KUBAN #05 by KUBAN Bali

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Kuban Magazine Sophie Digby, Nigel Simmonds Agustina Ardie Marketing & Sales Indrie Raranta Production Manager Evi Sri Rezeki Design Stuart Sullivan, Irawan Zuhri, Ida Bagus Adi Accounting Julia Rulianti Distribution Made Marjana, Putu Widi Susanto, Gede Swastika, Untoro, Didakus Nuba Publisher PT Luxury In Print Licence AHU/47558/AH/01/01/2011 Advertising Enquiries Tel: (+62 361) 766 539, 743 1804, 743 1805 www.kubanbali.com On the cover: Danica Elbertse wears vintage from a.muse concept store, Bali. California 72 t-shirt from Gotta Have It, Venice Beach. Photo: Dane Peterson. Styling: The O.

You know the drill. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced electronically or otherwise without prior permission from the Publisher. Opinions expressed within this publication are those of the authors not the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not comply with the magazine's design criteria. KUBAN will not be held responsible for copyright infringements on images supplied directly by advertisers and/or contributors. And that's that. Do it. Or don't do it.

info@kubanbali.com, sales@kubanbali.com KUBAN Magazine Kompleks Perkantoran Simpang Siur Square, Jl. Setia Budi, Kuta, Bali 80361, Indonesia PT Luxury In Print

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We’re going to Sydney – Australia, that is, Canada’s too far, too cold. In collaboration with Oscar the Third fashion (guru and) company creator, Jessian Polk, we’re going Down Under to fight the good fight against plastic pollution - a cause we’ve been promoting for some time now. And with the support of our amazing readers and contributors, a cause we will not give up on until things change. Our collaboration with Jessian is on a number of levels and is done in cooperation with her iconic Carousel outlet on Bondi Beach – so if you’re down there and want to know what you can do to rid the world of the plastic scourge, check it out. You can find out more about Jessian and her creative journey in the pages that follow. Next stop on our profile itinerary is Nina Hadinata – “Bali Kid made good”. Nina’s a self-proclaimed party girl who has an eye for a good business opportunity. She takes the world on - on her own terms . . . knows where she’s going, and takes her friends with her on the ride. Andy Davis is an artist who, like Nina, writes his own story. Take a look at his work and his wise words in Free Form. Then we’re off to the back blocks of Bali on enduro bikes in Riding on the Edge . . . where a little madness goes a long, long way. Jack the Lad gives us an insight into the ins and outs of going for it in picturesque surroundings . . . yeah baby! Our old mates at Deus Ex Machina – The Temple of Enthusiasm – have just hosted the fourth annual 9 Ft. & Single Log comp. Get the skinny on what happened and who took the honours in this unique surfing, lifestyle, and cultural event. Thanks guys . . . you rock.

As per usual we’ve got funky fashion from The O (shot in L.A. this time around) featuring some of the best threads Bali has to offer our female fans. Our foodie friends will enjoy the tantalisingly tempting Sushi Tei and Bamboo Bar & Lounge . . . two great spots to chill and hop into nice nosh in surroundings that say “yes you are on Bali and it’s pretty special isn’t it”. In Staying Power we visit Patra Jasa – a very surprising resort in South Kuta; Kejora Suites in Sanur where Paul Walters found a semi-secret slice of uber-chic; and Town Square . . . a hot new place in Seminyak that caters for all who are looking for good times and great spaces. There’s a bunch of other stuff that we’re sure you’ll find interesting and want to share with your friends . . . we know, we wrote it. Speaking of which: This issue of Kuban owes a great deal to our very excellent, thoughtful, and tireless writer, Steph. Thanks for the words. Thanks for the effort. Thanks for being you. Steph writes the Out page at the back of the book . . . think about it. And to all of you – we hope you enjoy. We’d love you to give us feedback. But, overall, when, at the time of writing a terrible tragedy has been wrought upon innocent people who happened to be flying in the wrong aircraft at the wrong time; when angry and stupid people believed their lives were more important than everyone else’s – we bow our heads in memory of those whose lives were lost. All life is precious. A.H.

Jl. Drupadi 1 Seminyak, Bali 0361 203 2323 www.lacalacabali.com

Feature Happy Hours. Staying Power Three cool places to stay and play. Food Sushi Tei. Food Bamboo Bar & Lounge, Sanur. Advertiser Directory Find out what's where and who's who in the zoo. Out Oh Really?

Riding on the edge. Photo by Woody Gooch.

Fashion

Kuban goes Down Under.

Toyland in LA.

In The Mix

Interwho

News from our favourite peeps, perps and pups.

Andy Davis . . . free man.

Gear

Lifestyle

Gear up for the sand and sunshine.

Riding On The Edge.

Interview

Passions

Jessian Polkâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;fashionista and environmental warrior.

Kite surfing on Bali.

Local Heroes

Event

Nina Hadinata.

9ft and Single Log - Deus rocks our world.

LA Style.

Villa

Palma

Genteel style • Gracious living

Fully-staffed, elegant, colonial-style 4-bedroom pool villa on a quiet cul-de-sac close to Berawa Beach

palma www.villapalmacanggu.com

info@villapalmacanggu.com Jl. Subak Sari No.8, Berawa Beach, nr. LV8 Resort, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

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The Yak Magazine 2004 - 2014 Dress code: Wigs n wedges - 70s & 80s Disco vote online www.theyakmag.com/awards party tix idr 750k main event (900k on the door), after party idr 250k (incl. 1 drink) from 9pm-11pm. book your vip pod direct from the yak. yak hotline: (0361) 766 539 email: info@theyakmag.com follow us on facebook: the yak magazine bali available from the yak office - simpang siur; seminyak - winehouse, Bazaar, Townhouse; canggu - deus ex machina, old mans; sanur - Firestation; rip curl school of surf; ubud - laughing buddha.

Top 100 Pastas at Bene Despite being only a year old, Bene at the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort has already become Kuta’s go-to spot for authentic Italian cuisine. This contemporary trattoria has recently rolled out a new menu that features the Top 100 Pastas, each inspired by Italian heritage recipes. Originating from all regions of Italy, the menu includes traditional items like Rigatoni alla Carbonara and Pennette all'Arrabbiata as well as more adventurous choices like the Spaghetti alla Bottarga Vongole e Capperi (spaghetti with clams, capers, bottarga, white wine and olive oil) and Tagliolini Ricotta e Salmon (tagliolini with smoked salmon, ricotta cheese, olive oil and parsley). To accompany the dishes Bene has enhanced its beverage menu with a selection of over 100 different varieties of world-class wines. www.sheratonbalikuta.com

Four New Slides at Waterbom Bali As if there weren’t enough opportunities to get the adrenalin pumping at Waterbom Bali, this award-winning water park has now unveiled four new slides that are sure to get the heart racing. The ‘Python’, which is the biggest waterslide in the industry, is a three-person slide where riders fly down chutes on a circular tube so everyone is facing each other for all the unexpected twists and turns. The ‘Constrictor’ is Waterbom’s longest ride journeying through the jungle for almost a quarter of a kilometre, and the two ‘Green Vipers’ give you the option of flying through the jungle in either an open flume or semi-enclosed waterslide. www.waterbom-bali.com

Love F Hotel Travelling fashionistas take note—the world’s first fashiontv Love F Hotel will be opening its doors in Bali’s haute Legian district any day now. Designed by internationally acclaimed London firm Marques & Jordy, the hotel will exude the glamour of fashiontv with a catwalk lobby, 202 couture but comfy rooms and suites, two casual restaurants, a fine dining restaurant, the sleek and sexy Love Bar, an outdoor deck and pool area with private cabanas and a Jacuzzi, plus the fabulous Love Fashion store. Keep an eye on this trendsetting spot, as they will be having huge soft opening promotions with discounts on room rates and a slew of bonuses for all guests. www.lovefhotels.com

Single Malt Specials Finally a sleek spot in Bali to sip top-shelf scotches, spirits and creative cocktails with cigar and optional cigar in hand. Single Malt is fast becoming a favoured hang-out for those who prefer premium drinks in a swank setting, especially on nights where they have off the hook drink specials and live music. Join them for Madmen Tuesdays when selected glasses of single malt are buy-one-get-one free, or gather the girls for Dram Queen nights on Thursdays when ladies get free-flow selected cocktails and house pours. Weekends also rock, as live DJs set the scene with eclectic tunes and urban chic vibes. Facebook.com/Single Malt Bali - Whiskies & Cocktails

Vietura Aesthetic Lifestyle Opening early August, Vietura will be the very first aesthetic, wellness and lifestyle clinic to open within the lush privacy of a luxury resort hotel in Bali. Vietura offers 100 per cent non-invasive, non-surgical holistic treatments that focus on anti-ageing, skin health, facial sculpting and body sculpting. New technology treatments include Power Cell Lift nonsurgical facelifts, Platelet Rich Plasma fillers, personalised IV nutrition and Lipo Cryo body sculpting treatments. Nutrition, lifestyle and wellness coaching are available, as is access to the Sofitel Nusa Dua’s stunning facilities. www.vieturabali.com The Island Cafe Opens Cosy and quaint, The Island Cafe is the newest culinary contribution to the already bustling Oberoi area. The latest creation of local artist Pablo Gentile features just 30 seats and a rustic home style ‘Carib-Asian’ menu by Bahamian Chef Miles Belfield. The focus here is on fresh, locally grown organic and seasonal produce, as well as fine imported luxury foods and wines and local artisan treats like fresh Italian country breads, a selection of chutneys and jams, homemade French pastries, and Ibiza style Spanish tortillas. If their wildly successful soft opening was anything to go by, we’re sure this venue is going to be one of Bali’s finest. www.facebook.com/theislandcafe

