Sumatra is the largest island in the Indonesian archipelago and its western exposure to the Indian Ocean means it is rife with surfing potential. The Mentawai Islands just off the central coast of Sumatra have developed into one of the most popular surfing destinations in the world, drawing thousands of surfers each year, but for the surfer who wants a less popular and more individual experience, the southern province of Lampung is the ideal destination...more

Ask almost any seasoned dining veteran on the island, expatriate or visitor, which restaurant has one of the best beach views and the answer will, invariably, be Gado Gado. The restaurant has been a fixture on many a visitor's 'to do' lists whilst on vacation in Seminyak since it relaunched itself several years ago as a 'fine dining' eatery, immediately proving itself as an incredibly popular sundown dining destination...more

"One hundred thousand boss", pitched the guy at the pony transport office, "sixty", I replied, fully prepared to meet him at seventy to stifle any protracted haggling for an hour's ride around Meno island. "Forty", he countered quickly without blinking. Negotiating services in the backwaters of Indonesia were clearly going to be less of a headache than previously anticipated as here we find ourselves on the pristine and desolate shoreline of Gili Meno...more

You are born and raised in Bali. I was born in Denpasar 9th May 1974 into a Brahman family with a cartoonist father who later developed his business interests in Bali’s thriving tourism industry. As the Brahman is the top caste in the Hindu belief system I was living among the high priests...more

The treatment rooms in the Samaya Spa (Jl Laksmana, T: 0361 731 149) are positioned so that you can have an ocean view, and even with eyes closed, ensconced in the privacy of the room the oceanic presence is audible and restful. The Friendly Samaya Spa staff guide you through the choices of treatments and offer knowledge on essential oil blends and suitable styles of massage for problem areas...more

Recently we've been devoting a lot of page space here at hello bali to what is being done to protect the face of Bali amidst what has fast become a development boom. However it's not just the local developers who are having such an impact on the environment here. On a macro scale the global climate changes mankind is witnessing at present is threatening the most arid parts of Bali and her surrounding islands...more