Do You Know What an Authentic Experience Is?
Hello and welcome to Bali. I’m sorry about the technical question above but it will become relevant to you as you explore this marvellous island. There is a fascination – no, an obsession – of governments around the world to drive increasing numbers of tourists to their best destinations to increase their economic benefit and
Kids, and Making New Discoveries in Bali
“Little children should be seen and not heard” was an arrogant and misguided belief held in the Victorian era in UK and probably across the Western world. I don’t think it was much better in China or India where discipline for children was considered essential and freedom of expression strictly controlled. “Speak only when spoken
Say Bye Bye to Plastic Bags : A Bali-Born Initiative
It doesn’t take much to see that this island is drowning in plastic, and that there is no escaping from this reality. Who is going to do something about it? Sometimes we forget that it only takes one person to create change. Instead of pointing fingers, asking people to change the world, why not look
The Children of Bali
The children of Bali are like a special breed. Smart, cheeky and often devout, they enliven every day with their cheeky attitudes. When Robert Koke, author of “Our house in Bali” in the ‘40’s, revisited Bali after an absence of almost 40 years, he was asked if he found Bali had much changed. His reply was
Living in Harmony
Welcome to Bali where Mother Nature continues to breathe her blessings from the caldera of the active Mount Agung. The threat of disruption from volcanic ash (and of course there is a possibility of actual danger to aircraft if they are not 100% careful) caused great havoc with the tourism industry early in the year
Education and the Efforts to Grow Bali’s Next Generation
Contrary to popular belief, Bali’s tourism industry which is growing at an unprecedented rate doesn’t always impact people living in rural areas. The myth of the ‘trickle down effect’ strikes again, it seems. Many families in rural areas are caught in the poverty trap with little or even no income to survive – this helps to explain the huge number
Protecting Paradise: Bali’s Environmental Heroes
This island we are living on is full of beautiful discoveries, yet it seems we don’t appreciate it. However, the natural beauty that we love so much is also vulnerable due the island’s poor waste management practices. It is easy to find water ducts clogged with plastic waste throughout the island. Because of poor waste management strategies,
Power to the People: Empowering Local Balinese Communities
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics of Bali, there is up to 5% of the population on this island classified as poor. It is such a sad fact that despite the tourism industry is growing, we can easily find children asking for money at stop lights or sleeping in the street. Many of these
The Importance of Space : Overdevelopment on the Island
In this Personal Perspective, Publisher Alistair Speirs discusses space and how the overdevelopment in Bali is making it more and more difficult to enjoy what space there is: When the voice of Captain James T Kirk of the Starship Enterprise said, “Space, The Final Frontier”, so many years ago, he was of course referring to
Dance Maestro Ni Ketut Arini and the Festivity of Balinese Dance
Almost everything celebratory in Bali starts with a dance. Whether it’s a religious ceremony, a festival, opening of a conference, or even a dinner at nice resorts, a traditional Balinese dance will be performed to welcome the attendees and kick start the occasion – a unique gesture that has captured the hearts of many.
Meet the Elephant Man, Nigel Mason , Founder of Mason Elephant Park
NOW! Bali’s Alistair Speirs sat down with Nigel Mason, founder of Mason Adventures, and discussed the role of Mason Elephant Park in education and conservation of the endangered Sumatran Elephants. One on One with Nigel Mason Hi Nigel, it’s been a while since I last spoke to you, can you tell me what’s new with
Puspadi Bali: Putting Ability into Disability
A rise in chronic illnesses and an ageing population affect an increasing number of people with disabilities. This triggered Nengah Latra, who founded PUSPADI Bali, to assist those unfortunate people with physical disabilities in Bali. The foundation runs Bali’s wheelchair programme and manufactures artificial legs in their workshop at the Annika Linden Centre. With a
“Package Tours” and the Growing Threat of Bali’s Waste
There was a time when we all went on package tours. They were great! You got the hotel, airline tickets, meals, tours, museums and visits all “packaged” together for less than you could buy the airline tickets for. It was amazing value, and many people still use these travel agent created holidays to this day.
