Bali By Horseback
Hidden among the rice fields of Canggu, the Bali Equestrian Centre (BEC) offers horse lovers the opportunity to saddle up and explore Bali on horseback.
A Cleansing Ritual at Tirta Sudamala
The melukat cleansing ceremony is an important part Balinese ritual, and at Tirta Sudamala holy springs, you too can be purified the Balinese way: More than half of our bodies are made up of water. This essential liquid is needed by the brain to manufacture hormones, it helps to deliver oxygen to our body parts, regulate our
Guwang’s Hidden Canyon
From downtown Seminyak, packed with fine establishments, and the ranks of starred and luxury resorts in Nusa Dua to the coastal villages of Amed and lush greenery of Jembrana, Bali is filled with both astonishing man-made and breathtaking natural attractions. But if you look closer, there are hidden gems throughout the island waiting to be
Bali’s Wild Side
I have been documenting Bali for 40 years now — writing this column for almost 25 years — and I am sick of trying to explain the irrational. People often ask me why the Balinese are always flailing about and pulling the heads off chickens and I always feel like answering ‘Because you’re a twit’. I
Muntigunung : A Light at the End of the Tunnel for Bali’s Poverty Problem
12 years ago when Daniel Elber came to Bali, he encountered begging women with their children on the streets of Ubud, a situation that touched his heart deeply. Of course, he wanted to help, but in the right way. What we learned from our time speaking to Daniel is that his approach to charity is
Sacred Sites By The Pakerisan River
Locked between the stands of verdant jungle, the pure waters of the Pejeng and Pakerisan streams gurgle their way over rocks and convoluted water courses. These two rivers form a holy rectangular area that is home to many ancient monuments. This area was once alive with monks and seers. “Rishis” or holy men came from
Braving The Canyon
Sports is one of those things that we are always encouraged to do. However, many of us are often not sure of which sports activities to participate in, or which are the most appropriate for our lifestyles. I remember a time when I used to say I was too busy for any sport, because I
The Animal Show at Bali Safari and Marine Park
A day out in Bali can be so much more enriching than you’d expect; whether it’s a cycling tour that exposes you to the local flora and fauna of Bali, or perhaps a visit to a museum that opens your eyes to exotic Balinese rituals. Often there is more than meets the eye, and a
Heading East
This island never stops to amaze me! New things will jump out at you every single day. Every time you think you have experienced the entirety of this glorious island, most likely you will end up being surprised with something new. Last week, I took a short trip to explore the rich heritage and culture
Hug a Honey
A beautiful and scenic place like Bali offers all kinds of spontaneous and adventurous things to do. So being open minded, flexible and deliberately seeking out new experiences here is a must, even if it means you have to go out of your comfort zone. After the roster of adrenalin-fuelled activities I’ve done recently, I
Cycling Kintamani
This cycling tour in Kintamani will do more than just take you on a ‘pass-by trip’ through Balinese nature. You will learn and discover, and you will delve deep into the very lives of the Balinese people and their culture. Although it’s officially called a ‘cycling tour’, it would be best described as a journey
6 Beaches Off The Beaten Track
It’s easy to get disheartened when you are constantly disturbed by the din and activity of one of Bali’s overcrowded beaches. Sometimes, all you want is to escape the crowds and get away to a truly secluded beach. On hearing of a few such beaches from a local friend, I jumped at the opportunity to
11 Destinations That Will Show your ‘Real Bali’
We travel to experience something different, to go places our friends haven’t been and regale them with our tales when we get back. In Bali, while well-known spots like Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud bring in millions of visitors each year, some of the lesser-known ones have minimal visitors, plenty to do, and much-needed peace and
