Our team of experienced staff is here to take care of daily practicalities at the villa, leaving you free to relax and make the most of your holiday. The formality of your relationship with the staff is entirely up to you and they will happily adapt their roles to match your requirements for privacy and level of service. Some of our staff may have limited English, so if you have any difficulties communicating, please speak to your villa manager who will be pleased to interpret your wishes.
Our manager is responsible for the overall operation of Pandawa Cliff Estate, please liaise with them to ensure you have all you need, co-ordinate your requirements with the chef and other staff, and assist with tour, restaurant or other bookings.
The villa’s skilled chefs are proficient in Indonesian and several other cuisines. They will prepare all your meals either according to the villa’s a la carte menu or, wherever possible, to special request. Our chefs will be pleased to discuss any special dietary requirements or food restrictions you may have, and will meet with you daily to plan your meals.
The kitchen team is generally available from breakfast time until dinner is served (approx. 7am to 10pm), but flexible/extra hours can be arranged with prior notice.
Our team of butlers and housekeepers serve meals, snacks and beverages throughout the day, assist in the kitchen and are responsible for the cleanliness and tidiness of the villa. Your privacy is paramount and room cleaning will be carried out to suit your schedule.
The team operates in shifts and are available from 7 Am to 11 Pm daily.
Gardeners and pool attendants will tend to the villa grounds and swimming pool daily. Let the manager knows if you would like the pool to be available for swimming at a specific time and maintenance can be adjusted accordingly.
Our team of security guards operates 24 hours a day and is responsible for patrolling the grounds and ensuring the villa is safe and secure.
The villa has its own maintenance team on call 24 hours a day to ensure that everything is always in working order. If you come across anything not functioning properly do let the managers know and they will make sure it is attended to.
The Balinese are conservative and sensitive people and don’t always understand the nuances and eccentricities of other cultures so please be considerate at all times in your dealings with villa staff.
Ill-mannered behavior or disrespect will have a detrimental effect on your relationship with the staff, while extreme poor behavior could result in expulsion from the villa.
Our staff work very hard to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one and, although villa rates are automatically subject to a standard service charge, you may wish to show your personal appreciation by giving staff a gratuity if you have been particularly satisfied with their service. The amount of the gratuity is entirely at your discretion, but as a general guideline we suggest IDR 200,000 – 250,000 per staff member per week. We recommend that you pass any gratuity to your villa manager who will distribute the money equally amongst all of the staff – many of whom you may not ordinarily come into contact with. Generally, drivers will be tipped according to hours worked.
One of the few things you will be required to do when you arrive at Villa Marie is to register as a temporary resident. Registration is a security measure mandated by the Indonesian government and we are obliged to comply.
Upon arrival, we will require your passports so that we may fill out the appropriate forms. Please rest assured that they will be handled with the utmost care and handed back to you as quickly as possible.
As part of your ‘check-in’ at the villa, it will be necessary for you to provide your credit card details or a security deposit against possible damages, beyond normal wear and tear. We will also ask you to sign a waiver of liability.
On departure, please check that you have packed all of your belongings and emptied your safety deposit box. Please also allow sufficient time to attend to your outstanding bills. Please note: cash is preferred, but payment can also be made by credit card (Visa & MasterCard).
Villa Marie features a fully equipped kitchen , we invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy some delicious meals prepared by your private chef and the kitchen team.
Our kitchen staff are excellent, Dishes can be selected from the villa’s reasonably priced a la carte menu or specially requested according to your group’s wishes. Food intolerances, special diets and children’s meals can all be catered for.
To make the most of your gastronomic experience at the villa we strongly encourage you to ask the chef or your estate manager about house specialties, local delicacies and what’s in season (do bear in mind that out-of-season and imported items, such as alcohol and meat, as well as some seafood, can be very expensive). To allow the kitchen time to shop and prepare, it’s necessary to order in advance – either the evening before (for special requests) or at breakfast time each day.
Daily breakfast is included in the rate. For all other meals, please refer to Pandawa Cliff Estate’s priced menu. The chef is also happy to cook off-menu dishes. You may settle your bill upon departure.
Beverages
The villa keeps a general stock of tea, coffee, drinking water, soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits. Refers to our in house menu for more details on our beverages.
