NYEPI

Something the world should take note of... Here in Bali, once a year, the island shuts down in a "day of silence" for the Balinese who follow the Hindu Dharma religion, also known as Nyepi. It's actually the Balinese New Year and is a day for silence and self-introspection, a time for symbolic control over one's self and the forces of the world. This literally means the island is quiet. No work, no one on the streets, everyone stays indoors, lights and electricity are kept to a minimum if not avoided completely altogether, and traditional Balinese security guards roam the streets to enforce this for 24 hours straight. It also means the airport is closed for incoming and outgoing flights making it the only international airport in the world to close down for reasons other than bad weather or emergency purposes.

Anyhow, for me, i'm eating like crazy and catching up on a million movies.

Selamat Hari Raya Nyepi.

Mom Pants

For real, these things are making a comeback on some throwback 80's style. It's hilarious, waist highs above the bellybutton, buttcrack in full view, they are a suburban mother's most trusted piece of clothing.

Tina Fey and the crew of SNL on "Mom Pants"

March Madness - NCAA!!!

Damn, if there is one thing i really miss in Bali it's the access to American sports. Trust me, i love that i can watch real football now 24/7 but having to get up at 9AM to even watch some NBA is a little too much for me. Plus i don't have cable so yea, that ain't happenin.

Anyhow it's time for one of my favorite sports months of the year... March Madness. NCAA Basketball Tournament time. Oklahoma already won in the first round and Maryland knocked out Cal as well.... life is good. OU gonna take it to the tip top baby!!!

p.s. - Blake Griffin from OU is goin #1 in next year's NBA draft. Time to start believin....

Ballin' Review #16 - Kunja Villas

The Kunja is a hotel, but only by name. Consisting of 18 outstanding villas they strive for quality over quantity. At only 1.5 hectares of land, while most establishments try to squeeze every living and breathing space out of their property, The Kunja goes the opposite direction and strives for a level of comfort and privacy leaving travellers wanting to return again and again. Minimalistic and modern features with traditional Indonesian design are the norm for most places but for some reason The Kunja stands out. Service and staff are great and the large pool in every villa make for great times, trust me! Enough with this "private plunge pool" crap, this is a real pool. If you wanna go "next level" they even have a very impressive chapel to get married in. Rooms and beds are comfy and the bathrooms are large enough to have a party in (try it out). Located in Petitenget area, their package deals for 3days/2nights stay are really affordable compared to the competition and did i mention the pool?

Ballin' Review #15 - KLAPA

KLAPA is the new entertainment center built upon what was once one of the dopest beaches in Bali, Dreamland (RIP). After being labeled "New Kuta Beach", a surprisingly boring name considering the stigma that Kuta already has upon it, i know most people's first impressions were... why? Dreamland was the first beach i got a chance to visit when arriving in Bali and its notorious waves and local atmosphere were a big attraction for most who visited as well. When news spread like wildfire that another one of Bali's local spots was to be destroyed for yet another big-money invested "resort complex", many hearts were broken.

Now that the dust has settled and tears have dried up, KLAPA stands to win over haters and pull in the money at the same time. Add a 18-hole championship standard golf course, add a huge Best Western hotel and private villas, and throw in a grandoise entertainment complex perched high upon the cliffs... it's usually a recipe for success. While the beach is still the beach, the complex is really reaching to host performances, events, and meetings of any kind year round. Outdoor seating and restaurant with a side stage performance area and large infinity pool that melts into the sunset kinda makes even the critics have to think twice. With venues like this my selfish side thanks God it exists because Joey Negro is to play here at the end of March. Yea yea, i know, i'm a bastard, but sometimes i'm just too lazy to keep hating...

Ballin' Review #14 - Ma Joly (Revisited)

Back in September 2008, i think, i did a review on Ma Joly, a 5-star French cuisine restaurant located in Tuban right on the beach. It was pretty difficult to do as they were smack dab in the middle of getting a new chef, getting a new menu, and revamping their surroundings as there was no beach left anymore due to beach erosion from nearby construction. I couldn't even sample foods that were to be featured in December for their soft opening because they hadn't been created yet. Needless to say i worked my magic and seemed to pull it together but got the chance to revisit them to see what the new Ma Joly was all about.

Transformers! There was actually a beach now (Segara Beach), a big one too, took them two weeks to refill the sand around the area...there was a new bar with sundeck and sunbeds, and there was a new menu that had me and my girl pretty much wiping the saliva off our mouths at every glance (and the bottle of wine the GM Roland shared with us as well, thanks Roland!). Still the same great food though, truly great French food at very reasonable prices considering what they're offering. Ma Joly is another spot to take your loved one because the sunset is perfect and even though it's in Tuban, its almost a secret spot because you would never believe this place exists in an urban maze like Tuban.

Bali Plus

Time to pay the bills, Bali Plus is a publication i mainly write for and they now have their digital on-line version up. Check it out if you're looking for accommodation, dining, spa and wellness centers, new openings for boutiques & restaurants, etc. It's got a bit of everything including a foldout map and history of Bali and traditions. Coined "Bali's Little Biggest Guide Book", it fits neatly into any bag and is highly recommended for tourists.

Had to give props where props are due because without Bali Plus, Pounds Not Ounces would not be Ballin'...

Ballin' Review #13 - Sarong

Sarong is a fairly new restaurant that just opened up in Petitenget, as far as cuisine and decor go though, it's definitely one of the better restaurants one can visit while here in Bali. It's the brainchild of Chef Will Meryck (Sentosa's Blossom) and features absolutely ridiculous food in a setting that's much like someone's dining room...if it was outside. Did a story for Air Asia's in-flight magazine "Travel 360" and interview with Will who happened to be an extremely personable and cool guy. His take on food is to draw inspiration from the streets of Asia and bring them to fine dining levels without that addition of "fusion", which is a term that gets thrown around more than some hookers at Mbargo on a Saturday night. The food is all organic and honestly, the decor is what really gets me. It's very elegant Indonesian and the comfort level is at a 10 with the use of their interior design and furnishings. If you want to impress your lady take her there now.

Fun fact - the interior designer Liv Claussen is from NYC and she did Kevin Costner's house as well. now if only she could do something about his career lately...