i spy with my little eye

01 why nut

Across from the Puri Lukisan museum at Ubud, we extolled the virtues of modern Balinese décor in the newly opened Betel Nut bar and lounge. Odeck and Tarra – the creative heads behind Ary’s Warung – have obviously nailed the task of serving up things tasty yet very much “Ubud” to hungry travellers roaming the area. Enjoy the cool breeze in the cosy courtyard replete with a quaint carved-out rock fountain. During late hours, survey the classy wooden interiors of the indoor bar and its eye-catching mezzanine, adorned with aesthetic Balinese poleng cloths. Fully equipped with air conditioning, gone are the humid days of November.Among the Asian fare on offer, the chicken satay and the noodles are the main staples here. To quench your thirst, sip the virgin mojito concocted with healthy wheatgrass. Tasty vegetarian dishes are incorporated into the menu, but in our opinion the traditional dessert selection rules the roost, especially the wrapped banana with vanilla ice cream on the side. Next time we’re in Ubud, we’ll know exactly where to cool off after a gruelling round of sightseeing!

02 in good hands

A drive away from the Ubud market, we spotted a great many fine replicas of Pedro Friedeberg’s 1960s hand chair. Well-designed in the form of an upturned palm and gigantic protruding fingers, they begged us to give them a try and rediscover the art of ergonomic sitting. Our one surprise was that the woodcarving workshops dotting along the lane to Petulu village claimed the design as their own. It’s said that each piece would fetch around Rp. 5 million, depending on the material and size. Quite a bargain we must say, considering Friedeberg’s original mahogany hand chair is now up for grabs on eBay for US$ 6,200.

03 grrrl power

In the eyes of renowned painters, Balinese women are perhaps the most enticing creatures ever put to canvass. Upon our travels to Tampaksiring, we were stoked to discover that traditional Balinese women who live in the area possess not only a ravishing physique, but also zealous vigour. Here is a picture of a middle-aged coconut-monger carrying a hefty rattan basket filled with 20 coconuts or more on her head. In actuality native women dabbling in heavy-load work has been a common sight on the island for centuries. Female workers are skilled at flexing their neck muscles to carry different items on the head with great élan, as they engage as coolies transporting bricks, or delivering charcoals. Even in Ubud svelte young ladies would stilt banten (fruit stacks for ceremonial purposes) while pedalling a bicycle along the street. Without doubt, this magnificent display of strength and balance takes the term “poised” to a new level.

04 never bean better

One item in our Christmas wish list was a covetous sofa to be placed in the office to serve as a place to crash for a while after tight deadlines. And lo! Santai Bali (www.santaiattitude.com) knocked on our mail inbox with a surprise – two newly launched models, both packed with visual allure and a comfortable design contour. Add those attributes to the tongue-in-cheek monikers, and these beanbags are screaming for attention. Both The Magic Beans and The Magic Long Beans are innovative creations inspired by the fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Complete with practical features such as an adjustable headrest and a wide pocket at the back – for stashing copies of hellobali, of course – our case is solved.