Bali - Citibank Singapore• Hire a car and a driver – it’s extremely cheap and stops self-drive...

Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE ItinerariesP1 / LUXE BALI

Citi PrestigeSM

Bali

LUSH, GREEN AND GORGEOUS, BALI IS KNOWN AS THE ‘ISLE OF THE GODS’ FOR GOOD REASON.

It boasts a stunning natural landscape,

world-class hotels and villas, delicious

local and well-executed international

cuisine, happening bars and beach clubs,

chic shops and luxurious spas. From the

beaches of Seminyak and the rugged

clifftops of Uluwatu, to the jungles and

gorges of Ubud and the largely untouched

West and outlying islands, versatile Bali

packs in an abundance of attractions and

activities to suit everyone. Add to the

mix a beautiful, intact culture and lovely

inhabitants, and you may just have found

heaven on Earth.

The cult pocket city guides and mobile

apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler

www.luxecityguides.comCITI PRESENTS LUXE CITY GUIDES


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• April-October is dry season, mid-

October-March is wet season.

• The Bali season is July-September

and August is party central.

• Denpasar airport operates a US$25,

30-day visa on arrival system,

payable in multi-currency; the

queues in peak season beggar belief

but you can get around them using

a VIP customs assistance service

like Bali Concierge,

www.thebaliconcierge.com

• Denpasar airport to Seminyak 30-45

minutes / $8 by cab (you must buy a

coupon in advance), but most hotels

and villas will include transfers,

so do check.

• Hire a car and a driver – it’s

extremely cheap and stops self-

drive issues and accidents – from

Golden Bird Limousine & Car

Rentals, www.bluebirdgroup.com

• Give your driver a small float –

slipping 20 rupiahs here and there

to legal parking hawkers is normal.

Blah blah• If you stay overnight anywhere,

drivers are usually happy to stay

in a homestay, your villa should be

able to organize this.

• The currency is rupiah and there

are plenty of ATMs.

• Most places take credit cards but

add a 3% service charge. Small

warungs and cafes will most likely

accept cash only.

• Most restaurants and bars are air-

conditioning free and open-air.

• Bali can run dry, so stock up on duty

free liquor.

• Avoid the area of Kuta like you

would cholera.

• On arrival at your villa the staff will

need your passport to register with

the police – this is normal.

• Beach / pool etiquette – topless is

ok for women if done discreetly, but

bottomless is not ok for anyone.

• Temples and ceremonies – you

MUST wear a sarong and sash

(which are available at temples).

• Read up on Balinese customs

to avoid enormous offense, for

example some ceremonies and

sacred places only admit women at

certain times, and touching a child

on the head is considered

extremely rude.

• The country code for Bali is +62 and

once there all landlines start with

0361, and mobiles with 08.

• International operator 101, police 110,

fire 113, ambulance 118, IDD 001.


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Will Meyrick’s career has led him from

London, UK, to Australia and extensively

through South East Asia, where he fell

in love with exotic Asian spices, flavors

and textures. After successful periods

with two of Sydney’s leading restaurants,

Longrain and Jimmy Liks, Will settled in

Bali and opened his flagship fine-dining

restaurant Sarong, and more recently his

newest venture, Mama San. Will continues

to explore the culinary landscape of

Asia, taking inspiration from the unique

food culture of each destination. His

first book, ‘Inspirations of Sarong’ is

about to be released, and a second

book on Indonesian street food is also

in the works.

www.mamasanbali.com

www.sarongbali.com

LUXE INSIDER

Will Meyrick


Citi PrestigeSM

1) WHAT’S THE ONE THING EVERY VISITOR TO YOUR CITY MUST DO AND WHY?

The island of Nusa Lembongan.

This is still fairly undeveloped and

reminiscent of what Bali was perhaps

like 30 or 40 years ago. Great

beaches, perfect surf, no cars, only

motorbikes. Think traditional fishing

boats bobbing on the water and super

fresh seafood. Barefoot chic. Love

it. It’s also really easy to get to and

from the mainland so it makes a great

short trip.

2) WHAT’S A TOURIST TRAP IN YOUR CITY TO AVOID AND WHY?

