Well after 15 nights at Amankila we feel we know the resort and the people really well. I am very hesitant to compare resorts but clearly the Amandari is a bit "tired", while the Amankila has held up better. The big advantage these resorts have over others is the genuine desire of the employees to keep their customers happy and make you feel part of the family. Everyone, without exceptions, spent their time making sure we got whatever we needed whether we ask for it or not. When asked by the manager, Tracy, "how is everything?" the only response could be "wonderful and consistent with Aman tradition".

We have now moved and will be spend 10 days at "that other resort" in Chiang Mai. From here we will go to Amansara. Ibu has placed me on restriction so I am not allowed to use the Iphone to send chatter on the internet--I am currently using the library computer.

Back to Amankila, as previously reported the food was good, not great, but there was an excellent range of choices and if you could not find what you wanted James, the chef, would make anything you requested. We did the bale in the mountains for breakfast, the bale in the mountains (different bale) for cocktails and capanes, we went out on the boat aroud the famous island (the name of which I can not remember) then snorkling and lunch on the boat, massages, shopping with driver for a day in Seminyak (sp?) and alot of lying in the bale by the pools staring into air! A wonderful place with wonderful people.

So, one late afternoon (5:30pm) I am sitting on my porch (Ocean Suite #5) quitely reading the paper and all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye on the railing I see a cat--I thought--what is a cat doing here? I was partially blocked by the table and plant, when I looked around the table --it was a monkey!! A wild monkey(4-5 foot tail)--well, when he saw me he took off into a tree--I ran to get a camera figuring nobody would believe this and when I returned with camera and Ibu the monkey was no where to be seen--about that time here comes some new customers with porter and bags headed to their room and of course I said "there is a monkey down there!" pointing to where they were going--Ibu just stared at me. Anyway I guess it has been at least 5 years since they have seen a wild monkey on the property so this was a big event -- the theory is that because it has been dry the monkey came through to eat and drink--whatever--it will never be forgotten.

All-in-all, as I have said before the Amans in Bali and especially Amankila are special places that should be experienced. If there are any follow-up questions or thoughts, I hope to check the website in the next day or two. Next report from Amansara in about a week or so, I hope!
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