HONAI RESORT

Capturing the Magic of Alowyn Gardens: A Photographer’s Paradise in Victoria

Address: Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571

Bali’s Honai Resorts is a dreamlike escape that offers photographers and travel bloggers an intimate encounter with Balinese culture, framed within the beauty of its serene landscapes. As the soft hues of dawn and dusk dance across the resort’s traditional architecture, the interplay of light offers endless opportunities for capturing the rustic elegance of the thatched roofs and bamboo structures. The design, inspired by the circular ‘Honai’ houses of indigenous Papuan tribes, is a narrative in itself, appealing to those who seek to tell profound visual stories through their lenses.

Beyond the architectural marvels, the resort is enveloped in verdant tropical gardens, a playground for macro-photography aficionados. Here, the vivid greens, the spectrum of florals, and the intricate patterns of natural life present themselves against a backdrop of the island’s dynamic sky. The reflective infinity pool, too, is a photographer’s delight, mirroring the sky in its tranquil waters, perfect for those dramatic, introspective shots that convey the essence of a Balinese escape.

As evening unfurls, the resort transforms into a stage of mystical beauty. Long-exposure photography captures the play of light and shadow, fireflies dotting the scene with glimmers of life. For travel bloggers, Honai Resorts narrates the story of sustainability entwined with luxury, its quiet corners offering solace and inspiration for those seeking to weave the tale of Bali’s enchanting allure. Each snapshot and each word penned at Honai becomes part of a larger mosaic, showcasing the tranquility and cultural richness that this unique resort embodies.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

• Embrace the Golden Hours: At Honai Resort, the golden hours of sunrise and sunset are particularly magical. Use this time to capture the warm glow of the sun as it casts a golden hue over the resort’s traditional architecture. Position yourself to catch reflections on the infinity pool for a stunning symmetrical shot, or to backlight the frangipani flowers for a translucent effect.

• Explore Angles in Architecture: With its unique circular ‘Honai’ structures, explore different angles to photograph the resort’s architecture. Get low to emphasize the grandeur of the thatched roofs against the sky, or find a higher vantage point to illustrate the harmony between the buildings and the surrounding landscape.

• Play with the Lush Greens: The vibrant greenery around the resort is a rich canvas for photographers. Use a polarising filter to cut through the glare and bring out the lushness of the leaves and the depth of colours in the petals. This will also help to reduce reflections in water features, making the greens pop even more against the calm blue of the pool.

• Cultural Elements as Focal Points: Capture the essence of Balinese culture by incorporating local dancers, artisans, or even the staff in traditional dress into your shots. These human elements add a powerful narrative to your images. Focus on expressions, movements, and the intricate details of their costumes to tell a story that’s exclusive to the Honai experience.

• Night Photography Awaits: The resort takes on a new life at night with its pathways lit by flickering torches and pools reflecting the starry sky. Experiment with long exposures to capture the movement of light or set up for astrophotography to photograph the night sky. Use a tripod to stabilize your camera for these long exposures and try light painting to creatively illuminate the foreground elements.