Day Eighteen – Bambu Indah
Back in 2013, we were on a budget. A real budget! Katie quit her job, Scott had summer break, and we just pooled together whatever we had to get around SE Asia. Staying in cheap hotels, hostels, overnight trains & long bus rides were part of the norm. However, there were a couple of times we splurged, and staying at Bambu Indah was one of them.
It’s hard to know where to begin, this hotel has been etched into our memories for nearly 12 years. We stumbled upon it during our first visit to Bali and instantly fell in love. At the time, we had no idea it was only a year into its journey.
At its core, this place captures the spirit of old Bali—seamlessly woven with nature. We could write a novel about our experience back then and now, but we’ll spare you the pages. What we will say is this: we knew we had to return, especially after learning how much the property had evolved. And wow, it did not disappoint.
The retreat is made up of 24 unique homes—either restored Javanese huts or newly constructed bamboo dwellings. The owner, a passionate advocate for bamboo, believes it’s the building material of the future—and here, he’s proven it. An incredible 85% of the property is made from bamboo, including the elevator. This remarkable, renewable resource reaches maturity in just three years and is stronger than steel when prepared correctly.
Every detail has been thoughtfully considered. Natural springs weave through the land, and the property harnesses the power of the nearby river for energy. All food is grown on-site, making every meal a true farm-to-table experience. Food scraps are repurposed to feed local animals, and plastic is nowhere to be found. Nothing goes to waste, and everything serves a purpose.
In 2025, there was no doubt we were coming back! Arriving on property, we are given a tour and immediately blown away by the changes. Besides updating the main area, the biggest change happened down by the river. What was once just a hike down to the river for exercise and scenery, has become nature’s paradise.
Immediately, minutes after arrival, we knew one thing. This is where we want to be… and for more than the originally planned two nights. Once we get settled in our room, we start making changes happen. New flight, adjust hotel in Kuala Lumpur, and add a night to Bambu Indah. Something had to give, and unfortunately it will be one less night in Malaysia. Never been to Malaysia, so it is a bit risky. But if you ever make it to Bambu Indah, you will understand why we made these changes to stay longer.
Our first night kicks off with a couple of local beers while we enjoy the properly named Sunset Bar, overlooking rice terraces just on the other side of the river.
Speaking of the river, what wasn’t here during our first visit, is simply put, a majestic place to relax and enjoy like no other place we’ve ever been. Getting there, is also part of the experience. Using an old well, they have created a bamboo elevator that slides down a cylinder shaped hole into a waiting cave. A legit hole and a legit cave! A few steps and you exit the cave to a peaceful walk along a stream, crossing a bamboo bridge to a spiral staircase leading to a quaintly placed restaurant surrounded by natural spring pools, cabanas, and the sound of the river rushing by. Serious perfection!
On this night, Katie has booked us a special private dinner in one of the cabanas overlooking the spring fed pools with the sound of the river flowing as the backdrop. The designers of this property deserve a raise!
Full transparency on what is becoming a trend, Katie accidentally booked the wrong hotel package giving us a couple of extra perks on this stay 藍.
Day Nineteen – Bambu Indah
The thought and design put into the rooms on property is impressive. Twelve years ago, we stayed in the Udang House (the shrimp room). A room with glass floors, looking down at shrimp. Many of the rooms received an update, and our old room is no longer there. However, we are thrilled with our room. It’s design embraces nature (mosquito net included), and while you feel the safety of indoors, it provides a soothing, comfortable, natural feeling in our room.
This afternoon, week have a special Balinese blessing planned as a way to learn and better connect to the Balinese culture. For the local priest, we need some cash to perform the ceremony. So, Scott jumps on the motorbike, finds an atm, and is back in time to start his day with morning yoga down by the smaller river. We both know this is something we should do more often. But it seems easier to embrace when your in Bali at Bambu Indah.
We follow up a productive morning with a serene breakfast by the river,
and some relaxing sun time at one of the natural pools along the river.
