In a way, the 12 Days of Karma are a distillation of the things that define our brand: a journey for the senses that’s all about experiences, entertainment, connection and giving back.
Get Ready For an Unforgettable 12 Days of Karma
In a way, the 12 Days of Karma are a distillation of the things that define our brand: a journey for the senses that’s all about experiences, entertainment, connection and giving back. With a little over six weeks to go till our annual festive season extravaganza we bring you a preview of what’s to come – plus some great reasons to visit our Europe resorts over the holiday season, news, offers and more in this festive edition of the Karma Chronicles…
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot…
I am writing this at 40,000 ft having just left teaching at Yale. It is currently mid-terms which essentially are mocks before the final reviews in mid-December. As you may already know, I am teaching a class of graduate students at the school of architecture who are working on each creating a plan for the redevelopment of our resort Karma Reef on Gili Meno.
The students all came to Indonesia a couple of weeks ago, stayed at Karma Kandara and visited the site. The last couple of days was my first real chance to see their work in the flesh and to comment on it. All I can say is… amazing!!
The skill, talent and imagination is incredible. We tasked them to all approach the resort concept in a different way and they have truly excelled themselves. We have a scuba resort… a spa property… an upmarket singles dating resort… and many more.
They were also tasked to make the resorts as sustainable as possible and they have all created ingenious and fascinating solutions… including the harvesting of seaweed and using deep water for air conditioning solutions. I will give you a full review after the finals in December.
It was also great that Judy Chapman was able to come and attend the panel of independent critics and they all benefited from her comments and experience in the spa world. It really is a pleasure and an honour to work with such creative and enthusiastic young minds.
Dane Haylett-Petty at Karma Kandara Bali, Indonesia
And then there is the Rugby World Cup… I was up at 3.30am watching the semi-final and as you probably know England beat the All Blacks to make the final. Needless to say, I changed all plans for the following weekend and met the family in Dubai before heading to Tokyo to with the hope of seeing England win the World Cup again!!!…
I must confess, my hopes were high after that historic victory over the All Blacks. And I was fortunate to have been in Sydney in 2003, on that glorious day when Jonny Wilkinson kicked us to victory against Australia in the dying moments of extra time. And I can only get away with saying it was one of the best days of my life by the fact that my wife Nanette was with me… and she agrees!!
Alas, our hopes were dashed this time round by an outstanding display of power rugby by the Springboks. Congratulations to our boys nevertheless – their skills were only matched by their heart.
I also enjoyed another very special day a couple of weeks ago. As you may know we create a Karma red wine in Bordeaux in collaboration with one of the top Chateaux (whose name must remain a secret!). I greatly enjoy being involved in the blending and creation process.
And this year as part of celebrations for my father’s 90th birthday, I took him with me to do the blending. It was very special to spend time with him and I am sure he has created what will be our finest wine yet (if it’s good please give him the credit… if it’s bad it is undoubtedly my doing!)
If you excuse me I intend on calling this Karma wine Père et Fils (Father & Son)… And I hope in years to come to repeat the process with my son (who is only 11 so still a bit young for wine even in the Spence household!!)… and then call the wine Père et Fils Deux!!
This wine won’t be released for a year of course as it has much work to do in barrel. However, our previous year’s red is currently being delivered so expect to see it in our resorts very soon.
So… commiserations to my friends, colleagues and clients who are Australian, New Zealander or Welsh… and sadly to my fellow Englishmen too! And congratulations to South Africa for a famous win under their inspirational captain Siya Kolisi. But watch out – we won’t be licking our wounds for long – the red rose will burst into bloom again in four years’ time!
And here I am back at Yale to teach the next class session after a pit stop of meetings in Singapore… and then to Europe for the weekend tomorrow night!
The show must go on!!
