What to Expect at a Bali Holiday Retreat

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bali retreat

If you are feeling tired and frazzled it might be time to go on a Bali holiday retreat. Retreats are not like your normal holiday, where you try to cram as much sightseeing and fun into the time you have as possible. The result is that you often get home more tired than when you went and feel the need of another holiday to recover.

When you book into a holiday retreat, you don’t go sightseeing or have extreme – and dangerous – fun. Although you can if you want to.  But you don’t spend most of the nights partying on the beach or at a nightclub. And you don’t walk your feet off trying to see as much as possible.  Retreats are meant to be a time of rest and relaxation, although they are not all the same, and some may offer different forms of relaxation or even entertainment.

A retreat is more like a day spa, only you can book it for longer than a day – times vary. Some offer different packages of a certain lengths of time. You can also book different things to do while you are there, such as having a massage or lots of beauty treatments.  The whole idea is for you to leave feeling relaxed and refreshed, ready to take on the battles of life once again.

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Brazilian MMA Fighter Dies in Bali

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MMA Fighter

A Brazilian MMA fighter and instructor has died in Bali following a late night motorbike accident. The incident happened on Pantai Berawa in the greater Canggu area on Bali’s West Coast on Monday, December 5, 2016. Silvio Romero da Silva was the owner of a martial arts studio in Bali where he was an instructor. He was riding … Read more

Have Fun in Nusa Lembongan

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Fun in Nusa Lembongan

Want to see some spectacular views from the water? After you’ve found your Bali Villas accommodation and unpacked, going on a cruise will be the ideal activity to introduce you to the wonderful world of Bali, especially if you have never been before. When working out where to go and what to see before you even leave Australia, consider booking a cruise or two in between more vigorous activity. This gives you time to rest up without wasting a single minute of your holiday. Here are just two of the cruises available in Bali – there are many more.

Lembongan Beach Club Day Cruise

A family ticket includes 2 adults and up to 3 children, but they must be between the ages of 4-14. A luxury catamaran will take you to Nusa Lembongan where you will transfer to Mushroom Bay and the peaceful tropical island where the private Beach Club is. You can relax on hammocks in the gardens, or if that sounds a bit boring, why not go snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing or scuba diving to mention just a few of the activities available. A fully supervised kids club will allow parents to rest, or enjoy themselves while knowing that their children are in good hands and having lots of fun.

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Deus 9ft & Single 2016

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deus 9ft single 2016

Harrison Roach won the Deus 9ft and Single 2016 event with a spectacular longboarding display on perfect Canggu right handers – with a cleared lineup.

The Deus 9ft & Single event gathers longboarders from everywhere joined together by local Bali surfers and Deus disciples. Men, women, shapers, hipsters and outsiders – are all there to have fun.

The Board criteria for the event is a ‘Log’ ie: traditional style – no performance boards and minimum length is nine-foot with a minimum weight of 5.5 kg. Single fins only. No side fins (in or out). No leashes.

The event is all about the celebration of traditional logging, interpreted by the contestants on hand. It’s about Style, Power, Grace and Footwork. It’s also about creativity, inspiration and enthusiasm.

Judges were looking for the ultimate logging formula and the final had Harrison Roach, Josh Constable, Jye Byrnes, and Jared Mell. Harrison Roach delivered fin-first takeoffs, beautiful nose riding, grab-rail carves, critical wave positioning, stylish cross stepping, and some nice clean barrels.

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Kiane Sabet – Amokrane Dead

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Kiane 'Amokrane ' Sabet

Canggu Bali resident and French national Kiane Sabet aka ‘Amokrane’ was shot by police after attacking and fatally stabbing one of the police officers from the North Kuta Police force, identified as Anak Agung Putu Sudi.

On Facebook a post from someone who says ‘I lived in the same region as this guy – Canggu Bali for a couple of years. Complete nut case. Many people I know had scary confrontations with him in the last couple of years. Banned from most of the gyms in Bali”.

Kiane Sabet Amokrane - BaliHe also went on to say, “I read a book by Kate Kray (ex-wife of prolific London gangster Ronnie Kray) a couple of years ago called “Ultimate Hard Bastards – The truth about the toughest men in the World” that he was featured in under his real name Kiane Sabet – along with the likes of ex-IRA soldier Johnny Adair, Britain’s most notorious high security prisoner Charles Bronson, Albert Reading and one of the UK’s most violent members of the underworld, Roy ‘Pretty Boy’ Shaw.”