Jungle Societea At Wana Restaurant Traditional afternoon high tea gets a little wilder with Jungle SocieTea at the Bali Zoo. Held in the new Wana Restaurant, Lounge and Bar, Jungle SocieTea is a unique opportunity to indulge in delectable beverages and snacks while overlooking the zoo’s resident pride of lions in the spacious open-air lion habitat below. The Lioness and Cubs' Tea service includes freshly cut sandwiches, raisin and plain scones, Vietnamese spring rolls, samosas and a scrumptious assortment of fresh pastries and cakes. Moreover, the bar offers eight varieties of high-quality tea, refreshing beverages and delectable cocktails. www.bali-zoo.com

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Bazaar - Philosophy of Food It's official, we have an Eat Street, we have a Boutique Street and now we have the Philosopher’s Way - namely Jl. Batu Belig. At the top of this trending, once sleepy, village road is BAZAAR - Philosophy of Food, and the people behind this new venue have taken it as seriously as Epicurus did. Bazaar is treating us to a two-pronged approach with one aim in mind - satisfaction of the foodie kind. Two pronged? The restaurant side of BAZAAR will be delighting us for breakfast, lunch and dinner and everything in between. Breakfasts will be healthy, alkaline-conscious, savoury and sweet and all lovingly home-crafted. Lunches - salads, home-made pastas, hand-crafted pestos, burgers. The meals are light - grilled asparagus to home-made scotch eggs. Dinners are meat, fish and veggie experiences, with some sharing and all fresh (no frozen goods allowed). Since Bazaar has more own farms than three - they supply themselves only the best produce. With monthly menu changes it is just possible we may never get bored. The second prong is the "pret a manger”, take-out gourmet food emporium (not that big but glamorous all the same). In-house prepared jams, preserves, pastries, breads, pastas stack up neatly beside the hard-to-come by charcuterie, cheeses, wines and quality meat, fish and organic produce. Think infused oils and vinegars, wild honey and heirloom vegetables. Bazaar, its unpretentious but with a reverence for food that is very Epicurean. www.bazaarbali.com J4 Hotel Fresh, contemporary and young at heart, J4 Hotel offers 200 stylish superior and deluxe rooms just minutes from Kuta Beach and a myriad of shopping, dining and nightlife venues. Aimed at budget conscious travellers, the hotel is affordable yet offers all the creature comforts you would expect from a boutique hotel including a rooftop restaurant and pool, lobby bar lounge, spa, and modern conveniences like A/C, LED TVs with international channels, 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi throughout. www.j4hotels.com

Vin + Points It’s always worth keeping an eye on happenings at Seminyak wine institution Vin+ and yet another reason to pay a visit is the regular culinary goings on. The Wine Pairings Specials have caught our eye including divine Truffle & Parma Ham Croquettes paired with a sparkling Argentinian Trivento, a slow braised Baby Squid in Roast Garlic & Tomato with Toasted Crostini paired to a Cultus Blaufrankish Reserve ’07 and the House Made Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes, Wild Rocket & Shaved Parmesan paired with a fantastic Australian Riesling. The pairings are constantly available on the menu and stay on the look out for one off fine wine and dining events. www.vinplus.biz

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Hi Jess, with roots in South Africa, the US and growing up in Australia – how has your diverse heritage influenced the way you think about the world, particularly the world of fashion? Certainly my travels have had a huge influence on my work and view of fashion. Fashion is a lifestyle! We have in our collections and the retail spaces always an ecclectic mix of timeless, on trend and unique items that tell a story of their heritage, landscape and how this relates to lifestyle . . . traversing fashion, food, music and art and culture. As I always have travelled, these experiences inspire my every creation and our Carousel space. What was your calling when you were growing up . . . did you ever want to drive a truck? Maybe not so much a truck but I don’t mind some 4WD driving! I was lucky enough to live in the countryside and have a number of trips to the desert as a child in Africa and Australia! So can I tackle sand and mud! Although in South Africa one would say Lorry . . . not truck! Can you tell us how Oscar the Third came into being and what makes it unique? Oscar The Third started really as a hobby as I was working for an American company making four to five collections of year on well-cut generic basics, we worked with large companies such as Nordstrams and Saks so creatively it was limiting. I was always creating a few pieces for various occasions and helping my partner at the time with his label. We worked on a women’s wear collection selling to David Jones and all of the top Australian boutiques, and eventually I presented my own and the orders rolled in! The name originated from my father who is Oscar B. Polk III – I liked the fact we could produce all types of product under that name and it reminded me of him and my American heritage. In an article about Oscar the Third opening in Cairo in 2010 the writer implied that Australia is the go-to country when it comes to innovation in fashion . . . your thoughts? We had some great success in Cairo based on private sales by appointment and catering to the specific market there, that is still heavily religious and therefore fashion is tailored by the lifestyle. It’s a very international community and a great city. This encouraged the concept of Carousel . . . a faster turn-over of product that reflects many design aesthetics of the community and cultures, and showcases a broad selection of product from accessories to clothing to shoes to homewares from across the globe.

Please give us the lowdown on your Carousel outlet on Bondi Beach in Sydney. I created Carousel three years ago in Bondi after we redirected my efforts from stores in Adelaide and Bali to one prime location in the centre of Bondi Beach. This was also in reaction to the fashion market in Australia that was changing dramatically due to on line and larger chain stores such as H and M and Zara flooding the market. You live between Bali and Sydney – what are the attractions of each place and how do you balance the transition between island and big city life? Bali has been my base for 12 years . . . I’ve always broken up my time between east and west, and Bali provides the perfect base for this being more centrally located than Sydney. I have the best of both worlds now . . . Sydney is stunning with amazing beaches and plenty to see and do and Bali I visit every few months for inspiration, and to touch base with my ‘Bali famliy’ – the community we’ve created in Bali is quite exceptional and I’ll always have Bali as my second home. You are obviously a very successful designer and businesswoman and you have deep concerns about the environment – can you tell us whether this is conflicting or complimentary? The fashion industry has a huge waste issue and carbon footprint and as I know the production process and the amount of plastic and chemicals we use it is quite shocking! One garment alone can goes through at least six plastics bags before it even hits the floor. There is a big push for ethical and “one-for-one“ fashion where by companies are giving back to an environment cause or working closely with local community members to create sustainable fashion. What is your greatest concern when it comes to the environment? Certainly the use of plastic in our industry for packaging . We should be heading towards bio-degradable plastic to protect the garments but also reduce damage to the earth. Clearly recycling is an issue for Indonesia as well. Carousel is running an anti-plastic campaign – what do you hope to achieve? Any sharing of knowledge is important and we have the capacity to use our spaces for positive change and thought . . . one person can actually make a difference. Who or what inspires you most? New places, landscapes, and the colourful people one finds along the way.

“I’m addicted!” Everyone loves a party, but not everyone knows how to throw a good one. Nina Hadinata is one of the special few. She earns a living out of party making and she couldn’t stop now even if she wanted to. “I did make a pact with myself last week, that I’d go to bed earlier and wouldn’t drink as much,” she confesses with a laugh, but the mischievous glint in her eye reveals Nina isn’t ready to hang up her dancing shoes quite yet. “I think my crazier days are over, after 10 years of partying I’ve slowed down, but with the work I do it tends to come back.” It all started with a job at Rumours back in 2002 when she was 18 years old. Two and half years organising events there led her to working at clubs and bars like Mbargo, Bacio and Liquid. She could see first-hand Bali was lacking a venue for alternative music acts to play. “You have to dare to do something new, untested, and that’s what too many bar and nightclub owners aren’t prepared to do. But sure, big venues have huge overheads so they stick to more commercial stuff, the safe bets,” she says. Opportunity knocked: “I started Home Café around 2006. There was no other place like it in Bali, it was underground, people only really knew about it through word of mouth,” Nina says.

With one business on the up it was time to move onto the next project. Something that would bring all her passions together under one roof. “The idea for Warehouse 82 has been floating around for about three years already, we just needed to find the right place. I stumbled across this old warehouse and just saw the potential instantly. It took about one month to get the coin together, then another three to renovate it,” Nina says. Opening in May earlier this year, there has already been a film premiere, street art exhibition, pop-up food stall and a whole bunch of talented DJs and performers taking the stage after dark. It’s a fresh idea that will surely have many eyes watching to see how it pans out, and Nina knows this. “If business people here see Warehouse is a success and there is money to be made from it, that’s all they need. We’ll see more places like this pop up for sure,” she says. Approaching her 30th birthday Nina knows that things are on the up, and she knows that things could have been so much different.

The place was a hit.

“I owe a lot to growing up in Bali. There is so much opportunity to do things here that I know would be much harder in the West,” she says.

“It had a capacity for 150 people but with the crowds we were drawing the party soon spilled out into the street.”

Her entrepreneurial skills have guided her, and so far so good, but it hasn’t been smooth sailing all the way.

Word was out – one night even Björk joined the fun, but it wasn’t long before things got out of hand. Some people wanted the place closed down, one even went to the trouble of Photoshopping naked people into photos taken inside the bar and showing them to the police. Then the day came when she woke up to find the tyres on her car slashed.

“It’s not always straight forward doing business here, the lack of rules aren’t always a good thing, it actually makes it really hard to know what you can and can’t do.”

The bar closed its doors after a few blurry years, but Nina still lives in the same house just behind it on Jalan Oberoi. “It was a first for me and I learnt a lot. It was a place where I could throw the types of parties I knew people wanted in Bali,” she says. On a brief time out from her party making she decided to dabble in the fashion business with partner, Stephanie Vermass, creating the brand This Is A Love Song. Her old bar was transformed into their concept store and their clothes reflected their passion for music, festivals and fun. Another hit.

