Tabanan Experience
The Locale
Kaba Kaba Estate lies on the edge of a historic rural village of the same name in the Tabanan regency of south-west Bali. With an outlook that re-affirms the regency’s epithet of ‘Bali’s rice bowl’, the villa gazes northwards and eastwards across a seemingly endless expanse of rice fields towards the majestic volcanic peaks of Mount Agung, Batur and Batukaru. This glorious setting promises guests a rare experience of Bali’s rural rhythms largely unchanged over centuries.
Among the treasures of Kaba Kaba village are myriad temples including an ancient shrine from the 14th century, pre-dating the arrival of the Majapahit court. Bali’s iconic Tanah Lot sea temple is a ten-minute drive away, as is the wild black-sand beach at Seseh. The surfers’ haunt of Echo Beach, with its smattering of casual waterfront cafés, is only five minutes further, and the glamorous boutiques and restaurants of Seminyak are less than half an hour from the villa.
Places to explore
- Seseh Beach
- 9 km
- Echo Beach
- 10 km
- Hotel Tugu - Canggu
- 12 km
- Tanah Lot Temple
- 12 km
- Seminyak
- 16 km
- Ubud
- 22 km
- Waterbom Bali
- 23 km
- Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS)
- 26 km
- Beratan Lake - Bedugul
- 40 km
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
- 50 km
Things to do
Kaba Kaba Estate’s manager will have a wealth of information about nearby places of interest and will help arrange extra transport or make any bookings required. Do also ask the staff about the local area. Many of them live nearby and can give an interesting insight into some of the fascinating aspects of Bali life.
In the meantime, here is a taste of the many and varied activities on offer within reach of the villa.
With its warm seas, almost year round season, relatively uncrowded beach and reef breaks and suitability for all levels of experience, Bali surfing is world-renowned.
Explore the scenic rice-field landscape and rural villages by bicycle; a great way to get under the skin of the 'real' Bali. Stop off at a local warung (café) to sample some basic Balinese fare or cool off with a cold drink.
Visit the mystical Hotel Tugu (Bali’s first museum-hotel) – Canggu studded with priceless Indonesian artworks and antiques and its award-winning spa offers age-old Eastern therapies. The hotel's restaurants offer authentic Chinese and Indonesian fine dining, as well as an international menu, in a variety of unique settings. At the rustic Waroeng Tugu you can taste the traditional Javanese and Balinese cuisine of bygone centuries.
Make a pilgrimage to sacred Pura Tanah Lot, one of Bali’s biggest tourist magnets. Perched high on a craggy, wave-lashed rock, this ancient sea temple is best savoured at sunset; be sure to receive a blessing from the Hindu Priests (and watch out for the monkeys, who are very adept at helping themselves to anything from snacks to sunglasses and even cameras!)
Desa Seni at Berawa Beach, is an eco-friendly village resort providing an authentic Indonesian experience through the exploration of culture, art and yoga. The resort offers a wide variety of yoga classes and also has its own spa.
Fashionistas, trendies and shop-a-holics should hot-foot it down to Seminyak, Bali’s most cosmopolitan enclave. Here, you can indulge for hours in the glut of stylish, chic boutiques. There is a wide choice of fine dining, mid range, and cheap ‘n cheerful restaurants in Seminyak too: fine dining venues include Mamasan, Mera Putih and Kudeta.
There's a strip of restaurants and cafés at Echo Beach offering a wide range of dining options from chic and sceneful to cheap and cheerful. Try The Beach House for fresh seafood barbecues every night and live music on Sundays. And check out Café Dian here too - owned by the delightful Wayan, it serves local dishes and great fish ‘n chips.
Discover the charming Tabanan regency, revealing terraced rice fields, volcanic mountains and black-sand beaches dotted with fishing communities. Or head north to explore the volcanic lakes near the mountain town of Bedugul, including Lake Bratan with its photogenic and stunningly positioned Pura Ulun Danu – one of Bali’s most important temples.
Jatuluwih Rice Terraces is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its preservation of traditional Balinese farming techniques. True to its name, which means extraordinary or truly marvellous, this scenic point at 850 metres (2,700ft) above sea level offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views imaginable, with rice terraces stretching all the way to southern Bali. Padi Bali (indigenous Balinese rice) with long graceful stalks is grown here.