Drinking water
Tap water is not safe to drink in Bali and bottled water is freely available at the villa. A fresh supply will be left in your room daily, but please ask a member of staff if you require more water.
We don’t recommend self-drive in Bali (car or motorbike). Driving is erratic and roads are often crowded, poorly signed and in bad repair. The services of an experienced driver and reliable transportation are invaluable if you wish to explore the island and visit its many attractions.
Private car and driver
Pandawa Cliff Estate has a pool of four cars (seating up to 7 passengers each) with drivers, which are provided complimentary during your stay. Fuel is not included. The villa’s drivers know Bali well and will enjoy showing you around the island – be it on a full day sight-seeing tour, a trip to the beach, a visit to one of our stunning temples, or a night out at one of Bali’s best restaurants.
The drivers are available for 8 consecutive hours a day. Hours are reasonably flexible, so please discuss your daily schedule with your estate manager in advance to make the most of this service.
Please note: additional hours will incur a charge of US$10 per hour (please discuss payment preferences with your estate manager or driver – options can include cash payment to the driver or a tally kept and payment settled – preferably also in cash - at the end of your stay).
Taxis
Taxis can be ordered for pick-ups at the villa as and when you need (half an hour’s notice is usually sufficient unless you are very much off the beaten tourist track). It is useful to have directions for your return journey (ask your villa manager for villa contact details and location map) when you go out.
Metered taxis are readily available within populated areas of the island but can be difficult to obtain in more rural districts. The light-blue coloured Bali Blue Bird Taxis (Tel: +62 361 701 111) are considered the most reliable operators. Taxis usually stop running on meters in the late night/early morning hours, so in this case it is best to agree a price with the driver up-front (bravely negotiate the rate by ‘going local’ and starting at a fifth of the offered price!) and ensure the driver knows exactly where you’re going – many addresses are very vague in Bali. At all other times, please make sure that you demand the meter be used. If a driver refuses, they may be from an unlicensed taxi company or worse, not a real taxi driver at all. Stick with Bali Blue Bird Taxis as much as possible or those recommended by your estate manager.
Self-drive
If, despite the above cautions, you do wish to hire your own transport, cars, jeeps, motorbikes, scooters and bicycles are all available and your estate manager may be able to provide you with self-drive vehicle hire information. Do please note, however, that villa staff cannot hire the vehicles on your behalf and villa policy prohibits staff from participating in rental arrangements for motorcycles and scooters. Please do take care, adhere to traffic laws, and always wear a helmet on motorbikes.
Telephone
Mobile phone coverage in Bali is generally good, although both landlines and mobile connections can be erratic at times. Even if a line seems to be working perfectly and a dial tone is heard, it may still not connect. The best option is just to keep trying until the call is answered or you reach an answer machine!
If you tend to use your mobile phone a lot whilst on holiday, it is worth considering purchasing a local pre-paid rechargeable SIM card for making and receiving local and international calls at much lower rates; our staff can easily obtain these for you, upon request.
If you wish to receive calls at Villa Marie the number is: +62 4729268. Please ask your estate manager about charges for outgoing calls from the villa telephone. See the telephone directory later in this guide for information on local and international calling codes and other useful numbers.
Note that the Balinese are not renowned for their message-taking, so do try to keep any messages (phone or otherwise) as simple as possible – or make sure you pass them through your estate manager rather than a member of the team whose English may not be so good.
Internet
Those used to high-speed Internet may find Bali’s slower connectivity speeds a little frustrating. Your favourite apps may struggle and downloading files may take a significantly longer length of time. Whilst patience is a virtue, if you are unable to connect to the internet at all, please notify the estate manager and he will do what he can to resolve.
The following communications facilities are available at The Pala. Emergency and useful telephone numbers can be found in the directory at the back of this guide.
Post
Post Offices (kantor pos) are open every day except Sunday. If you’d like to send a postcard, letter or parcel, you could visit one of the local post offices (usually open in the mornings only) or leave your mail with the estate manager who will send it on your behalf. Allow between five and 15 days for international delivery.
Villa Marie is equipped with the following children’s facilities, although many other items are available for hire including pool safety fences. Please chat with your estate manager about costs and delivery should there be anything else you need.