Soon orders were coming in from the States, they were flying to LA, New York and Miami, and now there’s talk of opening their own store over there. At the same time Nina carried on organising music events on the Island through her Love In Tents label, and the travel really helped.

She sees potential for new business ideas and projects all the time, and believes Bali is fertile ground for entrepreneurs ready to take risks, but for her right now she’s happy with what she’s got. “All the things I wanted are happening, right now there is nothing more I want to do, I’m satisfied. I’m blessed to be doing something I enjoy and can share, to have fun with a business and give something back.” Throughout her journey Nina has managed to stay grounded and she knows the most important things in life haven’t changed with the times. For her it will always be about community spirit and love for her family and friends. “I’m a Bali kid, and I just wanted to give Bali a place where we can come together and have fun.”

Nina - living large.

Photography - Dane Peterson Model - Danica Elbertse Styling: The O.

Art board.

Hanging out with pals Joel Tudor and Dane Peterson turned Andy on to a surf scene where a nose-rider long board or twin-fin fish were the sticks of choice at a time when the surfing world was becoming swamped with skinny short boards. Twenty years later and he has created his own clothing lines like Free, Byrd and Ando & Friends, and collaborated with the likes of Patagonia, Vans and Billabong.

years now. I timed it well and was around for the 9 Foot and Single Log Fest at Echo Beach. It was cool to be somewhere so far away from home, with so many of my friends at the same time and it was cool to see them surf somewhere different. It was also great to meet some new people and watch them ride waves as well. Good times and lots of smiles.

Andy’s artwork is his imagination poured out onto canvas and his style is defined by his abstract cartoon imagery. Figures with no faces, elongated arms and legs and polka dot waves are some trademarks of his work . . . anonymous surfers caught in their singular moment of stoke. Each piece is a daydream realised, an epic session played out in Andy’s mind, a reflection of his passion for surfing, the beach, the ocean and the lifestyle that binds it all together.

Tell us a bit about your first art show in Indonesia, Out There . . .

Your art has been displayed across the world, you’ve started your own successful clothing companies and you’ve jammed with some of the biggest surf brands. Was this always your ambition or did you simply do what came naturally and the rest just happened? A little of both I guess. I always knew I wanted to do something creative with my friends that was in or around the surfing life and I wanted to avoid a career that took my time in the ocean away. You made a choice early on in your career to move away from mainstream professional surfing and reflect another side of surfing in your art. Why? I just wasn’t as excited by it as I was when I was younger. It didn't move and inspire me any longer. In my late teens, which would have been around ’87-’88, I started looking and liking other things besides where the mainstream surf world was at the time. I started daydreaming and seeing and manifesting from a new place in my mind. As funny as it sounds it wasn't drug induced either! I wasn't sure where it would take me but I did know it was leading me on a more abstract path. I re-ally was never really very good at conforming to what seemed to be normal for most people my age. Finish high school, go to college and then get a real job. I knew there was no way that was ever going to work for me. So I kept dreaming and believing I could do other things. Is there anything you know now that you wished you had known when you first started out? Not really, it's exciting to keep figuring it out. Making mistakes and learning new things always takes you somewhere you weren't intending to go. So your journey landed you in Bali, how did your hook up with the guys at Deus come about? Through mutual friends, and word of mouth. I have had quite a few amigos tell me of their experiences at the Temple with Dustin and the crew, and it's something I've wanted to have the chance to do for a few

Originally I was hoping to spend a fair bit of time at the Temple and make all original work for the exhibit. Unfortunately this time around it didn't work out like that. So with that in mind I reached out to the Deus family, got the dimensions of the gallery and worked on an installation from home. My friend Randall Christopher and I also had just finished some animations and graphic titles for our friend Jack Coleman's new film, Groove Move. We decided to incorporate that into the show as well and also a body of work that inspired the animation. I made silk screens and did a series of limited edition giclées using archival inks and papers. The theme Out There was based loosely on the new work that is much more abstract and psychedelic than I have done in the past. Also, it was because it was far away from home and it translates back to the surfing term that, as surfers, we all say almost every time we go surfing. Have you enjoyed some artistic inspiration from your trip to Bali? Yes, for sure, I always find a new and different perspective on things when I travel. Faces, places and spaces are fresh and that changes the usual ingredients. What do you think you would do for living now if you didn’t become an artist? That question scares me. Okay let’s not go there . . . Any advice for the groms out there looking to get into the surf art scene? If you are already doing it, keep doing it. If you want to do it, then make stuff all the time. Just let it out. Try all kinds of different things and see what feels special to you. Research and respect the ones who paved the way for all of us and learn from them. Enjoy being engaged in the process. What are you’re working on next? I’m just adding the finishing touches to a new website called Andy Davis Designs and I am very excited about this because the existing site hasn't been updated in a very long time. There will be a whole new body of work and all sorts of eye candy for your viewing pleasure. I am also working on a colab with my friends at Captain Fin, for their upcoming summer range. There are a few other things coming down the pipe as well. Check out Andy Davis’ latest work at www.andydavisdesigns.com

Rainbow warrior.

Experience Balinese hospitality and culture just a few steps from Kuta beach. Hotel Satriya offers 91 guest rooms styled in the traditions of this beautiful island and integrated into modern luxe. Enjoy our two swimming pools with pool bar and restaurant surrounded by art pieces, tropical gardens and breathtaking scenery. Prices start from Rp550,000 to Rp1.200.000 including buffet breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Poppies Lane II Kuta Beach Bali Indonesia PO.BOX 80361 Phone: +62361758331, +62361763361 Fax: +6236175274

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jack taylor gets revved about hitting the dirt trails around bali on enduro bikes. PhotoS: Woody Gooch.

enduro bikes available from Husqvarna, KTM, Gas Gas and Sherco, if you can afford them.

Boys and girls, young and old – everyone rides them. Throw in the heaps of remote countryside and natural beauty blessed upon this tropical archipelago and you have the ingredients for some of the world’s best off-road motorcycling. Trails have been explored, tracks dug out, terrain sized up and limits of endurance tested. Every weekend groups of enduro riders across the country are out riding to see how far they can push themselves and their bikes. Surprisingly few visitors to Bali realise the possibilities for enduro riding, with most taking home a motorcycle experience confined to the traffic-clogged highways and the confusing web of alleyways in Kuta and Seminyak. Unlike surfing, which attracts swarms of wave riders from across the globe, enduro riding seems to have kept itself under wraps for now but things are changing fast. Organised enduro rides in Bali can see more than 3,000 bikers turn up to take on the challenge side by side. Groups ride together as teams, helping each other out if something breaks on one of their bikes or they have to haul it over a near-vertical ridge. It is a social event, attracting nearby residents to watch, sell food and drinks and help the riders out when exhaustion sets in. A new enduro park in Jakarta could even be in the running to hold a round of the World Enduro Championships. Buying a decent off-road motorcycle in Indonesia is getting easier but still has its hurdles, especially the more powerful bikes. Buying a bike over 250cc inflicts a 60 per cent ‘luxury’ tax, which rises to 75 per cent for bikes over 500cc. Chuck on top an import tax of 60 per cent for machines manufactured outside of Indonesia and things start to get really expensive. It was not so long ago that for locals wanting to ride enduro custom motorcycles were the order of the day, and to some extent still are. The original dirt bike, the Yamaha DT-100, still picks up a decent price on the second-hand market, but nowadays the latest enduro bikes are getting easier to come by. Kawasaki Indonesia is reaping the rewards of introducing the KLX 150, its entry-level dirt bike that has quickly become a best seller in the off-road motorcycle market. Some of the biggest European off-road motorcycle manufacturers have also seen the potential and opened up shop here in recent years, with specialised

This is where the ingenuity of the local riders comes in, because they are way ahead of the game when it comes to getting their hands on an enduro-ready bike. Not waiting for the motorcycle companies to catch up with the scene in Indonesia, instead they just went right ahead and built their own rides. Street scooters and motorcycles stripped down to the frame and rebuilt piece by piece to create unique off-road dirt bikes. Known as an odong odong, these bikes may cost around $500 to build but they somehow manage to get their riders through the same swampy mud pits and steep gravel tracks as a guy on a $15,000 Husqvarna straight off the showroom floor. What makes enduro riding in Indonesia different to much of the rest of Asia is the volcanic land that makes up the archipelago. You could be tearing it up along remote empty beaches in the morning, dodging through narrow jungle mud tracks after lunch and then scrambling up the slopes of an active volcano before sunset. The riding here is world class – as technical as any professional rider could dream for. Even though the terrain of Bali, and Indonesia as a whole, lends itself to creating some of the most challenging enduro rides on the planet, to experience epic off-road riding does not necessarily have to be such a grueling test of endurance. Recreational adventure rides are perfect for newcomers to the sport. Trails can be picked accordingly to ability and there is more emphasis on enjoyment, exploration and seeing parts of the country that roads can’t take you to. Spots in Besakih, Kintamani and Bedugul all offer different riding experiences and give you a chance to check out the stunning scenery in Bali. So now you know, why not give it a go. Want to ride but need a bike and guide? Speak to Nathan Barker. Check out balimotorcycletour.blogspot.com and drop an email to balimotorcycletour@gmail.com

Roads less travelled.

Speed machine.

