Indonesian Paradise: Your Private Pool Villa Awaits (K22)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of the " ". And lemme tell you, after staying there, I've got FEELINGS. Real, messy, honest-to-goodness human feelings. This isn't your sanitized, perfectly-polished TripAdvisor review, this is the raw stuff. Let's DO this!
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Sadly
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. This is a HUGE deal, and it's where the " " starts to… stumble a bit. Honestly, the website claims wheelchair accessibility, and there's an elevator, which is a GOOD start. But walking around I felt it was just a little bit clunky. The halls were wide and there was a ramp at reception, but things like low counters and specific suite features are unclear. I'd recommend calling ahead if complete wheelchair accessibility is a must. This is a minor gripe but important one. (And yeah, I'm a little bitter, because sometimes, just sometimes, it feels like accessibility is an afterthought.)
On-Site Grub, Glorious Grub - With Caveats:
- Restaurants, Lounges, and All That Jazz: They’ve got a lot of options. A sprawling buffet, a fancy a la carte place, a poolside bar that practically screams "vacation!"… but… and there’s always a but, isn’t there? The sheer amount of choices was almost overwhelming.
- The Buffet – A Love/Hate Relationship: Breakfast was a buffet, and honestly, it was a beast. The sheer variety was impressive. I swear, they had everything. Fruit so fresh it practically sang, pastries that threatened to derail my diet, Asian breakfast options, Western options. It was beautiful. BUT. The coffee situation? Lukewarm and weak. I had to hunt down real espresso to get my morning buzz going. My advice? Explore the buffet but also hunt for the coffee.
Wheelchair Accessibility (See above, I'm just reinforcing the mixed feeling.)
Internet: A Tale of Two Wi-Fis (and One LAN)
Okay, internet, internet, internet. This is crucial, yeah? We are digital nomads, digital detoxers, and everyone in between needs connection these days.
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms!: Praise be! Seriously. Life is better with free Wi-Fi. And the speed? Decent. I could stream Netflix without too much buffering, so that's a win.
- Internet (LAN) and Internet Services: They technically offer LAN in rooms, so get your old cable ready. I didn’t bother, the Wi-Fi was fine, but hey, the option is there if you’re a purist.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Also free and it worked. The pool area was a dream to work in.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: This is where things get interesting!
Okay, prepare to be overwhelmed.
- The Spa: Oh. My. Goodness. The spa. I lived there. A body scrub so luxurious I almost cried. A body wrap that left me feeling like a pampered, Egyptian queen. The sauna was perfection. The steam room: pure, cleansing bliss. And the massages… Oh, the massages. One woman knew where my knots were. It was like she was divinely inspired.
- The Pool: Gorgeous pool. It offered a view. It was also huge. It felt like a scene from a movie.
- Fitness Center: They have one, I walked past. But if sweating is your thing, this is a major plus.
- Sauna, Spa/Sauna, Steamroom: See Spa.
- Swimming Pool & Swimming Pool [outdoor]: See Pool.
- Foot Bath??: I totally missed this one. Damn.
Cleanliness and Safety: Pandemic Era Realities
Okay, let's get real for a sec. This is a post-pandemic world.
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Yes!
- Breakfast in Room? Option available.
- Breakfast takeaway service? Yup.
- Cashless payment service: Yes.
- Daily disinfection in common areas?: I saw it happening. They seemed to take it seriously, which is comforting.
- Doctor/nurse on call?: YES!
- First aid kit?: Yep.
- Hand sanitizer?: EVERYWHERE.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing?: Check.
- Hygiene certification?: Not sure which one, but it seems really good.
- Individually-wrapped food options?: Yes.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They try.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services?: Seems like it, I have no idea what’s required but they put in the effort.
- Room sanitization opt-out available?: Good!
- Rooms sanitized between stays?: Duh.
- Safe dining setup: They're trying. More on that below.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items?: Hope so.
- Shared stationery removed?: Mostly.
- Staff trained in safety protocol?: Seemed like it.
- Sterilizing equipment?: I’m assuming yes?.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Friends, and… Oh, My Stomach!
- A la carte in restaurant: Available, high quality.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They were surprisingly accommodating to dietary restrictions.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes, and delicious.
- Bar: Yes.
- Bottle of water: Free, in your room.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant: See Buffet, above.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: See Buffet, above. The coffee situation is what it is.
