Balcony of Alam Jiwa
When I first told friends that I’ve booked myself into a hotel with ‘no TV, no wi-fi and no air-con’, I could see the question marks on their faces. I had the same question mark when I first read the philosophy of this hotel on their website, but the overwhelmingly positive reviews on traveling sites urged me to give it a go.
And it delivered.
Alam, means nature in Malay. Jiwa, means soul. The hotel I stayed for 5 days 4 nights in Ubud, Bali is called Alam Jiwa – Soul of Nature.
The room we got was called Jalak Bali – ‘Bali Starling‘, a specie of bird facing extinction. It is on upper level of a bungalow with high ceiling, 2 ceiling fans and a balcony facing a rice field. The bathtub is next to a window facing the rice field and could get a great view of the moon and rice field if you switch off the lights in the bathroom at night. But the part I like the most is the balcony. The guests can opt to have breakfast served to their balcony so as to enjoy the great morning view of rice field.
Breakfast on the balcony
December is raining season in Bali, especially Ubud. That just seems to make Alam Jiwa even more true to its name. Throughout the entire stay, I was surrounded by sound of falling rain, running river, singing frogs and sashaying trees. Regardless of whether I was reading a book on the balcony, enjoying a glass of wine in the bathtub or dozing off on bed, those were the perfect accompanying music. I understood then why no TV was provided … no distraction needed (nor appreciated).
Lovely staffs of Alam Jiwa, dressing up a xmas tree
Adding to the impeccable setting is the impeccable service from the staffs. Ever so friendly and ever so caring, they were always around to offer helps like driving guests to town, offering dining ideas or carrying your baby. And they seem to be having fun doing all that.
So after 5 days I began to suspect that this a piece of heaven found on earth. At the same time, I could not help but getting more conscious that I am an earthling who must return to the real world sooner or later. I realise a large part of me has left this heaven for too far and too long.
A part of me will always long to come back here every now and then. Even for just a little while.
