor will enjoy the Detailing Facial for Him with its calming, healing and skin enrichment properties.” she continued.

Tropical Escape Papaya-Pineapple Crème Fraiche Wrap (90 minutes), is a wonderful treatment compatible with the setting of Spa at Maya, using a body wrap of papaya and pineapple enriched with crème rraiche natural butter containing of calcium and vitamin A. This treatment is an absolute tropical sensory escape.

The Slimming Green Coffee Body Wrap (120 minutes) has an anti cellulite effect on the body that has the ability to reduce fat, increase metabolism and eliminate water retention. The pure 100% Micronized Green Coffee has the ability to enhance the skin’s overall texture and visibly reduce spongy, dimply cellulite areas.

With these new Tropical Rejuvenation treatments by Pevonia Botanica, the Spa at Maya will provide premium quality ingredients connected with a spa tropical experience. Our well-known signature treatment, “Riverside Special” as well as other original spa treatments remain available for those seeking the Balinese spa experience at the Spa at Maya.

Beaded Antique Batik Exhibition

The Gallery Boutique of Maya Ubud Resort & Spa will feature a unique collection of jewelled batik tapestries designed by Annemarie Kipar from August 17 – September 15, 2009.

German-born Annemarie Kipar decorates her beautiful batik selection with beads, sequins and stones piece by piece, creating beautifully glittering tapestries. Annemarie studied Renaissance Art at Berkeley, found Indonesian batiks to be magical in their intricate design with motifs ranging from imaginative to naïf; mystical to primitive.

Apart from batik, the creative works of Annemarie also include carefully selected fabrics from different parts of the world which she enhances with rich and colorful beads and stones. Each piece of art takes three to four months to complete.

Over the years Annemarie’s tapestries have become collector’s items throughout the world and adorn the homes of such celebrities as Elizabeth Taylor.

The Gallery Boutique of Maya Ubud is proud to display thirty select pieces from this wonderful collection during this exhibition.

Resort Temple Ceremony

The once every 210 days Piodalan ceremony was held recently on July 15, 2009 at Maya Ubud temple. The ceremony was conducted by Ida Pendanda (Balinese high priest) and attended by all staff of Maya Ubud as well as the guest in house who also interested to see the procession of the ceremony.

The ceremony was accompanied by the sound of gamelan – Balinese traditional instruments and followed by the presentation of offerings.