Joannes Rhino's Blog, page 20

Courtesy of Acqua Perla Spa

In Bali, there are many things to enjoy. There are fantastic beaches, spectacular sights, gourmet restaurants and exciting parties among others. I have been a resident in Bali for the last 5 years. While I had my share of the utterly enjoyable experiences that this remarkable place has to offer, I still need to work. Sometimes, even the sight of a majestic sunset on the beach is unable to get rid of the exhaustion that creeps over me after a hard day’s work. In such times, I find a trip to the spa does a lot of good.

This time, I decided to visit the Acqua Perla Spa at Seminyak. The spa offers an extensive range of treatments, each of which seemed equally interesting to me. After a lot of deliberation, I finally settled on the intriguing ritual named Detox and Revivify and booked a session for the next day. On my visit to the spa, I found the facilities to be quite good. There was even a gym along with Pilates and yoga classes. I made a point to come back for these facilities later.

As I prepared for the treatment, the attendant informed me that the course would be divided into two sessions. The first session involved the Journey Sensorial Hydrotrail Detox Therapy. The procedure did sound rather enchanting and romantic making me have high expectations. Suffice to say, the procedure did satisfy my initial expectations. This was followed by a Balinese Microcosm Massage which helped me relax. I realized how true the saying was: ‘Life is so much easier when you relax’.

This concluded the first session of the treatment. The second part started with a foot ritual. I had never realized before how much our feet is exposed to stress on a daily basis. The ritual eased the tension in my feet which felt much happier. It was followed by a Bali massage with scented herbs. The last part of the session was another intriguingly named Seven Chakra discs. The entire session helped clear up my body and spirit. I knew I was tired before I had entered the spa but this treatment showed how much tension had crept into my body. During the treatment, I was provided with healthy food and drinks along with something called Chi water. Either way, I felt more at peace with myself and the world after the treatment.

I decided to check out the other facilities before I left Acqua Perla at 66 before leaving. It is a good thing I did for I had almost missed out on a visit to the Resonance Chambers. Wrapped in a comfortable kimono, I entered the library type lounge. The music was soothing and I was served refreshments in no time. These chambers are meant to refresh the body at a molecular level with lighting sequences. My body felt like melted butter as I slid down on a cushion, closed my eyes and let the music wash over me. I recalled a Chinese proverb which I understood now: ‘Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.’
- www.sethlestath.com - 

Courtesy of NOW! Bali Magazine Featuring POD Chocolate Factory

Yummy, Adoring Experience
A beautiful and scenic place like Bali offers all kinds of spontaneous and adventurous things to do. So being open minded, flexible and deliberately seeking out new experiences here is a must, even if it means you have to go out of your comfort zone.
 After the roster of adrenalin-fuelled activities I’ve done recently, I felt the need to relax and catch my breath for a while so when my chocolate-obsessed bruv suggested a visit to Pod Chocolate Factory and Café, I thought, “Why not?” While Bali doesn’t immediately spring to mind when one thinks of world-class chocolate, I was curious to find out more about Pod Chocolate, their products and how they are made at their factory and café, which is located in the same grounds as an elephant park, near Sangeh Monkey Forest.
 So, there I was, with chocolate all over me! I had learned all about the chocolate making process and how the cocoa beans are harvested and processed to produce delicious organic chocolate. It all starts with a flower that usually takes up to six months to “pod” or become ripe. While I enjoyed learning about the entire process, I truly loved creating my own chocolates and adding flavours to them. It really is lovely to indulge in luxurious cocoa creations in the middle of the rainforest!
 Now, the highlight of my visit? Well, I had the chance to hug a honey bear! For many people, bears seem huge and scary, but trust me, to experience such a marvellous encounter as “hugging a honey” is something that you will cherish forever. I’ve never even imagined standing so close to this big, furry mammal, let alone giving one a hug! Honey bears are predators with long arms that can hold someone close. I must admit, as a huge fan of wilderness and animal shelters, this experience was truly unforgettable. The honey bear was extremely cute and adorable and I feel very fortunate to have been able to capture this moment.
 It really is a comforting experience to hug a bear and no wonder, since I believe that there is an “animal instinct” that we share with other mammals. Hugging a honey evokes a sense of serenity, calmness and confidence and – at least for a minute or two – existential angst melts away! Humans, like other mammals, sometimes have negative feelings and to be embraced and feel cherished triggers our brains to release neurotransmitters associated with well-being and pleasure, we make ourselves feel better and eliminate negative emotions.
 So… let’s see. Bungee jumping, Sky diving, completing a seven-day hike? Nah... I would much rather hug a honey bear. Pod Chocolate Factory is the only place in Bali that gives you the opportunity to try this wonderful activity. 
Are you still looking for bucket list activities? Check out this fantastic chocolate factory for something different. From exotic and magical views, incredible wildlife, delicious dishes, to historic sites, Bali appeals to tourists at every level. What is stopping you?