Children’s meals
Although the villa’s equipped kitchen enables you to prepare food for fussy eaters or babies yourself should you prefer, the chef and the kitchen team are familiar with all the usual children’s favorites and will happily cater for them as part of their service. If children’s mealtimes differ from those of the adults, just let the kitchen staff know your schedule and they will take care of it.
Babysitting
Babysitters (either full time or on occasion) and nannies can be arranged (at least 24 hours’ notice is required) and at an extra charge (prices are dependent on the villa’s location), giving you the flexibility and freedom to do your own exploring beyond the villa grounds. Please speak with your estate manager about your specific requirements and current rates.
Villa Marie features the following entertainment facilities. If you need any help operating the equipment the staff will be happy to assist. We would also ask that you are considerate of the neighbours when watching movies or listening to music, and keep sound levels at reasonable volumes, particularly at night. Thank you.
The following recreational facilities are available at Villa Marie:
The swimming pool is available for your use 24 hours a day, but since there are no lifeguards on duty at the villa please take care when swimming and ensure that children are supervised at all times. The pool is cleaned and sanitizes every morning, however should you wish to amend this schedule please speak with your estate manager to agree on a mutually convenient time. Pool towels are provided so please refrain from using your bathroom towels outdoors.
The gym, tennis and squash courts are shared with neighbouring Villa Rose, Villa Markisa and The Pala.
At Villa Marie, all personal laundry and dry cleaning is outsourced, with charges applied to guest account (please ask your estate manager for rates). Typically, laundered and dry cleaned items will be returned to you within 24 hours, although an express dry cleaning service may be available for a surcharge.
Please ensure that you relay any special instructions as to the care of your garments directly to the staff or estate manager, particularly if they are made of silk or other delicate fabrics (it is recommended not to have delicate or valuable items washed in Bali as equipment and/or training may not be up to expected standards). Ensure the staff are aware of what you would like laundered, and what you would like dry cleaned to avoid any misunderstandings.
Electricity in Bali operates at 220V/50Hz and uses a round two-pin plug, similar in style to those in many European countries. If you need an adaptor, please ask the villa staff. Travel adaptors are also readily available in the shops.
Unfortunately, power outages do occur in Bali where demand often exceeds supply. The problem is national, and not just at Pandawa Cliff Estate. Power surges are also quite common, so do take precautions with delicate electrical equipment and do not leave switched on unless necessary.
Villa Marie is equipped with a back-up generator, which will automatically switch on when the power drops. In order to minimise the stress on the generator, the staff may switch off some machines/lights that require a lot of electricity. Should the generator not automatically start, please alert one of our staff who will investigate the problem and restore service as soon as possible
Upon your arrival, the air conditioning units will have been switched on to cool your room. Units can be easily operated by the in-room remote controls. If you leave your room for a long period of time, housekeeping will typically turn off the air conditioning in the interests of energy conservation. With the same interests in mind, we would kindly request that you are considerate in your re-use of towels and also in your water consumption.
Bali is generally very safe, but as a note of caution, and to prevent temptation, we recommend you always to be mindful of your belongings. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard your possessions at the villa, and trust our staff implicitly, we cannot accept any responsibility for theft.
Safety deposit boxes are provided in the villa and we strongly recommend you keep your airline tickets, passports and money plus mobile phones, laptops, cameras and other valuable items in the safe, for your own peace of mind.
Pandawa Cliff Estate has its own private spa staffed by trained therapists and offering a range of deluxe treatments (see spa menu). Please contact your butler or estate manager to make an appointment and note that at least an hour’s notice is required. The spa is open from 9am to 7pm daily.
Yoga teachers can also come to the villa. Please speak to your villa manager for more details.
Special events, for up to 250 people, can be held at Pandawa Cliff Estate. However, formal permission from the villa owner or agent and, in many cases, the village banjar (local authority) must be obtained before an event can be confirmed, and special event charges, terms and conditions will usually apply. It is therefore expected that any arrangements for events would be agreed at the time of booking the villa (note that occupancy over one and a half times the villa’s normal capacity constitutes an ‘event’), which will also allow time for the appointment of an event manager to coordinate caterers, music, entertainment, car parking, etc.
