Mixologist to Coffee Farmer: Wayan Arca and the Rise of Ulian Village
Ulian Murni is a farming village of 970 people, 150 hectares in size, found in the Kintamani area 40-minutes north of Ubud. Like most highland communities in north Bali, orange is the standard source of income for the native Ulian, perhaps even the greatest. These days, however, coffee comes as a tight second. Thanks to
Plastic Exchange: The ‘Plastic for Rice’ Movement Grows
“It’s spreading like wildfire,” says I Made Janur Yasa filled to the brim with enthusiasm; the kind we need in these trying times. Plastic For Rice is a barter scheme that aims to turn Bali’s environmental pollution issues into an opportunity to use plastic waste as a currency for food. The Plastic Exchange Initiative, as
What is the Purpose of Art?
Jimmy Knowles, a friend of mine in Connecticut, is a sculptor and many years ago I watched in fascination as he used a crane to get a huge tree trunk into position then attacked it with a buzz–saw. “Are you serious?”I asked, “what are you doing?’” “Creating, my boy, creating!’ he said. He hacked a
An Island of Acceptance and Harmony
Bali’s identity as a beautiful, tolerant and welcoming island is renowned across the globe, an island that is rich in culture and history where diversity is celebrated. Each year, the island attracts millions of visitors from all corners of the world looking to experience a taste of paradise, this includes many LGBTQ+ travellers. So, in
Being a Balinese Christian : A Question of Faith and Culture
When one thinks of Bali – its culture, its identity and its very image – there is little doubt that many will picture stone temples, canang offerings and colourful ceremonies. BUT, this isn’t everyone’s Bali, there are other communities who very much identify with their island, but instead worship at pews and not at shrines,
A Question of Identity
Who do you identify with? So many people feel close to celebrities who somehow reinforce their feelings of who they are. This often happens with singers whose lyrics resonate with the challenges and transitions in people’s lives. They know every word on their albums and you can see them singing along at concerts . Others
The Women of Bali: Overcoming Expectations
Balancing a bucket on her head and another in hand, she carries the first load of water back from the public well. It takes her seven more trips to fill the gebeh for her family to bathe and the terracotta vessels to begin her duties in the kitchen. All by the break of dawn. With
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…
