Contact

• Nederland
• Bali Beach Garden Projecten
• Gooweg 17
• 2211 XV
• Noordwijkerhout
• Nederland
• T: +31 (0)252-340367
• info@balibeachgarden.com
• Hans Heemskerk
• Mobile: +62 (0)81936324625 or
• Mobile: +31 (0)653506988

We are a couple in our late fifties, keen on travelling, childless and we have been travelling around the world together for years. At first, together with groups, but the last few years we have been travelling on our own. Asia has become our favorite continent. We arrived at Bali for the first time in 1979; the Island of the Gods, and came back in 2000 when we were sailing along the Sunda Islands. We still thought it truly was a heavenly place.

We already had vague plans about moving to this continent after we had retired. Mostly because of the climate, but also because of the wonderful environment, exotic culture, relaxed life pace and the kindness of the locals. Our parents aren’t alive anymore and we have a very small family, this is why moving so far away from the Netherlands did not interfere with our plans.

We chose Bali for the above-mentioned reasons, the culture is predominantly Hindu and very colorful, but the necessary provisions are also present, and it is still possible to purchase a beautiful villa near the sea for a fair price. This surely is possible in the North, because there is so much space and quiet. And the environment is really wonderful.

How did we do this?

We searched the Internet for companies that build houses in the North. It turned out that B.B.G. was the most experienced one, because they had already built about 80 houses there in a period of 10 years. We also found several magazine articles with positive testimonies of people who were already living there in a house built by B.B.G.

We made contact with some of these people and kindly requested them to fill out a questionnaire of 120 questions, divided into several categories: contract parties, building agreement, plot and location, construction, house, provisions, decoration & building, maintenance, but also consequences of the settlement, health & safety, communication & language, transport, living, life & occupation and other experiences and advice.

The answers we received were all very positive.

It did seem that we looked at certain matters with “Dutch glasses”: the deeds for example are signed after the building is finished. For agreements: the most important details are put down on paper and the deal is sealed with a handshake. Two windows or twenty sockets more or less, it does not really matter. During the construction, changes can easily be suggested and made by both parties. The deadline is also “more or less” set and obtained.

You actually take a plunge in the deep end, but all is going well!

We selected the type of house (Buka) at home and asked for the specifications and drawings. After that, we made an appointment with B.B.G. and other people who live there permanently to arrange some visits.

In August 2008, we travelled to Bali for four weeks. We first looked at some plots, together with Ton Kielestein, to decide which size we wanted. We also spoke to Theo, the designer of the house, and met the Balinese architect. After that, we had a look at about 8 to 10 existing houses together with the Dutch building coordinator, Willem Meulenbroeks, and wrote down what we liked, disliked and what we wanted differently with regard to the construction of our own house.

We were kindly welcomed and received many excellent tips, also from Willem, who really worked with us and thought about possible solutions and better alternatives, because of his exhaustive experience. After two weeks of looking around, discussing and thinking, we had compiled a list together with Willem about the demands and wishes with regard to the house and the plot of land. We discussed these with Jeroen (former director of B.B.G, now family Heemskerk) and agreed on a price, sealed the deal with a handshake and a lovely bottle of Moët and Chandon. We received the bill a little later by e-mail.

Building progress

During the last days of our holiday the groundwork was already carried out.

The construction started on October 9^th 2008.

Thanks to Willem, we were informed every 14 days about the construction. He sent us pictures so we could see the progress. In the mean time, we also received detailed drawings and several detailed questions about the equipment, electricity lay-out (with examples of other houses) from Willem. We also contacted him when we had questions or when we wanted to change something. It worked perfectly!

All photos of the construction and decoration -from beginning to end- are still available on:

http://picasaweb.google.com/loekenerna

In December 2008, we went there again for four weeks to witness the progress with our own eyes and to discuss some more details and to look for furniture and fabrics. Then we head South (Kuta, Denpasar) to find out what could be purchased there.

We also took a good look at the construction (about 30 work men) and watched about 50 men construct our swimming pool. The construction workers are really fond of hats, lemonade and cigarettes.

We also made arrangements with Marja, who lives there, to design and lay-out our garden. We settled everything by e-mail when we were home. We have to say that Marja did a wonderful job. The design and lay-out were perfect.

Finishing the construction

The construction would be finished on April 1st. ‘Approximately’, dependent on Balinese feast days, the government (in charge of water and power), material availability and so on. We travelled to Bali from April 12^th until May 8^th with a list of materials we wanted to order. We went shopping in Huta and Ubud, four days long (’shop till you drop’). We drove back North (it took us three hours) with an MPV filled with materials and artwork. Many firms delivered the other goods (for about 10 - 20 Euros).

After all that shopping, we stayed in the holiday home next to our house for a week and experienced the completion of the building. This is not a holiday, because 20 to 30 people were wondering around the house to add the finishing touches, while we were trying to decorate. We still had to wait for the connection to the water works by the government, and when this was done, we slept in our house for the first time on April 24^th 2009.

The quality of the construction is absolutely exquisite.

In order to monitor the finish and decoration, it is wise to go to Bali for a few weeks. You can also change little things you do not like or that you expected to be different. In the room for example, the wiring came right out of the wall, while we had expected it to be 10 cm above the baseboard. We also had a sticky door, tiles that still needed to be polished, taps and drainpipes that were leaking, a fence that was too low and so on.

But those things were immediately fixed by an entire regiment of carpenters, plumbers and electricians,… One phone call to Willem or Ketut from B.B.G. and they mobilized everyone to fix the problem. We also had help for hanging the paintings, lamps and building in the safes and so on.

On May 7th, we headed back home, tired, but happy, because it was “our home” and it was already 98% finished. Only little things needed to be done (stair handrail, shed for garden equipment, gates and some grind and paint work). In the Netherlands, we had to sign the papers and pay the last term.

We will return there in August for a final check-up and for the Hindu consecration of our home. The building next to our home will be finished by then. The staff will be educated, so we can rent the house. In the meantime, we already have an administrator / helpdesk for that.

The home, the garden… It is a real paradise.
Have a look for yourself at http://www.villaterangbulan.com 

And… in about 4 to 5 years we will be living there permanently - a wonderful prospect!

Loek and Erna Janssen

Jalan Mawar 12 Lokapaksa

Through the Internet, we came in contact with Bali Beach Garden, a Dutch project developer in Bali. We went to Bali on holiday and made contact with BBG. They showed us several projects.

After spending three weeks in a BBG villa, we had already made our decision. Before heading back for the Netherlands, we had already signed the contract and we had bought 2 houses on 2600 m² of land. One house for us and one house to rent. A BBG villa is characterized by its spacious dimensions, luxurious design and good finish, something you might not expect in a country like Bali.

Where else in the world can you live at the beach with a beachfront of 50 meters?

Today, we gladly look back on the most wonderful decision we ever made in our lives.
Jan & Ans Klinkhamer
Lokapaksa