The season The dry season between May and September is the best time to grab the gusts in Bali. During this time, the easterly trade winds are not extremely strong, but they can be consistent. The windiest months are June, July and August. The kites Because Bali tends to have light winds, bigger kites are better. Depending on your weight, the kite should be anywhere from 12 to 15 metres. The spots In Bali the best place for beginner kitesurfers is at Kite Beach in Sanur, also called Pantai Pura Mertasari. The huge lagoon here is perfect for newbies, as the water is calm and the wind intensity is not so strong. For more advanced riders, Canggu has a number of spots that get world-class wind and waves on the right days. However, the area is not recommended for beginners, as there are a number of hazards including big waves, currents, rocks and crowded surf breaks. Some of the most consistent winds can be found in Baliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wild west in Menjangan Bay. Here the winds are strong and the water is smooth. A local kiter by the name of Iwan has recently set up a kitesurfing camp here called Wild West Beach Camp with rustic bungalows and epic days on offer. The schools and shops Bali Kitesurfing School is the original kitesurfing school on the island, and it is run by a group of passionate and patient Balinese kitesurfers. They use the latest and best equipment on the market, all lessons are one-on-one and the instructors will follow you at all times in the water in a motorised boat. Rip Curl School of Surf is an international kitesurfing school that is associated with International Kite Organisation (IKO). They offer three levels of lessons, and provide rash shirts, shorts, wetsuits, impact vests, booties, helmets, seating harnesses, bars, kites and boards with every lesson. Kite & Surf Bali - The Pro Shop is the only kitesurfing shop in Bali, and a haven of top-notch equipment and world-class brands like Cabrinha, Ozone, Jimmy Lewis and Flying Object.

For ordinary folk, summer in Bali means clear sunny days on the beach or in the rice fields, but for kitesurfers, this is the time to get seriously amped. As soon as the side-shore winds start wailing, these guys and gals grab their gear and head out for epic fast-paced rides along glassy expanses and killer barrels too blown out for surfers but befitting for kiters. Although relatively new in Bali and the world at large, kiting is progressing at a rapid clip and gaining international notoriety for its extreme versatility and fun factor. The birth of kiting as we know it today can be traced back to the 1800s when a pioneering soul by the name of George Pocock got the brilliant idea to propel ships across the water with kites that were attached by a four-line system, a system that is still used in modern kitesurfing today. Over the years many enterprising individuals developed new equipment and pushed the sport forward, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that the kitesurfing took on its modern form and was popularised by radical thinkers in Maui and California. By the 1990s, kitesurfing had exploded on the international scene, and Giancarlo Avancini (AKA Jankie) was one of the devotees. Jankie arrived in Bali in the late ‘90s, and like so many do, fell in love with the place and a local beauty, so he decided to settle here. In 1999, he opened the Blue Oasis Beach Club, and two years later began teaching kitesurfing at the club, making it the first and only kitesurfing school in Bali. In the beginning there were only a few kiters hitting up the spray, but Jankie saw the potential that the sport had here in Bali. He says: “Kitesurfing is unique in that it combines many other water sports. You get the speed of water skiing, the acrobatic moves of wakeboarding, the precise curves on the waves like surfers, and amazing jumps that literally get you flying.” It was precisely this flexibility that drew in adventurous enthusiasts much like surfers to swells, and longtime Bali denizen, Sky Rama, was among them. “I come from Maui, the birthplace and mecca of kitesurfing, but ironically it was Bali that broke me in about six years ago,” says Sky. “I got up on my second lesson, and once I got going, the rush was like being a little kid again. That’s when I knew it was for me. “I was born into surfing, so that absolutely helped, but with surfing I felt like had I reached a plateau. With kitesurfing there is so much more freedom. You can go out on the ocean and play here and there. And we don’t need huge waves, because the wind creates the speed and the speed is what makes it fun. “I’ve been out with surfers who are surfing a break and by the time they catch one wave, I’ve already been on my fifth or sixth wave. We can catch any wave we want. Plus, you don’t have to wait to paddle and you don’t have to sit in a big crowd and fight for your waves.” Wind + wave = adrenaline.

In recent years, riders like Sky have seen a mind-boggling increase in the technology of kitesurfing equipment, which has propelled the sport to unprecedented levels.

hardly any surfers there. That was our spot. But slowly all the schools moved in and it got so crowded that we got squeezed out. And they kept saying, ‘Go up the beach there’, and we were like ‘We want to ride waves too’. “The safety systems on the kites are light years ahead of what they were five or six years ago.” Sky says. “Now it’s very easy to detach everything if you have to, and easier to launch from tight areas. For the general public, it’s so much safer now. “On another level, the technicality of the riders has also advanced. We kite with a lot of pros and when we watch the progression, it’s amazing. You get guys riding strapless and doing 360s on the waves with the kite, and when you see it live, you’re just like ‘How is that possible?’ We’re definitely breaking the limits for sure.” Watch Sky and his crew ride, or any kitesurfing video, and you may get the impression that kitesurfing is no more difficult than strapping yourself in and slicing through the surf like a knife through butter. However, like all extreme sports, there is an element of danger involved. “Watching experienced riders flying effortlessly on their boards and shredding havoc on the waves makes it look like it’s easy and anyone can do it, but kitesurfing is a sport to be taken with extreme respect,” says Jankie. “The kites are extremely powerful and can easily become a danger to yourself and to others. Your kite can drag you down the beach like a wild horse or throw you into the air like a twig.” Sky says: “One of the most dangerous things that can happen is you drop the kite and a wave hits the kite while you’re still hooked in. Then the kite starts riding with the waves and drags you along, so you’re going at the same speed that the wave is going and practically drowning. That’s the hairiest – getting worked into the surf with the kite. It’s like being pulled by a boat and it keeps pulling, and you can’t breathe. “That’s why you should never try this by yourself. It’s not like surfing where you can just grab a board and go out. With kitesurfing you absolutely have to take a lesson. You have to learn about the equipment, the winds, how to self-rescue, and how to take in your kite. Very few people I know were self-taught, and the few that were got seriously hurt.” Besides safety and skills, kitesurfers have to be aware of the onwater etiquette and learn how to share their space with others in the ocean, particularly surfers. In Bali this has been an especially poignant issue. “We were kiting at Batu Bolong way before there was anyone even surfing there,” says Sky. “Even four years ago, there were

“We know that surfing’s been around a lot longer than kitesurfing – I know that because I’m a surfer myself – and we’re not trying to plant our flag and or step on anyone’s toes. Teaching is their business, and we respect that. But on the other hand, we feel that we just want a little understanding on our side. Kitesurfing is something relatively new, and people are often afraid of things they don’t understand. “It’s different for us because we know that we’re in control, and if the surfers are kind enough to allow us to ride the waves they can’t catch, then we can all be safe and have fun. And it goes both ways – if I’m out and see that a surfer can catch a wave, I let them go for it, because I know can catch any wave. I try to be cool about it, because I want the sport to grow in a positive light and keep things going in the right direction.” Like Jankie, Sky believes that kitesurfing will only get bigger in Bali and around Indonesia. “Vietnam is known for its great kitesurfing conditions, but the waves in Bali are much nicer to ride,” he says. “In fact, I would choose the best days in Bali over the best days in Vietnam for sure. The boys and I also go to a few of the outer islands here that we would rank as some of the best in the world. So Indonesia is actually one of the best places for kitesurfing when the season is on. “I think that this year we’ll have more kiters than ever, because last year was just amazing. People were just showing up out of nowhere to our local spot, and we were like ‘Who’s this?’ ‘Ya, come on out and join us’. I also believe more locals will pick up the sport because the interest is there.” As for tips for those looking to break into the sport, Sky says: “You have to be patient with kitesurfing because it’s not like you can pick a board up, run into the ocean and stand up in the first hour. I had a surf school before and we guaranteed that in the first hour you’d be surfing and standing, otherwise you would get your money back. You won’t find that in kite surfing – it’s going to take a bit of time. But stick with it, because once you get it, it’s one of the coolest things since ice cream.”

KUBAN ONLINE

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9ft&Single Ten years ago surf photographer Dustin Humphrey helped filmmaker Thomas Campbell organise an historical Indo trip for his upcoming project Sprout. Campbell had envisioned an eclectic mix of open-minded surfers having fun riding every type of board imaginable, and doing so in a wide range of conditions. The now world famous Sprout Indo section had a massive ripple effect on today's surf culture – encouraging more folks to be a bit less serious about a singular approach to their surfing and consider an omnivore menu for equipment choices. "Even though I'd been into single-fins since traveling to Indo in the ’90s, what I saw unfold on that Sprout trip ultimately planted the seeds for my own project years later in Bali," Dustin says. "I wanted to build a gathering place that celebrated all aspects of our culture. The result was the Deus Temple of Enthusiasm, a space in Canggu where we construct custom equipment like surfboards, trunks, good coffee and even motorcycles – the vehicles that get us to out-ofthe-way spots for good surf. “I also wanted this space to host legit art shows, informal surf comps, film nights and intimate concerts in our yard." After opening the Deus Temple doors with support from his partners Carby Tuckwell and Dare Jennings, Dustin was inspired to start the 9 Ft. & Single Log Fest – a four-day grassroots long-board surf festival with guys and girls riding heavy single-fins in a traditional manner. The 2014 Deus 9Ft & Single Log Fest remains as authentic and unique as year-one, but expanded to include: a fish fry; shapers’ forum; “womp comp” (body surf contest); girls’ log comp; single-fin

mid-length comp; art show; film screening (I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night); and an all-night concert with six bands. What’s so special about a traditional longboarding comp you ask? If you were to turn back the clock back to 1990s or 2000s long-board events, it'd be tough to discern if much long-board surfing was actually occurring. The prevailing judging criteria were shackled to a short board point of view. Aggressive lip bashing, snaps and carves were the norm . . . rarely did you see the graceful, stylistic approach grounded by the kind of proper trim and critical nose rides that had been the hallmark of any state-of-the art surfer pre-1968. “Competitive long-boarding at that time lacked its own identity, and was viewed with snickers, confusion, or even disgust by the majority of the surfing community,” says Men’s Log Fest winner, Devon Howard, of Cardiff, CA, who left the ASP Long-board Tour more than 10 years ago due to the judging criteria. “Seen essentially as bad short boarding, these longboard events left few – except those in them – caring about any of it . . . and thankfully the whole thing eventually died a few years back.” The 9 Ft. & Single Log Fest embraced a competitive format similar to Joel Tudor’s Duct Tape Invitationals and was bookended by days of fun and engaging cultural events and gatherings. “While there was so much cool stuff happening in and around the Log Fest those four days, the comp itself was grounded by the key characteristics of long-boarding’s historical traditions like critical nose riding on single-fins with no edge in the rail or wearing of goon cords,” Devon Howard says.

