My View on Views
In most countries in the world there is a very clear principal of town and city planning which allows development in specific areas and restricts in others. In some areas no development is allowed at all. In Indonesia, as in many developing countries, there is a combination of poor planning, very poor enforcement and a
Empowering Remote Villages With Education and Life Skills
Established in 1998, East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP) is a non-profit organisation with the focus on the village people in the east side on Bali. Village Ban is one of their ongoing projects. It is the most remote and disadvantaged village in Bali, located on the steep and dry eastern slopes of Mount Agung and
The Uniqueness of Bali…Under Threat
Many years ago a very experienced and erudite editor was working for me on a regional travel magazine based in Singapore. His job was to go to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka to review hotels and write destination stories. What a great job! One day he came to me and said, “Alistair, I just
News from Bordeaux Saint-Emilion
In my last issue I wrote about news from the area of the Champagne region in France. This was written because I went to France this year at the beginning of October. In one week visited in a way three wine regions; Champagne, Saint-Émilion and Haut Medoc. I was one of the few that were
Annika Linden Centre: A Hub for Social Change
After the tragic death of Annika Linden in the 2002 Bali bombing, the Annika Linden Foundation was formed to create something positive out of this terrible tragedy. In the following nine years, the Annika Linden Foundation funded 36 projects across Bali, Thailand, and India; working alongside small non-profits addressing issues affecting some of society’s most
Maintaining Sustainable Livelihoods
Eastern Bali is where you can quickly familiarise yourself with the Balinese lifestyle and local people. Famous for the lush green paddies, eastern Bali is the hub for producing fruit, vegetables, nuts, rice and all other items needed to feed the rest of the island. People in eastern Bali have gone raised against adverse situations
What is Today’s Bali?
This month, NOW! Publisher Alistair Speirs looks into the state of Bali today and how it compares to what is said online. Is it all true? A quick search of the internet’s 350 million Bali-related sites reveals that there are sharply contrasting views. From sun-drenched beaches to Bali’s rubbish problems, the range of opinions and
Exploring the Island
Welcome to Bali in this wonderful New Year! It’s easy to arrive and have a look around the hotel or villa, and say “yes, this will do fine!” and stay exactly where you are for a week. You can wander from the room to breakfast, from breakfast to pool, from pool to spa, then hit
Bali Children’s Project Helps Reduce Poverty Through Education
Behind the glitz and glam of Bali’s luxury resorts and posh restaurants, lies an island marred by poverty. There are families who are forced to economize in times of financial hardship by taking their children out of school and direct them to low paying work. But to help them escape the poverty, the Bali Children’s
The Meaning of Control
The Indonesian Government has an admirable plan to increase the prosperity of the people through increased tourism, but as I have warned in this publication (and wherever anyone will listen!) this by itself is simply not enough. As we have seen through the vastly increased arrivals here in Bali over the last ten years, more
The Festive Season
Welcome to Bali in what could be a glorious sunny month leading to Christmas and New Year, or it may be a dismal rainy month for which I am very sorry. Sadly it’s out of my control! The “monsoon” has been a feature of this part of the world since forever! However even if it
Parking and Deliveries, The Headache Continues
For those of you who come from very disciplined countries you may be surprised that deliveries are allowed at any time of day here in Bali, no matter how small or congested the road is. Vans, trucks and huge containers are allowed to go anywhere on the island, to stop outside the shop or restaurant
Arjun Bhogal is a Man on a Mission
Throwing a nostalgic glimpse back towards the island of Java, thankful for the opportunity and people I met there, I witnessed the jagged terrain from a far for the first time through the clouds as I made my way across the Bali Strait, towards Gilimanuk. I couldn’t help but cast my mind back 4 years.
