Paul W. heads to the beach and finds a resort that resonates contemporary Bali.
Bali is, and always will be, a treasure chest full of hidden surprises for those willing enough to discover them – the further you go the more you get to know. And so it was I set off to find Yeh Gangga village and the resort that sits above its dramatic black sand beach, WakaGangga. For me one of the best parts of any journey is actually getting there and this particular one certainly didn’t disappoint. Meandering along the main trunk road to Java the traffic in both directions is heavy and so my driver decided to throw caution to the wind by taking the back roads to Tabanan and eventually the sea. I am glad he did as along the way we passed through charming villages set amidst impossibly emerald green rice fields that filled the valleys and the surrounding undulating hills. It is nearly the holiday period of Rahinan Galungan and so the small village stores are bursting at the seams with their wares of brightly coloured penjors that will soon decorate the footpaths and entrances of the homes in Bali. WakaGangga resort has come full circle with the re-opening of Waka Hotels & Resort’s signature property after three years of imaginative design and construction. The first thing any arriving guest will experience is a massive conical structure complete with an alang-alang roof. From afar it almost resembles Africa’s village rondavals and provides a dramatic entrance point to the unashamedly minimalist reception area. Built with distinctive rustic features the spacious and garden and pool villas are almost a home away from home. The resort will have 27 villas in total, 15 with private swimming pool. Designed by
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