WHAT DID YOU TAKE OUT OF YOUR VISIT TO BALI?
Even though I love seeing the popular places and going to restaurants and cafes and all the hot places, what interests me most is away from all the crowds understanding the culture and really getting to know the people well which is why these were my highlights in Bali:
- Getting lost in the rice fields, any rice field especially the non-touristic ones.
- Walking into people’s homes and just talking to them.
- A Balinese wedding.
- A traditional market in ubud : markets will tell you so much about culture, what people eat and the way they do can give you insights about their lives
- Sunsets by the beach, La Brisa Canggu is one of my favorite spots.
BALI IS KNOWN FOR ITS RICH TRADITIONS AND FESTIVALS, DID YOU ATTEND ANY CULTURAL CELEBRATION? HOW DID IT INSPIRE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM IT?
While I was in Bali, I got invited to a wedding, and of course I went in a heartbeat! So many rituals happen during the wedding, such as the bride getting ready by bathing in turmeric, flowers and rice, the bride is dressed in yellow and an intricate golden head piece, they will both burn bamboo as a protection from evil for the newlyweds and both pray during the ceremony. What I love about the culture is that there’s a lot of symbolism in celebration, and traditions are very much still alive. The use of their own natural elements is a must, they will create their own decorations at the wedding by weaving bamboo leaves for days and creating head pieces out of flowers. It’s all so organic, handmade and pretty much farm to table, but also farm to fashion… What inspired me most is how connected they are to their land; they will eat on a plate made out of a leaf, make their own tattoos using a bamboo stem, use natural pigments such a turmeric and flowers to create art, and that while is very ancient and traditional, today quite on trend (images available)
AS A COLOUR MARKETING EXPERT, DID YOUR TRIP TO BALI LEAD TO ANY UNEXPECTED COLOR INSIGHTS OR REVELATIONS? WERE THERE MOEMENTS WHEN YOU THOUGHT, ‘THIS IS A COLOR STORY WAITING TO BE TOLD’? PLEASE TELL US MORE.
I watched an artist pick a red flower, squeeze it with his hands, and use it to continue his beautiful painting. I noticed how their fashion choices are very much in line with what they see in their surroundings, where humans become one what’s around them and that for me was very inspiring. Colour is very much a vital part of life in Balinese culture. Colour is used to depict spirituality, but also has a form of healing energy represented in our chakra system. I came back from Bali, even more curious about the healing powers of colour and its effect on our wellbeing. And that’s something I’m going to be delving it to a lot more.
IN BALI, DID YOU COME ACROSS ANY UNIQUE LOCAL COLOUR INFLUENCES THAT SPARKLED YOUR CREATIVITY AS A COLOUR MARKETING MANAGER? ANY SHADES OR COMBINATIONS THAT CAUGHT YOUR EYE?
Yes… turmeric mixed with bamboo leaves and stems, what a combo! The fascinating colour combination found in their daily offerings which is a bamboo leaf with flowers on it that is offered daily at temples as a sign of gratitude. And their traditional wear, which combines uncommon colour combinations, usually the belt is a striking contrast colour. An art piece by an Indonesian artist called Riz Riz Rizz @rizrizrizz
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DISH? PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT IT.
Laklak is bite-sized green pancakes made from a batter of rice flour and coconut milk wrapped and cooked in coconut leaves. These little green wonders get their vibrant colour from the addition of pandan leaf juice, which also adds a unique flavour to the pancakes.
The best way to enjoy Laklak is with a drizzle of palm sugar syrup and sprinkled with freshly grated coconut.
NAME ONE PERSON YOU MET IN BALI WHO CHANGED THE WAY YOU SEE LIFE.
I had so many encounters that really changed me, I met a wonderful Japanese artist, a photographer named Nyoman that taught me so much, a vocal teacher named Francie that showed me the power of my voice, and I made great new friends but Honestly? It was Myself. A new side of myself. I know it may be cliché, but Bali really is the land of collective healing. It all moves to the same vibration, it is a land where people believe in Karma, a place where people come to heal it is spiritual and sacred and you feel that.
IF YOU WERE TO TITLE YOUR TRIP IN A FEW WORDS, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Theres a saying I learnt in Indonesian that goes “Tak ada rotan akar pun jadi” which means “when there’s no cane use the root instead”. That’s the feeling I had coming back from Bali, you don’t need much to be happy and accomplish, and sometimes its okay to just embrace what you already have.
NAME 5 MUST-VISIT PLACES.
TEGALLALANG Rice Fields
UBUD stay in Bamboo Indah Resort
Uluwatu beach for surfing
Holy spring water of Titra Empul
Ubud Art Market
