Honeymoon Paradise
Our Royal Gardens experience was second to none. We found all our expectations met and most of them exceeded. We stayed in the villa with access to a fully equipped kitchen (complete with smiling helpers to discreetly take care of our mess once we had finished cooking) and a luxurious private pool. Puri Taman Sari is totally removed from any tourism or maddening traffic, set among rain forest, rice paddies and happy, helpful Balinese without guise or ulterior motive. Our driver, Gusde was knowledgeable, informative, helpful and friendly, taking us wherever we desired, though we found the hotel so peaceful and beautifully appointed we stayed 'home' much of the time. A few days of tropical rain provided opportunity to sit under traditional shelter by the pool, in the restaurant or numerous other areas provided, when we chose not to laze in our spacious room.
Our bed was enormous and supremely comfortable, the air conditioner worked well and the bathroom was pristine and modern. Our hot open air shower, complete with tiny garden, was a rare treat, as was the big bath. The staff who deal with guests all speak adequate to excellent English, though most behind the scenes staff do not, making the experience feel even more authentically Balinese. We found a large grocery shop and many varieties of stalls within walking distance, easily negotiating our way through purchases from vegetables, eggs and rice to paint and paint brushes, despite the language barrier.
Locals invited and escorted us to traditional ceremony, including dance, theatre and gamelan music which took place in the home of a local family. There were only a handful of foreigners there, all personally invited from Puri Taman Sari. Such a rare privilege was an honour and completed our unforgettable honeymoon experience.
Thank you Gusde, Eta, family and staff of Puri Taman. See you again soon.
