All Things Bali
Check out my Bali top tips: Read More »
GRAND PINISI BOAT LAUNCH
Four weeks ago, we cruised into the boatbuilding village of Sangeang Wera in northeast Sumbawa and saw this almost-completed pinisi cargo boat on the beach. The boatbuilders told us the launch would take place on 17th May, so we decided to come back to watch the event. Read More »
THE HERONS OF PETULU
Every day in the late afternoon, a remarkable, natural phenomenon occurs in the tiny Balinese village of Petulu (five kilometres north of Ubud), as thousands of white herons fly in to roost for the night. Read More »
The Nutmeg Islands
When I was a little girl, my mother used to make this old-fashioned yogurt-like pudding called junket. She would liberally sprinkle the top with ground nutmeg, claiming it was a good remedy for an upset stomach. My mother also used nutmeg whenever she baked apple-pie or potato gratin, and she’d sometimes add it to soups, stews, sauces, and drinks including eggnog. I remember her telling me it was her favourite spice because of its extraordinary history, assuring me, “It was once more valuable than gold,” and “it was believed to have been a cure for the bubonic plague.” She told me that it came from some obscure tropical islands on the other side of the world… Read More »
The Bali Starling
It was well worth getting up at 5am and taking a sunrise boat ride to see these beautiful Bali Starlings (a critically endangered species, endemic to Bali) flying free in West Bali National Park. Read More »
LIGHTSHOW IN KL
I recently relished this awesome view from the laser-lit Sky Bar at Traders Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Read More »
Historical, Colourful, Wonderful Malacca
After a trip to Bali, my good chum Fiona was flying home via Kuala Lumpur and suggested I join her for a four-day stopover. Well, if you ask me to recommend a must-see place for a first-time visitor to Malaysia, it has to be Malacca, which is just a couple of hours by bus from KL. Once a flourishing centre of trade along the great spice route, this fascinating city – now listed as a UNESCO world heritage site – first won my heart about three years ago, and was such a joy to revisit. Read More »
OGOH OGOH
Nyepi is Bali’s mysterious and magical ‘Day of Silence’. The night before, however, which is known as Pengrupukan, is anything but silent. Read More »
WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR NYEPI?
Ahhhh Nyepi. As Bali’s day of silence approaches, it becomes a topic of conversation.
“What are you doing for Nyepi?”
“I’m not doing anything. Isn’t that what it’s all about?” Read More »
New Zealand for Christmas
I think perhaps I’ll never see
a more magnificent a tree
than the pohutukawa on display,
with gorgeous blooms on Christmas Day Read More »
Law Evaders in Lombok
This was a funny scene in Lombok last Tuesday morning. As we headed out of Senggigi, we passed a load of motorcycles and vehicles parked up at the side of the main road, their disconcerted-looking drivers sitting around as if they were waiting for something, while others were making rapid turnarounds. Immediately around the corner, we found out what it was all about – Read More »
Roadtrip through Lombok and Sumbawa
Just got back from a week touring Lombok and Sumbawa on a trusty Honda Tiger… Read More »
Column 3
Fusce sit amet porttitor leo. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Quisque interdum, nulla sit amet varius dignissim, justo nibh lobortis urna, commodo vehicula sem tellus non quam. Vestibulum pretium risus eget tellus blandit mollis. View More »
Advertising
Blog
- Braving it out in Bali 13 April, 2020 by Rachel
- Villa Iseh 22 March, 2020 by Rachel
- A DAY AT THE RACES 14 August, 2016 by Rachel
- Awestruck in Kalimantan 09 March, 2016 by Rachel
