Alistair G. Speirs
From Sea to Shining Sea
British Poet John Masefield wrote his famous poem ‘Sea Fever’ in 1902 which so beautifully expresses our fascination with the sea. The second verse sums it up well: “I must down to the sea again, for the call of the running rideIs a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied” We
A Love for Art – Is There a ‘Right’ Way?
I love art, but I can’t really define it for you since it takes so many forms. But if we stick to the main categories of painting and sculpture, of literature and poetry, of song and dance, we already have wonderful ways that the human race can define itself and its existence here on earth.
Art, Artisans, Skill and Inspiration
The art world is one that is very hard to understand, and I think those that control it want it to be that way! Which artist fetches the top dollar for their work? And why? It doesn’t always seem to be about what we (amateurs!) call quality, in fact some of the absolutely hot, top-grossing
Staying Fit for Life
Fitness and health aren’t the same thing – but they are closely related. You can be healthy without being fit, but you can’t be fit without being healthy! There are a lot of people who, for the moment are healthy but don’t do exercise, but this won’t last long. The heart needs to be exercised,
Fitness Fanatics & Health Nuts in Bali
I suppose most people want to be fit, and everyone wants to be healthy but isn’t it amazing that we don’t try very hard to achieve either? We bumble along putting off exercise schedules and programs and delay health checkups as if these were causes of the problems not the solutions. Don’t deny it! Part
Design for Living
I was privileged to be part of a recent seminar on the circular economy which was headed by a Danish architect who talked about how we should design all of our buildings, infrastructure and all of our facilities so deliberately for the purpose for which they are intended so that they actually work! Seems obvious
Some Enchanted Evening (in Bali)
Richard Rogers captured our imagination with his wonderful lyrics to this song from the movie ‘South Pacific’ in 1949. Not some enchanted morning, not some enchanted lunch time, no, the magic of love only starts at night. Maybe the magic is somewhat diffused by the latest additions to Bali, motorcycles roaring past and very loud
Getting Well and Staying Well
The funny thing about the human body is that it may or may not tell you when something is wrong with it. We twist an ankle, “Oww”, we know it immediately, we have a cold “Aachoo” easy to spot. But for something more serious that you really want and need some warning on, nothing !
Health, Wealth and Happiness
Our May 2019 issue is all about health, spas and wellness (which is different from health apparently) and how to generally look and feel good. Now while you might not be aware of it, Indonesia (which includes Bali as a province) recently had national elections for all elected positions from city and provincial councils to
Democracy in Action in Indonesia
Welcome to crunch month, when the country decides who will lead it for the next five years. The debates are over, the pollsters are making money – sorry – predictions and forecasts, everyone has become an expert on government, on the economy, the leaders, the powers behind the thrones, the spouses behind the powers, the
Food for Thought, Thought for Food
It has always struck me that education is very unbalanced in most schools around the world, concentrating more on maths and science, which most people will only use a tiny part of for the rest of their lives, compared to health and nutrition which they need every day of their lives. And on which their
40 Years in Bali (Part 1) : First Contact
Ten Years of NOW! Bali but Forty Years of Memories Part I (this is extracted from the speech given by NOW! Bali Founder, Alistair Speirs to the assembled tourism industry at the NOW! Tenth Anniversary Dinner on 13th February 2019 at The Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort and Spa) NOW! Bali has survived and thrived for
What Does it Take to be a ‘Bali Hero’?
In our March 2019 issue you will find heartwarming stories about how some people actually do look after other people less fortunate than themselves. Please read them and think not, “wow , well done them” but “what can I do to help?” Actually it’s easy. Just give some money! What’s not easy is doing the
