A pause for thought (or not) on Petitenget Beach

 

The beach infront of Villa Des Indes fell silent on Sunday evening as locals, ex-pats and tourists fell into meditation. Taking part in the grand scheme of 1 Giant Mind, who aim to have 1 billion people meditating simultaneously by 2020, the ‘Bali Experiment’ as it was named, drew in the crowds.

Supported by the local community or ‘banjar’ and the Hindi temple priests of Pura Petitenget, the meditation was preceded by traditional gamelan music and singing.

As the sun began to set, a renowned member of the Indonesian spiritual community and meditation guru Pak Merta Ada of Bali Usada meditation invoked deities to join the peace.

A twenty minute mass meditation began (or ‘Eyes Closed Silence’ as Co-Founder of  1 Giant Mind Jonni Pollard referred to it) and the positive energy could be felt throughout.  Sending blessings out, not only to Bali but to the rest of the world, the meditation ended and participates shared their experiences.

 

If you’re interested in participating in Meditation, Yoga and experiencing other healing practices

during your stay in Bali, contact us:

info@villadesindes.com

Tel: +628113802866

 http://villadesindes.com/service-and-facilities-at-the-villa/activities

 

Launch Party of Rumah Des Indes

We recently celebrated in style at the new private addition to the Des Indes Collection, Rumah Des Indes in Perenenan, Bali. In honor of Mr. Jed Frost and Mrs Patsy Callahan’s birthdays, Rumah Des Indes opened it’s antique doors for the first time.

Rumah Des Indes

The theme was ‘a touch of Asian’ and guests did not disappoint! Hailing from all corners of the world, guests were met by models dressed in costumes from the Indonesian archipelago.

After cocktails and canapes in the garden, the birthday guests were invited to slice a traditional Indonesian birthday cake (rice cone!) and the festivities began.

Food stalls in the garden served up all manner of Asian cuisine from Bali, Manado, India and Japan, followed by a mouthwatering selection of desserts.

During dinner guests enjoyed a dramatic open air performance of talented tenor Tariq. World renowned Balinese dancer Sura and his troupe performed both traditional and contemporary dance performances and sultry songstress Lisa Soul sung classics from the 50′s through to 90′s.

As the night continued, guests flicked off their shoes, danced barefoot poolside and enjoyed DJ’s mixes until the very wee hours of the morning!

A large thank you goes out to Bali Starz (http://www.balistarz.com), who assisted in organizing all revelries.

For more information on holding an event at a Des Indes Collection residence contact :

marketing@villadesindes.com

Joanne : on +6281 138 02866

For more information on renting a luxury villa in Bali email:  marketing@villadesindes.com

To view our Seminyak villas please take a look at our website http://www.villadesindes.com

Villa Des Indes lavish summer of festivities

Judi Hausmann Villa Des Indes celebrations

We’ve had a fabulous year so far helping returning guests, friends and the owners with all manner of celebrations. Regular returning guest Judi Hausmann, of Hausmann Communications in Sydney (http://www.hausmann.com.au/), chose Villa Des Indes I and II as the location for her 50th birthday ‘Pestivities’ (a play on the Indonesian habit of mixing up consonants). Not one to do anything by half, Judi announced a 50 day worldwide ‘Pestival’ which culminated in the three days of party celebrations with her dear friends from around the world at our residences.

Grey Goose Vodka Ice Bar

The party got off to a swanky start,with a sunset cocktails and canapes evening in Villa Des Indes I, before moving on to newly opened Bloo Restaurant at  the W Hotel nearby for dinner. Guests relaxed and enjoyed in villa massages to prep for the evening’s pestivities ahead. Using the 900sqm garden of Villa Des Indes II as the party location, we constructed a clear,contemporary style tent to house the dining table, a stage for the band and a Grey Goose vodka ice bar too. With a brightly coloured palette to work from, we added vibrant splashes of colour to the interior through the use of colourful candles, hanging lanterns and chandeliers covered with purple orchids.

