asianTraveler Magazine

A Pleasant Hang-Over

Three days into my arrival from Bali and I still can’t wipe off the grin on my face every time I chance on the Harris bright orange footprint slippers from the corner of my eyes, a giveaway from the hotel. I’ve never seen hotel slippers like these in all my travels save for the terry cloth or the paper-like ones. The vibrant color jumps at you as all the other orange colored things that were everywhere around the hotel, most notably on the Harris “players” as the staff are called. It just brings to mind the energy and vibrancy of the young spirit it imbibes – simple, unique, friendly.

Endless Activities and Much More

The Harris Resort in Kuta, Bali opened in 2004 with 191 rooms, 4 meeting rooms that can seat 250, a spa, café, swimming pool, a kids’ club called Dino, a boutique and one particular feature that can be considered a Harris signature – a Harris fresh fruits juice bar by the hotel’s entrance. Here you can taste a myriad mix of juices with enticing names that refreshes one’s soul from a long flight putting one up to a revitalizing point to start a journey in getting acquainted with multi-faceted Bali.

On top of that, where else can you find a camp for teambuilding indoors? Up on the fourth floor is the Flying Fox where a daring guest may want to let off some steam or look fear in the eye by being fastened to a contraption of belts and hooks to hang-slide four stories down to the deck of the hotel’s swimming pool! For the faint of heart, the activities guide tells of other programs to fill in not so hectic days like yoga, Bali dance, and aerobics.

Harris evokes simplicity as in their staff’s uniform of orange short sleeves polo shirt, short khaki skirts for the ladies or pants for the men with rubber shoes and matching orange scarf worn differently, either on the neck, head or hand; even on Director for Sales, Lisa Taurisia. Only their young executive chef, Yudha Timur Wibawa, wore all white broken only by a splash of orange scarf around his neck. Even their hotel fleet is painted orange. Green on the other hand is the other color that is found in the interiors of the hotel and this is to add balance and calmness to its surroundings.

Surf boards lined by the concierge area may lead one to think the hotel’s patrons are mostly young; truth to tell, they are indeed – in age and at heart. The Surfer Girl counter near the elevator is where one goes to enroll for surf lessons. This validates the unique side of Harris as they seem to find ways to incorporate their environment with what’s missing in our fast paced world. Noting the downtrend of young professional surfers these days, they want to encourage the younger set to love the sport again. Moreover, Balinese artists and photographers also find a home in Harris Kuta. On the day we arrived, a photo exhibit aptly called Orange of Harris was ongoing featuring four Indonesian photographers of different persuasions and professions.

The resort’s rooms are spacious and have a modern look to them. Bedside lamps are not the usual ones as these are floor lamps and not attached to wall by your bed. And who can resist the touch of freshly picked Kalachuci flowers adorning the foot of your bed and the soap dishes?

As Hot as it Gets

The dinner prepared by Chef Yudha especially for us drew mix reviews, ranging from ongoing detox program from certain food groups to not having the palate for anything “hot,” which is ubiquitous to Balinese food. For my part, I enjoyed every morsel of food on my plate; the hotter the dish, the better it tasted to me. The best one can do is arm himself with an open mind and resist the temptation of comparing international dishes prepared in their country of origin to how it is prepared here.

What was supposed to be a serene and ideal ending to a hectic day, a spa treatment, was unfortunately outvoted to give way to taking on the night life experience of Bali’s most popular beach. The resort’s location can’t be beat since it’s where the happening is – from shopping, restaurants, bars, tattoo shops, Bali art and their famous intricately carved woodworks, and so much more. The sidewalk is packed with people of all ages, even babies in strollers or perched on Dad’s shoulders. The traffic slows down to what feels like reverence to pedestrians - mostly tourists who make Bali a top vacation destination - a possible result of the 2002 and 2004 Kuta bombings.

Close to midnight we called it a day, but only after doing the rounds of shops, at times knocking on their doors pleading them to allow us to look around and surprisingly, they grant the request. This friendly attitude and hospitality separate the Balinese from their other Asian counterparts; their warmth comes through with unconscious ease. Even at that late hour, the stretch to our hotel was alive with boisterous activity but with a sense of security among the crowd.

Morning on the Beach

It was Sunday the next day but at quarter past seven in the morning, a lot of people were already on the beach; some jogging, others walking briskly, still others braving the cold water for a swim in the ocean before the calm waters turn to big waves anticipated by the surfing crowd. I realized later it was Mother’s Day but in this part of the world it seemed like one ordinary Sunday, untouched by the commercialism of the western world. I see families sitting on the sandy beach just taking in the cool morning air or strolling leisurely by the seashore on bare feet. The active ones are engaged in a non-competitive game of volleyball and young boys practicing soccer kicks.

The serenity of the surroundings is a contrast from last night’s frenzy. The endless view of the horizon, crisp sea breeze blowing, warm sunlight hitting the skin, and white billowing umbrellas was a “priceless” feeling if I were to borrow from an advertisement of a major credit card. All at once, my thoughts turn to my family back home and the yearning makes me retrace my steps back to the hotel for a hearty breakfast among friends.

Back at the hotel, we cram our schedule with photo shoots of the rooms, the food, the interview with the Sales Director on top of packing our bags for the afternoon’s flight to Kuala Lumpur to connect for our Manila bound return. All goes well as planned though a quick visit to a department store, our last chance to shop for the necessary pasalubongs (gifts), had Lisa close to rounding us up with a lasso so we can get to the airport on time.

What makes Bali Special

I’m pretty sure, like me, you have on several occasions been unable to pinpoint what it is that tugs at heartstrings when you visit a new place. That’s how I feel about everything Bali right now although what I know for sure is that I’ll be back someday.