“Judges rewarded style, flow, footwork, and control. In addition, the boards needed to be 18lbs or over, have no edge on the rail, and contain no plugs for side bites. “It was 100 per cent about traditional longboarding. After a few decades of waiting for an event like this I was extremely honored to have been a part of it.”

Fourth Annual Deus 9 Foot & Single Log Fest results: 9 Foot & Single 1. Devon Howard (USA) 2. Matt Cuddihy (AUS) 3. Lachlan Leckie (AUS) 4. Zye Norris (AUS) Womp Comp 1. Tai Graham (AUS) 2. Matt Cuddihy (AUS) 3. Harrison Roach (AUS) 4. Thomas Bexon (AUS) Girls Log Comp 1. Leah Dawson (USA) 2. Kassia Meador (USA) 3. Mele Saili (USA) 4. Erin Ashley (USA) Mid-length & Single (9 Foot and Under, Single) 1. Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) 2. Matt Chojnacki (AUS) 3. Harrison Roach (AUS) 4. Matt Cuddihy (AUS)

Zye Harris - styling. Photo by Woody Gooch.

Single Malt.

GRACIE KELLY’S Old World charm is at an all time high at Gracie Kelly’s, Bali’s first and only authentic Irish pub. Located in the Bali Dynasty Resort, this cosy establishment features long wooden bars, dark wooden tables and chairs, Irish memorabilia on the walls, dart boards, pool tables, and even an inviting parlour replete with a faux fireplace and cushy armchairs. Grab a stool at the bar or herd your group to a table and start with a pint of Guinness or Kilkenny on tap, Storm Beer from Bali’s own microbrewery, or a dram of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Even better, come between 9pm and 10pm on any given evening and you can take advantage of Gracie’s happy hour special of two-for-one Bali Hai beers or Artisan wines. Of course, you will probably need something to soak up all that booze, and nothing that does the trick better than a hearty Irish feed. Gracie Kelly’s does it right with flavourful offerings like the Beef and Guinness Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Irish Stew. For dessert it is hard to resist the Hot Sticky Date Pudding. Adding to the convivial atmosphere are live bands starting from 8pm every night of the week, live sports matches on TV, and twice-weekly quiz nights. The Family Quiz takes place on Tuesdays from 7:30pm onwards, and the General Quiz is on Thursday nights from 8:45pm onwards. Great prizes are on offer and part of the proceeds go to local charities. Tel: 0361 752 403

www.balidynasty.com

VELVET/HYPNOTIZED Rare is the tippler who can’t find happiness on a rooftop bar, especially if that rooftop bar also happens to offer panoramic views of south Bali’s sweeping coastline, bustling Kuta Beach, and vivid sunsets over the Indian Ocean. Welcome to Velvet, a sleek and stylish open-air space perched on the highest level of Beachwalk Bali.

Step onto Velvet’s curved wooden deck, and smiling staff are immediately on hand to escort you to your chosen table. Prime spots are the couches that line the perimeter of the deck, as they offer uninterrupted vistas of beach and sea, as well as bird’s eye views of the melting pot converging along Jalan Pantai Kuta. If you can’t snag a sofa, the centrally placed wooden tables are solid second choice. During the day Velvet makes for a scenic spot to grab a light lunch or snack, however, sundowner cocktails during happy hour are an absolute must. Every day between 3pm and 7pm Velvet offers two-for-one cocktails from their eclectic Sunset Cocktail list. And when we say eclectic, we mean seriously out of the box. Take for example the Marshmallow Blueberry, an intriguing fusion of vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry juice, blueberry jam, lychee fruit, ginger fruit, green chilli and lychee juice. The effect is a subtle blend of sweet, spicy and sour all in one glass. Although it sounds a bit…feminine, our intrepid editor couldn’t resist the Flaming Candy, and was presented with a martini glass filled with chilled vodka, gin, Triple Sec, Midori, and Blue Curacao. Before he could take a sip, the staff placed cotton candy wisps on top, poured flaming Cointreau over the lot, and handed him a straw. Lightweights take note: this ain’t no sipping drink, as you’re meant to suck back the entire concoction in one go. Stay for dinner and you have your choice of sushi, spring rolls, samosas, pizzas, fresh seafood and grilled meats. And if you’re still raring to go after that, Hypnotized nightclub kicks off with free-flow beer for just IDR 60k from 10pm to midnight accompanied by rocking beats by some of Bali’s best DJs and international talent until 4am every night from Wednesday to Sunday. Tel: 0361 8464 928

www.vhbali.com

KITCHENETTE

SHERATON BALI KUTA RESORT

Part cosy cafe and part breezy beach-facing bistro, Kitchenette is one of the newest additions to Beachwalk Bali and sweet spot to grab some down home comfort food, tantalising desserts and cool cocktails. Brought to us by the Ismaya Group, who are famous for their numerous creative dining concepts in Jakarta, this is the second branch of Kitchenette and the first to open in Bali.

Ocean breezes, dappled sunlight and a full frontal portrait of the Indian Ocean await at the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, an already iconic landmark just steps from Kuta Beach. Attached to Beachwalk Bali, this is a great spot to pop into for libations after a long day of sun tanning on the sand, ripping up the surf and hitting up the shops.

If you’re trying to beat the heat, head inside to the air-conditioned dining room, which has been designed to look and feel like a homey kitchen with wooden tables and chairs, kitchen utensils hanging on the wall, and checked tiles on the floor. For those who prefer to take in the sea breezes, the patio offers intimate tables under a large awning and cushy daybeds that overlook the action along Jalan Pantai Kuta. During the week, sunset is the best time to settle into a spot on the patio at Kitchenette, as chilled Bintangs and selected ‘Wicked Elixirs’ are buy-oneget-one-free Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm. We’re huge fans of the imaginatively named Prom Queen’s Punch for it’s heady mix of red wine, brandy, lychee liqueur, fresh lemon and orange chunks. To accompany your cold beers and booze, Kitchenette offers an enticing array of tasty tapas, gourmet galettes and crepes, burgers and fries, and hearty pastas. Our favourite tipple-worthy dish? The Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles with chilli butter and maple syrup. It’s pure decadence on a plate. Tel: 0361 846 4937

www.ismaya.com

LACA LACA It’s all about good food, good booze and good times at Laca Laca, Seminyak’s most vibrant and vivacious Mexican cantina. Centrally located on Jalan Drupadi, this colourful spot features lively Mexican themed murals and artwork on the walls, rustic wooden tables with mismatched stools and chairs, and an expert team of bartenders and chefs who can whip up handcrafted cocktails and dishes made fresh from scratch daily. Each of the cocktails here is made with fresh fruits, herbs, high quality booze and crystallised ice chunks, and the options range from Caipirinhas to Cuba Libres, Mojitos and Margaritas to name just a few. Their signature Margarita is a must-try, as it is infused with jalapenos for 15 days to give it a Mexican wrestler sized kick. Get it for half price on Fridays between 6pm and 7pm and then again from 9:30pm to 10:30pm. You can also spice things up every Sunday with IDR 50k Bloody Marys and Bloody Marias all the livelong day. Foodwise Laca Laca goes the extra mile by sourcing only the freshest ingredients for their house made salsas, tortilla chips, salads, tacos and burgers. The majority of dishes are designed to share, although you may find it hard to give up even a bite of your seared tuna tostaditas, chipotle braised lamb shank tacos or shredded beef quesadillas. Tel: 0361 203 2323

www.lacalacabali.com

Walk past the Balinese dancers decked out in traditional finery in the lobby and make your way upstairs to The Lounge, an expansive space made bright and cheerful by an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the sea. Settle into one of the high-backed armchairs and watch the sun sink amid a palette of pastels as you sip on fine wines and classic cocktails. Social Hour takes place at The Lounge every day from 5pm to 7pm, when you can sample three world-renowned wines for IDR 95k. For those who prefer to sip al fresco, Bene is a modern Italian kitchen offering fresh handmade pasta, tapas, and over 60 Italian wines, sodas, cocktails and infused grappas. Take a seat on their rooftop terrace any day between 5pm and 7pm, and you can enjoy 25% off any drink that tickles your fancy. In the event of poor weather, Bene also has indoor seating at wooden tables or stools at the bar. Tel: 0361 846 5555

www.sheratonbalikuta.com

SINGLE MALT Scotch aficionados breathed a collective sigh of satisfaction this May when Single Malt opened its doors on the second floor of the Ize Hotel. Finally a place in Bali where you can indulge in the peaty, the smoky and the downright sultry, served straight up, with a spherical ice cube or a splash of water. This smart whisky bar lends itself perfectly to swilling the good stuff with a cigar in hand. The interior of Single Malt features plush booths for two or four, wooden tables and a long bar with high leather bar chairs. Outside you will find plenty of seating surrounded by lush greenery and a large patterned screen that provides privacy from the prying eyes of pedestrians and drivers on Jalan Kayu Aya below. With more than 50 brands of rare whiskies from as far as India, Japan and Sweden, plus all the standard favourites, Single Malt has one of the most extensive whisky lists in Bali. They also have a comprehensive collection of whisky-based cocktails that will please both the ladies and men alike. To sample selected whiskies at a fraction of the regular price, join their Mad Men Tuesdays when you can get two-for-one glasses of Bowmore, Glen Garioch or Auchentoshan between 6pm and 9pm. Thursdays at Single Malt are all about the ladies with their Dram Queen special, which includes free-flow selected cocktails and house pours for girls only between 8pm and 11pm. Tel: 0361 846 6996

Clockwise from left: Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, Laca Laca, Gracie Kellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Laca Laca, Velvet/Hypnotized, Kitchenette.

