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
Putting Things in Proportion
Did you know that a Balinese house is built directly in proportion to the size of its owner? If you visit an absolutely traditional Balinese house, you will discover a lot of really logical things and many meaningful ones too. (But of course finding a traditional house is getting much harder!). First of all a
One Smile Goes A Long Way
“I think most of us would say that we want to “make a difference”. Whether that “difference” impacts one person or millions of people, it’s still important. If you have advantages, you also have responsibilities. I believe that very much.” Arriving at the humble office in Denpasar, we were warmly welcomed by Mary Northmore-Aziz, the
Still Worthy of Your Bucket List?
Bali used to be pretty close to the top of many people’s “bucket list” along with African safaris, skydiving, whale watching and visiting Macchu Pichu. As it swiftly transforms from cultural destination to western playground, that is changing. The desire to visit just another beach-club-resort-mall-bar-scene is diminishing and those high value, low impact cultural tourists
Indonesian Nationalism, With A Smile
On the 17th of August, Indonesia celebrates Independence Day with a day of parades and revelry. On such patriotic occasions foreigners the world over are usually relegated to being mere outsiders. Perhaps not so in this country, though, as an interesting anecdote taught me… On the 17th of October a few years ago, as I