Indonesia: Preserving Tolerance
It may be interesting to try to “explain” Indonesia, and in particular to show how this “improbable” country of 250 million inhabitants distributed over more than 17,000 islands has managed to retain its unity whereas most other multi-cultural countries are threatened by chaos when not in the midst of it. However, in order to continue
New Year New Beginnings?
I suppose we all want to have the opportunity to start again, to get out a fresh sheet of paper and say “this time I’ll get it right”! And I suppose that the beginning of a new year is as good a time to do that as any. But actually I don’t think this
Things Worth Keeping, Things Worth Losing
Isn’t this a wonderful way of categorising things in our lives? So simple and can apply not only to physical objects but activities and most especially, states of mind. (*) If we start with the simple things like transport we’d have to keep cars, trains, buses and planes but noisy polluting motorcycles would be on
Bali’s Beautiful Rejang Girls
The Rejang dance is one of Bali’s most beautiful and visually stunning; featuring a troop of young, fully decorated girls, it is a dance of elegance and grace. In the isolated communities of Karangasem, life goes on much as it has for centuries. Of course, now, many of the young leave home to take a
The Best Things In Bali
I have just returned from speaking at an international conference organized by the Singapore Tourism Board where tourism officials from 40 countries around the world were invited to come and learn about best tourism practices from some very learned academics and practitioners (present company excepted of course) which was a great learning experience for me,
Balinese Nature, According to Agung Rai
For the Balinese people, nature is the source of life. Nature nurtures us, and it so powerful that we need to respect it. Sunrise is the light of the Gods – It is so beautiful and artistic. Visitors in Bali should really take their time and explore the nature of the Island properly.
Balinese Architecture, According to Popo Danes
Popo Danes, arguably one of Bali’s most well-known architects, gives us his two cents on Balinese architecture and design. “What the modern architecture is still trying to achieve today has been implemented in the traditional Balinese architecture for centuries now, where the concepts of energy conservation and environmental preservation are amongst the fundamental elements in
Bali Today, According to Niluh Djelantik
To me, Bali is like a beautiful, elegant lady that people from around the world admire. She is so pretty and unique that she doesn’t have to do anything or make a move, and many are still attracted and fall in love with her. Sadly, today, Bali has become a cheap woman. She sells
Charity in Bali, According to Robert Epstone
Whist Bali is a World-Renowned holiday destination, often deemed as a paradise, there are still many locals in desperate need of help. Funds are needed to improve public healthcare and education for the severely disadvantaged. Robert Epstone (Founder of Solemen Indonesia) Behind the glitz and glamour of Bali’s south, there is
What is the Spirit of Adventure?
For a lot of people life is about certainty, staying on the safe path, keeping “out of trouble,” not rocking the boat, making sure that no risks, especially unexpected ones come into view. But really is that what you want from your holiday in Bali? The safe path from room-to-breakfast-to-pool-to-beach-to-bar-to-restaurant-to-bed? Here in Bali there are
Welcome to Bali, Cocktail Capital of Asia!
You think I’m joking, but I’m not. For those of you who have met me or read this column before, you will know I am fanatical about “real Bali,” the protection of the culture and the preservation of nature. So first of all why have an issue of NOW! Bali dedicated to cocktails? Then why
How a-Dory-able!
Located in the small coastal fishing village of Les in north Bali, the LINI Aquaculture and Training Centre is a hive of activity. Although the buildings for the Centre are still in the final stages of construction, marine conservation work at the Centre has already well and truly begun. This is the largest project Yayasan
The Important Things In Life
What are the most important things in life? Money? Fame? Power? A beautiful house? A fast car? Well to some those are important, but to others the more philosophical aspects of life are much more important: belief in God, following one’s principals, looking after your family, doing good for the community. It may not look