“In the book he comes off as being a pretty normal type of guy – not crazy – but every time I ran into him in the last few years he was yelling absolutely crazy shit and kept repeating that he was Jesus Christ” – then commented “not sure what happened in between – but I also read that the police in London had petitioned to have him banned from all licensed premises due to the violence at several venues where he was in charge of security. I have read lots of posts on FB in Bali community groups today & yesterday where bleeding hearts are saying he was harmless. Pig’s ass he was. Any sympathy should be kept for the poor copper & his family”.

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The Spa Haven of Bali

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This article expresses some of the most pleasantly and even heavenly Spas of the Island of Bali in Indonesia:

  • The Karma Spa, Karma Kandara: is renowned for its scenic beauty close to the Indian Ocean. This spa consists of luxe huts that are sublime and rustic and a seductively laid infrared detox sauna. This spa is lifted to an even more higher vibration with its therapeutic massages, celebrity oxygen facials and healing reiki included into their GMO Free Treatments- dedicatedly provided by their anatomy trained Body Workers.
  • The Spa at Sentosa is set in one of the best boutique hotels of Seminyak. The Treatments Menu comprises of holistic, beauty, juice cleaners, wellness, a fitness centre, and a medical spa. This is one of the few spas of Bali devoted to healing all areas of wellness.
  • Healing Village Spa at 4 Seasons, Jimbaran Bay is a beachside garden spa located at one of Bali’s established resorts. This spa is noteworthy of its night fire yoga, cleansing ceremonies & kundalini crystal healing. This spa has also integrated the ‘Pure TDA Facial’, the machine based facial which provides lasting results with supercharged bio- active ingredients.
  • The Spa Alila, Alila Soori: It is an attractive spa made up of a modernist sanctuary made of local charcoal volcanic stone. The facilities comprise of heated terrazzo beds, rain showers and sunken baths. There are distinctive Asian therapies performed at dim lit sultry rooms and also produces a set of spa products to take away home.

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Buying Balinese Furniture the Easy Way

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Balinese Furniture

When you go to Bali for a holiday you will see many lovely things to buy for gifts or for yourself. However, there is a limit to what you can carry home in a suitcase, so you may be disappointed that something like some lovely wicker furniture had to be left behind. Of course, you can arrange to have it freighted, but there will be an additional cost and the time spent in getting it through customs may be longer than you want.

After all, you’ve gone there for a holiday, not to waste a whole day getting something shipped to your home. Bali has some beautiful boat wood furniture that will look lovely in your garden, but you can avoid all the hassles of arranging for freighting – and picking it up off the dock at home – by simply buying your goods from a furniture store that imports Bali or Indonesian furniture.

Being disappointed because you can’t take home something you really want unless you waste a lot of your precious holiday time, can easily be avoided in this way. It’s good to take a photo of it so you don’t forget what it looks like when you get back home. Then it is more likely that you’ll find the same or something very similar at the furniture store when you go shopping.

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The Best Places to Visit in Nusa Lembongan

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This Balinese island is no longer just a place you mark on your agenda for a day trip. It has become increasingly popular as a vacation destination and rightfully so! Just 20 kilometres off the southwest Bali coast, you’ll discover the island paradise of Nusa Lembongan. Excellent snorkelling, fantastic diving, uncrowded white sandy beaches, and world class surf make this the perfect destination. Here you can have the Bali experience without the hustle and bustle of the other tourists.

Don’t let the slow pace here fool you. There’s tons of things to see and do, depending on your interests. Relax on the beach from your villa from www.easybalivillas.com, go diving for manta rays, take a cliff top walk, explore the mangrove forests, visit the Hindu temples, or check out the seaweed farms. Be sure to enjoy the stunning sunsets that are ready to astound you.

