Category: In The Know

During your visit in Bali , you will undoubtedly step on a basket filled with rice and flowers or two. These are small offering baskets called ‘canang sari ‘ that Balinese offer to their Gods three times a day. What are these baskets for, and why do people place them on the sidewalks? These little tributes are perched all over the city and could be as simple as a small and fragrant frangipani adorning each and every step leading into a housing compound. The offerings…Continue Reading “Balinese Offerings” →

No visit to Bali would be complete without a trip to see at least one of Bali’s temples. There are over 20,000 ‘pura’ (Balinese for temple) in Bali at last count, a widespread marker of Bali’s exuberant culture; you don’t have to make an effort to see all of them, but you do have to see at least a few of the temples listed below. Some temples can be seen within a single trip (Tirta Empul and Pura Gunung Kawi are both near Tampaksiring, for…Continue Reading “Top Ten Must Visit Temples in Bali” →

Bali’s culture is one of the island’s main attractions – but tourists can unwittingly offend local Balinese by violating tenets of this culture without ever intending to. If you’re planning to mingle with the locals – and if you’re planning to visit one of Bali’s temples, this is definitely going to happen – follow the dos and don’t’s in this article to make sure you promote smooth interpersonal relationships wherever you go in Bali. Best Bali Etiquette Tip: Dress modestly before entering a temple in Bali. Temple…Continue Reading “Dos and Don’ts in Bali” →

In some countries, presenting of gifts is common and expected. In others, it is considered impolite. It is necessary to understand the occasion and setting to decide if gifts should be prepared, and which types are befitting of the cultural backgrounds of your hosts or guests. While expectations and practices will differ in each country, it is always appreciated when you present a gift brought from your own country. There are certain restrictions you will need to be mindful of though. In China, avoid wrapping gifts in white or black as these colours symbolize death and tragedy. You…Continue Reading “THE ART OF GIVING for #PerfectBusinessDinner” →

Now that you have set the scene, how do you dress for success? When planning a business dinner, always remember to include the dress code in your invitation. If you are a guest, align your outfit with what is stated in the invitation, or call the restaurant in advance to find out if there are attire restrictions at the dinner venue. If you are still unsure, observe a business formal dress code to be on the safe side. Attire expectations may also differ in different countries. In Malaysia, men are advised to wear pants and…Continue Reading “Sense of Style for #PerfectBusinessDinner” →

Showing awareness and respect of cultural differences is important when you meet your dinner partners at the start of the evening. The level of formality and customary greetings can differ quite widely in each country, and you may be surprised to know that a simple handshake may not be the best way to greet your business counterparts. The perfect business dinner begins with the right greeting. Here is the insider tip from Fawaz Al Farhan, Concierge Supervisor from InterContinental Riyadh: ” In traditional cultures in…Continue Reading “Knowing the Culture: The Insider Tips of #PerfectBusinessDinner in Middle East” →

There were two painters who decided to live in Bali and passionate about Bali life. They are Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpres and Don Antonio Maria Blanco. Both of  them married to a beautiful Balinese dancer. Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpres Born in Brussel, 09 February 1880. Adrien Came to Bali by boat landed in Singaraja on 1932 and stayed in Denpasar. He was fascinated by the Balinese culture and its way of life. he got acquainted with 15-year-old legong dancer, Ni Nyoman Pollok, known by her nickname Ni…Continue Reading “Two International Painters Who Passionate about and Falling in Love with BALI” →

Balinese dances are a very ancient dance tradition that is a part of the religious and artistic expression among the Balinese people. Balinese dance is dynamic, angular and intensely expressive. The Balinese dancers express the story of dance-drama through the whole bodily gestures; fingers, hands and body gestures to head and eyes movements. There is a great richness of dance forms and styles in Bali; and particularly notable are those ritualistic dance dramas. Most of dances in Bali are connected to Hindu rituals, certain ceremonies…Continue Reading “The Epic Romace behind the Legong Dance” →

The combination of so many environments that are aesthetically magical and welcoming, and the spiritual cast of the entire island bring Bali to be the best place for romance. Romance is not just votive candles and soft music, it is an attitude and almost a feeling of being blessed to be alive. It is also when everything around you is in harmony because a few discordant notes from our daily routine can ruin the whole composition. So what are the places that make Bali becomes…Continue Reading “The Most Romantic Places in Bali” →