It’s not often that you find a hotel in Bali that truly has something to offer every type of traveller, but Kuta Paradiso Hotel does just that. Maybe it’s the ultra chic rooms, world-class dining venues, warm and welcoming service, or premier facilities like the designer lagoon pool, VIP business centre, health club, spa and kids’ club, but whatever it is, guests from around the world rave about this five-star resort just steps from the beach and the buzzing exuberance of Kuta. An iconic landmark for almost two decades, Kuta Paradiso Hotel is set in lush tropical gardens just 50 metres from Kuta Beach. From the moment you step onto the grounds you know that you’ve truly arrived in Bali, as frangipani blossoms scent the air, palm trees rustle in the ocean breezes, and tranquil water features catch the eye and provide a soothing soundtrack. With more than 250 deluxe rooms, suites and family accommodation, the resort caters to everyone from single travellers to large groups. Each bright and airy room is decked out in modern decor with comfy king-sized beds, soft lighting, satellite TVs, fully stocked mini-bars, and marble bathrooms with bathtubs and luxury bathroom essentials. The rooms also have private balconies that overlook the resort’s gardens, pool or the Indian Ocean. Although it might be tempting to luxuriate in the airconditioned comfort of your room, the resort grounds are a tropical oasis begging to be explored. The free-form lagoon pool wraps around a central bridge and spills over three levels, and stone carvings around the pool double as fountains that little ones will love splashing under. You could spend hours here soaking up the rays on a sun lounger, cooling off with a dip in the lap pool, or grabbing exotic drinks and light bites from the Laguna Pool Bar. If it’s a bit of pampering you’re after, you don’t have to go far, as Kuta Paradiso Hotel is also home to the luxurious Jalanidi

Spa. Here you can spoil the senses with rejuvenating treatments like traditional Balinese massage, body scrubs and wraps, milk baths, aromatherapy and reflexology. Each treatment includes the use of pure skin care products made with natural ingredients that nurture and nourish the skin. Dining is another area where Kuta Paradiso Hotel simply spoils you for choice. You can start the day with a grand breakfast buffet at the El Patio Cafe, an international coffee house with al fresco seating and tasty menus on offer around the clock. Kaigara is the resort’s Japanese fusion restaurant serving sushi and sashimi, grilled Robatayaki, and modern takes on Japanese classics, and the Testarossa Lounge is a great place for a preor post-dinner cocktail. Then there is B’ Couple Bar ‘n’ Grill, which offers fresh seafood, authentic Chinese cuisine, live music and VIP rooms with karaoke facilities. Families friendly facilities include the Mickey Kids Club, where youngsters can partake in fun and fully supervised activities like drawing, games, dress-up, water sports, snacks and movies, while parents bliss out at the spa or next to the pool. The Paradiso Bowling & Billiards Centre at the nearby sister resort, Kuta Station Hotel, also promises hours of entertainment for all ages. In Bali for business or just want to keep connected while on holiday? Not to worry, Kuta Paradiso Hotel has you covered with a VIP Business Lounge replete with state-of-the-art computers, copiers, a TV, free Wi-Fi and plush sofas and armchairs. They also have seven different function rooms for meetings, conventions, corporate events and weddings. With so much on offer, it may be hard to hard to tear yourself away from this tropical haven. However, the resort is within walking distance to top Kuta attractions like Waterbom Bali, Discovery Shopping Mall, the Kuta Art Market, the Hard Rock Cafe, and a plethora of great cafés, restaurants and bars. So whether you’re here to switch off and chill out, party it up or get out and about to see the sights, Kuta Paradiso Hotel is the perfect base.

Paradiso!

Hidden gem.

Every once in a while you come across a place so unexpected and so utterly impressive that it makes you wonder what else you have been missing all your life. Such is the case with Patra Jasa Resort & Villas, a hidden gem set on expansive manicured gardens that spill onto the golden sands of South Kuta Beach. With secluded suites and villas that exude Balinese charm and contemporary living, natural surroundings, and five-star facilities, restaurants and service, it is easy to see why the Patra has played quiet host to international dignitaries such as Prince Charles and George W. Bush. Your experience at Patra Jasa Resort & Villas begins when you drive through the intricately carved candi gates and enter a world of lush lawns, tropical gardens, bubbling water features and winding pathways. Step into the lobby with its soaring ceiling and your eye immediately roams to the massive Balinese wall mural depicting scenes of nature and village life. Attention to detail is evident throughout from the multitude of fans creating cooling breezes to the exquisite wooden lotus flower carvings that the fans hang from. The service here is spot on from the minute you arrive, as the staff are warm and welcoming, offering a mix of gracious Balinese hospitality and worldly professionalism. From the knowledgeable concierge to the cheerful front desk team, the soft-spoken spa therapists and the attentive yet unobtrusive personal villa butlers, you can expect seamless service with a smile for the duration of your stay. Guests of Patra Jasa Resort & Villas can choose from 206 tastefully appointed suites spread out across the sprawling grounds. These include the Deluxe Rooms, which can be adjoined to another Deluxe Room for families with children or groups of friends, and the Deluxe Suites with spacious bedrooms and separate living rooms. Each room and suite features a private balcony overlooking the tropical landscape and modern conveniences like air-conditioning, cable TV, minibars and complimentary Wi-Fi. However, for a truly palatial experience, book yourself into one of the 22 luxurious villas, some of which have their own

private plunge Jacuzzi pools, home theatre systems and pantries. These opulent residences have everything you need to feel truly pampered including soft sofas, plush beds draped in romantic white canopies, private terraces and 24-hour personal butler service. Guests at the villas also have access to an exclusive checkin and check-out lounge and a swimming pool for villa guests only. Once you have settled into your serene suite, you will want to take advantage of some of the resort’s fabulous facilities. Drop the little ones off at the kid’s club and make your way to the Kintamani Lagoon Pool with its soothing fountains, cushy sun loungers and views through the palm trees to the glittering Indian Ocean. Get a few games in at the tennis courts, grab a coffee and a magazine in the garden cafe, or surrender yourself to the skilled hands of the spa therapists at the Nirvana Spa. Although Patra Jasa Resort & Villas is just a short drive from some of Kuta’s best dining venues, you can enjoy world-class cuisine without ever having to step foot off the property. The Teratai Coffee Shop offers a daily breakfast buffet fit for a king as well as an all-day menu featuring Indonesian, Asian and Western dishes. You can grab lunch or light bites at the Heritage Floating Lounge set on a tranquil lotus pond before making your way to the Sunset Room for chilled cocktails as the sun slips into the sea. For authentic Japanese delicacies in an elegant setting, try the Ten Ku Japanese Restaurant. With its wide variety of accommodation, numerous dining options and spacious grounds, Patra Jasa Resorts & Villas is also the ideal spot for special events like weddings, conferences and parties. In fact, the resort has a huge ballroom and a number of function rooms that can host anything from cocktail parties to seminars, catered dinners and boardroom meetings. In addition, the resort is just minutes from the airport, yet it is laid out in such a way that airport noise is blissfully non-existent. Discreet yet decadent, capacious yet comfortable, Patra Jasa Resort & Villas is perhaps Kuta’s best kept secret. Whether you are looking for a spot for a cheeky cocktail next to the sea, a serene hideaway that will evoke memories for years to come or a luxurious locale for your big day, do yourself a favour and get acquainted with this sublime five-star boutique property.

Ever wondered what was going on with the huge building site monstrosity that you passed on Jalan Nakula last year? As if rising from the ashes like a Phoenix in January this year, well now you know. Or maybe you don’t, as there’s a lot going on behind the towering ultra-contemporary architectural design (looking almost out of place on this urban stretch). From the folks behind Jakarta’s TS (Town Square) Citos – a huge mall complex with around 60 restaurants, bars and retail outlets – TS Suites brings to Bali a cool lifestyle concept and much needed sophisticated addition to the south Seminyak-Legian blur. TS Suites main raison d’etre is its uber-chic boutique hotel. The vast funky lobby, glass-encased with sky-high ceiling, is just the start of a strong commitment to sleek interior and architectural design and promised “endless indulgence.” The owner’s obsessive attention to detail and no expensive spared for premium materials is exposed throughout. All 90 rooms feature prime woods, including Brazilian timbers for doors and polished hard wood floors, fine terrazzos and bathrooms crafted with quality Spanish marble. Throw in textured cream walls and bare brickwork and the overall look is earthy, warm and natural with neutral tones, yet wickedly stylish. This, all seamlessly balanced with top-notch appliances such as expense LED TV screens, some higher-grade rooms providing 360-degree revolving screens which rotate to the bed or bathtubs open to the bedroom. Guestrooms are all generously sized, starting from 45-square metres, but the 53 suites, some covering 90-square metres, provide a larger living area plus outdoor balcony. If you have the cash, however, plump for one of the 12 two-bedroom villas, hidden up in an exclusive rooftop space. In these elevated sanctuaries you could almost forget you’re in downtown Seminyak, although the panoramic views give it away. Accessed by private entrance along a stone pathway, these one-storey beauties all come stunningly designed with a tropical open-plan concept, the timbered deck and ample private pool adjoining a semi-open livingdining space and pantry. A couples-friendly terrazzo stone tub opens out to the pool deck – some villas boast convertible indoor-outdoor Jacuzzis. TStar, the largest at 250-square metres, is just fabu-licious for in-villa entertaining on the endless infinity pool deck. In fact all these villas are the ultimate private party pads. Whatever you book, all guests get exclusive use of adjoining roof-top

