by Jill Gocher

It seems that you cant get away from art when you are in Ubud.
It almost seeps through the air. Galleries line the streets, painters sit in doorways, banjar members practise gamelan pieces, filling the air with the ringing melodic tones of gongs, woodcarvers sit creating beautiful statues out of raw tree trunks. The Komaneka Resorts are no exception. The owner, Komang runs one of Ubud's nicest galleries – a beautiful space of white walls and open terraces. Located on Monkey Forest Road, it stands a little back from the road. Hidden behind it is the first Komang Neka Resort. A delightful place full of gorgeous villas looking over rice fields and river views – not at all what you expect in the midst of Monkey Forest Road.

The second resort Komaneka Resort at Tanggayuda is a little out of town near Kedawatan, 15 minutes from Ubud. This newer resort is a real hideaway, nestled in between trees in a wide garden setting. The, infinity pool and small snack bar look out over a river valley, surrounded by jungle greenery.

Luxurious villa rooms have great facilities - big beds, plunge pool, sunken marble bathtubs and all the usual necessities including satellite TV. We went to try their spa. After sampling an arak cocktail and some delicious snacks – we headed down to the spa to be regaled with lots of exotic choices. A Balinese massage won out and after a footbath and quick rub of the feet, I gave myself up to the ministrations of my therapist. The hour passed all too fast as she kneaded and stretched my muscles, the soothing oils softening the skin and a certain fragrance in the air. Then it was off to the Jacuzzi – a curtained Jacuzzi no less! What a wonderful idea to sit in the warm bubbling water with the outside world softly screened. It was still possible to see the trees and garden but the world became hazy…. inducing a perfectly relaxing frame of mind as I drifted off to dream of wonderful things.

www.komaneka.com