Photograph: Tegallalang, Bali. Not this house.
Bali, Indonesia
The valley, then the house.
Two bedrooms, a pool, and rice fields on three sides. The photographs on this page are of Bali. The house is described in words.
01
A day here
Four moments, in the order they happen. The light changes on the valley before it changes in the house.
06.00
First light
Mist sits in the valley until the sun clears the ridge.
Coffee is left in the kitchen the night before.
10.00
The garden
The garden is mostly what was already there, kept in order.
Frangipani, banana, and one very old mango tree.
15.00
The water
The pool faces the fields and holds the sun until late afternoon.
Towels are in the pool room. Nobody counts them.
19.00
The table
Dinner is outside, because that is where the air is.
A cook can be arranged a day ahead.
02
The house
Two bedrooms
One opens to the pool, one to the garden. Each has its own bathroom.
The open room
Living, dining and kitchen in one long space, with the doors folded back most of the day.
The kitchen
Gas, a long bench, and everything needed to cook for the people staying.
The pool
Unheated, open to the fields, and long enough to swim properly.
The garden
Kept rather than landscaped. The birds are loud at six in the morning.
There are no photographs of the house on this page. We would rather describe it honestly than show you someone else’s villa. Ask, and we will send what we have.
03
The area
The fields
Rice on three sides. The planting calendar decides how green the valley is when you arrive.
On foot
A path along the ridge goes to the next hamlet and back, and it is best before the heat.
By car
The coast, the market and the temple are each a drive away. We arrange the driver.
04
Staying
- Breakfast at the house, cooked each morning.
- Daily cleaning, and linen changed during longer stays.
- Drinking water, coffee and tea in the kitchen.
- One person to speak to before and during your stay.
- An airport transfer, if you want one.
- No platform fee, because you are not booking through a platform.
05
Booking direct
Booking direct means one conversation: dates, arrival times, and what you need while you are here. No platform adds a service fee, and nothing is passed between call centres.
Tell us when you would like to come. We reply with what is available and what it costs, in writing.
06
Questions
Are the photographs of this house?
No. They are licensed photographs of Bali. The house is described in words, and we send real photographs when you ask for them.
How many people can stay?
Four, in two bedrooms. A fifth bed can be added for a child.
What does a night cost?
It depends on the season and how long you stay. Ask, and the rates come back in writing.
Do we need a car?
A driver can be arranged. The last turn to the house is steep, so most guests use one.
Is the pool fenced?
No. It is open to the garden, so small children need watching.
What if we arrive late?
Tell us the time and we will leave the lights on and someone at the gate.