Puppet Master Made Sukadana: Bending Traditions to Preserve Them
Puppet masters, known as dalang, have a revered role in Balinese society. Beyond entertainment, they remain essential to rite and ritual, and traditionally were responsible for imbuing morals to society through their storytelling. Made Sukadana shares how he has kept this art from fading. There was an era when a trip to Bali meant immersing
On a Mission to Empower Women
Three organisations focusing their efforts on protecting, educating and empowering women, predominantly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or challenging circumstances here in Bali. Read about their amazing initiatives and work, and see if it inspires you to support. Bali WISE Bali WISE (Women of Indonesia Skills Education) is a women-centric programme run by the ROLE Foundation. The
Bali Island School Welcomes Future Global Leaders for Bali MUN XIV
Bali Island School recently welcomed students from across the island and beyond for the fourteenth edition of the Bali Model United Nations (Bali MUN), held from 31 January to 1 February 2026. Hosted on the school’s Sanur campus, the annual conference once again brought together young delegates to explore global issues through debate, collaboration, and
Train of Hope Project: Bali Student Raises Funds for Sumatra’s Flood Victims
In December 2025, a student from Bali Island School organised aid relief and donations for those affected by floods and landslides in North Sumatra. This is the story of Cheva, a Grade 12 student, who created ‘Kereta Harapan Project’ (Train of Hope), to help those need. In late November 2025, Sumatra was struck by catastrophic
Bali-Inspired Wellness Programmes & Experiences
Rooted in Bali’s spiritual heritage and shaped by a growing desire for mindful travel, Balinese-inspired spa and wellness programmes continue to redefine how travellers reconnect with themselves and their surroundings. Across the island, these thoughtfully curated experiences weave ancestral wisdom, holistic rituals, and contemporary well-being practices into transformative journeys that nurture balance, clarity, and a
Personal Perspective: Creation, Recreation and Re-creation
The miracle of life is something we struggle to understand, and so often fail to appreciate. What an extraordinary privilege it is to be alive on this amazing planet, on this astonishing island, living, seeing, feeling, breathing. Just stop what you are doing for a second and sit quietly. You have a highly complex body
How AI Can Serve Bali Development and Tourism
Bali’s rare combination of natural beauty, cultural depth, easy access, and sustained public support reinforce one another and make the island one of the most investable destinations in the region. However, the same combination is why Bali is under visible strain and why artificial intelligence must be used with precision to mitigate any damage. For
Four Ways to Effectively ‘Go Green’ in Bali
With Bali’s Suwung Landfill scheduled to close at the end of December 2025 (pending decision), this is the perfect opportunity for households and businesses in Bali to adopt better waste disposal practices, if they haven’t done so already. January and February see the peak of the rainy season, and with it, the consequences of poor
Letters from Bali: Local Opinions on the Future of Tourism
Tourism may be the lifeblood of the island, but that shouldn’t mean tourists can take advantage of the hospitality that has been afforded to them; nor does it mean that tourism should be the be-all end-all of Bali either! Civic Participation NGO, BASAibu, recently collected insights from everyday Balinese communities to hear their honest feedback on
How Important is Design in Our Lives?
Many, many, years ago there was a wonderful Disney film called “Swiss Family Robinson” which was about a family cast-away on a tropical island. You can imagine all the adventures that they had, for which I have forgotten, but what does stick in my mind is the amazing tree that they made into their fantasy
Craft Beer in Bali: The Best Local Brews and Brands
This island used to be synonymous with a single beer brand. So widespread was this reputation that singlets, hats and all kinds of merchandise flooded the markets – a hegemony that could not be toppled. That is until craft beer made it onto the scene. And not just any craft beer, but Bali-brewed. Homegrown and
Yayasan Janahita Mandala: The Village is the School
Janahita Mandala was born from a deep reverence for Balinese knowledge systems and a longing to create space for meaningful cultural dialogue. This community-focused foundation was created as a ‘centre of harmony’ – a mission rooted in its very name: jana meaning humanity, hita meaning wellbeing, and mandala referring to the central point of the village. The seeds
Bali Island School Celebrates 2025 IB Graduates and Welcomes a New Head of School
A brand new season unfolds at Bali Island School as they proudly bid farewell to their graduating class of 2025 with a 100% pass rate, and simultaneously welcome their new Head of School. There is no time more exciting for a student than their high school graduation, a time for celebration for families and the
