Tom Talucci, has been a businessman, designer, philanthropist, advocate of eco-friendly lifestyle, and writer (he helps in the writing and editing of Kula, the Desa Seni publication) during the 18 years of his life in Bali. He may look content now as co-owner of Desa Seni Village Resort in Cangu. But after a convivial chat with him at his office –a traditional two-storey wooden house—we...

Would the Jagger-Hall marriage fare better had the wedding registry in Bali been properly taken care of?

After years of trying to get Mick Jagger to marry her, Jerry Hall, the Texas super model and long-time girlfriend of the notoriously licentious Rolling Stone, finally got what she deserved. 12 years into their relationship, Jagger relent. On December 1990, he flew Hall and their two children...

Celuk silver is entering a new era as it comes under threat from its own popularity.

Silversmithing in Bali is believed to be endorsed by the God Brahma himself. He endowed the craftsman clan, the Pande, with skills to adorn temples, palaces, kings and queens with silver artifacts. But the tourism industry is the one to thank for providing opportunity to make profit off the divine craftmanship.

Heartbreak is the hardest thing to get over. In Oongan, north of Denpasar, it stays for hundreds of years.

There’s a patch of land in Oongan, North Denpasar that bears bad luck to those who come there and act disrespectfully. Taman Lila Wulangun, as it is known by locals, is perched on top of a steep slope on the bank of Ayung river, overlooking the Oongan dam that connects the land and the...

A Visit That Lasts Forever, There’s nothing better than to get more than what you expect

No self respecting holiday maker would rely on bargains on their vacation. Indeed, the best of things is never about the price. Stories about the best trips has always been stories about value. It’s about something that will last long after the vacation ends. This is especially true with Astana Batu Belig,...

In a misguided exhibition of bravery, three young Balinese tried to make contact with the erratic spirit known as Wong Samar.

It was started innocently one night by a random discussion about the other world to which one of the three young participants, Nyoman (19), boasted a privilege access. His brassy assertion incited a challenge from Arya (21) to put the claim to a test.

Kadek (19), one of...

At the very core of life, there are surprises. I always believe so, and my belief is being reinvigorated on regular basis by the thriving Bali dining scene.

In fact, the beauty of the culinary journey in Bali, for me, is the surprises it has in store in almost every corner. This time I find one not too far off the corner of Jalan Petitenget and Jalan Batu Belig in Seminyak on a blistering...

New Year’s Eve is coming. Take Cover!

The government always seems to be the last to know what the people are doing. The lack of comprehension of the situation is exacerbated in regard to the ever changing dynamics among the young people of Bali.

The obvious example of this is a statement by an official from the Provincial Office of Religious Affair who spotted an emerging trend among youth...

To ensure the right solution for the increasingly unbearable traffic congestion in the Kuta roundabout, we go to the that majestic giant statue at the heart of the matter --and here is what he has to say.

Dear People of South Bali,

So I heard that the construction of the underpass that connects Sunset Road to the north of me with Nusa Dua By Pass in the south has finally been officiated. As much...

For the rest of the world, children are born clean like a blank paper. But in Bali, the inner demon in every one of us will one day turn them into,... punks.

A scene from the book of Kala Tattva where Kala --the Hindu god of the under world-- turns against his estranged parents, the lord Shiva and the goddess Uma, must have frightened the pants off the ancients. They naturally put together a...