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