Courtesy of La Laguna beach Club

A Little Beautiful Place
I like to think that I am well acquainted with the popular places in Bali. Therefore, you can imagine my rude shock when my friend asked me if I had ever visited La Laguna Beach Club.
Therefore, I made the club my priority the next time I went to Bali. The path is a bit tricky but not impossible. There is a little dirt track that leads to the Berawa Beach and on that path I came across what seemed like a colorful village from a distance.
La Laguna Beach Club seems like a tiny nomadic village filled with quirky wood caravans and wagons. Each of them has been painted in bright colors. Together, they feel like a jumbled up colorful scene out of a gaudy painting but they seem to go well with the picture of the beach in the background. Trees and plants grow all over the place adding a deep hue of green to the already colorful place. It was a dizzying sight!
I was surprised to see that the actual restaurant and bar was much bigger than what I first thought. Of course, calling it a restaurant in the traditional sense is a bit of a stretch. The place is large and airy with windows painted with superb views of the beach. All around, there are small tables and cushions thrown over the ground. They are quite cozy places which makes the place all the more better. The scene was more than enough to make me feel comfortable all of a sudden
Then, I discovered the bridge. Yes, there is a wooden bridge that leads to the beach. It is a singularly photogenic place. I have yet to come across a bridge built near a beach.
I headed over the bar for a drink. The food menu is by no means extensive but the food was delicious. I grabbed a bottle of beer and began to chat with one of the servers. I came to know that La Laguna was created by the same people responsible for La Favela and La Plancha, two other popular hangouts in Bali. The bar was just as kitschy and lovely as the rest of the place. Colorful bottles and glasses decorated the bar. A random assortment of chairs in different colors and styles made up the seating arrangements.
Altogether, it seemed that the designs and arrangements were random. At first, it seems as if everything was simply out together without any sense of order. However, there was beauty in this chaos and disarray. I found that in avoiding fixed patterns and design rules, the whole place became more fun.
As I walked out of the bar, I was greeted by a pair of geese. It was an adorable sight but then I saw something more beautiful. A few peacocks were lazing about on a tree. One word crossed my mind, ‘Beautiful!’ I cursed myself for not visiting this remarkable place before.
As the sun set, lights came on. Suddenly, the whole place became cozier and lovelier. Someone once said ‘There is beauty in chaos.’ Standing there, watching the La Laugna Beach Club in the rapidly darkening sky, I realized how true it was.
- www.sethlestath.com - Joannes RhinoFreelance Writer - Copywriter - Editor - Traveler 

