Nestled in the rice paddies of eastern Bali, on the site of a sacred spring, the last rajah of Karangasem Regency built his weekend retreat, an elaborate water palace with a view of the ocean to the distant east and Mount Agung to the north.

Today, the palace has ben restored to its preconceived splendor with funds from the government and a family foundation, and visitors can stay on the grounds at the Tirta Ayu villas. Tirta Ayu Villas, within the Water Palace complex, consist of individual bungalows that serve as sleeping quarters for guests, family members and servants. A separate bungalow hold the reception area and a covered outdoor restaurant serving excellent food in a beautiful setting.

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April 1, 2006

Here’s the run down on Agung Rai’s wedding marathon.

The invitation showed up days in advance…way earlier than the prescribed three days. Agung Rai and his father delivered it resplendent in Balinese costumes. The invitation was very simple and all pink and white with hearts…very valentine’s dayish. The bride is marrying ‘up’. She is Sudra (lowest caste, as I am) and of course the groom is an Agung, from the royal caste and second highest of the four castes, so she will be called jero after marriage. Her family lives in Karangasem, not very far from Tirta Ganga, the gorgeous water palace we visited, so it’s one heck of a distance away from Selat in Payangan.

Normally the bride is brought to the groom’s house before the religious ceremony, but because of the distance between the two homes and the extra costs of transportation, the families negotiated to bring her early and change much of the routine. Thank heavens for that! Two trips to Karangasem would be more than I could handle.

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Nestled on the shores of the Lombok Strait in East Bali within its own private coastline bay, the village of Seraya remains unspoiled, with Seraya Shores its first private villas. In true Balinese design. Handmade from natural carved timbers, high pitched thatched grass roofs and roomy decks, Seraya Shores is about as far away from it all as you can get on this magic ‘island of the gods’. Refresh your body and Relax your mind at our unique villas - Seraya Shores, Bali.