Next up, the much anticipated Balinese Blessing. A Balinese blessing is a spiritual ceremony deeply rooted in Balinese Hindu culture, often performed to invoke protection, prosperity, and harmony. These blessings involve rituals like water purification and prayer, and are integral to various ceremonies and daily life in Bali.
Balinese blessings are not just rituals but transformative experiences that foster spiritual clarity, inner peace, and a sense of connection to the divine and the natural world. They are an integral part of Balinese culture, reflecting a deep respect for spirituality and the interconnectedness of life.
Since the first time we came to Bali, we truly embraced the culture and way of life, and it is what has drawn us back here. We feel fortunate to have shared this experience while here in Bali.
We wrap up this great day with a couple of drinks at the sunset bar. Have to share, they make great cocktails here, including our new favorite drink: an Araq Madu. Araq is a traditional Balinese liquor that is typically distilled from rice or coconuts. Unfortunately, we don’t know if you can purchase it outside of Indonesia, so we did our part to enjoy them here.
Tonight, we opt for dinner at the Tembago restaurant, which offers more international fare. Somehow, we get welcoming shots, which turns into the bartender bringing us shots of Araq . It tastes better in an Araq Madu, but a fun night and delcious dinner!
Day Twenty – Bambu Indah
It’s always bittersweet when you wake up knowing its your last day in one of your favorite places, and today is that day.
We get an early start with another inviting breakfast down at the river. Even on day three here, it doesn’t get old taking the elevator down into the cave, opening up to the river oasis.
Follow up breakfast with a couple of hours in a waterside cabana.
Bambu Indah, like many parts of Bali, focus on wellness. For our last day, our plan is to take full advantage of a wellness day. The oasis is currently in the process of creating a well in paradise across the river. While not completely finished, it offers exactly what we would like to enjoy: a cold plunge, sauna, and hot tub in the perfect setting.
Random excursion of the day… Jump on motorbike and head to town for baskets. Ok, while we know this is a bad, not so well thought out idea, for some reason we go with it. A few days ago, on our ride through Ubud, we stopped at a local basket store, and honestly, pictured how we could use these baskets to hang lights in our backyard.
Back on the stressful, chaotic streets and boom, we buy about a dozen baskets. That’s the easy part. Now the challenge, carrying these on a motorbike through chaos back to Bambu Indah. Somehow, we managed to make it back, but we aren’t done with this saga. But we will address that issue when we arrive at the airport, since at this moment in time, shipping is not an option.
Back to our oasis and wellness day! Part of Katie’s booking ‘mistake’ also included a massage. A pretty good oops! With a little pain in her back (maybe yoga did more harm than good), Katie decided to add an acupuncture treatment for the last bit of her wellness day.
As we head down to the river for one last iconic Balinese meal, we are greeted by the sounds of live music at the Sunset Bar. And it just happens to be the two of us, getting a private performance with you guessed it, a couple of Araq Madu cocktails.
One last ride down the cave elevator and an amazing Balinese Dinner down by the river. Probably couldn’t script a better last night.
No regrets about adding an extra night to our stay at Bambu Indah. In fact, there biggest flaw is we couldn’t stay longer. We spent 3 nights here and felt the true connection to nature. If you ever finding a need to seek nature and see stunning architecture and amazing people. Bambu Indah needs to be on your list.
A few bonus pics from our stay!
One evening, while enjoying time down by the river, as we were sitting in one of the best hotels we have ever been to, we started to think about our favorite hotels from traveling.
Here’s our list:
Bambu Indah, Bali
Four Seasons, Bora Bora
Giraffe Manor, Nairobi
Salas Camp, Masai Mara
It’s a humbling, fortunate feeling to have experienced these magical places around the world!
For now, pack and get ready for a 4 am ride to the airport.
Next up: Three days in Malaysia.
Two Wayfaring Wanderers 