A Surreal Dream of Dream Beach Nusa Lembongan

There is no shortage of beaches in Bali. Yet, there must be some magic at work here as every beach feels unique, a moment far better than the previous one. The Dream Beach in the Nusa Lembongan Island is no different.
I landed on the beach after a thoroughly enjoyable ride by speedboat from Sanur Beach located on the eastern coast of Bali. There is something rather thrilling about riding a speedboat over calm blue waters. On landing, I met a bunch of friendly locals, one of which graciously offered to take me to the beach on his moped taxi, a novel experience if you haven’t tried it before.
On reaching the beach, is realised how accurate the name is! In fact, dream does not even begin to cover the allure of this place! I walked down the soft sands warmed by the sun and whose colour reminded me of butter. As for the waters, I felt as if someone had painstakingly melted blue crystals and let it flow. The Dream Beach is everything I had dreamed of in a picture perfect beach.
It’s easy to have high expectations when a beach is named ‘Dream’ but the beauty of the place was far better than I could’ve ever imagined!
I walked around the beach lost in its tranquil beauty. Thankfully, there were fewer crowds here to disrupt my reverie. The seclusion of the beach casts a peaceful atmosphere over the place. As afternoon slowly approached, I made my way to the quaint Lumbung style huts that are often found in the Lombok island of Bali.
As soon as I rented a room, I returned to the beach. I felt magnetically drawn to the waters painted in blue and coral undertones and I surrendered any notion of escaping the pull exerted by this fantastic place.
On my way to the waters, I met a few locals who told me not to venture out too far due to the strong undercurrents. Taking heed of the advice, I kept close to the shore. A dive into the waters revealed a surprise waiting for me! I didn’t expect to come across such beautiful specimens of aquatic life so close to the shore. Thanks to the clarity of the waters, I did not even require any snorkelling gear whatsoever to enjoy this underwater sight.
The swim had left me a bit tired so I decided the best thing to do would be to simply lie down on the beach. I found myself a cosy spot a bit far from the crowds and sat down to watch the waves and feel the breeze. This, I felt, was a good way as any to enjoy a beach this marvellous.
Afterwards, I walked down to the small café on the beach for a few bites. I stopped by the beach to watch the magnificent sunset whose beauty left me in a daze. How many more surprises this beach can hold, I wondered. I didn’t have to wait for long. The only restaurant in the beach surprised me with a calamari dish that left me speechless!
As I dozed off in one of the traditional lumbung huts, I did not have to dream about beaches. After all, I had experienced the aptly named Dream Beach.
- www.sethlestath.com - 

Nyang Nyang Beach - The Secretive Beauty

There are innumerable beaches that have been called secret or hidden. Many of them are present in Bali itself. Unfortunately, these beaches rarely deserve that epithet, as I have discovered many times over the course of my travels. That is why it was a pleasant surprise to find that Nyang Nyang Beach in Bali is well deserving of the magical epithet of ‘hidden beach’.
Of course, there is a reason why the beach remains secluded and secretive even in an age where people carry the world’s maps on their smartphones. I discovered the reason myself as I reached Uluwatu. From the Uluwatu Temple, I had to walk a hundred meters and then hunt for the sign that said ‘Nyang Nyang Beach’. Beside the sign is a dirt track which I followed till I reached the edge of a cliff after waddling through fields. ‘Now’, I thought to myself, ‘comes the difficult part’. The difficult part, in this case, involved walking down a narrow and sometimes steep flight of stairs that leads to the beach.
If I needed any motivation to descend the 500 or so steps down to the beach, the sight of the beautiful waters and the lonely stretch of sand was enough for it.
In most days, you can count the number of people on the beach on one hand. I was lucky enough to be the only one on the beach, at least for the moment.
Nyang Nyang Beach is certainly a place of solitude. Aristotle once said that ‘Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god’. I wonder which one of them I was as I walked down the sandy sliver of the beach.
The feeling of being alone in such a picturesque spot is not depressing. Rather, I felt a lovely sense of peace washing over me. Of course, the beauty of the place helped. The blue of the water and the verdant green of the trees on the cliffs separated by the warm yellow hue of the sands is a sight to behold. The winds mixed the smell of the ocean with the scent of the trees creating an intoxicating perfume that made my day.
The absence of people made the beach seem all the more pristine and simple. In fact, that is what I came to love about the beach. The simplicity shines through the beach, the ocean and the reef. This is nature at its simplest and most beautiful like it was always meant to be.
I decided to indulge myself in a bit of surfing. The waves were strong and are definitely not meant for a novice. Nonetheless, surfing near an empty beach is a unique experience altogether.
I hoped to stay for the sunset but I realized that the journey back over the steps and the field would become difficult in the dark. Still, I stayed as long as I could. By the time I reached the top of the cliff, the sun was well on its way towards setting. The sight of that empty beach in the glorious sunset was beauty personified. No words exist to evoke the beauty of that moment!
It was the perfect end to the perfect day.
- www.sethlestath.com -

