Island Maestros: Gus Teja and Indra Lesmana
It’s easy to draw inspirations from a paradise island such as Bali, especially for artists. The local maestros as well as internationally acclaimed painters such as Arie Smit have captured the is-land’s nature and culture, immortalised in their canvases. Sculptures have translated the Bali-nese Hinduism and its mythological beings into brilliant carvings and statues. And
Celuk Village, The Home of the Silversmiths
Bali is home to many artisanal vocations, from sculpting to engraving, painting and mask making. Amongst these many skills is the making of jewellery. This fine art of crafting elegant jewellery is best found in Celuk Village, the home to the masters of gold and silver in Bali. The artisanal skills of the Balinese stems from
Jemme’s September Birthstone Jewellery: What’s Your Stone?
Sapphire, as this month’s birthstone, exists in a myriad of colours but it’s always been most strongly associated with the colour blue. The Ancient Persians in fact believed that the Earth rested on a giant blue sapphire and it was the reflection of this that coloured the sky. One of the most famous pieces of
Kid’s Time at Peek A Boo Bali
Whether you live in Bali or are just here for a visit, your little ones will definitely need to be scheduled for play time where they can freely run around, play, and share toys with other kids they just met. You can consider bringing the kiddos to Peek A Boo, a huge play ground situated
Pevonia Men, Because Facials Aren’t Only for Women
The benefits of getting a facial apply to both men and women, but men typically shut down when they hear the “f” word. If you’re a man and you’ve never experienced a men’s facial, it’s an excellent way to manage stress and one of the most relaxing things that you can treat yourself to. At
Kriya Kids: A Spa Experience for Children
Kriya Spa – meaning “ritual” in Sanskrit – celebrates authentic Balinese healing forms with treatments based on “wellness rituals” at the spa’s luxurious spa villas at Grand Hyatt Bali. It draws inspiration from traditional Balinese healing philosophies – Hindu, Jamu and Ayurveda, to promote positive health, delay ageing and promote longevity with the use of
Escape to Spa Furama
Whilst Ubud is certainly an interesting, buzzing place to be, it isn’t the quiet village it once was. For those looking for somewhere quieter, a quick drive out will instantly take you into the countryside. Just south of the bustling hub you’ll find Furama Villas & Spa Ubud, surrounded by farmland and padi fields, in a
Balian Bliss, at the Most Surprising of Places
Recently I experienced a treatment with a Balinese healer. He is a Balian Usada, which means that he comes from a long line of traditional healers, using energy to work on your system. Both his father and grandfather were healers, and possibly earlier generations as well. His energy was powerful and palpable and I could
Exploring the Ubud Art Market
Shopping is not an Ubud specialty. Yet, owing to its position at the centre of numerous art and craft communities, the bustling Ubud Market is definitely one of the best places to get your Bali souvenirs from. You will find only a few internationally-branded stores and leading surf brands along with local fashion retails in
Exploring Denpasar’s Shops
Denpasar is a place where modern and traditional approaches coexist. When you shop, you have two options: haggle for low-priced goods or pay the full price for higher quality goods. Here, shops selling similar items are often clustered together, which makes negotiating and comparing prices easier. “At first glance, the shops on this street appear
Balquisse Living Brings The Island Feel to the Forefront
For many of those residing in Bali, living in the tropics just isn’t enough. Many homeowners love to bring the outside in and infuse their homes with a taste of the island life. Today’s tropical home is different than the turquoise-and-pink, winter-home inspired design of decades past. And this is where Balquisse Living steps in
Kedonganan Fish Market and Life of the Local
Very popular for its big, fresh catch, this place provides an amazingly long array of fish to choose from. “The mornings are usually busy with fishermen hauling their boats and dropping off their fresh catch.” Kedonganan Fish Market is Bali’s main seaside marketplace where fishing boats land daily and haul off their fresh catches, making
Experience the Healing Power of Thai Herbs
The Dewi Sri Spa at the Ayung Resort Ubud has created a special spa therapy that brings together Balinese and Thai healing practices. You’re invited to experience this reviving treatment deep in the quiet valleys of the Ayung River in this special Ubud spa. In wellness, everyone knows that nature holds many healing properties, from
