On this first post of a new series on my blog featuring people who lives, resides, ever lived, or even visited Bali, but they left their heart on this island, or considering this island is their life, their home, I would like to share with you what my friends, or fellow bloggers, think about Bali, given its famous name on the tourism destination spotlight in the world (yup! Bali has been voted as one of the best island or the best spa destination in the world by many well reputable and prestigious world wide medias).

My first BALI LOVER guest is Jeff Kristianto.  Originally from Bogor, West Java. Between his busy times managing his business, and play a big role in BEDO (Bali Export Development Organisation)  and Bali Creative Community, he spares his free time to share his love and care God gifted to him, to take care of some projects for disabled people in Bali, giving them sufficient trainings and courses to enable them entering into the real working world. Our online interview took place in the middle of a windy and rainy Jimbaran.
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Karma Kandara, Uluwatu-Bali. OK, what should I say about this most stunning luxury villa in Bali. All the prestigious hi-end printed and electronic media coverages have said enough about this spectacular place situated on the cliff  top of the Bukit Peninsula, southern of Bali. I was proud to be part of BALISTARZ-the finest event company in the island-team organizing the Grand Opening Party on March 2008, where Emmy & Golden Globe winning Hollywood actor, Jeremy Piven, from the hit series ‘Entourage’, international supermodel Kristy Hinze and GQ editor Grant Pierce were among over 500 VIP guests from Bali and beyond who joined in the festivities that carried on through the night to meet the dawn ! And the only event in Bali with Hannah, the gorgeous mermaid swimming across the ocean from Australia to Karma Kandara private beach to wow us and entertain us with her underwater moves !

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On my previous posts 5 Tips to enjoy Bali not as a tourist and My 5 Favorite Beaches in Bali, I keep bringing up why
I don’t like Dreamland Beach anymore that is called now New Kuta Beach. Located on the Bukit Peninsula,Bali, only 10 minutes from my house! Dreamland Beach was once spotted and found by a western surfer back in the 70’s.

The beach provided basic accommodation and cafes for surfers and day trippers. One of the most beautiful beaches on the island, it is also renowned for its dangerous shorebreak.

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My days in Bali consist of finding beautiful and stunning beaches that are stretching out from west coast to the east cost, and not to forget southern area. As I live in Jimbaran, some surfer beaches are even located only 10 minutes by a speedy bike from my house :p

Here are my Top 5 Favorite Beaches I frequented quite often as my day dream spots :

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Bali is a big island to explore, and finding hidden stunning areas and spots such as blue pristine water in a secluded beach area are among the most fun part to discover this island of paradise.

More visitors or even local residents like me prefer avoiding touristy areas such as Kuta Beach (and Kuta Square), Dreamland Beach-who is now known as New Kuta Beach full of Jakarta and Surabaya local tourists! (how on earth those investors from Jakarta dare to change a beach name found once by a surfer in 70’s!), and would rather explore West,North,and East part of Bali.

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Silence Day or NYEPI Day in Bali is a once a year religious day for Hindu Balinese, but the whole island is forced to experience (and suffer for) this day. 8 Years living and working on this Sun,Sea,Surf island is enough for me to feel and see how uncomfortable not to have lights at my house, specially after dark, from 6.30pm till midnight.

Last Nyepi Day on Thurs,26 March 2009, I spent a very busy and productive day with Bart clean up the house, did some laundry, ironing, cooking, no napping in the afternoon (although I was so sleepy) to be able to go to bed early at 8pm so I wouldn’t have to spend the dark silent evening.

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On 26 March 2008, in Bali we will have ‘NYEPI DAY‘ as a Silence day, which officially starts from 6am and ends on 6am the next day.As a resident of Bali, I have experienced this ‘black out’ day for 8 times. The Hindus/Balinese stay at home, no light, no work, some even do fasting. Totally silence (and save energy too!!)Back then in 80’s I remember only tourists buses from airport were allowed to do the guests transfer, but not anymore. It’s a total silence & dark.

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Saturday morning, 28 Feb’09, 9.15am. As a ‘photomodel wannabe’ and a passionate photographer, Bart and I went to Mangrove Information Centre in By Pass Ngurah Rai St Km 21, Suwung Kawuh, Bali, after jogging at Renon Park, in Denpasar.

I’ve always wanted to go to this place, people occasionally do a pre-wedding photoshoot here thanks to its beautiful nature settings, but this time I was really hoping to get  some stunning shots from this beautiful eco-tourism spot!

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Living in Jimbaran has a multiple advantage in terms of a distance to famous and beautiful beaches. 5 Min from Jimbaran Bay and its seafood cafes, 10 min to Dreamland that is now called ‘New Kuta’ Beach (how silly and dare the investor change a legendary name of a beach that was once found by a western surfer back in 70’s, I’ll tell more about this on different post!), about 15 min to the famous Padang Padang Beach, known as Bali’s most fearsome and notorious wave, where Rip Curl usually hold its ISC surfing contest on this one & only perfect tube ride (and a long waiting period to get the perfect tube).

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Located in Petanu River,Ubud,Bali, this new outdoor adventure really rushed my adrenaline & boosted up my spirit. Closer to nature, that’s what I wanted, Bayu-my ex co worker needed a model for the brochure of this new product. And Bart wants to try  being an adventure photographer on the river along with his friend, Yanson (a medical doctor whose biggest passion is IT & Photography).

December 2007. So we do this tour trial. Safety briefing is a must. I used to work at SOBEK Bali-another adventure tour operator in the island that has rafting, cycling, trekking, and 4WD adventure, and I feel like going rafting without the raft boat and paddle. It’s a fantastic mix of trekking, swimming, physical challenge !

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