- Desserts in restaurant: OMG. They were works of art.
- Happy hour: Yes!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Lots of it.
- Poolside bar: Heaven!
- Restaurants: Several, as previously stated.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes, and fast.
- Salad in restaurant: Yep.
- Snack bar: Yes.
- Soup in restaurant: Yep.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Options available, especially at the buffet.
- Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: See Buffet. The bacon was excellent.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
This is where a good hotel really shines.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes. Thank heavens.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities: They have event rooms, meetings, stuff.
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge: Helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes, a lifesaver!
- Convenience store: For those late-night snack cravings.
- Currency exchange: Yes.
- Daily housekeeping: Rooms were spotless.
- Doorman: Very helpful.
- Dry cleaning, Elevator: Yup.
- Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests: See Accessibility.
- Food delivery: Don't know.
- Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events: Did not use.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Ironing service, Laundry service: Helpful.
- Luggage storage: Available.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery: Not used.
- On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events: Okay, they can host a wedding or a business conference.
- Projector/LED display: They have this.
- Safety deposit boxes: In room.
- Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area: Yep, Yep, and please go there.
- Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Not used.
- For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They seem kid-friendly, though I don't have kids to verify.
Available in All Rooms: The Nitty-Gritty
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet: All the basics.
- **Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my ludicrously luxurious, and probably slightly disaster-prone, adventure in a 1 BR Private Pool Villa #K22 in Indonesia. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram feed, folks. This is the raw, unfiltered truth of a woman and her questionable decisions.
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic (aka, "Where's my luggage?!")
- Morning (08:00 WIB): Arrive at Denpasar Airport (DPS). Ugh, airports. The stale air, the stressed faces, the relentless announcements… It's a pre-vacation hurdle. Specifically, I was going to be in Bali - The Island of Gods. I had high expectations - but I also knew that would mean the potential for major letdowns.
- Morning (09:30 WIB): The driver from the villa greets me with a smile so wide I swear his cheeks might rip. He's holding a sign with my name, which is always a relief. I am always afraid I'll arrive in a country and my name won't be there - is it paranoia? Definitely. It's a testament to all the books I have been reading.
- Morning (10:00 WIB): The drive to the villa is a blur of vibrant chaos. Scooters whizzing by, temples peeking from behind lush foliage, and the overwhelming smell of incense and diesel. It's sensory overload and I'm totally here for it. The villa is a long-ass drive from the airport - so I was able to have some quality time with the driver. I did not know the language, and he knew some English - and that was a beautiful relationship.
- Afternoon (12:00 WIB): Arrive at the villa! Okay, breathe. OMG. This place. The pictures online? They don't even do it justice. Private pool, lush tropical gardens, an outdoor shower (yes, I'm showering outside - I'm basically a jungle princess now!), and a bedroom that's bigger than my apartment back home. I'm pretty sure my jaw actually dropped.
- Afternoon (13:00 WIB): Commence unpacking. And that's when I realize… my luggage isn't here. Panic sets in. My favorite swimsuit? Gone. My sunscreen with the weirdly specific SPF? MIA. My emergency chocolate stash? Poof! Vanished into the ether. Damn it, airlines!
- Afternoon (14:00 WIB): After an hour of frantic calls and a brief flirtation with the idea of wearing the villa's towels as a stylish makeshift outfit, the airline assures me my luggage is "on its way." Great. Now I'm the only one who has to wait and get that luggage. I am a very impatient person.
- Afternoon (15:00 WIB): Resort staff comes to help me out, and also provides some snacks so I can calm down.
- Afternoon (16:00 WIB): Still with no luggage I decide to go out. I'm not going to let this luggage issue ruin my vacation.
- Evening (18:00 WIB): Sunset cocktails at a beach club nearby. The first Bintang (Indonesian beer) is delicious. The view is ridiculous. I get a mild sunburn because I couldn't use any of the sunscreen I had planned on using, but I don’t even care. I'm in paradise.
- Evening (20:00 WIB): Dinner at a local Warung (small family-owned restaurant). The food. Oh, the food. Nasi Goreng (fried rice) so good it makes me want to weep. Spring rolls filled with deliciousness. Every bite is a tiny explosion of flavor. I love Indonesia!!