The evening began with mojitos and cosmopolitans before guests were ushered to take their places to enjoy a sumptious foie gras feast. A passionate lover of this delicacy, Judi had requested that foie gras should appear in each course (desserts aside). Paired with fine wine, a live band and lots of speeches and laughter, great merriment was had by all.

Haute Couture Birthday Cake

With a fine eye for haute couture, we knew Judi would adore the 3 tier birthday cake which was baked in the shape of  Chanel No 5 bottle, an Hermes box and a Louis Vuitton suitcase!  A spectacular fire dance performance and DJ followed with cocktails galore until the early hours of the next morning.

The Pestivities did not end there! The next day we provided a very well needed hangover brunch in Villa Des Indes I, serving barbeque meats, grilled fish and salads. And of course, plenty of Bloody Marys too!

For more information on holding your celebrations at one of the Des Indes Collection residences please contact:

Joanne McFarlane

Email: marketing@villadesindes.com

Website: www.villadesindes.com

Direct Line: +62 81 138 02866

Pro Tennis Player Cedric Pioline holds court at Villa Des Indes

Image: Left to right; Villa Owner David Salman, Guest Mr. Anthony Patwary, Cedric Pioline, Villa Manager Komang Weda)

Villa Des Indes recently had the pleasure of hosting Professional Tennis player Cedric Pioline. Here in Bali to celebrate a friend’s wedding anniversary, Cedric enjoyed relaxing in Villa Des Indes II in between dinner parties.

Some of Cedric’s  illustrious tennis career highlights include becoming the first Frenchman since Yvon Petra in 1946 to reach a Wimbledon final, posting victories over Rusedski and Stich. He helped lead France to the Davis Cup title over Sweden (1996) and again in 1999, compiling a career best 12-2 record on grass whilst helping his country reach the finals.

We were tempted to throw a racket and a few balls into the garden since it’s large enough to hold a tournament but we thought we’d give Cedric a well earned break!

For more information on staying at Villa Des Indes I and II email marketing@villadesindes.com or call +62 (0) 361 737 799

Website http://www.villadesindes.com

Environmentally conscious Bali Luxury Villa rental

At Villa Des Indes we consider it part of our responsibility as villa owners to ensure we follow green practices wherever possible. From the recycled materials use in the construction of both residences to the regular maintenance of the interiors. We make it part of our philosophy to be aware of social and cultural issues at a local level.

Environmental Care
Villa Des Indes I and II were constructed using recycled building materials (such as the 1930’s terracotta roof tiles) or the ancient Joglo style central buildings which were hand crafted (foregoing the use of nails). Throughout the residence recycled building materials are used wherever possible such the timber used as stair railings. The septic tank system uses the latest technology and is non polluting and we use a water purification system.

Guests are encouraged to conserve electricity during their stay (particularly use of air conditioning). We use locally produced cleaning products made from natural ingredients wherever possible. We try to keep a paperless office wherever possible and we are part of the local re-cycling initiative.

Community Involvement

The villas are full of Indonesian art and antiques – yet it’s the friendly, well informed staff which really bring Bali to life for guests. With an eye to assisting the local community, all our staff are local Balinese.
Indonesia cuisine comes in many forms from simple ‘Gado Gado’ (egg and vegetable dish) to sumptuous Royal Ristaffel. The private Villa Chef is at hand to prepare all types of Western and Indonesia dishes, using organic fruit and vegetables from the local market and fresh fish caught offshore that day. We also offer an Indonesian cooking class for those wishing to cook dishes at home post holiday.

We contribute to the local Banjar (or village) and assist with the upkeep of the Hindu temple nearby. We also assist and contribute towards a regular beach cleaning initiative.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

If you’d like to read what our recent guests thought of their experiences at Villa Des Indes http://bit.ly/ahR44h

If you’d like more information on Villa Des Indes email info@villadesindes.com or contact us on +62 (0) 361 737 799

Website http://www.villadesindes.com

Lady Dewi Sukarno films at Villa Des Indes I

We recently had the pleasure of hosting the illustrious Ibu Dewi Sukarno and Japanese comedian Ryo Fukawato at Villa Des Indes I. Lady Sukarno is a returning guest to the villa and came from Japan especially to shoot a promotional film about the villa and it’s unique collection of Indonesian art and antiques.

