HOME IS WHERE I WANT TO BE
MUDIK - The Annual Indonesian Phenomena at the End of Ramadan The presence of hundreds of thousands of dedicated Javanese workers – seasonal migrant laborers, skilled workers, right up to professionals – in Bali undoubtedly boosts the economy and…
Adat - Handling the Double Edged Sword
originally published in the Jakarta Post's supplement, Bali Daily as part of a 'conversation' between Made Wijaya, Diana Darling, and myself under the title of "I Love Bali - Handling the DOuble Edged Sword of Adat" Adat is a double edged sword. On…
PARASIT DI “PARADISE"
Senja di persimpangan bundaran jalan arterial kawasan Kuta itu sedemikian ruwet sehingga mudah memahami kenapa julukan “Simpang-Siur” sudah lengket dari tahun ke tahun. Disini hampir setiap saat rame, dan sinar lampu stop-an merah berarti ‘jalan’…
THE OTHER SIDE OF PARADISE
We walk through garish corridors haphazardly hung with children’s paintings. By local standards it’s a big house with a big kitchen, and although it’s on the edge of whatever is left of Denpasar’s ricefields, there is no garden. Ibu Putu Etiartini…
Bali’s Burden – Sharing the Load
These days when I look out my office window in the small town of Ubud, inanely voted ‘best city in Asia’ by Condé Nast, I can only see a kilometer long traffic jam. And even when I am not watching I hear engines rumbling and the sharp trill of the…