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
East Bali Poverty: Helping People to Help Themselves
Established in 1998 by Englishman David Booth, East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP) is a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the lives of people from the mountain villages in east Bali. Forgotten by time and progress, thousands of disadvantaged people in 19 sub-villages were living in abject poverty without water, sanitation, roads, schools, health facilities
The Magic of Language
Once upon a time in a mystical land some called “The Island of the Gods” there was strange and beautiful language called “Bahasa Indonesia” spoken, and all the brave adventurers who came to this unspoilt island, had to learn this difficult language or face serious consequences. They had to find phrase books, dictionaries and massage
Pride and Perspective: Comparing Scotland to Bali
I have just returned to Indonesia from Scotland for a short trip and once again feel compelled to compare the way in which each country approaches tourism. There are a lot of similarities between Scotland and Bali: each are a small part of a greater country, UK and Indonesia, each are filled with natural beauty,
