Don’t you just love it when something you are semi-addicted to is actually good for you? In our case, it’s rare (no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves that deep fried sweetcorn fritters are nutritionally beneficial). However, thankfully one of our favourite pastimes, Balinese massage really is a healing modality. For this post, we searched for rigorous trials proving the benefits of massage. Though there are some, they are thin on the ground, and we actually came to the realization that with this treatment we don’t need the studies to prove the benefits of Balinese massage – the deep ..read more

From the 3x a week gym bunny to high-level athletes, IV therapy administered within the correct window of time and containing the appropriate combination of micronutrients, amino acids, antioxidants and electrolytes is yielding promising results. Read on to find out why IVs for fitness are an up and coming treatment area. Using IVs for fitness The use of intravenous therapy pre or post-exercise is an exciting new treatment application that is rapidly growing in popularity. The rise has occurred in conjunction with the almost obsessive levels of interest and participation in high-intensity fun ..read more

WHAT IS CHIKUNGUNGYA? Recently we have noticed that Chikungunya is appearing more in Bali. Chikungunya infection, or simply Chikungunya, is a mosquito-borne viral disease. Humans are usually infected when infected carrier mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans via a bite, spreading the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Discovered during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952, the name “Chikungunya” comes from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted”, and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain.1 CHIKUNGUNGYA DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT Blood tests are avail ..read more

In today’s wellness obsessed culture, it feels like there is a hot new antioxidant promoted every month. So what are these and why should we care about them? And why is Alpha Lipoic Acid called the “Universal Antioxidant”? What is an antioxidant? Antioxidants are substances which help prevent cellular damage by assisting the body eliminate free radicals. Where are these free radicals coming from? They are released from the body in response to internal (e.g. inflammation) or external (e.g. smoking, pollution, harmful chemicals), and left unchecked this oxidative stress can contribute to condit ..read more

Dengue and its Complications Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus that occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas, especially during the rainy season. Spread by Aedes mosquitoes, there are four different strains of Dengue in Bali, and (unluckily for us). Once infected with a particular strain of the Dengue virus, an individual becomes immune to this strain and cannot become re-infected by this specific strain.1,2 Image Muhammad Mahdi Karim Unfortunately, this is not as good as it sounds. If you’ve had Dengue before, subsequent infections tend to be a more severe strain and more likely to ..read more

What is the rabies virus? Rabies is an infectious viral disease that occurs in many countries globally and is an issue that Bali has been dealing with for more than a decade. There are only nine rabies-free provinces in Indonesia, and unfortunately, Bali isn’t one of them. Rabies is transmitted through saliva – when an infected animal bites (or scratches) another, they can also become infected. Monkeys, dogs, bats or, in rare cases, cats can all be Rabies carriers. In Indonesia, 98% of rabies cases occur from a rabid dog bite, the rest from a monkey or cat.2 If there’s no intervention of treat ..read more

What Ubud lacks in beachfront, it certainly makes up for in swimming pools. Whether you feel like having a workout followed by a dip, or having a lazy day of cocktails with a jungle view: our guide to Ubud pools has got you covered. Courtesy of Folk Folk Cafe You’ll never have so many pool seating options as you do at Folk! Choose between a daybed, pergola, teepee, poolside chair, sun lounger or a set in the restaurant, then book your spot. Folk is smack bang in the centre of Ubud on Monkey Forest Road, so it’s a great option if you don’t want to travel far. Courtesy Bali Swasti Swasti Eco ..read more

You wake up with some marks that look and feel like a burn, but you have no recollection getting them. Welcome to one of Bali’s biggest mysteries (which we are happy to solve for you). Tomcat beetle on a leaf Tomcats in Bali First let us introduce you to paederus riparius, otherwise know as the Tomcat – an insect you’ll probably never even see but will know if you’ve been near one thanks to its toxin which is more potent than cobra venom. These guys belong to the insect order Coleoptera (beetles) and the family Staphylinidae (rove beetles). Adult Tomcats beetles are quite small: 7-10mm long ..read more

While Ubud has a solid Eat Pray Love reputation, the town still knows how to let their hair down. Whether it’s been a long week, or you’re looking for a pre or post-dinner tipple, here are some of our go-to Ubud bars. Courtesy No Mas No Mas Ubud’s take on a (somewhat curated) dive bar but make no mistake, there are experts at work behind the bar here. No Mas has been a late night staple on Monkey Forest Road for years now and is another spot to hit up for their regular live music gigs, themed nights and bartending “takeovers” from other epic venues outside of Bali. Check their Facebook page ..read more

What is Bali Belly? Bali Belly is one of Bali’s least popular attractions, but unfortunately it is all too common among visitors to the island. Bali Belly is just another expression for food poisoning (or stomach flu/gastroenteritis medically speaking). Gastroenteritis is technically an inflammation of the stomach, but most people would recognise it by its more well-known symptoms: diarrhoea and/or vomiting1. These often come with a side of stomach cramps, fever, chills and loss of appetite, bloating, and flatulence2. In short: it lays you out and makes you feel like the end might just be near ..read more