ROLE Foundation : Protecting Bali’s Ecosystems
NOW! Bali speaks to the ROLE (Rivers, Oceans, Lands, Ecology) Foundation, who since 2007 has recognised the growing social and ecological problems on the island. ROLE tells us more about Bali’s current waste crisis, the global ocean crisis and their newest plans to open their ‘Zero Waste to Oceans’ centre. Despite being a problem everyone
Under the Keris (Part 2) : The Man’s Many Advantages
When people write on Balinese love, they like to underline the romantic side, often seen from the male’s perspective. People are said to elope out of love, to bypass the parents’ unwillingness to accept the union. This occurs of course, but there are also instances when parents force lovers to break their bond – which,
Life on Bali Coasts Through a Lens
The coasts of Bali are celebrated for their vibrant life in the fishermen villages, the breathtaking colourful skies during sunsets especially on the south coast, the serene, secret beaches that beg to be explored by responsible travellers, and the some of the best surfs in the world that lure many experienced surfers to ride them.
The Sea is our Life
Many years ago an intrepid adventurer called Thor Heyerdhal mounted an amazing expedition to cross the pacific on a raft called the “Kon-Tiki” to prove that people from South America, Peru in this instance, could have crossed the thousands of miles of ocean on rafts made with the basic technology of the time. He made
Life in A Bali Aga Village
Life carries on there pretty much as it always has. Until the 1970’s, it was one of the most secluded villages in the country and it is still the most beautiful of all the Bali Aga (Bali’s original people) villages. Even the advent of television and the ubiquitous hand phones have done little to slow
The Garden of Life: Where Charities Blossom
The Garden of Life Foundation is an incredibly unique and ambitious project here in Bali that aims to unite people, communities and businesses together to help the island’s existing charities to grow further and continue to prosper. Sadly, Bali is not immune to the environmental, socio-economic, health or other problems that are found around the
Before and After… Us
Do you have a personal goal? Or if you own or influence a company or organisation, a corporate goal? Grundfos the Norwegian (but Global) Pump manufacturer has one: “To deliver the world to the next generation in a better state than we inherited it” Pretty simple isn’t it? And you honestly know the consequences of
Staying Sustainable in Bali
Sustainability is one of the buzz words in business these days and it certainly should be . It’s closely linked to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but not quite the same . CSR can be exercised by engaging with third parties who benefit from your company’s assistance (for example Ikea’s great program to put septic tanks
Under the Keris : The Social Constraints for Balinese Women
With tourism (and globalisation in general), women’s empowerment has certainly come to the Balinese table. We’ve seen the many Balinese women carrying heavy loads on their heads, noticed how their toplessness was exploited in Bali’s past, the expectations of family planning and ‘rearing’… yes, it’s certainly about time this member of society get some proper
A Life of Luxury
Everyone has a different vision of luxury: some like beautiful suites in elegant hotels, with fine linens and top quality amenities; others like personal service with butlers on call 24/7; others like privacy, with no intrusions into their reverie; perhaps everyone likes good food and wine as a symbol of “the good life”. I suppose
Stella’s Child: Empowering Bali’s Youth
For young people, looking for employment in today’s world can be a trialling experience. This is even truer for those who have not benefited from appropriate preparation for what can be a long journey ahead. Stella’s Child is a foundation here in Bali that is addressing this issue, focusing on equipping underprivileged children with the
Well, Well, Well. What’s All This Then?
What is this strange thing called “wellness”? Is it the state of being healthy in body and mind (as a result of deliberate effort), as one definition would have it? Or is it an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing the treatment of diseases, as another definition
The Salt of The Earth: In Praise of Balinese Women
There is never a bad time to show appreciation for the Balinese women. The backbone of the culture and the glue that holds families and lifestyle together, the women of this beguiling island are something to be admired. Text and photos by Jill Gocher (Ayu Sekar) Whether working in the padi fields, carrying bricks to work
