Edward Speirs
Honey & Smoke: Modern Australian Dining Gets an ‘Asian Flare’
For fans of Will Meyrick, Honey & Smoke will be a welcome surprise, as the Australian chef and restaurateur ventures away from his renowned Southeast Asian cuisine and presents a superbly original menu at this new wood-fired bistro. Honey & Smoke sits on Ubud’s central Monkey Forest Road, now bustling with life again. This cosy,
Make a Scene Bali: Leaf Weaving in New Dimensions
Unlike the textile weaving industry, Bali’s leaf weaving craft needed no help for revival. It persists through the local communities as a daily necessity. In fact, it has become larger than life, transcending its traditional forms and functionality to create works of art, as shown with Make a Scene Bali. Leaf weaving is a common
The Masks of Bali, feat. Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem and Bruce Carpenter | Episode 27
In this episode of The NOW! Bali Podcast, we welcome Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem and Bruce Carpenter, authors of ‘Masks of Bali: Between Heaven and Hell’, an epic 2-volume collection on Bali’s traditional masks – a historical publication set to define this field of art for generations to come. This episode is best watched
Tenganan Village Explained: History, Customs and Guide of an Ancient Community
Found 3km north from the popular coastal town of Candidasa, Desa Adat Tenganan Pegringsingan (Traditional Village of Tenganan Pegringsingan) is the cultural and administrative centre of the Tenganan area. This land, from the floodplains to the dramatic rolling hills of Karangasem, was said to be bestowed upon its residents by Indra, the God of War
Yeh Pulu Temple: Ancient Carvings of the Anonymous Ascetics
A centuries-old relief adorns Yeh Pulu, a humble but historically significant temple hidden in rural obscurity. Deep in an isolated ravine of Gianyar, these ancient stone-cut carvings give us a peek into Bali from centuries ago. Just east of Ubud is the historically rich village of Bedulu, in Blahbatuh District of Gianyar. Best known for
Threads of Life: The Stories on the Tapestries
Cloths have a special place in the cultural heritage of Bali, the use of textiles a living tradition in itself. Imbued with symbolism and meaning, they are more than just an article of clothing. The poleng, the ider-ider and the bebali cloths are required in ritual; and then there is also the appropriate ceremony attire
Kadaut, A Solo Exhibition by Ngurah Paramartha
Currently on display at Santrian Art Gallery, Sanur, is ‘Kadaut’, the latest exhibition by seasoned Balinese artist, AA Ngurah Paramartha. Opened on 7 April, the exhibition features 13 paintings on canvas and the 3 installations, which will be on display until 31 May 2023. ‘Kadaut’ is the Balinese word for ‘captivated’ — a condition of
The Culture of Balinese Cuisine
Balinese food is often over-simplified. In fact, most foods are. Reduced to the singular dish that is brought to our table. As we smell, bite and chew, our taste buds absorb the flavours and yes, “Delicious!” registers our brain, “Have another bite.” What each scrumptious bite doesn’t tell us, however, is that every herb and
Ubud Open Studios 2023: A Two-Day Event Granting Access into Bali’s Renowned Creative Industries
Having debuted with great success in 2022, Ubud Open Studios makes it much-anticipated return this year from 28-29 April 2023, with two days of their uniquely crafted experience that grants exclusive access into Bali’s renowned creative industries. This one-of-a-kind experience is being produced by Elami and Co, an organisation best known for putting together the
The Begawan Foundation: Conservation, Education and Regenerative Agriculture
Beginning with a mission to conserve the critically-endangered Bali starling, over the years the Begawan Foundation has itself grown alongside the population of Bali’s endemic bird. Their operations centred in Melinggih Kelod, Payangan, have become breeding grounds, not only for starlings, but for youth education and regenerative farming programs, all of which work in synergy
Discover the Circle of Life at Samsara Living Museum
Tucked away in the depths of Karangasem Regency, blending seamlessly into its village surrounds, is Samsara Living Museum. This one-of-a-kind museum aims to showcase elements of everyday life on the island and educate visitors on the ever-important ‘circle of life’ so central to rite and ritual among the Balinese Hindu. Samsara, the cycle of reincarnation.
The Healing Traditions of the Balian Usada
In Bali there is the traditional doctor known as the balian usada, whose knowledge is gained through the lontar manuscripts and the inherited teachings of predecessors. Still frequented by many Balinese, the practice of the balian deals with both the sekala and niskala worlds, the seen and unseen, and are the continuation of Bali’s ancient
Violinist Iskandar Widjaja Performs at Padma Resort Legian for Valentine’s Day Concert
This Valentine’s Day, Padma Resort once again brings classical music to the island with a special concert by world-class violinist, Iskandar Widjaja, taking place The Plumeria Grand Ballroom of the resort. Labelled as “Worldclass-Violinist” by Stuttgarter Zeitung and “Rockstar” by The Jakarta Post, Iskandar Widjaja was born and educated in Berlin, Germany, and picked up