Green Bowl Beach - The Lonely Delight

Generally I tend not to give too much of importance to the so-called secret beaches. However, this is not to say that there are no secret beaches in the world anymore. Even in an overcrowded tourist destination such as Bali, I have found a few gems hidden away from the gaze of the mobs.
One of them is the Green Bowl Beach. It is downright spectacular! On the other hand, the beach never manages to attract a large crowd thanks to its remote location and the difficulty in reaching the spot. Earlier, the Bali Cliff Resort was located near this place but was demolished. This has kept the Green Bowl Beach off the tourists’ radar. For secluded beach lovers such as me, these conditions are a saving grace.
Unfortunately, it also meant finding the place was a rather difficult task even for experienced backpackers. From Jimbaran, I had to visit the Uluwatu Temple. I followed a convoluted path towards the entrance of the beach. Even though I had asked the locals for directions, I found myself consulting the map on more than one occasion.
The path led me to a derelict staircase surrounded by trees filled with monkeys. They seemed rather scary but did not hinder my descent towards the beach. After walking down what seemed like hundreds of stairs, I finally reached Green Bowl Beach.
Once glance at the beautiful panorama is all it took for me to forget all the troubles I had been through. All your pains will be worth that one look at this place. They say, ‘find a beautiful place to get lost’. For me, it was Green Bowl Beach.
It’s dangerous visiting the place during high tide when the waters reach the staircase. However, I reached the beach during the dying moments of the tide. As the low tide moved in, the waves began to recede like a curtain uncovering the magical sands of the beach.
During my stay at Green Bowl, I met only a handful of people, most of whom were surfers. Even at low tide, the waves were rather strong making them perfect for surfing. I thought to myself, ‘Why miss out on all the fun?’ While surfing, I realized two things. First, Green Bowl is one of the best surf spots in the region. Secondly, novices to the sport should never try surfing here. It’s quite risky so remain alert.Of course, there were other things on the beach clamouring for my attention. After a mental coin toss, I opted to explore the mysterious caves that dotted the beach first. The smell near the caves confirmed my assumption that they are filled with bats. Brave the dark to watch the beach from inside the caves. You will not be disappointed.The gigantic bulky cliffs stand like guardians over the butter coloured sands. At low tide, I discovered the reason behind the name for this beach. When the water level goes down, I noticed the rocks covered in green algae that shared their colour with the water. The sight of blue green waters is quite remarkable especially when you consider that the background was filled with forests and cliff sides.It was with a heavy heart I left Green Bowl Beach. I felt that I needed more time to truly appreciate the beauty of the place. Unfortunately, the beach is only useable during low tides which last for a few hours at the most.
- www.sethlestath.com - 