Without a doubt, Kuta. Granted, it’s

world famous, but for all the wrong

reasons. It’s everything you would

dislike about an international tourist

mecca – all the culture and history has

been crowded out by DVD shops, touts

and hawkers, pollution and traffic,

sunburnt, Bintang-singlet clad tourists

watching football matches in bars –

the whole nine yards.

3) WHAT’S THE BEST LOCAL DELICACY IN YOUR CITY, AND WHY AND WHERE IS IT WORTH TRYING?

Babi Guling – a must try. The best

version comes from the famed Ibu

Oka in Ubud. There is a reason that

some of the most famous chefs and

foodies from around the world wax

lyrical about it. Succulent, juicy pork,

slow roasted with local Balinese spices,

then carved up in chunks and served

with crackling skin, crunchy fried

innards (optional), salads and sambal.

Basic setting, simple food but so,

so good.

Jl Suweta / +62 361 976 345 / go early

4) WHAT ARE 3 OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN YOUR CITY AND WHY? WHAT DISHES DO YOU ORDER AT THESE PLACES?

While heavily touristed, the restaurant

at Ku Dé Ta, in a quiet corner on a

night early in the week, is still one of

the best. Usually I just let the chefs,

Phil and Ben, decide what they feel

like dishing up. They often send out

their newest dishes to try – it’s always

good, there are never leftovers.

Warung Kolega – right next to Sarong,

on Jalan Petitenget, in Seminyak.

Mixed Javanese specialties with great

rendangs and curries. Their Nasi

Campur is also one of the best. Only

go for a late breakfast or early lunch,

as the food is always finished by 2pm.

SIP on Jalan Legian. On a foodie level,

there’s a great attention to detail.

It’s also all indoors – air-conditioned,

serene, the service is attentive and

warm. The escargot and pates are

fabulous, as is the black pepper steak.

My wife Wati and I always share and

order the same thing! Great wine list,

albeit an expensive one!

Jl Petitenget 98A / Seminyak /

+62 361 732 480

www.kudeta.net

www.sip-bali.com

5) WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A FUN ‘GUYS/GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT IN YOUR CITY?

Well, I know I’m biased but the bar

upstairs at Mama San is the place to

be in Bali at the moment. Apart from

the cocktails, what makes it fun and

different is that you’ll meet some of

the most interesting people who are

on the island on any given night, not

just the general hordes of holiday

makers. From the creatives who make

Bali such an interesting design hub –

artists, writers, designers, producers,

stylists, musicians – through to pro

surfers chasing the swell across

the archipelago, polished socialites

from Jakarta, international movers

and shakers from across Asia,

local characters, Balinese artists.

They all come and it’s never the same.

www.mamasanbali.com

LUXE INSIDER

Will Meyrick


Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE Loves

ALILA VILLAS ULUWATU Villas

Perched atop Uluwatu’s rugged cliffs,

this eco-chic getaway seamlessly

blends modern design with jaw-

dropping natural surrounds, and the

result is the epitome of high style.

The fantastic spa, infinity pool and

local and international fare at The

Warung and CIRE restaurants make

actually leaving this villa resort nigh

on impossible.

COMO SHAMBHALA ESTATE

Hotel

CSE is the chic wellness retreat with

everything required for ultimate

relaxation and rejuvenation, including

luxury suites and villas, a state-of-the-

art gym, pilates studio, yoga pavilion,

vitality pool, an excellent spa, organic

and Indonesian cuisine at Glow and

Kudus restaurants, plus a spectacular

position right next to the picturesque

Ayung Gorge.

DE KAS

Dining

Locavore lovers flock to this stunning

nursery and glasshouse restaurant

situated in the middle of Frankendael

Park, which serves solely organic,

locally sourced and homegrown fare.

Leave the growing to the green-

thumbed owner, and exchange that

garden rake for a knife and fork.

COLONY HOTEL Hotel

A stone’s throw from Seminyak beach

lies the gleaming white, intimate

Colony Hotel. With just 20 teak and

marble-accented rooms and suites

set around a 16-meter pool, and a no

children under 16 policy, it’s just made

for a romantic rendezvous. And with

rates starting at USD165 per night, it’s

also fantastic value.