Leisure Club, a multi-functional leisure zone, with all-day buffets, game zone, refined library with unlimited computer use, supervised kids’ corner and elevated gym. This leads out to the rooftop infinity pool – at 50-metres, Bali’s longest – with jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the urban skyline and if you’re lucky, distant volcanoes. Laze on semi-submerged daybeds, or get stuck into organised poolside activities, but if it gets too hot, there’s always the shade of the pool-length furnished cabanas and an icy drink from the poolside bar. Stick around to watch the sun set with a cocktail in the Jacuzzi pool and later, a naughty dip under the stars. Friday evenings offer Sunset Sessions (5-8pm) with resident DJs spinning chilled sounds – more sessions are planned. Pool parties are also in the pipeline, this rooftop pool “christened” with two infamous days of non-stop partying when TS Suites launched – filmed, naturally, by Fashion TV and attended by celebs. All the above, plus complimentary softdrink mini-bar, WiFi Internet access and guest officers at your disposal plus competitive room rates starting from IDR1,936.000, TS Suites adds up to remarkable value for money. But there’s more . . . At the rear, there’s a sprawling open courtyard, designed European piazza-style with impressive eight-metre rock water wall. Created as a Bali adaptation of Jakarta-style hang-out TS Citos, this “Town Square” welcomes outside guests, especially nighttime, when it’s lit-up with fire beacons. Fashion shows and live events have been hosted here, while selected venues already open for business include Chinese restaurant chain The Duck King, Eclectic Bar, Christophe C Salon (relocating from Jalan Kunti into swanky new premises) and Jenja – already firmly established as one of the island’s hippest nightspots. Within slick split-level interiors, Jenja combines an upper-floor dinneronly restaurant and bar focusing on authentic Middle-Eastern cuisine and downstairs nightclub (open Wednesday to Saturday, from 11pm) where dedicated music nights feature damn fine hip-hop. Casual chic Jenja oozes upscale Jakarta, especially with VIP personal bottle service tables. All highly convenient if you’re staying at TS Suites, a short totter back to your room, but for outside guests, some welcome new playtime options – and with added bonus, underground parking. www.jenjabali.com

Filigree Elegance @ Town Square.

Italian chic.

Kejora Suites is one of those boutique hotels that somehow you wished you had booked into as it offers all the comfort, tranquility and service that the larger resorts and hotels just cannot provide. Completed in October 2013 it is clear that a lot of thought and planning went into creating just 26 suites on a land footprint that needed a lot of innovative thinking. Renowned Italian architectural firm, ROLondon Studio, out of Milan, has achieved a perfect mix of contemporary minimalist design that flows seamlessly from each of the deliciously appointed suites through to the common areas and spacious, light and airy foyer. The Segara Village Hotel group manages this property and one couldn’t be in safer hands as they are seasoned hoteliers with more than 50 years of experience in running some of Bali’s leading hotels. Although one wouldn’t know it from the street, this is a beachside hotel with a private laneway leading past residential villas down to a private cove enclave, pleasantly shaded and replete with lounges, tables and chairs. The beauty of Sanur is that it has been allowed to blossom into a well-managed tourist destination, Kuta it isn’t! It offers the perfect holiday escape with miles of sandy beaches, a safe swimming environment and a plethora of water sports to keep you amused, it is a place for both families and couples alike. Kejora Suites seem to have grasped the concept of allowing guests to feel right at home once they have checked in. A cozy arrangement with the excellent Glass House signature restaurant next door means that this well regarded eating establishment becomes the food and beverage outlet for the hotel. The meals are wholesome, tasty and dare I say it, unpretentious, and of

course the service is in true Balinese style, exceptional. Being the younger sibling of the Segara Village Bali Hotel does have its benefits as, if you stay at Kejora Suites you receive the same privileges at the larger hotel. Wander down through the beachside markets and if you so choose you may laze by the Segara’s huge swimming pools, take lunch on the terrace or a drink at the bar and simply charge it back to your room. Kejora Suites have made every effort to go just that one step further in making sure that their guests have the best of everything. Each room has its own Nespresso machine with complimentary sachets of fine coffee supplied. Some suites have full-length baths set amidst charming indoor gardens. The beds are, of course, comfortable, the soft furnishings are easy on the eye and a flat screen TV carries probably more channels than one could watch in a lifetime. I have always loved staying in boutique hotels and this one is right up there with the best of them. A choice of three distinctive styles of suites means you can choose one to suit your budget, although all round I found the tariffs more than reasonable. An infinity swimming pool dominates the main courtyard around which all 26 suites have been constructed. It’s big enough to not feel crowded and small enough to give that perfect sense of intimacy. The staff is efficient and wonderfully discreet in their dealings with each and every guest as they glide around the complex in their wildly eclectic uniforms. So, if boutique hotels suit you I thoroughly recommend this establishment as more than 70 per cent of Kejora’s bookings are repeat guests. If that isn’t testimony enough, I don’t know what is? www.kejorasuites.com

Fresh, innovative and unique, Sushi Tei has been packing in the crowds since its inaugural debut in Bali on lively Sunset Road.

swordfish and tuna belly. Each cut of fish and roll is expertly executed and presented with flair.

This renowned Japanese brand owes its success to its simple yet modern approach to Japanese cuisine, choice ingredients and the pristine culinary skills of its dynamic chefs. For sushi-philes in the know, this is the only place to go.

The imaginative maki rolls are also a huge hit, as they combine traditional Japanese flavours with local ingredients and inventive cooking techniques. For example, the Aburi Salmon Roll features crab meat and crispy soft shell crab rolled in rice and topped with Aburi (half broiled) salmon and tuna floss. Another favourite is the Salmon Enoki Roll with thinly sliced seared salmon wrapped around delicate enoki mushrooms and drizzled with a rich and tangy sauce.

You can’t miss the checked white facade of Sushi Tei and the impressive white columns that are lit from below each evening. Step into the cavernous white dining room, and you have your choice of comfy banquette seating, intimate wooden tables and prime spots along the island sushi bar in front of the open concept kitchen and the Kaiten sushi conveyor belt. The bar is the best spot to watch the chefs in action and grab delectable small plates as they pass by. Sushi Tei also has eight roomy VIP rooms that are perfect for family gatherings, large groups, meetings and special events. In addition, there is a courtyard garden patio in the front for those who prefer to dine in the open air under the stars. Elegant ambiance aside, it’s the food that people really come from far and wide for, and this is where Sushi Tei truly shines. The menu reads like a treasured tome of all your favourite Japanese gastronomical delights as well as more than a few original creations. Adding to the allure are glossy photos of each dish along with tantalising descriptions. Start your meal with a selection of artistic appetizers like crispy whole Grilled Smelt, Spicy Hotate (seared scallops in a tangy piquant sauce), or the Salmon Cha Soba (pan-fried salmon topped on bundles of cold green tea soba noodles). You can also opt for more conventional starters like steamed Edamame with a light dusting of sea salt, plump Gyoza filled with savoury minced chicken, miso soup, tempura or fresh salads. Moving on to the mains, the spectacularly fresh sashimi and sushi are the main draws at Sushi Tei. Try a bit of everything with a shared platter of nigiri sushi topped with octopus, prawn, eel, scallops or sweet bean curd, or a sashimi combo with thick slices of glistening snapper,

For those of the non-raw fish persuasion, Sushi Tei also offers a plethora of a la carte meat and veggie dishes. For a protein kick, try the Beef Katsu Curry Rice with a breaded beef cutlet fried golden brown and smothered in a fragrant Japanese curry sauce. Kids will love the Jumbo Yakitori for its thick chunks of skewered chicken and slightly sweet Teriyaki sauce, and the Hiyashi Tanuki Soba is both hearty and healthy with cold soba noodles, nori seaweed and crispy bonito flakes. To wash down your meal you can choose from fresh juice concoctions, infused iced teas, cold imported and domestic beers, cocktails, wines and a range of quality sake for all budgets by the glass or by the bottle. Of course, you can also sip on your bottomless cup of complimentary hot or cold green tea. Be sure to leave room for dessert, because Sushi Tei offers so much more than the usual bowls of green tea ice cream. Sweet stuff on offer includes the Taiyaki Ice Cream, an ice cream and cookie sandwich shaped like a fish, and the Yukimi Daifuku, a Japanese favourite of chocolate, vanilla and green tea ice cream balls covered in a thin layer of mocha (rice cake). When you’re seeking a serious sushi fix or a fun dinner out for the whole family, Sushi Tei does the trick. A little bird also told us that they will soon be opening a new outlet in Beachwalk Bali, so keep an eye out for their latest buzzing location. www.sushitei.co.id

In my humble opinion there is nothing more splendid than taking a little refreshment at the end of a day at a beach bar, it soothes the soul and calms the spirit. So it was with some delight that I rediscovered the newly refurbished Bamboo Bar & Lounge on Mertasari Beach Sanur. This delightful establishment is part of the Prama Sanur Beach Bali hotel, a hostelry that has graced these shores for almost 40 years.

specialty being their Arak Bamboo cocktail that is served in a triangular glass that sits comfortably on a bed of ice in a fish bowl like container! They offer a good range of coffees, teas and liqueurs and their wine selection, if not extensive, is certainly adequate. This makeover seems to have captured the attention of both tourists and locals alike as when I pass (which is hard now) the place always seems to be jumping.