Courtesy of NOW! Bali Magazine Featuring Balian Beach

A Tranquil Escapade Sometimes, a break is what you need from the crowds in Bali. That is what I realized when I visited Kuta. I felt disheartened with the constant background din that comes with being in a crowded beach. There was this burning desire to get away from the madding crowd. That is why I jumped at the opportunity of visiting a secluded beach as soon as I heard about it from a local. Although, secluded may seem to bit of a stretch.
The beach in question was Balian Beach and it is on the same island as Kuta. Hiring a taxi, I prepared myself for a journey over 1.5 kilometres. Although the distance may not seem to be much, it felt to me as if hours had passed. I have the difficult and winding road conditions to thank for that.
So there I was looking at the lovely and quaint sight that Balian, a small village, greeted me. I decided right then to spend a night. After all, the place was peaceful. It wouldn’t be fair to say that the beach was empty. No, the place had people but not enough to make it seem crowded.
However, the crowds didn’t interest me. What I was interested in were the gorgeous waves that made me want to take out my surfboard. I decided to postpone surfing for a later time and instead take a walk. Being low tide, the local fishermen were busy casting their nets near the mouth of the river. There was something to be said about the grace that accompanied their movements, being perfected by daily practice. Moving on, I came across a stunning sight! Imagine palm trees and rice paddy fields swaying under the salty breeze.
I decided to call it a day and retire to one of the many accommodations available here. I opted for a room on the second floor in a beach house. The view of beach and the sea was fantastic!
The next day, I continued my explorations. I focused my efforts near the river having heard from a local that the place was good for swimming. The information was completely accurate and I had a good time swimming. It also seemed like the perfect place to wander about aimlessly which is exactly what I proceeded to do.
The Balian Beach is one of the best surfing spots I have come across in Bali. The waves are powerful and possess a long swell. It was a challenge but I was up for it. Thanks to the presence of the river mouth, the waves tend to have an A-frame. It made surfing all the more enjoyable. However, I was warned by locals never to surf or swim in the seas after spells of heavy rain or if the water seems murky. Bull sharks are common and are often found near the river mouth. Beware of these dangerous beasts.
As I watched the dusk settle over the beach, I felt reinvigorated and ready to brave the huge crowds and the party scenes in the rest of Bali. However, I think, that the true beauty of Bali lies in these spots. Of course, that just may be me. After all, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’.
- www.sethlestath.com -

Courtesy of Nyaman Villas

Nyaman Villas: The Tropical Paradise 
Astutely situated in the heart of Seminyak, Bali, the Nyaman villas are amongst the most exquisite habitats to spend an unforgettable holiday with family and friends. A suburban road surrounded by shady palm trees on either side, guides the way to the Nyaman residential neighbourhood. On passing the security quarters, a wooden driveway escorts the tourists to these elegant Bali villas.
The guests are warmly welcomed into an intriguing open-air lobby as the reception area. A wide passage on the right, guides the guests to the lovely Nyaman villas. These villas are located in the vicinity of renowned restaurants and fashion houses with the sea located at a nice walk able distance. Types of villas and their exquisite Interiors
The Nyaman group offers a variety of rental villas, ranging from a 2 bedrooms setup to 4, 6 and 8 bedrooms. These villas are designed and decorated in a manner to provide the equal standards and services as offered in a classic international private luxury villa. The interiors portray the spirit of Indonesia with an urban outlook. There are open living rooms with metropolitan settings and remarkably high ceilings, pre-fitted American style kitchens and swimming pools. Each of the bedrooms has a private semi open-air bathroom with a large dressing room. The villa buildings are accompanied with beautiful private gardens. The cozy and peaceful ambience of these villas beautifully bathes in sunlight by the help of huge bay windows that give the perfect view of the garden and the swimming pool. The other services offered
The Nyaman villas group offers airport transfers in air-conditioned cars with English speaking drivers. At the reception, guests can avail the facility of a local mobile phone with pre-saved important numbers. On arrival, they are served with welcome drinks and a basket of tropical fruits. Guests feel like being at home as the devoted staff members eagerly takes care of all their needs. Safety boxes are provided in each room in case of emergency. Daily housekeeping and laundry service maintains the high standards of cleanliness and order. In the mornings, guests wake up to a delightful American or a local Indonesian breakfast in the villa. Kid’s special menus like fresh cut fruits and vegetables are also present in the list. There are in-villa chefs, butler service, catering services, in-villa gala dinners on festivals and special occasions that make Nyaman villas worth visiting and the stay of their guests memorable. The multi-facet Nyaman Villas
Nyaman Villas is a paradise for both young and old. It can serve as the perfect intimate and secluded place for a couple on their honeymoon or a quiet place for old people who need peace of mind. At the same time, it can be an ideal fun place for a group of close friends or a big family vacation where they can laugh, play, cook, swim, watch movies and have fun together.Guests with infants, toddlers or kids equally enjoy their stay at Nyaman villas as there are numerous activities available for the kids to play around. They can exploit the free wifi or they can watch kid movies or play various games available in their villas. Specialized babysitting service is also offered to take care of children. It helps the parents with infants and toddlers to be at ease and have fun, enjoying their stay. Baby trolleys for taking the little ones on strolls, car seats to take baby on board and cots for baby napping can be easily availed by putting down a request for them at the reception.
Excellent place for both indoor and outdoor activities
Nyaman villas, Bali, offer a choice of both amazing indoor or scenic outdoor activities for its guests. Being indoors, one can start off his day at leisure. He can relax sitting in the well-groomed garden or cool himself off in the private swimming pool. Guests can loosen up and enjoy the in-villa massage and spa services or take up private yoga sessions for peace of mind, body and soul. A fully equipped DVD library and board games are at their disposal so they can have a great family time together watching movies, playing and having fun all day long. At night, guests can enjoy the BBQ facility with their loved ones in the garden, under the sky.Outdoors in Bali are equally fun may it be on the land or on the sea. Motorbikes, cars, rafting, surfing and site-seeing tours, can be reserved and rented from the reception to enjoy the core of Bali. At sea, one can enjoy fascinating cruises and boat rides to the nearby islands with white sandy beaches that are perfect for swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling and other clear sea activities. The apt location of the Nyaman villas facilitates its inmates to go around leisure walking to the nearby well known restaurants, shops and fashion boutiques. These places are well situated within a 200m radius from the Villas. A quick 200m walk further directs the inmates to the breath taking sea. Stay at Nyaman Villas: A tropical experience worth taking
Bali is world famous for its forested volcanic mountains, beautiful beaches, coral reefs, rich Indonesian culture, art, yoga and other meditation retreats. Being an integral part, Nyaman villas is the perfect spot for a tropical holiday in Bali. It has essence of all the elements that make Bali a celebrated tourist destination.