Jl Belimbing Sari / Pecatu /

+62 361 848 2166

www.alilahotels.com

Banjar Begawan / Gianyar /

+62 361 978 888

www.cse.como.bz

Jl Laksmana 22 / Seminyak /

+62 361 736 160

www.thecolonyhotelbali.com


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LUXE Loves

IBU OKA Dining

People come in droves for one thing,

and one thing only – the famed,

sensational Babi Guling, or suckling

pig to the layman. Serving the

crispiest crackling and most succulent

slow-roasted meat, Ibu Oka is a pork-

lover’s dream destination. No frills

local dining at its best.

SARONG

Dining

Bali Insider Will Meyrick’s lively pan-

Asian restaurant is one of the island’s

most decadent and popular. Sit in the

ambient indoor salon, or take a garden

table under the stars, and savor his

always interesting and impressive

street food-inspired dishes. The no-

children-under-12 policy also makes it

a perfect spot for romancing.

BIKU Dining

Drinking in Bali doesn’t get more

glamorous. Descend from the cliffs

to the rocks below by inclinator and

soak up the postcard-worthy setting of

Ayana Resort’s open-air stunner. With

its sleek minimalist décor, 360-degree

shimmering Indian Ocean views and

fresh, tropical drinks list, Rock Bar is

the spot for sunset cocktails.

Jl Suweta / Ubud / +62 361 976

345 / 11am-3pm / go early

Jl Petitenget 19x / Kerobokan /

+62 361 737 809 / dinner only

www.sarongbali.com

Ayana Resort / Jl Karang Mas Sejahtera

/ Jimbaran / +62 361 702 222

www.ayanaresort.com

POTATO HEAD BEACH CLUB

Beach Club

With its large clipped lawn, infinity

pool and Sunday flea markets, Potato

Head is a multi-zoned leisure-dome of

all-day dining, drinking and shopping

that the whole family can enjoy. Stick

around later for sundowners and nightly

party sessions that rate as some of the

island’s best.

NAUGHTY NURIS Dining

This roadside Ubud shack (and its

younger Kerobokan sibling) is famous

for its delicious BBQ ribs and the

strongest and best dry martinis in Bali.

But be warned, any more than three and

you might need an ambulance straight

to Denpasar hospital!

MADE’S WARUNG Dining

For the best of Indonesian and Balinese

fare, look no further than iconic family-

run Made’s Warung. Diners can sit

indoors or out in the pretty courtyard

to enjoy exotic home-style dishes

that have been on the menu for more

than 40 years.

Jl Raya Seminyak / Seminyak /

+62 361 732 130

www.madeswarung.com

Jl Sanggingan / opposite Neka

Museum / Ubud / +62 361 977 547

/ and Jl Batubelig, 41 / Kerobokan

Kelod / +62 361 847 6722

www.naughtynurisbali.com

Jl Petitenget / Seminyak / +62 361

473 7979 / 11am-2am daily

www.ptthead.com


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LUXE LovesJARI MENARI Spa

Simple, calm décor and highly-

trained male masseurs make this spa

hugely popular amongst locals and

visitors alike. Their signature rubs

blend long massage strokes with

rocking, stretching and palm-pressure

techniques, resulting in the ultimate

blissful relaxation.

ELEPHANT SAFARI PARK

Activity

Come to play for a day with these

frolicking rescued Sumatran

elephants, or stay overnight in the

25-suite lodge. Guests can climb

aboard Nellie for safari tours and

starlit strolls, plus there’s a discovery

museum, daily shows, lush tropical

gardens and international restaurants.

HORN EMPORIUM Shopping

This eclectic one-stop shop has

something for everyone including

antiques, art, ready-to-wear and

custom clothing, beauty products,

shoes, soft furnishings, vintage

sunglasses, and a myriad of other bits

and pieces, all of which make for great

souvenirs or gifts.

JENGGALA KERAMIK Shopping

Founded in 1976, Jenggala offers a

huge and quality selection of sleek

contemporary and fun fanciful

ceramic wares, all designed and

manufactured in their Bali factory.

Their collection is available in a wide

array of colors, or you can create your

own custom pieces. Plus there’s a

fabulous on-site café too.