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Clay Marzo Surfing

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Not even shot in Bali, but it’s worth publishing anywhere! Song Credit- Metallica, Fade to Black, Edited By Kieran Clark, Filmed By John Barton

Bali 9ft & Single Surf Comp 2014

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From Deus ex Machina The Deus ex Machina 9ft and Single event for 2014 was held at the Canggu / Pererenan river mouth right hand break featuring some World class longboarders and a bunch of local ex-pats. The competitors all rode 60’s inspired single fins and showed how much style they all had with beautiful … Read more

3 Best Beach Clubs in Bali

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Just like there are endless experiences to be had in Bali, there are also endless beach clubs to choose from. We have made the job easier for you by showcasing our top three.

Karma Beach Bali

If you are seeking an exclusive beach, hidden from the hustle and bustle of Bali then Karma Beach Club with its ‘secret’ location is a must on your destination list. Karma Beach is nestled at the foot of a cliff with great accommodation options available from www.luxury-villas-bali.net and surrounded by pristine white sand and a sparkling blue lagoon. Getting to the beach club is half the fun, you can either jump aboard the memorable funicular ride which gravitates down 85 metres of sheer cliff face or there is a set of beach stairs for those wanting to experience the local flora and fauna. The well-stocked oyster bar of this Aegean Sea inspired club serves us gourmet pizza, tapas along with a fine selection of quality liquors, champagne and beer. The white stretch of beach with calm waters make it great for kids, for mum and dad can lounge in one of the plush armchairs while keeping an eye on the kids as they play.

Opening Hours: 09:00 – 01:00

Location: Karma Kandara Resort, Jalan Villa Kandara, Banjar Wijaya Kusuma, Ungasan

Paon Beachclub

Pack the kids, the frisbee and your sense of play and head for Paon Beach Club. The core of this club revolves around beach activities and was designed with families in mind. The long pool and lush beachside lawn is ideal for fun family activities where kids can run, play and swim till their hearts content. Translating to ‘Kitchen’ in Balinese, Paon offers a fabulous selection of international cuisine and authentic Indonesian dishes which cater for all tastes and ages.

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4 Best Surfing Spots in Bali for Experts

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Here are 4 of our all-time favourite surfing spots in Bali.

Impossibles (Intermediate – Advanced)

Easy Villas provides this surf report for Impossibles. Overlooked by cliff-top hotels and Bali villas, this place is known for its speed, Impossibles gets its name because it is almost impossible to get around the sections during smaller swells. The beauty about Impossibles is that it is such a huge stretch of reef that there are a few different launching spots, meaning that it virtually never gets crowded. On a good day this wave is known to be long and fast, reaching heights of 5ft and over. If it’s peace, solitude and a long ride that you seek then the Impossibles should be on your hit list.

Keramas Beach (Intermediate-Expert)

Located passed Sanur in the direction of Gianyar this once secret surf haven is now one of the most popular surfing hubs in Bali. Renowned for its big swell and epic reef break, Keramas promises world-class waves to those who hit the water early, as after 7am the onshore winds can possibly affect the barrel. Sections of the reef break are shallow and Keramas is reserved for only those who can ride confidently.

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4 Best Seminyak Restaurants

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Here are our top 4 favourite restaurants in Seminyak at this time. If you have chosen to stay in a luxury villa in Seminyak, then these are a few of you go-to restaurants to check out.

Sarong

This Asian influenced  dining establishment has become one of the most sought out restaurants in Seminyak.The combined restaurant and cocktail lounge takes traditional Asian street food to a new level, inviting guests on  a journey of taste sensations across Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, and Korea all with a hint of  Balinese flair. The food is consistently great, and Sarong prides themselves in serving up only quality food that is authentic, fresh and locally sourced.

Location:19x Jalan Petitenget, Kerobokan, Bali

Motel Mexicola

With a vibe that is both  relaxed and friendly,  this colourful Mexican restaurant creates home-style  meals that are made for sharing with friends and family over a few laughs and jugs of margaritas. The décor is vibrant with a dash of colourful Mexican kitsch, it’s a home away from home where tacos, empanadas, quesadillas ,tequila and margaritas are abundantly and cheerfully dished out.

Location: Jalan Kayujati 9x Petitenget

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2014 Bali Masters AFL Championship

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The swanky Canggu Club in on the west coast of Bali has just played host to the 2014 Bali Masters Australian Rules Championships.