- Joannes Rhino -

Courtesy of Now! Bali Magazine Featuring Tegal Wangi Beach

Live life to the fullest

Every once in a while you need a getaway vacation to relax, enjoy and see what else the world has to offer apart from your usual daily routine. The trick for the vacation is the choice of destination, be it the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean or even the remote beaches in enchanting Islands. It matters a lot where you choose to enjoy your holidays.

So there I was, riding my motorbike heading to the entrance gate of Ayana Resort and Spa Bali, about 30 minutes from the airport, and continued along the countryside road to the right. A five minute drive led me to this so called Hidden Beach with its killer view. It is originally named Tegal Wangi Beach as it is located in Tegal Wangi Street, but I guess the backpacker community who found the place changed it to whatever they wanted it to be; Hidden Beach. However, since the post signs telling the location of the beach are everywhere, I don’t think to put a label as “Hidden” would be appropriate anymore.

It was almost 5pm when I got there, and I noticed a group of people (mostly Korean, Chinese or Japanese) lined up to take turn pre wedding shoot in the sideline of the cliff. I parked my motorbike in this huge parking space next to Pura Segara Temple. From where I stood, I could feel the ocean breeze greeted my face, and it was a good feeling. As I waltzed closer to the cliff… magnificent view! Clear blue water with curling waves hitting the beach down there. Hiked down was the only option. Fairly terrifying for the first timer, but actually it is quite easy once you get a hold of one rock to another. Well at least for me, because after all, I was just following the path that people do to travel down.

It was a perfect day to go to the beach. Gratitude to the man up there for this lovely day. All the sudden, I was surrounded by cliffs and white clean sand. If there was no pre wedding session near me, I would be like Tom hanks being isolated in ‘Cast Away’. I mean there are spots to fish not far from the beach. There are cozy rocks to lie down. There are small caves to hide you from the rain or sun. So basically, this beach provides shelter, food, and bed. So I said to myself, “Man, I could live here.” God must have spent a little bit more time on this beach.