Regards
John
John Spence
12 Days of Karma
Our Karma entertainment teams have been busy since the tail end of summer hatching plans for an unforgettable festive season built around our iconic 12 Days of Karma celebrations. From Bali to Europe to India, our award-winning chefs, sommeliers, spa therapists, Kid’s Club staff and event teams are making sure that the last days of 2019 and the first of 2020 are filled with Good Karma…
12 Days of Karma Bali Edition
The Grand Central of our 12 Days of Karma Celebrations is of course Karma Kandara, our flagship resort atop the limestone cliffs of Bali…
Feast…
Around the world, festive season revolves around sharing food together – it’s not called the Feast of Stephen for nothing! Celebrated Karma Kandara Executive Chef Joseph Antinoshek – a recipient of the hallowed James Beard ‘Best Hotel Chefs in America’ award – will be conjuring culinary magic throughout. Highlights include of course a classic Christmas banquet – or brunch buffet if you prefer and a New Year’s Dinner for which Joseph and his team are pulling out all the stops to deliver a unique and unforgettable experience. From exquisite fine dining at di Mare restaurant to food festivals beachside at Karma Beach celebrating global cuisines from Mexican (Dio De Lost Muertos is the theme on New Year’s Day) to Pan-Asian via the Silk Route – this is 12 Days of non-stop tastebud titillation!
Revel…
Bali has a natural affinity with another fabled island – this one in Spain. Ibiza – most famous of the Balearic Islands – has a similar reputation for creativity, beauty, music and of course hedonism. So we thought we’d bring over to Bali some of the world’s most famous exponents of the so called Balearic sound- eclectic music built for sunsets and beaches and cosmopolitan people. Ibiza stalwarts Pete Gooding and Jon Sa Trinxa will be manning the decks down at Karma Beach across the 12 Days of Karma. They’ll be joined by Glaswegian legends Silicone Soul. We’ve got a rich mix of themed parties lined up too – including a trip to Atlantis on Boxing Day, a Caribbean Karnival on the 30th December before we present the biggest NYE celebration on the island featuring spectacular performances by world class dancers and acrobats, while our DJ trio steer you into 2020 in exuberant musical fashion. But wait – we’re not done yet! The last hurrah happens on 03 January with our annual Burning Beach party – a fixture on Bali’s entertainment diary and the perfect way to round out festive season.
Unwind…
Each of the 12 Days of Karma brings with it new opportunities to rest, reset & rejuvenate via our wellness programme – the perfect way to balance all the holiday season indulgence. We have expert yoga exponent Ola Lirka in residence – she’ll be hosting regular classes through the day – from early morning Rise & Shine sessions 80 metres above the sparkling Indian Ocean, to High Intensity and Slow Flows – so there’s sure to be something to suit your palate! And each day, Karma Spa brings bestows a unique therapy or spa ritual – from collagen boosting LED facials to Detox Rocks to coconut oil massage with hydrating facial booster. Any semblance of a hangover or jetlag is easily dealt with at our pop up remedy bar offering vitamin and nutrition rich infusions.
We even have an onsite intuitive healer offering tea & tarot sessions so you can set yourself up for 2020!
Karma Jimbaran
Guests at Karma Jimbaran this festive season can look forward to an intimate 12 day programme of entertainment that’s geared towards family and connecting with old friends and new. From a wide variety of culinary gatherings to poolside Starlight Cinema screenings and curated wellness experiences, we’ve got the holiday season all wrapped up with a daily menu of happenings that are ideal for dipping in and out. Sample the freshest catch of the day with our Seafood & Sangria get together, discover Bali’s own rich culinary traditions with a Rijstaffel feast and treat yourself to a Tipsy High Tea! And on NYE, we’ve got some of Bali’s top DJs, musicians and entertainers to help us ring in the New Year.
Karma Bavaria
Even the most committed of Grinches would be hard pressed to resist the good cheer and festive spirit that Bavarians are able to conjure – embodied in their spectacular Christmas markets, frequent feasts, traditional decorations and winter wonderland settings. Karma Bavaria’s 12 Days of Karma programme embodies all of these things, with delicious seasonal Bavarian fare, opportunities for kids to make traditional decorations, winter wonderland walks around the famous Lake Spitzingsee, horse & carriage rides, nature night walks, bonfires and even hop across the border to Austria to visit the historic cities of Kustein and Salzburg!
