Destination Indonesia – The only person dictating your time is you
Contributed by feature reporter and influencer Jens Hoffmann
Walking around Bandung – it’s not hard to imagine what this West Javanese city would have looked like when it had been made Indonesia’s Capital 100 years ago.
Although the dutch colonialist plan to move the seat of the from Batavia (today Jakarta) to Bandung was interruped by the Second World War, the offical buildings, transport connections and well and nicely designed university campus they constructed still remain.
Bandung is a lovely and bustling Southeast Asian city that’s known as a for clothng manufactoring. It is nestled between forest covered mountains and attracts with a nice climate. Also opportunities for golfers and hikers.
The three million people city as a lot to offer far more than shopping. Truly a creative city with a pool of talent produced by art, design and lots of cultral institutions. Easy to enjoy here, the next stop was Yogyakarta named Jogia before we travelled to Bali and checked in at the Como Shmambala.
This smooth hotel is set amid the tropical foliage of Ayung River valley.
We shaked up our chakras at Bali’s most luxurious health retreat.
The estate combines luxury and holistic wellness deep within the rainforest overlooking the stunning River Ayung.
It was easy to unstress of life and realign your chi while you’re at it.
The real wow factor is the holistic element – this is where you can detox, de-stress and revitalise.
The COMO Shambhala Estate is more than a normal hotel. It’s a sumptuous combination of the two, staggered up the steep slopes of the sacred Ayung river gorge. Previously known as Begawan Giri, the estate has been recreated and offers you lot of freedom to choose what you need.
The incredible Residences and Villas display the COMO trademark Asian-meets-European decor. Alang-alang roofs shelter hand-carved furniture and Chinese antiques; baths are carved from Sumban stone. Each has a private infinity pool. We learned a lot of things about Qi Gong, meditation and Ayurvedic treatments.
For me one of the world’s most beautiful hotels with acres of stunning tropical grounds, riverside forest and plunging hill terraces. We checked in @ a huge, uniquely styled residence with a great pool.
Bali offers fantastic landscapes and an amazing architecture.
It is only a 20-minute drive from Ubud, the setting is pretty remote and once you’re there, you probably won’t leave the grounds.
It was a fantastic experience.
The press trip was supported by Como hotels.
Photo: Bernd Kolb & Jens Hoffmann