This semi hidden beach has two ‘ocean Jacuzzis’ facing directly to the ocean wide as if welcoming to the glorious waves. Unfortunately, these beach basins are only available during low tide. It is impossible to see them when the high tide is on. It is dangerous and I wouldn’t recommend to hangout near or even stay inside the cave as the big waves will always hit the cave and suck everything back to the ocean in seconds! I have to warn you, big waves come and go quite often. Keep alert and be prepared.
When the sun began to set behind the western of horizon, new faces were popping up at the beach. That was my cue to hike back up to the cliff. Looking back at the hidden jewel beneath me, I realized that only a small number of locals were down there at the beach. It was hard for me to comprehend the fact that this beautiful site was unknown to even the locals, such amazing facts I got to learn. I must say that this trip was definitely worth it, and it goes without saying that it is one of those places that I will never tire of. I will definitely return not for the fun part of it but for the serenity the beach offered me. I will remain myself to revisit this beach in the morning.

On my way back to the parking lot, I stumbled on an Italian couple. Quick chat led to another thing, and next thing I realized the guy quoted something that stick in my head until now. “You can be the most beautiful person in the world that everybody sees light and rainbows when they look at you, but all of that doesn't even matter if you don't realize it.” Referring to what he said, I guess Tegal Wangi Beach realizes its beauty, allowing me and the visitors here something to be remembered for the rest of the day. 
- Joannes Rhino -

Courtesy of Now! Bali Magazine featuring Jenggala Keramik

Indulge Your Imagination with Art
One of the reasons I was inspired to come over to Bali was to soak in all of the knowledge I could regarding the fascinating Balinese culture. And as I went along visiting as many historical places as I could manage and talking to the indigenous people, it was brought to my attention to visit Jenggala Keramik.
 Jenggala Keramik is a ceramics warehouse where clay is given the utmost respect and treatment to create beautiful tableware and homeware pieces that many restaurants and homes all over Bali use. And as in the case of international tourists, the exquisitely handcrafted products are a beautiful gift for friends and family back home or keepsake to remind you of your own visit to Bali. 
For over thirty years the finest clay of its kind has been used to create beautiful products. Various techniques are employed like casting and throwing on a potter’s wheel but for the most part, all are handcrafted. The technique used depends on the intricacies of the product in question. A lot of time is given to the thought, design and quality control processes of each and every product. These ceramic Bali-inspired products are offered in a wide array of shapes and colours, in sets as well as in single pieces. A gallery with a wide inventory is right round the corner where anyone that wants to purchase a piece or two can go right ahead and do so. All of them are priced affordably and there are discounts and promotions available making the shopping experience worthwhile and interesting.
For the most part, my time at the Jenggala was spent participating in the ‘Paint a Pot’ programme, and I must say that it was time well spent indeed. It reminded me of all the fun I had making various homeware pieces out of soil with friends as I was a very little boy. The beauty of this programme is that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and sizes, as a group or as an individual. I am pretty sure that many kids preferably of three years plus get a kick out of creating something using their own hands. For adults, I believe that aside from being a fun way to spend time with friends and family, it is a very therapeutic activity.
Everyone is given a chance to come up with their own design and the staff are always there to lend a hand if needed. You are left to your own devices and you can create a mug, a bowl, a plate or whatever you like. Your pieces will be ready to collect after four or five days. Your creation can be embellished however you see fit as there are paints and glazes provided for you to use. And if anyone is interested in having a one-on-one class, that can also be arranged. All one needs to do is ask. 
Jenggala Keramik can cater to birthday and anniversary parties and if you’d rather watch than participate directly there is a viewing area from where you can observe the creative process in the studios. A small café is also available just a few steps away from the workshop; a great place to relax and catch one’s breath with a very good cup of coffee.
All in all, a visit to the Jenggala Keramik is an activity that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for not just a fun activity but also something that will draw them closer to Balinese history. You will be amazed to find out that you are actually gifted. See and witness how your hands perform magic!
 - Joannes Rhino -