At Villa Des Indes we ensure guests receive an authentic Balinese experience and this was illustrated in the film with a traditional Gamelan performance and several dances.

We’re now looking forward to viewing the movie once edited and welcoming our first Japanese VIPs!

For more information on Villa Des Indes I and II contact:

http://www.villadesindes.com

Tel: +62 (0) 361 737799

Email: marketing@villadesindes.com

Behind the scenes at the photo shoot of Villa Des Indes II

We are now at the halfway point of a well organized and executed photo shoot of our new addition to The Des Indes Collection.

Enlisting the assistance of professional photographer Arvid Nicolas, we set about creating a shoot which reflected the colonial atmosphere of the residence. Villa Des Indes II is situated opposite the original residence in Jalan Astinapura, a sleepy private street off Jalan Laksmana in Seminyak. For the last two weeks we’ve had a series of models and traditional Balinese performers assisting to create images which reflect guest experiences within both villas.

Last week’s shoot began with our model lounging in the Joglo; a peaceful open living area fringed by a private pool. Resident villa dog Milo stole the show and decided to place himself firmly at the foot of the model and proceeded to smile into the camera. A guest favorite, Milo is always the star of the show!

Villa Des Indes II has an expansive lawn area, which lends itself it open-air performances and dinner in the evening. The villa is regular requested to host events so we organized a traditional Kecak dance in the garden followed by a hosted dinner under the stars. Forty Balinese men dressed in black and white checkered sarongs danced out the story of the Indian Ramayana. The dancers are both the choir and the props, providing the music for the story in a series of constant vocal chants that change with the mood of the actors.  They don’t sit still, either, they wave their arms to simulate fire, and reposition themselves around the stage to represent wind and fire, prison cells, and unseen hand of protection from the gods.

After a dramatic Kecak shoot it was time to let guests and models enjoy an Indonesian banquet under the stars as the photographer snapped away.

Today’s shoot includes a model swimming in the new pool at Villa Des Indes II (hard work!) and tonight we are shooting a performance evening in the original residence Villa Des Indes I. This residence is larger in terms of size with three separate sleeping pavilions and a larger Joglo which was originally shipped over from a famous wood carving village of Demak in Java.

Guests of Villa Des Indes I experience a traditional Balinese dance performance with gamelan player accompaniment during their stay. Set in the comfort of the villa within the Joglo, the acoustics are fantastic and the scene is dramatically lit.

Following the performance tonight we are treating models to a Ristaffel dinner, which is a smorgasbord of culinary delights from different areas of Indonesia.

• We’ll be loading all new images up to our Flickr site. To view Villa Des Indes I in the meantime:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/desindes/

• To find out more about both Villa Des Indes I and II : http://www.villadesindes.com

• To organize an inspection or make a reservation: +62 (0) 81 338 536 804

A New Luxury Brand is Born in Bali

Villa Des Indes has recently opened their ancient doors to a second traditional style residence, available for luxury rental, in the Seminyak area of Bali. This new villa features a unique antique Javanese Joglo living area.

Following the success of the original three bedrooms, Villa Des Indes I, the owners have recently completed another 2 bedroom gem across the small private lane, Jalan Astinapura (Throne of the Gods).

Villa Des Indes I and II are named after a famous early 20th century hotel in Batavia, the former name of Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta. Situated on a small private road off Jalan Laksmana, both residences offer guests a captivating journey through time, combining the nostalgic luxury of old Bali with exemplary services of personal butlers and top class chefs.

The skilled artisans of Java cleverly carved traditional teak wood Joglo houses using tongue and groove techniques without any use of nails in the design. This finely carved, open style house in Villa Des Indes II is used as a lounge area and is fringed by a lagoon swimming pool, allowing guests to simply step out of a comfortable plantation chair directly into the pool.

