Location
The Chedi Club At Tanah Gajah Villa is located on Jalan Goa Gajah, close
to Ubud.
THE
POOLS
THE ESTATE ALSO includes a 16X8 meter swimming pool with a paddling
pool for children, a small fitness center and an open breakfast
pavilion reminiscent of life beneath the waves with its blue
tiered ceiling decorated with orderly fishes. A look on the
lighter side reveals that the words The Chedi Club At Tanah Gajah mean Elephant
Realm and true to its name Hadiprana has statues and carvings
of elephants in every shape and form ail over the estate.
There
are stone elephants guarding the bridge and entrances to The Chedi Club At Tanah Gajah. Two lie in obeisance at the entrance to the Ganesha and
four carry royal umbrellas in front of the pavilions. There
are elephants in the labour force. These carry great ceramic
jars with plants of flowers on their backs and there arc those
that pour endless streams of water into the ponds and swimming
pools. And finally, there arc the celestial red and gold elephants
than fly up in the ceiling of the Ganesha.
THE
GARDENS
HADIPRANA FIRST CAME to Bali in the early sixties when
it was still rarely frequented by tourists. He and his wife
spent their honeymoon in Bali and have been returning ever since.
Over the years a deep affection for Bali and the Balinese way
of life has taken root within Hadiprana. and it is this love
for Bali that has guided him in the creation of The Chedi Club At Tanah Gajah.
It
is not isolated or separated from its environment but rather
has tried to become a part of its surroundings. This is to be
seen in the way the gardens have merged with the adjacent rice
fields and the way the architecture has integrated with nature
very much in accordance with the Hindu concept of design where
for example the candi kurung-style gateway to the Inner Temple
of Pura Dalem takes the form of the Maha Meru Mountain or Abode
of the Gods replete with animals and plants.
Here
the cottages and pavilions are all of natural materials: brick,
wood, clay and grass thatch. The pavilions are built to cater
to the passing breezes and beside the marble baths and basins
the cottages also have small walled terraces where those so
inclined can bath with a coconut dipper from an ancient ceramic
jar under an open, blue sky. The gardens at The Chedi Club At Tanah Gajah arc
more than typical Balinese Gardens.
They
are actually a botanical garden, with a lot of tropical species
of trees & plants even the rare ones, set in spacious set
in well kept grounds that offer a bountiful delight of hibiscus,
frangipani, ixora, oleander, lantana and a rich variety of other
plants and shrubs that keep the interiors of Tanah Ga ah continuously
provided with fresh flowers. Towards the back of the estate
grow cinnamon and clove trees and there is a constant trickling
and splashing of water from the many little streams on the estate.
Now
a vibrant little rocky pool then a placid green and pink lotus
pond. The echoing of water with the gentle tinkle of wind chimes
and the soft cries of birds combine in a never ending celebration
of nature. In the rice fields the farmers plant and harvest.
In the evenings the music of nature is enriched with a chorus
of crickets and frogs. At night the-fields shine with the small
lamps of farmers hunting for cells and snails and little frogs
with yellow stripes down their backs. In the trees and bushes
glow the small lights of fireflies.
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