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Stacy's Finds
The ‘Bali Life’ Category
Living "green" doesn't necessarily mean giving up little luxuries…Private pool at Green Village overlooking Bali's Ayung River.
Green Village signature "Moon Door." Walking in and out of these round glass doors feels 'Alice in Wonderland-esque'. Are you stepping into the future or into the past?
Creative Director, Elora Hardy, takes it all in at a 5 a.m. photo shoot with acclaimed photographer Rio Helmi. This top floor home office takes working from home to a whole new level.
Thank you to Ibuku style guru, Elora Hardy, for spending the afternoon turning us on to what many consider to be the greenest residential neighborhood on the planet.
Located adjacent to Green School in Bali, this small community of approximately twenty homes is built with sustainability in mind, utilizing bamboo of all shapes and sizes, colors and textures and incorporating home design based around the earth's natural contours while adding bits of bling; hand hammered brass sinks and tubs along with lots of solid glass floor to ceiling windows; allowing the coconut grove and Ayung River views to shine.
The black bamboo wall and floor coverings were my absolute favorite. Elora says that one of the homeowners designed her master bedroom complete with black bamboo.
Who would've thunk that bamboo could actually create a sensual atmosphere, but in this sexy natural color it does.
After graduating from art school and working with Donna Karan in NYC as the fashion house's sole print designer, Elora moved back to her childhood home of Bali to turn the world onto design in a different way, uber chic sustainable living.
Holiest Day of 2010
The Balinese celebrate full moon every month as if it were Christmas and New Year's combined, but this last Harvest Moon was considered the most holy day of the year.
I was talked into going on a temple tour of sorts to cleanse and pray; exactly what a good Hindu would do on such a special day. After visiting the beautiful Tanah Lot temple on Bali's southwest coast while the hubby's family was in town last year, the heat and hordes of vendors selling plastic baubles of all shapes and sizes kind of ruined my temple buzz. I tried to put this bad experience aside and give Bali's renowned mystical energy another try.
The difference on this day was going to the temples with my local friends. I wasn't the white guy in the back with an oversized camera hanging around my neck and I felt comfortable going with the flow; bathing in holy water, meditating within the inner walls of the temple with my incense and flower offering, drinking three times from the blessing water, and placing a few granules of moist rice on my forehead.
It sounds cheesy, but with millions of others doing the same thing as me that day, the energy was electrifying. I had to hold back the tears for the first five minutes of our meditation to finally reach a point of calm to sink into and breathe. As the gamelan music played and the sun peeked in and out of the protective cloud cover, my Balinese friend whispered, "If there's anything you have been dreaming about, now is the time to ask for it. Right now."
It's true, that exact moment felt like a coming together point where anything seemed possible. I can now say from first hand experience that Bali magic is alive and well, and at the very least I now know why the Balinese walk around with rice stuck to their foreheads!
Temple at Lake Batur
Everyone Loves Bali in the Summer
Summers are a great time to visit Bali – the days are warm and sunny, but not scorching hot.
The nights cool off enough to wear something light around your shoulders which if you live here year round is an amazing feeling.
As we come to a close on our very first year on the Island of the Gods, I thought it would make sense to jot down a short list of a few of our favorite things to do here so that you don't find yourself in a traffic jam for nothing.
1. Uluwatu: Think North Shore, Hawaii; Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa or Bells Beach, Australia – Uluwatu is up there with the world's most famous surf spots. Take in the energy and watch in awe from the cliff front warung or take a dip in the mystical beach cave at low tide.
2. Ubud: This place is absolutely nuts during the summer. Tour busses clog the streets and tourists crowed the sidewalks. Skip the mess and meander instead among rice paddies to the Sari Organik restaurant, located right in town yet in the middle of what feels like old Bali:rice farmers, dirty ducks, and coconut groves. Experience it at night and you'll be greeted by thousands of twinkling fireflies who also love Bali summers.
