The Lure of Ubud’s Birdsong: Exploring with Bali Bird Walk
I have had a copy of Victor Mason’s ‘Birds of Bali’ book for a few years: a charming, watercolour-illustrated compendium of the island’s fabulous variety of avian inhabitants. “Of the 300 or so species of birds reported to visit or live in Bali, probably rather less than 100 are likely to be encountered by the
The Full Bali Zoo Experience
Since its establishment in 2002, Bali Zoo has become a favourite destination for both domestic and international visitors. As the island’s first zoological park, Bali Zoo offers immersive and educational experiences, inviting guests to encounter and learn about rare and exotic animals through a series of engaging programmes. We invite you to discover the park
Rinjani and the Sacred Centre of Lombok
Rinjani is a dramatic, dreamy kind of place. A landscape that could have been lifted from the pages of a graphic fantasy novel. The peak is around 3,700 metres above sea level, and on three sides the mountain drops almost directly into that sea. The lake is said to be 200 meters deep in places.
Kahyangan Tiga: Three Temples in Every Village in Bali
Bali is known for its temples, so many to the extent where the island is known as The Island of a Thousand Temples. Among them are the Kahyangan Tiga temples, which exist in every desa adat (customary village) in Bali. The concept of Kahyangan Tiga emerged from the idea that every customary village should have three
In Search of Ancient Bali: Exploring Four Bali Aga Villages
Much of Balinese culture today is considered a continuation of the Majapahit Empire who invaded Bali in 1343. With the arrival of these new rulers, the courtly arts flourished on the island – literature, architecture, music, dance and art, these were some of the major imports of the Hindu-Javanese civilisation. From the wayang shadow puppets to
A Balinese Cooking Class with Chef Heinz at Art Café by Bumbu Bali
In Bali, food is never simply food. It is offering, memory, devotion, and daily ritual woven into the island’s rhythm. At Art Café by Bumbu Bali, this philosophy comes alive each Tuesday morning in a long-standing cooking class that feels less like a lesson and more like an initiation into Bali’s culinary soul. Founded in
Sebatu’s Spiritual Waters
A guided journey to experience a melukat cleansing ritual in one of Bali’s more secluded purification sites. Ida Bagus Ketut Dharma meets us in the parking area, a broad courtyard space shaded under the sprawling branches of a towering pule tree. Om Swastyastu, he greets us, welcome to Sebatu Village. Only a handful of visitors
The Sound and Simplicity of Taro Village
About an hour before dawn, the world fills with birdsong. Taro Village’s sunrise chorus is filled with the chirps of the Yellow-vented Bulbul (Cerucuk), the Kacer (Koel); then comes the combined calls of the White-throated Kingfisher (Cekakak) and the Mynah (Jalak), often heard just when the sunlight is about to appear. The Prinia (Perenjak) starts
Exploring Royal Landmarks & Ancient Sites in East Bali
A corner of the island that exudes a quieter, more authentic ambience than South Bali’s tourist hub, East Bali is brimming with dreamy natural landscapes stretching from the mountains to the sea, rich with historical and cultural sites. From royal kingdoms to ancient villages and temples, discovery and exploration await further east. NOW! Bali had
Unique Indoor Activities for When It’s Raining in Bali
Unfortunately for many sun-seeking vacationers, October to January in Bali is notorious for its wet weather. As the rainy season kicks in, the beaches become a little less appealing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your time here on the island. So, what to do in Bali when it rains? You’ll
Kamu Nakal: Adventures High Above the Clouds
Embark on a retreat in the central highlands of Bali, where one destination invites you to reconnect with nature and experience the thrills of the great outdoors through curated experiences. From guided horseback riding and farm-to-table excursions to unique countryside adventures, Kamu Nakal is a country and coffee club nestled in the misty mountains of
Pura Kehen: A Silent Witness to Age-Old Oaths
Long before Bali became a unified province, the island was ruled by kings and queens. Traces of that regal past persist in the many puri and temples scattered across the land. One of the prominent temples from that era that still stands today is Pura Kehen in Bangli, where ancient kings and nobles once took their
Catur Desa: Guardians of the Forest and Lakes
On the morning of 20 October 2025, around ten thousand villagers will set out on a 25-kilometre walk in procession from the cooling mists of Tamblingan, the mountainous lake in central Bali, down to the north coast. This grand procession is a ceremony observed once every two years by the joint community of Catur Desa,