If you would like to hold a small party, barbecue or special dinner at the villa, please discuss your requirements with your estate manager, giving as much notice as possible.
Bali has been inhabited since early prehistoric times, although the oldest evidence of human population - stone tools and earthenware vessels from the western village of Cekik – date back only 3,000 years. Little is known about exactly when Indian traders first brought Hinduism to the Indonesian archipelago, however stone inscriptions dating back to the 9th century are the earliest written records found. By this time, rice was already being grown under the complex irrigation system known as subak, which remains very much in evidence today.
For centuries, Bali was a collection of independent kingdoms governed by a collection of ruling rajas, however the whole island was eventually wrested under the control of the Dutch in the early twentieth century and incorporated into what was then the Dutch East Indies. This was achieved only after much warring and bloodshed; the term puputan (suicidal fighting) was coined during this period to describe the proud Balinese warriors who bravely chose death over disgrace by battling en-masse to the bitter end.
In 1945, shortly after World War Two, Bali, along with the rest of Indonesia, attained her independence from the Dutch, although it took another four years for the Europeans to formerly recognise their loss. Gunung Agung, Bali’s highest volcano, erupted almost two decades later in 1963, killing thousands and devastating parts of the island, which resulted in many Balinese transmigrating to other parts of Indonesia. Tourism took off in the 1970’s and helped pave the way for improvements in roads, telecommunications, education and health. It sees no signs of abating, but despite the growing pace of development over the years, Bali’s unique culture remains remarkably resilient.
The island of Bali is located at the centre of the sprawling Indonesian archipelago, a 5,200km necklace of over 13,000 islands that sweep between Malaysia and Australia. Measuring approximately 5,600 square kilometers, Bali’s diversity is breath-taking, and ranges from towering cloud-flecked volcanoes to a rugged sand-swept coastline washed by world-class surf. Areas of untouched beauty are plentiful, and traditional villages still reflect Bali in its purest form. The rich fertile soil encourages abundant growth, and Bali’s lush rice terraces are an iconic legacy that endures. Although Bali’s economy is boosted by fishing and tourism, it remains a defiantly agrarian society at heart.
Most Balinese are bilingual, and many, trilingual. Bahasa Indonesia is the most widely spoken language on the island – and the medium in which children are taught in schools – followed by modern Balinese. Even where Balinese is spoken, it is often peppered with Indonesian words. English is the most common third language owing to the obvious demands of the tourism industry.
Sentences in Bahasa Indonesia are written in the Roman script and are pronounced much like they are written. In comparison to European languages, the grammar structure is very simple so it is a relatively easy language to learn. Here are some words and phrases you may find useful during your stay:
Selamat datang Welcome!
Apa kabar? How are you?
Selamat pagi Good morning
Selamat siang Good day
Selamat sore Good afternoon
Selamat malam Good evening
Selamat tinggal Goodbye
Tolong Please
Terima kasih (banyak) Thank you (very much)
Sama sama You’re welcome
Tidak apa apa No worries / never mind
Enak! Delicious!
Ya Yes
Tidak No
Bisa bicara bahasa Inggris? Do you speak English?
Dimana…? Where is the…?
bank bank
pantai. beach
pasar market
apotik pharmacy
Berapa harganya? How much?
Mahal! Expensive!
Murah! Cheap!
Boleh tawar? Can I bargain?
Harga pas berapa? What is your fixed price?
Saya mau…. I want / would like
Tidak mau I don’t want it / no thanks
Over 90 percent of Bali’s 3.9 million population subscribe to a particular offshoot of the Hindu religion. Although Hindus, and even Buddhists, are known to have inhabited Bali since 100BC, it was the Majapahits of Java in the fourteenth century who spawned the unique form of Hindu religious culture found in Bali today, which differentiates the island quite dramatically from the rest of Islamic Indonesia.
Religion plays a major role in the daily life of the Balinese. Colourful religious ceremonies spill from temples onto streets, and flamboyant festivals often bring traffic, and even the whole island, to a standstill. Homes (and villas) contain a small temple for devotions, doors are covered in intricate carvings and offerings to the gods (woven palm leaf packages filled with flowers, sweets, food and coins) are visible wherever you go, including within the villa grounds.
