Spa Village Resort Bali partnered with a highly regarded artist, Chang Fee Ming on inspiring retreat for creative souls

My alarm is set for 6 am, as I prepare for a busy day ahead. My schedule is completely packed with art sessions, spa treatments, yoga classes, and stargazing, with breaks for delicious Balinese food. Pinch me! Is this really going to be my routine for the next three days?

Creativity for the soul: to inspire and heal

As the morning sun paints the sky with hues of gold, our day starts with a quick meditation, though not in the traditional sense. ‘My meditation is very simple,’ says Fee Ming. ‘I don’t need silence or candles for it. I meditate by walking along the beach.’ And so, that is exactly what we do, taking a leisurely stroll along the shoreline toward the fishing village just around the corner from the resort.

Seated on small chairs, we pull out our pencils and begin to draw, trying to capture the unhurried life of Bali. Fishermen are chatting as preparing their gear, mother hen is walking with her chickens, and a cat is catching a bird in mid-flight. Our plein air session is serenaded by the gentle sounds of the ocean and a chorus of bird-song.

Our group of 16 includes a mix of solo travellers with diverse backgrounds, from designers to doctors, along with friends, couples, and even some of Chang’s former students. “Wow, very beautiful!” says a nice friendly lady, who I later learn is the artist’s wife Jarina. She admires the lines of my drawing, though I know it’s far from perfect. But that’s the beauty of this retreat: there is no need for perfection.

‘I’m not looking for perfection from anyone, and I’m not here to criticize,’ Chang Fee Ming assures me. ‘This isn’t a formal art class. If your heart is in it, your painting has life. That’s what important’. The retreat’s goal is to spark creativity, and that’s something not just artists, but we all need. Studies shows that creative exploration increases happiness, boosts immune system, and improves mental health.

Bali is a second home to Fee Ming. A self-taught Malaysian artist, he began his career in the early 1980s and has since become one of Asia’s most esteemed and highly regarded watercolorists. His works are celebrated and featured in exhibitions and private collections worldwide, and have appeared regularly on auction at Sotheby’s and Christie’s since 1995. His “Mandalay” was sold for at S$ 103,700. From bustling marketplaces to ancient temples to festive gatherings, he travels in search of the vibrant hues of Asia. Isn’t it a privilege to have the chance to accompany him on this journey?

Exploring local culture
Immersing ourselves in the routine of village life in Tembok, we are heading to the morning market. It’s 7am, and the market is already bustling with the locals who are here to buy food for the day, get some fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers for prayers and offerings. From little baskets on the floor with little goodies to spectacular offerings for temple celebrations, offerings to please the Gods is something you can’t miss when in Bali.  After  lunch, our cultural journey continues with flower mandala crafting, followed by a soul-soothing sound bath meditation. A highlight of the day awaits in the evening: dining under the stars accompanied by a traditional Balinese Kacak dance performance. A spectacle of sound and light, flickering torches illuminate a chorus of men, whose voices are the orchestral accompaniment to a dramatic story told in dance. Complex and varied chants echo in sync to swaying movements. The only other music to rhythmically accompany them are the beats of their palms hitting their chests, thighs or other parts of their bodies.Tembok, the hidden gem of Bali
Spa Village resort is located in the north of the island, less explored and unspoilt by tourism part of Bali. Chang Fee Ming compares it with a ‘raw file, as those uncompressed picture files in a digital camera’. Nestled in the quiet village of Tembok along the coast of black sand fringed by soaring volcanic peaks, it is hard to imagine a place better designed for a break in tranquillity. 

The road to the resort takes three and a half hours. By day, the drive offers wonderful views—from authentic villages and beautiful temples to magnificent rice terraces. We recommend making a stop at the coffee plantation for the famous luwak coffee tasting. The book ‘Journey to Tembok’ by Chang Fee Ming offers more ideas from the artist, who has a deep connection with this idyllic place, visiting it once or twice a year for the past 15 years.

Holistic Spa Treatments
Upon arrival, there is a welcoming ‘wijikan’ foot bath ritual and shoulder massage, setting the tone for the spa program. All treatments from the spa menu are inspired by the region’s herbal traditions and healing culture, offering experiences that go far beyond standard massages. Lai-Ping Chik, Vice President of the Spa Division at YTL Hotels, emphasizes their thorough research into the local area, extensive exploration, and regular consultations with elderly healers.

Attention to detail is evident in every aspect here, even down to the music for starlight gazing sessions. The playlist is curated from meditation soundtracks specially chosen for astronauts. Imagine lying on a floating platform in the pool, under a canopy of stars, soaking in the breathtaking view of the galaxy above, dreaming big and trying to spot the Great bear constellation. It’s all about immersing yourself in the moment. For me, this was a moment of pure happiness.

At Spa Village Resort Tembok, every treatment begins with the unique Segara Giri ritual. ‘Segara’ means ocean and ‘Giri’ means mountain in Balinese. Positioned between these two natural forces, the resort draws inspiration from the interaction of mountain and ocean, symbolized by the black volcanic sand on the beach. This ritual starts with steaming legs in a heated tub filled with this purifying black sand, cleansing the spirit of negativity. Guests are served frozen watermelon slices, juice, and ice candy to cool down.

A must-try at the spa is the Balinese massage, which blends influences from Indian, Chinese, and European cultures. And don’t miss the Mekramas hair treatment. They start by massaging coconut oil and candlenut into your scalp, then apply a hair mask with hibiscus leaves and fresh aloe vera. After that, your hair gets wrapped in pandan leaves to let the mask do its magic. Snap a selfie with your cute leaf crown while you’re at it.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for upcoming retreat programs: “Journey to Rejuvenation” in September, “Cultural Academy” in December, and “Journey to Mindfulness” in March next year.