The artistic, cultural and spiritual heart of Bali for centuries, Ubud is serenely located up in the hills in lush jungle, surrounded by rice-paddies. Lined with galleries, cafés and craft shops, its narrow streets are a delight to wander. There’s no denying that Ubud has become increasingly commercial and its economy is more tourist-focused than ever. … Read more
Life in Bali is imbued with rituals – religious, spiritual and social; complicated and simple – from consulting the Balinese calendar to the daily offerings of incense and flowers made at Hindu and Buddhist temples. Which is why I learnt the art of making offerings in Ubud Every afternoon here at our home in Tumbak Bayuh, … Read more
The gamelan and its music had always intrigued me as a musician. I’ve always found the Indonesian ensemble of metallophones, xylophones, gongs, and various other instruments wonderful to listen to, but I had little idea as to how the hell they made that enchanting noise. Was there a score that the gamelan orchestra followed, I wondered. Were there … Read more
The gardens of our Balinese villa are so gorgeous, we decided to devote a whole photo gallery to them instead of including them in our ‘Home Away from Home in…’ post as we usually would. The location is so beautiful and our Balinese villa gardens so tranquil that even when we had to work it was a … Read more
Our home away from home in Bali is a breezy villa in lush tropical gardens on the edge of a rural village called Tumbak Bayuh, not far from Canggu and a long way from Kuta. Wedged between rice paddies and a football field, with a dog in the backyard, the only way our experience of … Read more