Experience All The Festive Feels In Bavaria, Normandy & London
Northern Europe is where winter festivals first took root and in countries and unique traditions and celebrations still take place across the continent. In France, Christmas Dinner traditionally take place at midnight, whilst in Bavaria, it’s traditional on Christmas Eve to feast on Carp roasted in butter, served with beer – a Franconian tradition with a thousand year history. Here are some more unique European traditions that bring festive season to life…
BAVARIA ( Karma Bavaria )
Christmas Markets
No visit to Bavaria is complete without a visit to the Christmas Markets. Set close to the shores of Lake Schliersee, Karma Bavaria is just a short distance from Munich, one of Germany’s most historic and culturally fascinating cities.
Krampus
while Santa Claus is definitely a fixture here, so is his nemesis Krampus – a demon that roams the streets ready to catch naughty children. Very fearsome he looks with his horns and furry coat – look out for him during traditional festivals in villages, towns and cities throughout Bavaria.
Horse Drawn Sledges
Take in the winter wonderland around idyllic Lake Schliersee using a mode of transport that dates back centuries – horse drawn sledge! Let horses do the hard work, while you sit back in the plush upholstery of a traditional sledge, with mulled wine to warm you from the inside out!
NORMANDY ( Karma Residence Normande )
San Pierres sur Dives Christmas Market
Not to be outdone by its Germanic neighbour, Normandy has its own spectacular seasonal markets – perhaps none so grand as this one, where 150 stall holders gather in France’s biggest Medieval town hall – it’s one of many markets that provide the best way to discover the unique produce of the region!
Bayeux Cathedral Light Show
Between 01 December and 05 January, the famous cathedral at Bayeux hosts a spectacular light show each evening – a great reason to visit this lovely town before exploring its boutique and eateries…
LONDON (Karma Sanctum Soho)
Ice Skating at Somerset House
Head down to the banks of the River Thames and historic Somerset House – a centre for the arts that dates back all the way to the 16th century. The House’s grand courtyard is transformed into a beautiful ice rink – the perfect way to get into the festive spirit, London style.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
London is a city of parks – and Hyde Park is its most central and arguably most famous! Each year the royal park plays host to a spectacular Winter Wonderland complete with family shows, circus acts, fairground rides, Christmas Markets and more.
The Latest Karma Bordeaux is Both Elegant & Dashing!
We talk alot about Karma pillars – things like experiences, entertainment, community, connection, philanthropy. But then there’s the fuel that keeps us running – and there’s reason to suggest that this is none other than the humble grape – pressed and fermented and transformed into a myriad marvellous flavours. Yes, we are die-hard oenophiles here at Karma – from running wine-fuelle marathons to now creating our own growing selection of premium wines that are produced especially for Karma at our destinations – many of which happen to be (by accident or design you might ask?!) in regions famous for their wines. These include Italy, Australia – and of course France.
So we’re excited to announce that the latest Karma wine will shortly be available for your delectation at Karma Group resorts worldwide. Ladies and Gentlemen, we give you our latest Bordeaux.
Produced by one of the most celebrated winemakers of the Bordeaux region, our latest Bordeaux blends no less than three Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards (whose identity must remain a secret!) from the most prestigious appellations of the Left Bank (of the River Seine) with Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the best stretch of the Right Bank. To call our latest Bordeaux distinctive would be an understatement. Rebellious might be more accurate. Redolent with generous aromas, finesse and not a little dash – this is a wine for pirates with a taste for the high-life – as the beautiful artwork on the label attests.
A Medley of Seasonal Wellness Offerings at Karma Spa
Holistic is our mantra at Karma Spa – and our all round approach to wellness is on full display over the coming holiday months. While we welcome summer at Karma Rottnest in Australia with exciting new therapies & activities, at Kandara we have some new wellness rituals centred on our infrared sauna and a Balinese Reiki master plying his craft…
Rottnest Summer Season Wellness Programme
Raise your vibration as we launch our summer season at Karma Spa Rottnest…an island that has healing built into its DNA – think Mediterranean style climate, stunning nature, beaches and cool ocean water. Karma Spa compliments all of this with a new menu of half & full day wellness retreats, spa therapies and yoga sessions through December and January.
