Greetings VIP's, this is your hospitality and travel blogger finally reporting alive and well. I am excited to return refreshed and renewed to continue the purpose of this platform. Yet, the truth is the past 7 months have been tough mentally and I cannot express enough how important it is to take a step back and pour into yourself. My mental health is a working progress, and I am never too luxurious to be transparent about my journey. Remember we are redefining luxury in this space. Now that I have returned from a beautiful destination like Bali - yes BALI, I further understand that health and wellness for the mind, body, and soul should not be a luxury, but an everyday necessity.
Luxury in the Sky: Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways was the airline of choice for my flight to Bali and the luxury reputation of the service was met throughout the trip. Now I have indulged in many flights for business and pleasure, but my flight to Bali was by far the longest totaling 20 hours one way. I was super anxious about the length of the flight yet flying Qatar Airlines helped ease the experience. Starting with inflight Wi-Fi (on select flights) and access to entertainment throughout the flight was refreshing. Additionally, there were multiple dishes served throughout the flight. Of course, it is common to favor some more than the other. However, the quality of the dining options was unique and fresh. For those with dining and diet restrictions and requests, I personally witnessed the cabin staff being so accommodating. So, if you are concerned about flexible meal option, Qatar will serve every time with complimentary wine and beverage service. Lastly, the cabin service was 10/10 as it was very refreshing to see top notch hospitality and travel service hence the true definition of luxury.
Luxury Stay at Villa Cella Bella- Ubud, Bali
Villa Cella Bella was the first lodging stay of the trip (I was scheduled for a second villa during my stay, but we will get into that story soon) located in Ubud, Bali! There will a separate blog post to cover the entire villa experience. However, when I say authentic luxury was understood - believe me. The scenic villa provided spiritual and instagramable moments all at once. What constantly caught my eye was the branding of the Villa was prestige and present. Typically branding at luxury hotels are purposely noticed as elegant yet bold. In addition to the branding, the villa enhanced the authentic tones and scenery of the breathtaking views of Bali's lush landscapes and iconic rice terraces, providing an authentic taste of the island's natural beauty. The villa's architecture and décor effortlessly blended modern luxury with traditional Balinese elements, offering a true sense of the island's rich culture.
Luxury in Authenticity: Bali Excursions
Coffee Tasting
Embarking on unforgettable excursions in Bali, I explored the island's diverse wonders, each revealing a unique facet of its beauty. Anyone who knows me knows I am a faithful coffee lover. So this visit to a local coffee plantation transported me into the heart of Bali's rich coffee culture, where I indulged in aromatic blends while learning about the traditional methods of coffee production. For my non-coffee drinkers, don't worry there was a taste for everyone as the tasting also included Bali's natural teas in various flavors.
The Gates of Heaven at Lempuyang Temple
Earlier I mentioned this trip was good for me spiritually. If I were being honest this may have been my favorite excursion because leading into this trip, I was looking forward to the symbolic alignments of reconnection, mental realignment, and release from life's anxieties. We had to depart from the villa at 4:30 AM since this the temple a very well-known tourist attraction. Once we arrived, the wait (literally #96) was well worth it. When you first enter the temple, you are met with holy water as you wait to have your picture taken. Think fast because you literally only have 3 poses and each pose was captured very quickly. The temple stood as a mesmerizing spectacle, offering a spiritual experience coupled with panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Tirta Gangga: The Flower Garden
Next excursion visit was to Tirta Gangga, a popular flower garden in Bali. This garden became a vibrant oasis of colors, showcasing Bali's exotic flora in a breathtaking display. Strolling through this enchanting garden, I immersed myself in the flora pockets and the water scenery with a variety of fish everywhere which Bali is also known for. Lastly, there were opportunities to feed the fish and enjoy the local markets and souvenir shops surrounding the garden.
Palm Tree Drive: Kemenuh, Indonesia
Palm Tree Drive was a journey excursion, where towering palm trees lined the road, creating a tunnel of greenery that captured Bali's natural allure. You may have seen celebrities also post this experience on social media as they take a drive down the road. Although we didn't actually drive down the road, the propped used in our photos was giving antique luxury. You'll see that the villa has it's own classic Volkswagen and transported the vehicle to the drive as an extra touch to the photo opportunity. I was excited to blend vintage charm with sophisticated style.
Each excursion was a sensory journey, blending cultural immersion with the island's stunning landscapes, leaving me with memories that lingered long after my adventure in Bali.
Luxury in Self-Care and Wellness
In addition to the serenity of my vacation, I embraced the profound importance of self-care and wellness, indulging in a rejuvenating massage that prescribed mere relaxation. The setting of the massage took place at the villa. Of course, infused body oils were naturally infused with scents indulging in healing for the mind, body, and soul. The therapeutic touch not only revitalized my senses but also underscored the significance of prioritizing personal well-being. After the massage I indulged in a flower-infused bath outside of the individual villa suite. After a relaxing message experience, the bath created a sense of natural beauty with gentle fragrance of tropical blooms. Overall, the soothing blend of warm water and aromatic blossoms not only pampered my body, but also created a blissful moment to allowing me to reconnect with nature in a uniquely Balinese way.
Traveling for both business and pleasure, I learned that taking care of your skin is essential. I knew that I wanted to have a natural sun-kissed glow and upkeep my skin care routine during my trip. NaturallyIndy Urban Glow Cosmetics skincare products were a perfect addition to my travel necessities. Conveniently, UGC Cosmetics provided travel size products and a convenient frosted grab & go bag. Additionally, the products are all created by a black woman founder and owner. So, the intentionality in the ingredients provided the radiant health and glow my skin truly needed. My vacation skin-care essentials included a Vitamin C Serum (moisturization and glow), Turmeric Glow Soap Bar (dark spots body and face), and Lemon Sugar Turmeric Scrub (exfoliation, dark spots, rejuvenation).
Recently, I decided that through the grit and hustle seasons, it is important to detach and focus on mind and body. Everyone partakes in this differently, but I thoroughly enjoy activities such as yoga, barre, and Pilates. Bali's scenery of palm trees and tropical blooms sparked a perfect calmness for yoga and Pilates. The best part was partaking in wellness activities within a timeless and peaceful environment surrounding the villa. Not to mention, being able to have fun and participate in wellness activities alongside other women travelers was very empowering.
Reflecting on this experience, I realized that self-care, including attentive skin-care rituals, is not merely a luxury but an essential investment in nurturing the body and soul, ensuring a harmonious balance in the midst of life's demands.
VIP's I truly recommend this trip to anyone and heavily suggest you add this destination to your bucket list. Bali was an unforgettable experience, and I cannot wait to share some additional features and travel experiences with you. This trip rejuvenated joy, peace, and self-care and served as a reminder that this shouldn't be a luxury of life, but a necessity.
xoxo VIPS's,
LuxuryofSPC
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Lovesss this article babyy!! I definitely was transported to some of these locations and excursions through your vivid descriptions and beautiful pictures. I cannot wait to experience them and immerse myself in all Bali has to offer. Thank you for sharing. Xoxo-CB
You made me want to go now! You looked so peaceful, glow and happy. I loved it .
-Richie
Bali has definitely been on my list for a while. Thanks for sharing your experience.