Villa Des Indes II has a separate two storey late 19^th century style structure with two master suites complete with large bathrooms and separate den libraries full of interesting books. Guests awaken on Egyptian cotton sheets surrounded by an amazing selection of Indonesian art and antiques from the owner’s private collection.

Opening out from the swimming pool is a very large and spacious tropical garden (900sqm), perfect for family activities and events.

With a passion for preserving and sharing the rich cultural tapestry of Indonesia, the owners have created an elegant atmosphere for their guest’s enjoyment. One of the most delightful things about residing in both Villa Des Indes Residences is that there is always something fascinating to look at.

Having the privilege to not only view but also to be surrounded by these fascinating artifacts is a pleasure in itself. Each piece has its own story; the paintings by famous early artists, the antique furniture as well as numerous original Dutch East Indies travel posters are a delight to view.

A private tropical island in Indonesia will also join the luxury brand in the near future. Their one hectare island residence, in the centre of a 112 island archipelago, in the Java Sea, 40 miles north of Jakarta is soon to be available for luxury rental. ‘Isle Des Indes’ is a luxuriant tropical island, reachable via 60 feet British built motor sailing yacht, the ‘Raden Mas’. Another antique Joglo residence rests amongst the sleepy palms along with additional private villas for sleeping.

Presently Villa Des Indes I and II are now available for bookings throughout the year.

ENDS

For further information on Villa Des Indes I and II or Isle Des Indes please contact Joanne McFarlane:

Email: info@villadesindes.com

Tel: +62 (361) 737 799

Direct: +62 (81) 338 536 804

Website: http://www.villadesindes.com

Balinese entertainment at Villa Des Indes

An evening celebrating Balinese traditional food and dance was held at Villa Des Indes on June 11th in honor of luxury experience provider Tim Scott of Pionair.

After changing into traditional Balinese dress, the evening began with cocktails and canapes in the bar area of Villa Des Indes I. Once everybody was settled into their Balinese pseudonyms for the evening, guests trailed over to the new Villa Des Indes II directly opposite to enjoy a Royal Ristaffel buffet dinner under the stars. A fantastic ambiance was created using traditional ‘obor’ or flaming torches which were scattered around the spacious lawn.

Following a scrumptious buffet, guests returned to Villa Des Indes I to be entertained in the main joglo with several Balinese dance performances accompanied by gamelan musicians. The acoustics within the joglo added to a dramatic set of performances, which included the famed Oleg dance, an intricately performed piece depicting two bumblebees flirting in a tropical garden.

A fine time was had by all and remembered with a final photocall with the performers. And as always, resident villa dog Milo was centrestage!

For more information on booking a stay at Villa Des Indes including a Balinese Cultural Evening contact +62 361 737799 or +62 81 338 536 804 or email info@villadesindes.com.

For more information on Villa Des Indes http://www.villadesindes.com

Villa Des Indes, Luxury Villa in Seminyak

VILLA DES INDES are two century old antique Javanese ‘Joglo’ Residences located in Seminyak, Bali, combining nostalgic luxury with the exemplary services of personal butlers and a top class chef. The villas are steeped in Indonesian art and antiques.

A mere stone’s throw away from a white sand beach, VILLA DES INDES Private Residence is made up of two colonial individual villas, VILLA DES INDES I and II, which can be rented out as a 2, 3 or 5 bedroom residence. A small gangway and private entrances separate the two colonial villas.

VILLA DES INDES I (3 bedroom)

The Joglo is a peaceful centerpiece of VILLA DES INDES I, an open-air living area that appears to be floating on water, surrounded by a 21-meter swimming pool. Two of the sleeping pavilions have wide verandahs and den-libraries. The third has an open upper level with butler’s pantry.

VILLA DES INDES II: (2 bedroom)

Within VILLA DES INDES II there is a two bedroom pavilion in the same colonial style complete with den library. A relaxing joglo fringes the lagoon swimming pool. The tropical garden includes an expansive manicured lawn perfect for weddings and events.

For more information http://www.villadesindes.com