BALI: THE UNPRECEDENTED WARMTH OF REGENERATIVE HOSPITALITY
Have you ever visited a place where you are treated with sincere care? Where people welcome you like one of their own?
Many friends feel this way about Mexico - how people you encounter throughout your journey smile, see you, and interact. I've very rarely known a similar sensation somewhere else, I've had wonderful experiences in hospitality but Bali hit an unprecedented note. Here you experience people going an extra mile to help you out just for the sake of it. Expecting absolutely nothing in return, in a sincere transparent way. This newsletter is dedicated to the beautiful people of Indonesia.
A PLACE OF RITUAL
One of the small gestures that had a huge impact on me during my visit this last fall to Bali, is how people create small offerings called canang sari as part of their daily spiritual practice. These offerings are made from a variety of natural materials, including flowers, leaves, and sometimes food, and they are carefully arranged in small square or triangular baskets, often made of woven palm leaves. These offerings are placed in temples, homes, shops, and on streets to honor the gods, spirits, and ancestors, and to bring balance and harmony.
THREE CAUSES OF WELLBEING
Bali's spiritual ideology is deeply rooted in Balinese Hinduism, which blends traditional Hindu beliefs with local animist customs. The island's people have a profound connection to the natural world, seeing it as a living, sacred entity that must be respected, honored, and maintained in balance. This ideology is reflected in the concept of Tri Hita Karana, which translates to "three causes of well-being" and forms the foundation of Balinese philosophy:
I. Harmonious relationship with the divine.
II. Harmonious relationship with fellow humans.
III. Harmonious relationship with nature
The most profound aspect of Balinese spirituality, where nature is revered as sacred. Mountains, rivers, seas, and forests are believed to be inhabited by spirits, and humans are seen as stewards of the land, tasked with keeping the natural world in balance. All around the island people are acknowledging Life: past, present, and future.
I wanted to kick off this issue sharing a little bit about Balinese Spirituality because I sense it´s the foundation of a bigger movement happening on the island.
TRASH AS TREASURE:
DESA POTATO HEAD HOTEL
Desa Potato Head in Bali is one of the most incredible hotels I´ve ever been to, ranked on many lists as one of the best in the world. Yet, beyond the accolades there is something truly genuine to this place. The concept of Desa as you see in the hotels name is deeply connected to the Balinese way of living, which revolves around communal values, family bonds, and spirituality. Each desa typically has its own temple, communal space, and agricultural land, and it serves as a place where the local traditions, ceremonies, and spiritual practices are maintained. The structure of Balinese society is often organized around these desas, with each one playing an important role in the cultural and social fabric of the island. Its a place of coherence with nature, and true commitment to regeneration or as they say:
Regenerative hospitality is fueling the next generation of travel. It’s a new kind of tourism, a way of being in and experiencing a destination that deeply enriches both it and the visitor… Everything we do revolves around the idea of regeneration. We adopt a circular approach, imaginatively upcycling the waste we produce at the Desa into furniture, amenities, art and more.
