We’re excited to share the first real chapter of our journey: the land purchase and legal set-up for The Falls Villas & Spa. This post is about the people who helped, the decisions we made, and the calm, slow place that led us here today.

How it began: a conversation that changed everything

While travelling, we met a lovely couple who own a property in Bali — Claire and Sajan. Over coffee they asked about our future plans. We told them we loved Asia and were looking for a retirement plan; Bali, Thailand and Vietnam were all possibilities. Claire kindly introduced us to her longtime friend, Arvind Mohindra, who helped introduce us to Bali through a local, practical lens.

We visited many places based on Arvind’s suggestions. At first nothing truly captured our hearts — we liked the island, but we hadn’t found the place that made us imagine staying forever.

Then Arvind suggested a trip to Munduk.

Munduk: the place that felt like home

From the moment we checked in to accommodation in Munduk, we fell in love. There was none of the Bali traffic, just lush forest, cool mountain air, and a slow, comforting pace of life. Munduk sits in the mountains at around 1,400 m elevation, and the climate felt perfect compared to lower, coastal areas. The region is rich with natural wonders — waterfalls, mossy trails, and viewpoints that feel as if they were made for quiet reflection.

Arvind took us to several sites around the area; initially, none were the one. Disappointed, we returned home — only to be contacted three months later with the news we’d been waiting for: he had found a property.

Securing the land — trust and a leap of faith

The plot was 7,500 m² of lush hillside forest with west-facing slopes and sweeping valley views. I was unable to travel back immediately due to work commitments, but trusting Arvind and his judgement, I put down a deposit to secure the land. Arvind was confident: he promised to refund the deposit if we weren’t happy after viewing it in person. That level of trust and confidence made the decision easier.

When we finally saw the site together, it was everything we’d hoped for: secluded, sloping terrain, private vantage points for sunsets, and the kind of forest cover that would lend itself to thoughtful, low-impact villas.

The team that made it seamless

Working with Arvind and the Ray White Real Estate team was effortless. They combined professional knowledge with friendliness and deep local understanding. Arvind introduced us to trusted professionals who guided the legal and corporate steps with patience and clarity.

Pak Agung Suardika — our lawyer — managed the PT PMA setup and all compliance documents, coordinated bank accounts, and handled regulatory requirements with expertise.

We signed all documents on 1 October 2025 at the notary office of I Made Dwita in Ubud. Banking formalities were completed at Mandiri Seminyak in the presence of our lawyer and Desy Anisaputri. Each person we worked with made the process less daunting, and we’re grateful for their support.

Personal note: We want to recommend these contacts wholeheartedly — Arvind (Ray White), Pak Agung, Notary I Made Dwita, and Desy at Mandiri. Their professionalism, transparency, and kindness were top notch.

What’s next — paperwork and waiting

With the signing complete, we’re now in the waiting phase as Indonesian administrative processes progress — transfers, title updates, and formal registration take time. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way.

Below we’ll publish a step-by-step breakdown of the process we followed (to be added soon):