Our infrared sauna perches cliffside 80 metres above the Indian Ocean – a jaw dropping location in which to recharge. We’ve put together a selection of unique sauna wellness rituals designed to combine the toxin-releasing benefits of our sauna with massage, restoratives, reflexology, facials and salt baths. Perfect for festive season, when you might be indulging a little bit more than usual! If you’re looking for deeper healing, then look no further than I Made I Warmana – our resident Reiki healer throughout the holiday season – with the option to study with Made and earn your own Reiki healer certification.
Raising Funds & Empowering Kids: Here’s How Karma Cares…
Besides celebrating with family, festive season is about giving back – something that Karma is focused on year round! Here are some recent events that typify Karma’s approach to philanthropy
In Vietnam, Karma Chairman John Spence attended the ribbon cutting for the brand new park & playground at Tang Keo Lake in Hoi An that Karma Group has sponsored for disadvantaged children in the area – a great new facility for their enjoyment and development. Karma staff and a team of volunteers also organised a day out for the kids of Children’s Hope in Action (CHIA) charity. In all, 50 children headed into Hoi An Town to hone their English by interacting with tourists. It was a great day of learning and connecting fuelled by cup cakes, fun and laughter! Besides events like these, Karma Group is providing free English classes as well as sponsoring 20 students’ educational needs.
Meanwhile in Singapore, Karma was a key host and prize sponsor of the Africa Society of Singapore Annual Ball, which this year managed to raise a whopping $75,000 in aid of HER Planet Earth & Conservation International. 10% of this amount came from Karma Group’s contribution via a top auction prize – it was great to be able to help!
Over in France, the Karma management – including Karma Chairman John Spence – undertook the now legendary annual Penguin Walk as it entered its 5th edition. Dressed fetchingly as various iconic creatures, the walkers traversed 38km of stunning Provençal countryside with a few stops for that quintessential French refreshment (ahem!) and in doing so raised thousands of dollars to support university scholarships for the children of Christel House in India.
To find out more about the many charitable causes that Karma is involved in, click here →
Wildlife Encounters & Culinary Experiences
Our brand new nature based destination Karma Sitabani is proving a big hit with the first of our members to visit the resort in Uttarakhand right on the edge of the famous Jim Corbett Reserve. Our members have been thrilled by their safari experiences – which included a rare sighting of a leopard – and are thoroughly enjoying what is a unique new destination experience from Karma. Here’s one of the testimonials in full to give you an insight into what it’s like to visit Karma Sitabani:
‘’Last weekend at Karma Sitabani will remain one of the most often remembered weekend holidays of our life. Far from the maddening crowds of the city, amidst the pristine surroundings of the Corbett Forest, pollution free fresh and crisp air and starlit sky…what more could one ask for! The sounds of the forest audible from the balcony of our room made us meditative. Observing the monkeys, peacocks, rabbits etc. in their natural habitat was simply amazing, the highlight being a baby leopard that walked across most casually.
As we were the 6th guests to check into the resort, we didn’t know what to expect. But we were totally stumped by the sheer expanse of the beautifully manicured lawns and lush green foliage surrounded by beautiful huts. The pinewood panelled rooms were the most comfortable and modern.
The swimming pool and the activities room were par excellence. The spa was being given final touches before it could start. The staff was very warm and friendly and willing to help.
Last, but most important is our experience with food. The Chef Shishupal churns out some amazing Kumaoni food. He served us, Kumaoni Palak Saag, Kumaoni Raita, Kumaoni Chicken Curry & Kumaoni Fish Jhol which will certainly motivate us to go back again.
Absolutely Awesome!!!”
Mrs Bela Mahendru. Karma Group Members since 2006
Do share your experiences with us and on TripAdvisor – it helps us and also your fellow members with their travel planning!