Jl Raya Basangkasa 47 /

Seminyak / +62 361 736 740 /

and Jl Pratama 88x / Nusa Dua /

+62 361 778 084 /

www.jarimenari.com

Jl Elephant Park Taro / Ubud /

+62 361 721 480 /

www.elephantsafariparklodge.com

Jl Petitenget 100x / Kerobokan /

+62 361 473 8330 /

www.horn-emporium.comJl Uluwautu II / Jimbaran / +62

361 703 311 /

www.jenggala.com/home.php

ROCK BAR Bar

Drinking in Bali doesn’t get more

glamorous. Descend from the cliffs

to the rocks below by inclinator and

soak up the postcard-worthy setting of

Ayana Resort’s open-air stunner. With

its sleek minimalist décor, 360-degree

shimmering Indian Ocean views and

fresh, tropical drinks list, Rock Bar is

the spot for sunset cocktails.

Ayana Resort / Jl Karang Mas Sejahtera

/ Jimbaran / +62 361 702 222

www.ayanaresort.com


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LUXE LoathesBALI AIRPORT

Queuing, queuing and more queuing.

KUTA

The once lovely area is now overrun

with loud, obnoxious tourists, brash

bars and clubs, and is completely

sapped of all culture and beauty.

PLASTIC BAGS/POTHOLES

The scourge of the wayside.

IMMODEST TOURISTS

Topless, bottomless, witless, and

downright shameless.

TEMPLE TOUTERS

Polluting sacred sites with their cheap

wares and disrespectful attitudes.


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Fab vs. Drab

COOKING CLASSES

While the standard of international food

in Bali is good, coming all the way to

Indonesia to only eat western cuisine is

most definitely drab. Instead, learn to

cook and eat local specialties like Nasi

Goreng, Nasi Champur, curries, satays

and sambals at Casa Luna and Bali Asli

cooking schools.

www.casalunabali.com

www.baliasli.com.au

TEMPLE TRAP

Don’t have your spiritual temple

experience ruined by droves of under-

dressed, camera-wielding tourists at

popular sites like Uluwatu Monkey Temple.

Head to the less-visited and lovely Pura

Lempuyung, Pura Pasa Agung and Pura

Luhur Batukau temples, or better still,

hire a private guide with Journey of

Enlightenment to show you Bali’s most

sacred sites.

www.alilahotels.com

HIRE A BIKE

Bali’s back roads are notoriously bumpy,

so rather than sitting cooped up in the

backseat of a taxi, we say dodge the

potholes and get the wind in your hair on

the back of a Harley Davidson with Harley

Rides, or on a bicycle for the fainter of

hearts, with Bali Bike.

www.harley-davidson-bali.com

www.balibike.com

GIVING BACK

While a fabulous holiday involves a

good deal of indulgence, don’t forget to

also indulge your inner philanthropist

by supporting local charitable efforts.

There are many worthy causes in Bali,

including eco-edutainment campus The

Green School, children’s learning charity

The Bali Hati Foundation, and cultural

foundation and shop Threads of Life, so

get giving.

www.greenschool.org

www.balihati.org

www.threadsoflife.com

AQUA APPRECIATION

Bali is rife with innumerable, far-from-

fabulous watersports – banana-boating,

tubing, hot-dogging – the list is endless.

To properly enjoy the glamorous Balinese

life aquatic, we say charter your own

traditional Indonesian sailing ship, such as

the Silolona.

www.silolona.com


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Bali is a haven of luxurious indulgence