Bali’s spirituality is reflected in the dozens of festivals that take place over the year, and in the intimate ceremonies that mark the social rites of passage throughout a person’s life. Since the occasions of these festivals do not follow the Gregorian calendar (but the island’s own ancient calendars dictated by the moon) their exact occurrences vary from year to year.
Of Bali’s island festivals, Galungan is the most important. Signifying the victory of virtue over evil, it lasts for 10 days. Celebratory food is prepared and special bamboo poles or penjors are elaborately crafted and fastened to the sides of houses. Decorated with woven coconut leaves filled with cakes, fruits and flowers, these penjors act as offerings to the supreme gods, who are believed to descend to earth during this time.
Nyepi is another important and very unique island festival that usually takes place in March. In celebration of the Balinese New Year, the day itself is marked by an eerie silence as everything in Bali – including the airport – shuts down. No lights are turned on at night, no traffic allowed to roam the streets and everyone must stay in their houses (Note: these same rules apply to villa guests and are taken very seriously). This is a complete contrast to the night before Nyepi when villagers all over the island construct elaborate effigies of spirits (ogoh ogoh), which they parade colourfully and noisily through villages, and finally burn in cleansing exorcism ceremonies.
Secular events include the June/July Arts Festival in Denpasar and the October Writers and Readers Festival in Ubud. The latter event was established in 2004 and has emerged as one of Bali’s most celebrated cultural events. The four days of workshops, readings, discussions and cultural activities have welcomed such literary luminaries as Michael Ondaatje, Amitav Ghosh and Thomas Keneally in the recent past.
Traditional Balinese music is complex, yet vibrant. Often used to bring dance, wayang puppet performances, theatrical productions, rites and rituals vividly to life, the traditional Balinese orchestra is known as the gamelan. Comprised of an ensemble of cross-legged percussionists ranging from just a few members to well over 50, there are over 20 varieties of gamelan ensembles on the island. Playing instruments such as bamboo flutes, gongs, cymbals and xylophones in a jangly clashing of syncopated sounds, these unique musical troupes are led by a drummer holding a double-ended cylindrical drum who rhythmically controls the tempo of each piece. Multiple levels of articulations in the face, eyes, hands, arms, hips and feet are coordinated to reflect layers of percussive sounds.
Balinese dancers learn their unique craft from an early age, and are often taught with their hands before they can even walk. Dances are typically spiritual or artistic in nature, and the movements of the dancers are closely associated with the rhythms of the gamelan. Famous dances include that of Barong and Rangda, a battle between the good (Barong – a symbol of virtue) and the bad (Rangda, the queen of death); Legong, which traditionally sees young pre-pubescent girls perform elaborate enactments of classical tales; and the Kecak, inspired by the famous Sanskrit poem, the Ramayana. The Kecak is unusual in that instead of having a gamelan orchestra to accompany the dancing, the background is provided by a choir of men chanting ‘chak-a-chak-a-chak’.
Excerpts from these dances, plus many more, are performed in tourist shows across Bali; ask your villa manager for more information on when and where they occur.
To really get to the roots of Bali, sampling some of its delicious local cuisine is a must. Although the island’s dishes are influenced heavily by Indonesian cuisine, Balinese food is characterised by its own individual flavours. Rice is the main staple, served alongside spice-marinated meats (particularly chicken and pork) and vegetables, often mixed with chilli. Dishes are typically hot and spicy, although the grated or flaked coconut integral to Balinese cooking is a wonderful coolant. When creamed, coconut greatly enriches the flavour of a dish.
Owing to Bali’s extensive coastline, seafood and fish are abundant and exquisitely fresh. Marinated with local herbs and spices, and served with zesty lime and chilli dressings, they are excellent when toasted over a BBQ.
Fresh fruit is widely available. Papaya (pepaya), banana (pisang), pineapple (nanas) and passionfruit are available alongside lesser known offerings such as mangosteen, rambutan, salak, duku and kelengkeng.