Welcome to the New Karma Beach
Already among the most sought after beach destination experiences in Southeast Asia, Karma Beach has been expanded and refined with a stunning new look that pays subtle homage to the elegance of art deco intriguingly married to the simplicity and comfort of tropical design with its barefoot-luxury aesthetic. Featuring an expanded deck, all new furnishings including swing chairs and beach-facing communal dining as well as a dedicated bar & lounge where the world’s best DJs soundtrack spectacular sunsets year round. We’ll be delivering the freshest chilled sushi from our new seafood bar and the crispiest authentic Italian pizza from the new stone-fired oven. Discover our ode to barefoot luxury – the perfect compliment to the cliff sheltered white sands and aquamarine waters that make this place so utterly magical!
Executive Chef Joseph Antinoshek Wins Award for Culinary Creativity
We already knew that Chef Joe (as he’s affectionately known here at Karma Kandara) was a stand out in culinary circles – a chef who’s always experimenting and always delivering innovative dishes of the highest quality. This innate creativity has now been recognised by Now magazine in Bali with di Mare restaurants scooping the Best Restaurant in Bali award – while Joe himself was recognised for creating the ‘Most Adventurous Tasting Menu Experience.’ Congratulations to him and the whole culinary team at Karma Kandara! If you’re in Bali, why not swing by and discover why Joe’s emerging as one of the island’s foremost culinary creatives – and if you’re not, you could try out some of his unique recipes below:
Don’t Miss Karma Yoga Luminary Ola Lirka’s yoga masterclasses this festive season
Indulgence is most enjoyable when it’s balanced by wellness – which is why master yoga teacher Ola Lirka will be teaching daily classes across the 12 Days of Karma programme at Karma Kandara. Guests at Kandara can enjoy her innovative twice-daily classes absolutely free!
Karma Yoga Luminary Ola Lirka is a master teacher of asana and other yogic practices. And now members can benefit from her stellar teachings through the 12 Days of Karma absolutely free. Plus you also get 25% off all our specially curated spa treatments during our 12-Days of Karma programme at Karma Kandara.
Inspection Visits: Your Chance to Experience Top Karma Destinations
Want a taste of that Karma Odyssey membership brings without making an immediate commitment? We’re offering amazing value week long holidays at leading Karma properties in Bali, Phuket, Bavaria and Goa. Discover these award-winning resorts with a 7-day holiday between February and April – just US$299!
Karma Mayura, Bali, Hotel Unit (sleeping two)
Karma Royal Boat Lagoon, Phuket, Two Bedroom apartment (sleeping four)
Karma Bavaria, Germany, Hotel Unit (sleeping two)
Karma Royal Palms, Goa, One Bedroom apartment (sleeping four)
Whether you’re drawn to the snowy peaks of the Bavarian Alps or the white sand beaches of Goa, Bali and Koh Samui – we’ve got you covered with our festive season contest – there’s a week’s holiday in any of these four destinations on offer! To enter, all you have to do is:
1. Share the competition post on Facebook & Instagram, tagging it #ExperienceKarma and #KarmaGroup
2. Comment with the destination you would like to visit.
3. Tag a minimum of 5 friends.
4. Make sure you’re following @karma.group
5. Limited to 1 entry per person
Competition ends Nov 30 2019. Winner will be DM‘d and announced on our Social channels.
We Have Our Last Competition Winner!
Congratulations to all those who participated in our last competition – We are excited to announce the winner Christine Jones and 3 friends receives a 7 night complimentary Karma Experience plus $100 on-site credit at Karma Apsara, Koh Samui, Thailand.
Christine Jones,
Karma Group Member
since 2016
BOOK DIRECTLY WITH KARMA GROUP FOR OUR VERY BEST RATES!
Book directly via KarmaGroup.com, for the very best rates and special offers. Simply use the booking code BRP2019.
We’ll answer your enquiry with top priority, however please feel welcome to phone Karma Sanctum on the Green on +44 1628 472 521
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