and a lover’s paradise indeed, with a

myriad of flame-kindling accommodation,

dining, drinking, shopping and spa options

on offer. Start the day by treating your

special someone to an exotic surprise

with a delivery of Heliconia blooms

to your gorgeous Alila Uluwatu (see

LUXE Loves) cliff-top villa. When it’s

time to venture out, do it in style in a

chauffeur-driven Golden Bird Limousine

& Car Rentals vehicle, and head into

Seminyak where you’ll find a string of

streets lined with excellent fashion,

accessories, furniture and homeware

stores. Book ahead for an appointment

to view Natalie Dissel’s knockout jewelry

range, including unique handcrafted

pieces featuring 22k gold, silver and

LUXE ITINERARY

Romance

semi-precious stones like amethyst,

citrine and turquoise. While you’re in the

area be sure to visit Horn Emporium (see

LUXE Loves) to shop their eclectic mix

of clothing, antiques, soft furnishings

and more, then head to nearby thatched-

roof restaurant La Lucciola for relaxed

beachfront international eats. Just a few

doors down on Jalan Sari Dewi lies The

Legian resort, home to one of Bali’s most

elegant seaside spas. Their wide range of

treatments includes the romantic Legian

Love Bath Ceremony, where couples sip

champagne while unwinding with an

invigorating pre-massage soak. Feeling

rebalanced and rejuvenated, it’s time to

meander back down the coast, taking in

a dazzling Bali sunset with a cocktail in

hand at Ayana Resort’s stunning Rock

Bar (see LUXE Loves), then staying within

Ayana for the ultimate candlelit Pesta

Lobster supper. Under a starlit sky, savor

your butler-served, five-course lobster

meal and the soft sounds of your private

bamboo xylophone orchestra at the end

of a secluded wooden pier, then amble

back towards your villa at Alila for a

nightcap under the stars.


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LUXE ITINERARY

Spiritual Relaxation

With its glorious culture still largely

intact, Bali is renowned the world over

as a destination steeped in beauty and

history. Forty minutes from the coast,

nestled in the cooler mountains, Ubud is

Bali’s spiritual hub, and the perfect spot

for those seeking more than just your

average beachside break. Start your day

the right way with some sun salutations

at the Yoga Barn, where there’s a range

of classes for all levels plus on-site

Ayurvedic sanctuary KUSH. Head to

eco-chic health haven Clear Café for a

cleansing cup of tea and some organic

breakfast, then channel your inner artiste

with a pottery class at Gaya Ceramic and

Design. However, if creativity is not your

strong suit, try a Casa Luna (see Drab vs

Fab) cooking class instead. Get acquainted

with fresh local cuisine and support a Bali

institution at four-floored rural cantina

Murni’s Warung, and be sure to take

in Ms. Murni’s fabulous art and curios

collection while you’re there. Time for

some conscience-friendly retail therapy at

non-profit foundation and shop Threads

of Life (see Drab vs Fab). The organization

keeps ancient traditions alive by

commissioning local weavers and dyers to

create exquisite museum-quality pieces

available for purchase in the on-site

gallery. Keeping in the charitable spirit,

head to Spa Hati, where the proceeds of

their signature four-handed massage go

to the Bali Hati Foundation (see Drab vs

Fab), and the education of local children.

Dinner time! Take a taxi or car to Big

Tree Farms where their dreamy, torch-lit,

seasonal Firefly Supper Series comprises

a 6-course degustation ‘micro-portrait’ of

the farm and its homegrown, sustainably-

farmed and traded ingredients. Finally,

it’s back to your villa or suite at chic

wellness retreat Como Shambhala Estate

(see LUXE Loves) where you will no doubt

slip into the best sleep you have had

in a long time.


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While romance and spirituality are Bali’s

draw cards for some, others will want

to make the most of the island’s first-

rate dining, drinking and activity scenes.

Happening Seminyak is where most of the

action takes place, so you should begin by

taking a room at all-white boutique mini-

resort The Colony Hotel (see LUXE Loves).

With just 20 teak and marble accented-

rooms and a no-children-under-16

policy, your privacy and peaceful lie-in is

guaranteed. Stop past Grocer & Grind to

pick up a coffee and some light breakfast,

before heading straight on to Umalas

Equestrian Resort for a rice paddy or

beachside tour atop a fiery-footed steed.

With your feet back on firm ground return

to Seminyak to retail central, Jalans

Laksana and Kayu Aya, where you’ll find

LUXE ITINERARY

Actiona slew of clothing and accessory stores,

and no doubt the perfect outfit for your

night of revelry. SimpleKonsepStore

has contemporary and cool islands

separates for men and women, while

Magali Pascal is the go-to spot for edgy

ladies party attire. All this shopping has

undoubtedly tired you out, so take a taxi

or car south to Menega Café, the pick

of waterfront Jimbaran Fish Market’s

fresh seafood shacks. For those wanting

more excitement still, why not spend

the afternoon discovering the island’s

famous surf breaks with Marcy’s Surf

Coaching, or head back into Seminyak to

Bodyworks for a spot of primping instead.