3. Padang-Padang: Definitely one of my favorite beaches especially during the summer as the white sand and turquoise Indian Ocean are pristine and perfect. It will be crowded this time of year, but in a fun way: surfer hotties of all levels paddling in and out, couples canoodling under umbrellas, kids running around exploring rock formations and secret coves and travelers from all over the globe showing off their country's unique beach style.
4. Sanur: Rent bicycles in town and ride a couple of miles along the famous beach board walk, Bali's first expat resort town established in the 1930's. Stop in at Hyatt Reef Izakaya (a few restaurants north of the Bali Hyatt Hotel) for lunch or dinner and enjoy freshly grilled mahi mahi or prawns caught that day.
5. Canggu: Enjoy yet again more continental surfer vibe at Echo Beach House on the glistening black sand of Echo Beach. This is a great home base to explore rivers coming down from the mountains, pick out your favorite beach front villa and again watch great local and world class surfers do their thing. Sunday afternoons have a fun party atmosphere with live music and a standing room only crowd so get there before five. Nearby Sea Sentosa also does movies on the beach every weekend through September.
Expect the unexpected…
Going with the flow is an absolute must have attitude on an island like Bali which I often describe as the land of juxtaposition:
Infinite beauty struggling with the ignorance of pollution, breathtaking tranquility along side thousands of motorbikes and an unbelievable commitment to tradition in the midst of an unstoppable construction boom.
This has been a most memorable year for me: ups and downs like any year coupled with the struggle of raising two children instead of one perfect son and the aftermath of an economy that twisted our arms into making a life altering lifestyle change – a journey that hasn't always been easy but of which I'm grateful for as my year abroad in Europe as a teenager instilled the desire to have an international experience with my own children.
Take my birthday for example – movie night at the jaw dropping Karma Kandara resort where a cliff side lift takes you all the way down the sheer mountain from the restaurant to the beach.
'Date Night' with Tina Fey was on the menu, but upon arrival we were faced with 'Tooth Fairy' starring The Rock – a movie that I wouldn't wish upon my own worst enemy's birthday, but alas…
Vodka martini in hand, fig and proscuitto pizza on the table, best friend of 18 years by my side and "one of our perfect sons" dancing in delight on a sand dune under the tangerine sky made up for the mix up.
A little something for everyone…
Bali is a fantastic destination for a family vacation, but sometimes the kids (and the adults!) may need a break from sun and surf, temple visits and nasi goreng.
Located near the trendy Canggu and Seminyak areas of the island, the Canggu Club is a private colonial style venue featuring some of the best amenities on the island.
For $75/day or $400 for a full week, the entire family can enjoy all the activities and onsite amenities of this private club.
They have the best gym I have seen on the island with a full time trainer on hand to help re-introduce you to the machines and free weights if you're rusty like me and haven't had a proper workout in awhile.
For the kids, you'll find a staffed toddler's room where the little ones can color or watch a movie. For the older ones, the club regularly features organized lessons and mini-camps on their world class soccer field, indoor tennis courts, and 25 meter swimming pool.
The food is great and actually quite reasonable with a snack menu starting at just Rp 20,000 (about US$2) with favorites such as edimame with rock salt and "after school mini burgers."
Happy hour isn't too bad either at the poolside bar or inside Tapper's Pub.
On a road to somewhere yummy…
Get your rice paddy fix as well as a good meal in a very eclectic setting on the road to Sari Organik restaurant in Ubud.
Located almost directly across the street from Jalan Bisma, this delightfully well maintained path leads you along a Disneyland-esque stroll through rice paddies and coconut tree groves, working farmers and playful ducks doing their thing walking in a row or splashing in the mud.
Originally developed as a community project to help Balinese farmers learn about non-chemical farming, the trail provides little recycling bins, a small compost area and rubbish bins made from reclaimed basketball hoops.
I'd tell you, but I'd have to…
I promise, I was going to tell you exactly how to find what is in my opinion Bali's most pristine white sand beach…
But, a little mystery goes a long way and I think you'll have fun trying to find this very special place on your own.