Here is a selection of the island’s most well-known dishes:
Ayam Pelalah shredded chicken with chilli and lime
Babi Guling spit-roasted suckling pig
Cap cay Stir fried mix vegetables with oyster sauce
Dadar Gulung crepes filled with shreded coconut and palm sugar
Mie Goreng stir fried noodles cooked with sweey soya sauce
Nasi Campur rice with vegetables, meat or fish, egg, tofu, and fried soybean cakes
Nasi Goreng stir fried rice cooked with sweet soya sauce
Rendang Daging beef stewed in coconut cream and spices; a delicious local speciality
Sate Campur mixed meat skewers with a spicy peanut sauce
Soto Ayam chicken soup cooked with tumeric and served with cabbage and glass noodles
Tipat Cantok Rice cake with boiled vegetables serve with peanuts, lime and chilli sauce
Uraban mixed boiled vegetables with grated coconut, fried shallot and chilli dressing.
The Balinese naming system is fascinating, and deserves a little explanation.
After meeting only, a handful Balinese, you’re likely to discover that the same names are cropping up again and again, irrespective of the person’s gender. Every second person in Bali seems either to be called Wayan, Made or Ketut, and there’s a very good reason for this.
In Bali, families traditionally select a child’s first name according to his or her order of birth, followed by one or two given names that customarily relate to an event at their time of birth. Family or surnames are not used (women keep the same names throughout their lives, even when married) but prefixes are, and these not only distinguish between males and females (‘I’, pronounced ‘ee’, for a male and ‘Ni’, pronounced ‘nee,’ for a female), but also identify a person’s caste. As such, Balinese names not only indicate a person’s position within the family, but also within a socio-economic framework, often giving a clue to when they were born as well.
First born names are Wayan, Putu, Gede, second arrivals are Made, Kadek and Nengah, third to the brood are known as Nyoman or Komang, and the fourth child is called Ketut. If a family has more than four children, the cycle is repeated again with each name followed by ‘balik’ (again). To distinguish males from females, Ni Luh is added as a prefix to any of these names – for example, Ni Luh Wayan. In some cases, you might also see ‘I’ added before (and to signify) a male name, such as I Gede.
Thus, a typical Balinese name may read I Wayan Pedjeng (first born male from the Sudra caste whose given name is Pedjeng). ‘Pedjeng’ means ‘moon’ and relates to his time of birth – perhaps at the full moon.
Do …
Don’t …
Bali is positioned just south of the equator, and is tropical with balmy conditions year round. The average temperature is 29 C, although in the mountainous regions, the temperature may often plummet to 10 C before dawn.
The island has just two seasons; wet and dry. The wet season normally extends from November to April (with January and February being wettest), and the dry season between May and October. Despite its terminology, the wet season rarely incurs long days of rain. Dramatic monsoonal showers typically break out in the afternoons and last no more than a couple of hours.
The sprawling archipelago of Indonesia extends across three time zones. Bali is in the middle (Central Indonesia) zone, eight hours ahead of GMT, which is equal to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Western Australia. Jakarta lags one hour behind. Daylight saving time is not practiced in Indonesia.
Bali’s currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). All major currencies and traveller’s checks can be exchanged in Bali, as well as at authorised currency exchange centres in banks. Moneychangers are numerous, however many have rigged calculators, so if you must use them, make your own estimate and count your money carefully in front of the teller before putting it away. The US dollar is Bali’s preferred foreign currency, and the higher the denomination of bill you are exchanging (US$ 100, for instance), the better rate you will get. It is strongly recommended you carry only newer (post-2009), unmarked US banknotes. If you would like some foreign currency exchanging, your villa manager can take care of this on your behalf and present you with receipts.
ATM machines dispensing Indonesian Rupiah are widespread in urban areas and issue notes either in 50,000 (roughly US $5) or 100,000 denominations. If you need a large sum of cash the machines will usually let you withdraw multiple times, but this is not universally the case and will depend on the issuing bank. Please plan ahead and note that at weekends and on public holidays ATMs are renowned for running out of cash – so you may need to try more than one machine. Credit cards are accepted in up-market stores, hotels and restaurants, but beyond that most transactions (including taxi fares) are cash-based. It helps to keep a range of notes, in various denominations, handy – taxis, for example, are notorious for never having small change!
These clinics offer the nearest there is in Bali to western standards of healthcare and have agreements with many international insurers. They can also provide emergency air services to better-equipped hospitals overseas.