With massage, facial, hair, nail, and waxing

services, they’ll have you sparkling and

all-set for your evening’s activities in no

time. Enjoy cocktails and a spectacular

Bali sunset with the beautiful people at

hip beach club Potato Head (see LUXE

Loves), then head to your pre-booked

dinner table at happening Asian home-

style diner and creative hub, Mama San

(see Bali Insider). Finish up the night

on the dance floor at jumping Hu’u bar

then slip home to your suite and into

sweet slumber.


Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE ITINERARY

The Essentials

• Heliconia / Jl Raya Seminyak 88 /

Seminyak +62 361 732 700

www.heliconia-bali.com

• Alila Uluwatu (see LUXE Loves)

• Golden Bird Limousine & Car Rentals

(see Blah blah)

• Natalie Dissel / Seminyak / +62 821

4531 1713 / by appointment only

www.nataliedissel.com

• Horn Emporium (see LUXE Loves)

• La Lucciola / Kayu Aya Beach /

Temple Petitenget / Seminyak

+62 361 730 838

• The Legian Spa / The Legian / Jl Kayu

Aya / Seminyak / +62 361 730 622

www.ghmhotels.com/en/the-legian-

bali/home/#home

• Rock Bar (see LUXE Loves)

• Pesta Lobster / Ayana Resort / Jl

Karang Mas Sejahtera / Jimbaran /

+62 361 702 222

www.ayanaresort.com

• Yoga Barn / KUSH / Jl Hanoman 44 /

Ubud / +62 361 971 236

www.theyogabarn.com

• Clear Café / Jl Hanoman 8 / Ubud /

+62 361 899 4437

www.clear-cafe-ubud.com

• Gaya Ceramic and Design / Jl Raya

Sayan / Ubud / +62 361 745 1413

www.gayafusion.com/fusion.php

• Casa Luna (see Drab vs Fab)

• Murni’s Warung / Jl Campuan / Ubud /

+62 361 975 233

www.murnis.com

• Threads of Life / Jl Kajeng 24 / Ubud /

+62 361 972 187

www.threadsoflife.com

• Spa Hati / Jl Raya Andong 14 / Ubud /

+62 361 977 578

www.spahati.com

ROMANTIC ITINERARY SPIRITUAL RELAXATION ITINERARY

• Bali Hati Foundation www.balihati.org

• Big Tree Farms / Sibang Kaja / 20

minutes from Ubud /

+62 361 846 3327

www.bigtreefarms.com

• Como Shambhala Estate

(see LUXE Loves)


Citi PrestigeSM

• The Colony Hotel (see LUXE Loves)

• Grocer & Grind / Jl Kayu Jati 3x /

Petitenget Beach / Seminyak /

+62 361 730 418

www.grocerandgrind.com

• Umalas Equestrian Resort / Jl Lestari

9x / Kerobokan / +62 361 731 402

www.balionhorse.com

• SimpleKonsepStore / Jl Laksmana

40 / Seminyak / +62 361 730 393

www.sksbali.com/sks_concept.php

ACTION ITINERARY

• Magali Pascal / Jl Kayu Aya 177x

/ Seminyak / +62 361 736 147

www.magalipascal.com

• Menega Café / Jl Four Seasons /

Jimbaran / +62 361 705 888

• Marcy’s Surf Coaching / call Marcy

on +62 81 2385 9454

www.teachsurf.com

• Bodyworks / Jl Kayu Jati No.2 /

Petitenget Beach / Seminyak /

+62 361 733 317

www.bodyworksbali.com

• Potato Head (see LUXE Loves)

• Mama San (see Bali Insider)

• Hu’u / Jl Petitenget / Seminyak /

+62 361 473 6576

www.huubali.com

LUXE ITINERARY

The Essentials


Citi PrestigeSM

Your LUXE notes

Bali - Citibank Singapore• Hire a car and a driver – it’s extremely cheap and stops self-drive...

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Transcript of Bali - Citibank Singapore• Hire a car and a driver – it’s extremely cheap and stops self-drive...