Hint: Start by exploring the island's most southern tip and be prepared for a really good workout.
live well…love much…laugh often
Whether you're planning a fun getaway with the girls or a much needed escape from stressed out mom-dom, Bali is a nourishing hotspot for soul, mind and body.
The epitome of spa culture, you can't visit Bali without indulging in several spa treatments as there seems to be one or two or three on every corner.
An expat friend turned me on to the Japanese inspired creambath, a delicious hour long deep conditioning hair treatment that involves lots of scalp and shoulder massage. (Warning: You may be asking me about long term house rentals after this one.)
It's fun to find your own favorite spot, but for starters try Sanur's classic oceanfront resort Tandjung Sari which offers a lush & traditional Balinese setting. The 2.5 hour full body massage, scrub and creambath for US$100 is a winner.
Self described foot pamperologists, Fabulously Feet, recently opened in a fun, contemporary venue set beneath a sea of brightly hued paper lanterns, an eye popping candy bar and hot pink nanopods featuring Punjabi Lounge music.
For time on the mat and a view of vibrant jade green rice paddies, head to the Yoga Barn in downtown Ubud. In trendy Canguu, a must see is the open air studio at the Desa Seni eco-village. Both offer authentic and restorative environments offering a variety of practices as well as meditation and let loose creative dance.
As for eating well, Bali is an amazingly self sustainable island: watermelons, strawberries, beautiful lettuces, herbs and greens of all kinds grow in abundance here almost all year long.
Juicing is a very common feature on almost every menu with fresh fruit, vegetable and specialty cleansing drinks available morning, noon and night. My favorite, the detox me, is infused with mint, lemon and aloe vera all grown by the Swedish inspired Cafe Smorgas in Sanur.
Of course, the signature passion fruit martini at Metis Restaurant is also chock full of good for you antioxidants and rounds out any Bali based wellness program.
Shopping Strategy: Part I
My girlfriend from Singapore was just here for two whirlwind days to get a taste of the best that Bali has to offer.
March is a fantastic time to explore Bali as the island is quiet: you have the beaches and shops all to yourself. The only downside is that it's HOT, so you need a savvy strategy to get the most out of your time without melting.
First, hire a driver ($45/12 hours) to drop you at the Bali Deli, the perfect place to grab a cool drink and to enjoy a bit of air con in the gourmet market. The Deli is located on Jalan Kunti right across the street from the Indian raja-inspired Prana Spa.
Right next door you'll find Periplus Bookstore; Indonesia's version of Barnes & Noble with international magazines galore, local guidebooks and several Bali based novels including Janet de Neefe's cooking odyssey, Fragrant Rice. Pick up a copy of The Yak, Bali's leading "it" magazine to read the latest interviews and insight into the island's happening people and trends.
From Periplus, turn right along the shady side of the sidewalk into Uma and Leopold, one of Bali's leading fashion brands. I found the perfect short white sundress with a bright Mexican inspired trim and Tania found a superbly fitting full lengh black strapless number topped off with a simple handmade lace trim.
Right around the corner from Uma and Leopold you'll find Word of Mouth and just as a warning, you may not want to leave. Offering a cafe~shopping~lifestyle concept that is not only seductive but follows through with one of a kind pieces that include floor to ceiling ceramic lighting sculptures, oversized metallic bean bags, plexiglass benches, featherweight silk dresses, Dr. Suess pop-up books, chunky burnished gold jewelry and a groovy electro-indie soundtrack to keep you browsing.
Next, stumble into 7 Pers owned by Johnny Widiana who is the force of nature behind some of the most incredible statement jewelry pieces on the island. He creates super sized glass resin northern European inspired necklaces as well as large than life "ghetto fab" metal masterpieces. Johnny is making a name for himself in the UK and Australia and his work is consistently featured in Elle Indonesia.
Apres shopping, head back to Prana Spa for the classic chill, a reflexology treatment that starts with your feet and ankles and ends with your neck and shoulders. In typical Bali fashion, this top notch treatment and setting will only set you back a cool US$15.