- Evening (22:00 WIB): Back at the villa, still no luggage but too full of food to care. I take a dip in the pool under the stars and feel… surprisingly peaceful. Maybe this whole "lost luggage" thing is a sign to embrace the chaos? Maybe. Or maybe I'm just delirious from the jet lag.
Day 2: Temples, Tantrums, and Tummy Troubles
- Morning (07:00 WIB): Wake up to the sound of birdsong and the sun streaming through the villa's massive windows. Life is good.
- Morning (08:00 WIB): Decide to explore a nearby temple (Pura). It's stunning. The intricate carvings, the fragrant incense, the sheer energy of the place… it's overwhelming in the best possible way. I try to be respectful, but I'm also kind of clumsy and nearly trip over a sacred offering basket. Mortifying.
- Morning (09:00 WIB): On the way back towards the villa, the driver stops by a market. I pick up some fresh fruit. Mangosteen, rambutan… the exotic names alone make me feel sophisticated.
- Morning (10:00 WIB): Back in the villa… and the luggage has arrived!!! Oh happy day.
- Afternoon (12:00 WIB): Lunch at a tiny local restaurant by the beach. I order something with shrimp. I am not sure if I am allergic to shrimp. I think I am, but sometimes I think I am not.
- Afternoon (14:00 WIB): And this is where things go a little sideways. Let's just say my stomach doesn't agree with the local cuisine. I'm trapped in the villa, battling a war within my own digestive system. It's not pretty, folks. Let's just say it's a good thing I have a private pool because I'm definitely not going anywhere.
- Afternoon (16:00 WIB): Start taking some medicine. Feeling a bit better.
- Evening (18:00 WIB): Recovering. Eat some plain rice (as a last resort) and rehydrate.
- Evening (20:00 WIB): Binge-watch movies, which is about all I can manage. The pool beckons but I'm not sure my body can handle it.
- Evening (22:00 WIB): Asleep and dreaming of porcelain thrones.
Day 3: Recovery, and the Magic of Massage
- Morning (07:00 WIB): Wake up feeling… human! Hallelujah! The tummy troubles seem to have subsided.
- Morning (08:00 WIB): Decide to get something to eat - now that I am feeling a bit better, I'm more than happy to!
- Morning (09:00 WIB) I walk back into the villa. The view is amazing.
- Morning (10:00 WIB): Decided to book a massage at the villa. Oh. My. God. The masseuse is a goddess with magical hands. After my internal war of the previous day, she just knew all the things I needed.
- Afternoon (12:00 WIB): Lunch.
- Afternoon (14:00 WIB): I did some more exploring. I love this island!
- Afternoon (15:00 WIB): More pool.
- Evening (18:00 WIB): Dinner at a gorgeous beachfront restaurant. The waves crashing against the shore, the stars twinkling above, and the fresh seafood… pure bliss.
- Evening (20:00 WIB): Early night. I'm still not entirely recovered and I'm determined not to push my luck again.
Day 4: Scooter Shenanigans and Sunset Spectacular
- Morning (08:00 WIB): I DID IT! I rented a scooter! Okay, maybe not such a great idea.
- Morning (09:00 WIB): I am on the open road. I did not know exactly where I was going, but I am happy.
- Morning (10:00 WIB): I stop. I see a beautiful view, and take a picture.
- Afternoon (12:00 WIB): Lunch.
- Afternoon (14:00 WIB): Get lost on the way back to the villa. I had to figure it out.
- Afternoon (16:00 WIB): Back at the villa, the evening sun casting shadows over the pool. I take a dip. The water is perfect.
- Evening (18:00 WIB): I head out for a sunset viewing. I watch. I experience.
- Evening (20:00 WIB): I get a burger. It is delicious.
- Evening (22:00 WIB): Relaxed and ready for bed, reflecting on my Indonesian adventure and all the little things that make life worth living. I have been so lucky.
Day 5: Departure (with a touch of sadness…)
- Morning (07:00 WIB): Wake up and I take a last walk around the villa. It seems unreal that
So, like, is a ukulele even *hard* to learn?
Okay, so here's the deal. Everyone *says* it's easy. Like, "Oh, just four strings, you'll be strumming tunes at the beach in a week!" Lies, all lies. I’ve watched the YouTube tutorials, bought the sparkly pink ukulele (because, duh), and I still sound like a dying seagull.
