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It was while I was showing my friend and architect, Robert Weir around Puri Angsa that I decided to make a few changes. After recent battles with several “creativity challenged” Sydney councils and the NSW Land and Environment Court, Robert was only too happy to extend his visit and help out with the project. It was decided early on that the main object of any renovation would be to simply improve Puri Angsa’s amenities and service capabilities while retaining the integrity of Pak Aulia’s original vision. To that end, we dismantled, repaired and relocated several buildings, upgraded electrics and plumbing, filled-in the original pool and built ajn new one, installed a satellite internet access system and put air-conditioning in all the major bedrooms.
We also landscaped those areas of the garden that had been affected by the renovation. The changes took two years to complete with all the work being done by traditional Balinese builders. An old friend once told me that his ideal living situation would be a grass hut with high-speed internet access. While we may have overshot the popular image of a grass hut we have, I believe managed to adhere to the spirit of that thought… more or less.
Puri Angsa is fully staffed. The staff live on or nearby the property. They arrive each morning before the sun and are still at work after you have collapsed into a relaxation/sightseeing/surfing/shopping induced coma. Phil Carral is an old and very good friend of mine. He lives at Puri Angsa. You will meet him at the airport when he comes to pick you up. Phil can be found at the middle of almost everything that happens at Puri Angsa. Should you wish, he will coordinate all aspects of your visit. Phil is a long time devotee of Tai Chi and will be happy to give you lessons. He is also an experienced surfer. He will give you lessons and if you like will organize surf trips. Puri Angsa is only a short distance from Canggu and some of the island’s “less punishing” waves. Or if prefer, and your ability matches your insurance cover, Phil can arrange trips to some of Bali’s better known surfing breaks, such as Ulluwatu or Padang-Padang.
Our head chef, Wazi, is expert in the preparation of Indonesian, Thai and Western cuisine. Several staff members are also extremely capable and very enthusiastic child minders. They are particularly fond of babies, good news for those young parents who can still remember, even if only vaguely, the experience of going out to dinner and taking turns to eat while the other one held the baby.
Salim, our ‘head man’ is an experienced woodworker and responsible for many of the sculptured features found throughout the grounds at Puri Angsa. He is available to take guests on a tour of the many furniture and antique stores located nearby.
Drinking water is delivered in bottles. All other water outlets including showers and pool use filtered bore water which means that you are not likely to collapse in paroxysms of stomach twisting pain- otherwise known as ‘Bali Belly’, should you inadvertently swallow while brushing your teeth instead of rinsing into the sink.
The four main bedrooms at Puri Angsa are air-conditioned. For a more ‘Bali-esque’ experience, ceiling fans and mosquito nets have been installed in the remaining bedrooms. Puri Angsa has broadband internet access plus a home theatre with cable TV and DVD player. All refuse at Puri Angsa is recycled. Sewerage is treated and used to water our herb, fruit and vegetable garden.
The Balinese have a well-deserved reputation for honesty so there is generally little to fear by way of theft. However, Puri Angsa does have a security system in place. It is handled by those staff members who live on the property. We also employ a night watchman. He is on duty from 9pm to 5am. The village in which we are situated is extremely vigilant and offers extra security support. We can also recommend a wide variety of massage and other traditional healing techniques. Pak Sirkus, one of Bali’s most respected healers, just happens to live a couple of doors down the street.
With so many things to love about Puri Angsa I still struggle when trying to decide exactly what it was that made me decide that I had to own this house. Maybe it had something to do with that feeling that children seem to experience when discovering Puri Angsa’s various huts and nooks and crannies for the first time. I have no trouble recognizing that look of wonderment on their face as if they have discovered the world’s biggest cubby house. And I still get that feeling every time I walk over the front step.
Villa Puri Angsa Facilities :
. 4 air-conditioned bedrooms each with an en-suite bathroom and King-sized beds
. a home theatre with cable TV and DVD player
. VCD/DVD player and surround sound system and satellite internet connection.
. Swimming Pools 16m x 9m
. Gazebo
. Safety Box
. Open Dining area
. Fully equipped service kitchen
. Laundry (Dry Cleaning at additional Cost)
. A car and driver are available at an additional cost
. Massage upon request, baby sitter upon request
. Main water system is filtered, surf lesson and board upon request and tai chi lesson upon request.
Villa Puri Angsa Staff :
Villa Puri Angsa is fully serviced by:
. 1 Full Time House Manager
. 1 Cook
. 3 House Maids
. 2 Gardeners / Pool Attendants
. 1 Security Guard
Villa Puri Angsa Season Dates :
Low Season :
• 8th January to 14th July
• 1st September to 19th December
• Not Including Chinese New Year
• Not including Easter
• Minimum Stay : 3 nights
High Season :
• 15th July - 15th September
• 20th December - 8th January
• Easter week
• Minimum Stay : 10 nights
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