Twenty three teams from across Asia and Australia lined up against each other on the specially modified grounds of the pristine Canggu Club in Bali.

Running from early Friday 7th until Saturday night of the 6th June, and with a minimum age of 35 years, the emphasis is on fun and friendship rather than hardcore footy. All the teams however, still competed with as much spirit as their old bodies could muster resulting in the need for as many ice packs as ice cold bintangs.

Standout teams this year were the Jakarta Bintangs, Dubai Dingoes, Darwin Waratahs and Audo United.

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Drifter Surf – Coolest Surf Shop in Bali?

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drifter surf

The Drifter Surf Shop is one of my favourite shops in Bali. Whether you are looking for a Dick Van Stralen quad or a Channel Islands board, maybe an ultra-cool Patagonia backpack, Speargun or GoPro, Drifter has a wide and interesting array of surf and water related products set in an ultra cool, retro space in … Read more

Are all Bali DJs Created Equal?

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Bali DJ

You may think that one DJ is just as good as any other when it comes to hiring your wedding DJ, but this is not so. A DJ who plays at weddings must have different skills from one that simply spins decks at the local pub on Saturday night for fun. Not all DJs are really good at putting people at their ease and helping them to have a good time.

The Saturday evening DJ does not need those kinds of skills because people are there to drink as much as dance and that in itself tends to relax them. They know what to expect as far as closing time, so the DJ doesn’t have to remind them of that. And the pub crowd are nearly always within a certain age group who know how to have fun, while a wedding guest list can comprise people from all age groups and many different walks of life.

This means the DJ who plays for weddings needs to be able to relate to people of all ages, not just the younger age group.  They should be able to relate to the older generation which is often invited to a wedding, but rarely go out to the pub and club scene. These people have different expectations of what happens at a wedding reception and they may be staid and old fashioned.

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Bali Attractions Include Recreational Drugs

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recreational drugs bali

When it comes to visiting Bali we hear a lot about the sun and surf, but there are other less conventional attractions that bring people to Bali and they include recreational drugs such as ‘magic mushrooms,’ cocaine and marijuana.

Early on the local authorities were either not aware of the drug tourist market or they chose to ignore it. Today, the government ranks among the toughest around for illegal drugs. It doesn’t even have to be “hard drugs”. All illegal drugs seemed to be viewed with the same contempt.

A British woman is facing the death penalty in Bali relating to a drug charge where she is being accused of possessing cocaine for trafficking. Mrs. Sanford denies the charges, but  if she is found guilty, she may get the death penalty or at least 20 years in the primitive Kerobokan jail (which could be classed as the equivalent of 40 years in many normal Western located jail.

So if a vacation to Bali is appealing to you because you want to party and there is an availability of recreational drugs, you may just want to keep the penalties in mind before par-taking. Recreational drugs are illegal and the penalties can be fatal!

If street-sellers’ offer you drugs, they could very likely be police informants and sometimes the drugs aren’t the slightest bit pure and can be mixed with cheap and dangerous substitutes. If you are arrested for drug use and drug possession, you will be detained by police for an undetermined period.

That doesn’t seem to be enough of a warning for some people who are looking for a fun-filled getaway in Bali. If you are thinking about doing some ecstasy or smoking some pot on your next Bali holiday, it’s a good idea to think again. It might be that you are seeking ‘an escape’, but you really are asking for trouble.

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Do You Want to Get Your Vagina Smoked? Then Come to Bali

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vagina smoking

How would you like to have your vagina smoked like a high class Javanese woman? If you do not know what we are talking about, it is time you did! Indonesia has an entire beauty industry that has grown around intimate care.

Javanese women of the upper class participate in pre-wedding event that takes 6 days and it involves Asmaragama or love massage, Kendedes or vagina smoking or fogging. Vagina spas also called VG spas and V spas boomed throughout Indonesia and can be found in some of the upscale spas in Bali.

This industry flourished thanks to a mix of folk tales, seduction hygiene, intrigue and smart business savviness. In addition, Asian women believe if you want to have great sex and keep your husband you need to have a tight vagina, accomplished with a special blend of herbs called ‘jamu.’ This Javanese tradition has been turned into an expensive ritual that now extends into a market that’s far reaching beyond Javanese women.

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