Here's the truth, from someone who's still very much in the 'struggling newbie' zone: it's *relatively* easy to get *started*. You can probably learn a few basic chords, the strumming pattern is (theoretically) simple, and you can crank out a passable version of "Riptide" (everyone's first ukulele song, apparently). But, and this is a BIG but, to sound… uh… *good*? To play with any kind of fluidity or actually *lead* a sing-along? That takes TIME. Lots of it. And maybe a little less self-doubt than I currently possess.
My first…*attempt*… at a song took me a full afternoon. My fingers cramped, my wrist ached, and the only thing that sounded remotely musical was a sad, repetitive plucking sound. My dog, bless his patient soul, eventually left the room. So, yeah, easy to pick up, maybe. Easy to master? Hah. We'll see.
Which ukulele should I buy? Because, like, there are a LOT.
This is the rabbit hole, my friends. The *deepest* rabbit hole. Soprano, concert, tenor, baritone… what does it all *mean*? Frankly, I got so overwhelmed I just closed my eyes and pointed. I landed on a concert ukulele because it seemed like a happy medium. Not too tiny, not too giant.
Here's the lowdown, based on my *limited* experience and way too much time spent scrolling through online reviews:
- Soprano: The tiny, classic one. Super portable, but your fingers might feel like they're wrestling with toothpicks. People *love* these, but I find them a bit fiddly for someone with my… *ahem*… larger hands.
- Concert: My beloved. A little bigger, more space on the fretboard. Generally good for beginners.
- Tenor: Even bigger. More volume, deeper sound. Probably overkill for a beginner, unless you're planning on becoming the next Jake Shimabukuro. (No pressure.)
- Baritone: This one is tuned differently, which throws another wrench in the works. I wouldn't start here, unless you *really* know what you're doing. Which I absolutely *do not*.
My advice? Go to a shop, (or two) hold them, play them if you can. See what feels the best. And don't cheap out *too* much. You don't need a $500 ukulele starting out, but the $20 ones… well, you get what you pay for. I’m still trying to decide if I should have spent more. Still. Every time I hear someone play a beautiful ukulele... ugh! Buyer's regret is a horrible thing.
Okay, I got a ukulele. Now what? What do I *do*?
Right. You've got the instrument. The *adventure* begins! First, tune it. Seriously. Get a tuner app for your phone. Trust me, or you'll sound like that dying seagull again.
Then, find some simple chord charts online. "C," "G," "Am," and "F" are your friends. Learn those, and you can play, like, half the songs in the world. (Maybe a slight exaggeration).
Here’s where it gets tricky for me. I get distracted *very* easily. I mean, who needs to practice when there are, like, approximately 8 million other things to do? But, you *have* to practice. Even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. Or, even better, find a friend to play with ( misery loves company/ or is it joy? )
Also, don't be afraid to sound terrible. You WILL sound terrible. That's part of the process. Embrace the suck. Make mistakes. Laugh at yourself. And try not to annoy your neighbors *too* much.
What's the hardest thing about learning the ukulele?
This is the BIG ONE. For me, it's the finger pain. And the wrist pain. And the… well, just the *physical* aspect of it. I swear, my fingers are *not* made for this. I've built up some calluses (yay!), but at first, it was TORTURE.
But, beyond the physical stuff, it's probably the *patience* required. You want to be able to play your favorite songs NOW. You want to sound like Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (the legend). It's easy to get discouraged when it doesn't sound perfect, or when you're struggling with a tricky chord change. I have definitely thrown mine across the room, more than once. (Okay, twice. Maybe three times…)
My biggest problem, I think? Expecting to be brilliant immediately. It doesn't work that way. It's a journey. A frustrating, sometimes painful, but ultimately rewarding journey. (I hope! My therapist says I should focus on the positive...)
Should I give up?
Honestly? That's entirely up to you. There will be days you want to chuck the ukulele out the window. Days you'll swear it's a conspiracy against your happiness. Weeks where you'll make zero progress.
BUT. On those rare, magical days when you *finally* nail a chord change, when you strum a song and it *almost* sounds like music… that's the feeling, I think, that keeps you going.
So, ask yourself this: Would you rather be strumming a ukulele, even badly, or staring at one gathering dust in a corner? If the answer is the former, then keep going. Even if you’re awful. Because honestly? Being a little bit awful is kind of great. It's human. It's real. And maybe, just maybe, one day, you'll surprise yourself. I'm still trying…and hoping...
