Local Balinese Children Engage in Holistic Learning at Home as Schools Remain in Lockdown
When the island came to a sudden standstill, an NGO in Ubud refused to to do the same. With many children locked down at home, away from schools, they decided to continue their crucial educational activities to keep these children stimulated and continuously educated. Since 2017, Begawan Foundation, a charity organisation working towards the conservation
Eggs in Different Baskets: Reducing Bali’s Dependency on Tourism
What the last few years has shown us here in Bali is that too much of the island is dependent on one industry: tourism. Are there other industries that are worth exploring and expanding for Bali’s economic future? According to a study by the Indonesia Institue (Monash University), 80 percent of Bali’s GDP is dependent
Slow Tourism: The Way of the Past…and the Future
When the way we approach our industry with the mantra ‘growth is good’, it sets us on the wrong path. Two tourism experts share how slowing down is actually the way to improve tourism. Do we really want headlines like these for our destinations? “Over tourism still threatens Angkor Wat” – Phnom Penh Post “Skip
Creating a Sustainable Tourist Economy in Bali
Bali’s tourism industry is passed its carrying capacity. Environmental-economist Sean Nino shares his solutions and vision on how to effectively manage the island’s resources for a greener, more environmentally-friendly future. For the longest time, Bali has measured the success of its tourism industry based on one metric: tourist arrivals. This means that ‘improvement’ is predicated
Is ‘Nature Healing’ in Quiet Bali?
With the term ‘Nature is Healing’ becoming popular over the internet during Covid-19 lockdowns worldwide, NOW! Bali speaks to environmental experts on the island to see whether this trend was also visible in Bali. The reduction in human activity during the outbreak has reportedly had fascinating impacts. When cities came to a sudden standstill, the
Has Bali Painted Itself into a Corner?
Have you ever seen that great cartoon of the man proudly doing his own home decoration, setting himself high standards of quality and finish , carefully preparing his work tools and his schedule then finally starting on the “ piece de resistance” a magnificent wooden floor he has sanded and buffed, and now is varnishing…
Going Above & Beyond: Organisations Extending Their Help Further During Covid-19
If running a charitable organisation wasn’t already enough, these groups have extended yet another hand to the newly vulnerable communities created through the Covid-19 outbreak. Whilst many charities have their core function and mission, be it providing employment and education or supporting orphanages, there are those who have decided to go above and beyond their
‘Plastic For Rice’ : Providing Sustenance by Keeping Bali Clean
A new barter scheme conceived by an Ubud restaurateur is helping a village in Tabanan stay afloat amidst the pandemic. Trading trash for food, or ‘Plastic for Rice’, is an effort to reduce waste problems in villages, whilst keeping families in need nourished and healthy. In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity. When
Going Off Grid: Becoming Self-Sufficient in Times of Crisis
What Covid-19 has taught us, amongst a multitude of other lessons, is how incredibly dependent we all are on the economic system. When the wheel stops, we begin to realise that our most basic needs may become more difficult to attain — food, water, electricity, it’s all gone if we aren’t all getting paid. So,
Covid-19 & The Island: Words with Bali’s Tourism Industry
With tourism at a dead end in Bali, NOW! Bali speaks to some industry leaders to hear their insights and thoughts on the Covid-19 situation. Looking to hear from different sides of the industry, we hear from the board of the Bali Hotels Association, as well as Jack Daniels, owner Bali Discovery Tours,and the editor
What Makes the Perfect Bali Holiday?
There isn’t much talk about holidays going on at the moment as the entire world – well quite a lot of it – is actually stuck indoors, locked down or social distancing or whatever the local discipline is called. But maybe many of those people are already beginning to get the urge, possibly stronger, a
Innovation to the Rescue: Fighting Covid with Technology
With a fast-spreading virus, solutions must be equally as swift. Enter Kopernik, a research and development lab whose fast-paced innovations have helped curb the effects of Covid-19 in Bali. With many countries around the world struggling with resources during the spread of Covid-19 – such as hand sanitisers and face masks on an individual level,
Closing the Distance: People of Bali
In this photo essay, we share the small stories of everyday people in Bali unable to socially distance, dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak in their own way. Not everyone has the luxury of working from home, there are those that must keep businesses open, risking exposure, in order to keep the wolves at the door.
