An Evening on the Wild Side
The first Chaîne de Rôtisseurs Bailliage de Bali event of 2016 had all the ingredients of a very memorable event for those who were lucky enough to secure one of the forty privileged places. A millionaires’ stunning private beachfront home. An ambitious, adventurous and “wild” menu. Unique regional wines, specially couriered from the Woodlands Winery
Ubud’s First Family of Royal Indokrupuk
Last month, representatives from Ubud’s Rent-a-prince and Gay Rotary Ubud community, all gathered at Ibah Warwick, the Kerthyasa-owned hotel, for a blessing ceremony for the wedding of Tjok Sri Maya Kerthyasa and her Australian husband Marcus Tesoriero. ‘Indokrupuk’ means mixed blood or half-caste. It is my favourite word in the Indonesian (slang) language, because so
Bogan Heroes
To be fair, however, it’s hard to justify the constant Facebook shrieking — by the West Coast Expat herbal suffragettes, lead by Conan the Librarian (Susi Johnston) — about environmental degradation, street crimes and pollution when the expat C.U.B. (Cashed Up Bogans) themselves are responsible for some pretty irresponsible and illegal development, particularly along the
A Decadent End To 2015
“If music be the food of love – play on” William Shakespeare Twelfth Night, Act 1, Scene 1
Peliatan Style
A lifetime achievement award also went to Milo for services to batik, the Baris Cina troupe of Renon for trance-wear and Janet De Neefe, for services to bulletproof white corsettes.
The Brahmans are Coming
Will it eventually be like Hindu India, where the Brahmans now rule the roost and control the land deals; the ksatria having disappeared up their collective bottoms and down their perfume bottles decades ago? So many princely houses have folded lately — sold due to gambling debts, or just deserted under the weight of the
Bali’s Wild Side
I have been documenting Bali for 40 years now — writing this column for almost 25 years — and I am sick of trying to explain the irrational. People often ask me why the Balinese are always flailing about and pulling the heads off chickens and I always feel like answering ‘Because you’re a twit’. I
It’s A Family Affair…
For the very first time, the Indonesian Chaine Bailliage organized an event where children could also come along to enjoy a gourmet meal and socialize with other future generations of Chaine members wearing their best outfits! As usually happens when organizing an event, there was last-minute chaos! And this time, because of the long weekend,
Bali Tourism at the Crossroads?
Amongst the plethora of fake festivals, with all their padding and pyrotechnics, there is sometimes a quite purely authentic Balinese ceremony; it is to these that I am drawn, like an old diehard moth to a pre-mass tourism lantern. 20 September 2015 There is an odd article on the front page of today’s Bali Post
Sunday Brunch À LA CHAÎNE
Bali’s food aficionados will know that Bali has a very active branch of La Chaîne des Rotisseurs. For those unfamiliar with the “Chaîne,” La Confrérie de la des Rôtisseurs is an international gastronomic society which was founded in Paris in 1950. The Chaîne is based on the traditions and practices of the old French royal
Bali Has Soul
Minutes later I find myself in front of a trio of flouncing lady-boy trancees who are welcoming the mighty god of the mask of the Topeng SIdakarya Sudha into their temple. The gamelan is clanging, the exquisite temple forecourt is packed and the sun is shining in on the woven penjor banners fluttering above. Last
Association Mondiale De La Gastronomie
A global community whose focus is brotherhood, friendship, camaraderie and sharing a passion for the culinary arts The written history of the guild of “Les Oyers” or “Goose Roasters” has been traced back to the year 1248. At that time King Louis IX, assigned Étienne Boileau, the Provost of Paris, with the task of bringing
Luncheon at W Bali on Saturday, June 27
It was one of those beautiful Bali days; sunny with a nice cool breeze coming from the sea, carried over from neighboring countries to the south where it’s winter at the moment. This is my favourite season of the year. It’s also the start of high season in Bali so the island is dotted with