The 403 room, “Grand Lady“ of hospitality is currently undergoing a complete refurbishment and their signature beach bar has only recently been completed. I do remember coming here a while back and sitting in the quirky swing chairs at the bar and thought, this place needs a make over!

Three nights a week the bar provides entertainment and for the next month a certain Gary Lynn will croon on Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays. The gentleman has obviously modeled himself on Frank Sinatra complete with a jaunty hat and I am told the clientele love him.

Somebody read my thoughts, as this new-look establishment is simply stunning. The bamboo construction designed by renowned architect Ibu Wiwik is a perfect structure befitting its absolute beachside location. Light and airy with a spacious central bar that can accommodate up to fifty patrons with seating for another fifty scattered about and spilling out onto the sand.

The Bamboo Bar & lounge is exactly that, a bar and it doesn’t pretend to be anything else. Food is rather low on the priority stakes although they do serve a variety of tasty snacks and their pizzas are fresh and tasty.

The view to the horizon is sublime, especially at sunset; the beer is cold, the snacks tasty and the service impeccable. Fifteen well- trained staff patrol the tables making sure that one does not have to wait long before drink magically appears. A large selection of cocktails is on offer with their

There are scores of beachside bars along the Sanur beach strip but this one I do believe will be a standout performer so I would encourage you to give it a try, I promise it won’t disappoint. Remember, if you never go you’ll never know. Open 11am – Midnight daily Best times. 5 pm onwards Prama Sanur Beach Bali Hotel Matasari Beach, Sanur. Ph. + 62 361 288011

HOTELS & VILLAS Bali Dynasty Resort Tel: (62-361) 752403 www.balidynasty.com Page 43 Kuban Map H.10 Komune Tel: (62-361) 3018888 www.komuneresorts.com Page 7 Satriya Cottages Tel: (62-361) 758331 www.satriyacottages.com Page 42 Kuban Map H.7 The Stones Hotel Tel: (62-361) 3005888 www.stoneshotelbalicom Page 17 Kuban Map H.5 The 101 Legian Bali Tel: (62-361) 3001101 www.the101bali.com Page 37 Kuban Map I.5 Villa Palma Tel: 0817347389 www.villapalmacanggu.com Page 13 Kuban Map I.5 MISCELANEOUS Ensign info@asiapropertyawards.com Page BIC Kuban K-pod Tel: (62-361) 766539 www.kubanbali.com Page 53 Miss Bali Tropix www.missbalitropix.com Page 10 The Safe Childhoods Foundation www.safechildhoods.org Page 73

Yak Online Tel: (62-361) 766539 www.yakmag.com Page 21 RECREATION Nano Philosophy Tel: (62-361) 739372 www.nanophilosophy.com Page 19 Kuban Map H.1

SHOPS Body and Soul www.bodyandsoulclothing.com Page 4-5 Kuban Map H.6

RECREATION Bali Zoo Tel: (62-361) 294357 www.bali-zoo.com Page 53

Indowines/Plaga www.plagawine.com Page BC Kuban Map M.4

RESTAURANTS Bazaar Tel: (62-361) 4732292 www.bazaarbali.com Page 73 Laca Laca Tel: (62-361) 2032323 www.lacalacabali.com Page 9 Queen’s Restaurant Tel: (62-361) 732770, 765988 www.bali.queenstandoor.com Page 42 Kuban Map H.10 Sky Garden www.61legian.com www.skygardenbali.com Page 36 Kuban Map J.7 Velvet Hypnotized Tel: (62-361) 8464928 www.vhbali.com Page 11 Kuban Map H.6 Wana Restaurant Tel: (62-361) 294357 www.wanarestaurant.com Page 73

Deus Ex Machina Tel: (62-361) 3683395 www.deuscustoms.com Page 2-3

Seafolly Tel: (62-361) 846960, 8465612, 8469284, 753472, 733036 www.universo.co.id Page Gatefold Kuban Map J.1 BARS Gracie Kelly’s Tel: (62-361) 752403 www.balidynasty.com/gk Page 43 Kuban Map H.10 Komune Tel: (62-361) 3018888 www.komuneresorts.com/keramasbali Page 7 Pyramid Tel: (62-361) 8500300 www.pyramidclubbali.com Page 15 Kuban Map K.4 Sky Garden www.61legian.com www.skygardenbali.com Page 36 Kuban Map J.7

WANA is the first of its kind in Bali, a restaurant set within a tropical rainforest. Experience exploring the wild, while sampling exotic South East Asian cuisine and sipping seductive cocktails without having to travel to the jungle. Open daily from 09:00 a.m - 10:00 p.m.

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@WANA_RESTAURANT

BALI ZOO Jl. Raya Singapadu, Sukawati, Gianyar, Bali 0361 294357 *No admission ticket to the Zoo is required when dining at Wana

Bali Zoo_97.5x230.indd 2

3/14/14 10:04 AM

stephanie mee gets hooked on a series that purports to show us what the real bali is all about. Although I try not to waste too much time trolling vapid status updates and flagrant displays of narcissism on Facebook, I do indulge from time to time. After all, Facebook is a stellar procrastination tool, which is especially useful when you have deadlines looming and no damn idea what to write. That was exactly the predicament I was in when I came across a Youtube link to the provocatively titled television show What Really Happens in Bali. Produced by Australia’s Seven Network, the documentary series starts with the opening narrative, “Every year a million Aussies pack their bags and pour into the magical island of Bali – many seeking sun, fun, and sometimes a new life. The ‘island of the gods’ is famed for its peace, beauty and non-stop fun…where the rules of home become a distant memory. We’ll meet the beautiful, the not so beautiful, and the battered. Sometimes, this island paradise can turn into a living hell”. Interspersed throughout the narrative are scenes of drunken antipodeans giving guttural growls to the camera, barely legal holidaymakers groping each other next to a pool, and a schoolie girl querying a local man whether he’s seen her lost friend . . . “ a naked girl without any clothes on”. What follows is a cringe-worthy display of debauchery, intoxication, predatory sexcapades, crass cultural insensitivity and reckless behaviour in epic proportions . . . and that’s just from the few Aussies they happened to wrangle up for the first episode. Take for example the group of tourists who decide that a day of cliff jumping is just what they need after a big night out, no sleep and a breakfast of Bintangs. The location is remote, the cliff is four storeys high, and safety equipment is non-existent. Inevitably, things go horribly awry when a young woman leaps off the cliff, lands on her back and ends up fracturing her spine. Then there is the self-proclaimed ‘Prince of Poppies’, a dreadlocked Lothario who scours the dregs of Kuta searching for women to lure into his lair to give them what he describes as “the best 30 minutes of their lives”. And the more the merrier. According to him, he can only claim his title as the ‘Prince’ if he bags three ladies (if you can call them that) in one night. As the series goes on, we are exposed to numerous Aussie visitors of dubious intelligence roaming the streets of Kuta tasering each other, getting so annihilated that they lose their passports, wallets and dignity,

and more than a few banged up bogans gracing the beds of BIMC. Surely this can’t be real, you think. It must be staged . . . a ploy by the network to overemphasise Bali’s seedy underbelly and the bad behaviour of Aussies overseas. But sadly, the show is not so far off the mark. Our correspondent at BIMC recently related this tale to us: Late one night an Aussie bloke was riding his motorbike pissed out of his mind with his feet resting on the back passenger pegs. Not surprisingly, he crashed and ended up severing half his foot off. Luckily for him, a local man gathered him and his dismembered appendage and carted them off to BIMC. Now, you would think he would be grateful for the help and medical assistance. However, rather than thanking the good samaritan and allowing the doctors to do their job, he drunkenly carried on with the hospital staff, joking about whether he should buy an adult shoe or a children’s shoe for his mangled foot. In case you’re wondering – yes, his foot was reattached thanks to the patience and professionalism of the doctors, and no – this was not aired on What Really Happens in Bali, although it definitely fits the M.O. of the show. Which brings to mind some pertinent questions. First of all, is this really what happens in Bali? From my humble abode in Ubud, the drunken antics of holidaymakers in Kuta seem a universe away. And for the majority of locals, expatriates and tourists in Bali, this type of behaviour is certainly not the norm. Yet, like any heavily visited tourist destination, Bali undoubtedly receives its fair share of imbecilic wayfarers. Secondly, you have to wonder, what exactly is the point of What Really Happens in Bali? Is it a cautionary tale for travellers or commercialised sensationalism of personal tragedy, ignorant exploits and raunchy people doing raunchy things? With over 1.6 million viewers, the show certainly reached the masses, but what did viewers actually take away from it? Whether What Really Happens in Bali will make any impact on the shocking behaviour of certain visitors to the island remains to be seen. And whether you consider it trash television at its best or an informative expose on what can go wrong abroad depends entirely on your predilection. As for me, like Facebook, the show was an unnecessary and addictive distraction, but at least it cured my writer’s block.

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BALI PETITENGET Jl. Petitenget No. 100X , Kerobokan Ph. +62 (361) 846 960 OBEROI 1 Jl Laksmana No. 5 - Oberoi, Seminyak Ph. +62 (361) 733 036 OBEROI 2 Jl. Laksmana No.72b - Oberoi, Seminyak Ph. +62 (361) 84 69 28 4 BEACHWALK MALL Level 2 #A-8z - Jalan Pantai Kuta Ph. +62 (361) 84 65 61 2 KUTA SQUARE Jl. Bakung Sari - Kuta Square Blok C23 Ph. +62 (361) 75 34 72 LEGIAN Jl. Legian 133D Ph. +62 (361) 876 5785

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