Inside Bali Guide

Working as a Guide for new Business in Bali, Sourcing, Sampling and production Assistance and as a Design Mentor

2012-02-07T22:50:00.000-08:00

My work as a freelance designer and Expat Business guide for new labels and companies coming to Bali,
is a creative and interesting development in my career.
From designing sampling and production in fashion and jewelry for my own label in Bali, to sourcing charms and pendants
for a new Australian start up company, and organizing the Marketing printing and designing even the display cases
for them as they are overseas, on to sourcing trimmings, tailors and shoe makers for a dance costume label, and fashion mentoring for a young new talented menswear designer both via email and with him here in Bali: advising on all from leather to buckles to silver casting, printing lookbooks and more!
I truly enjoy sharing my wealth of knowledge and contacts for tailors craftsmen printers etc with newcomers.
My rate at $140 per day or $25 per hour is exceptionally good value for the time, money and headaches saved for my clients
as the wealth of my experience here and my recommendations for the most suitable workers or companies for them, can be a godsend,for a newcomer to new business with Bali.

Sourcing Christmas decorations and jewelry in Bali

2011-11-11T19:04:00.000-08:00

Yes its that time of year, where the traders overseas are on tic tock countdown to the xmas trading season!
I am currently sourcing christmas decorations, jewelry and little gift ideas, for boutiques over there!
With a spending and quantity guidline, I race around the island sourcing precious bits new to the scene
and pack them off to my clients in air cargo.
Delivery usually within 2 weeks.
The Monsoon downpours when trapping me inside, are proving to be productive time in,
as I turn my attention to handcrafting jewelry sample designs in silver, semiprecious stones, and crystal beads.

If you have a business and are looking for a quick supply of different goods to buy and sell,
Don't miss out as i value All new clients, Just drop me an email with a basic idea of what you are seeking
I will look around or design for you and reply with pics and prices for you to choose from.

Bali : the night scene in seminyak November 2011

2011-10-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

It has been a relatively quiet on the party scene this past october.
As It seems a lot of bars and clubs are undergoing renovations to be ready for the christmas season.
The monsoon is imminent with heavy rain for 7 hours straight yesterday.

But all is not lost! .... it was a packed house at the new Mint bar on jl pettitinget friday night,
we are all hoping with fingers crossed that the Africa Disco will carry on in a new home,
despite the weather restrictions of their usual beach front location,
and the Capoeira club of bali will host a fun night for all on the 19th of November at JPs /
Mary Magdelenas on the Jl Dyna Pura, Seminyak with the gorgeous and downright talented Mama Africa
to play a set of brazilian african infused grooves and fit international athletes coming together
to show us their dynamic acrobatic skills.

Stay Tuned for more party info!
And feel free to contact me should you wish my services as your personal bespoke inside expat bali guide
with your budget, business and lifestyle turn ons, in mind

A Bargain house for sale in Bali

2011-09-02T22:58:00.000-07:00

My Balinese friend's house is For Sale

FOR SALE / FREEHOLD
A newly built 1.3 are House on 3 are of Land
In Perang Sada village, Gianyar Regency

A simple Modern Balinese built, 2 storey, 3 bedroom house.
1 dbl with ensuite, living and open plan kitchen downstairs
2 sgl rooms, balcony and bathroom upstairs
With 1300 Electric, City water, Air con and Garage.

Set in an Upcoming location, western built villas and resorts nearby.
With Clean air, Rice paddie views, Balinese village and Easy access
5mins to the Ida Bagus Mantra Bypass the gateway to the Eastcoast and Sabu Beach
20 mins to Ubud and Sanur, 45 mins to Kuta / Airport

With plenty of room for a pool and simple western renovations
THIS PROPERTY IS A RARE FIND AND BARGAIN
at only 980 JUTA RP
980, 000,000 INDONESIAN RUPIA : AROUND $US 110,000

The Business of Dance in Bali

2011-09-02T00:19:00.000-07:00

My most recent employment as a business guide in Bali was a successful jam packed day of sourcing,
trimmings in lace beads and fabrics, and suitable tailors, for a young Australian dance costume company.
Soucing and advising for Tutus, leotards, tap shoes and tiaras, was a stark contrast to the previous employment
of advising and sampling for a different kind of dance company, in which I was employed by an Australian
new Pole Dancing costume designer, with the emphasis on quick strip lycra numbers with bling
and multitudes of poppers and coloured velcro.
LOL !!
It has been hard days work rolled up with a lot of fun, in a "bling bling" side of Bali.
I totally enjoy sharing my knowledge with creative people new to bali with ambitions of sampling or production here.
In one day I gave away years of knowledge, contacts and advice, which has not only inspired my clients
but has also saved them a fortune in avoiding rip off prices and inferior goods and production.
It Feels Good!

Beach Party Paradise

2011-08-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

We have been so lucky to have had the alternative beach party scene on the Dyna pura and Batu Belig Beaches in Bali over the past 12 months. Its been a great relief to party Under the stars, and away from the usual tourist promoted club scene here.
However the catastrophe of the traffic in and out on the sand for the La Barca opening, seems to have sealed the Batubelig Banjar's decision to revoke the rights to party there in the future!
So, we need to be grateful for what we have, embrace and enjoy the last Africa Disco party to be held at the Batu Belig beach at Cozy, on friday the 9th Sep 2011. There is a great lineup of dj's for a tribal rocking roots inspired night of dancing, No doubt they will keep us dancing under the stars and a fat moon, till the wee hours! I for one, cant wait.
So will keep my beach dancing legs warmed up at the
La Plancha on Dyna pura beach party this friday the 2nd sep 2011, though the dj's are unlisted at this time, fingers crossed dj Mat will be there to entertain us with his eclectic mix of hits and film clips.

KUTA COWBOYS IN BALI PARADISE: Inside Info on the Gigilo's antics

2010-05-05T20:56:00.000-07:00

It disturbs me, that with the public release of the documentory film Paradise Cowboys, and subsequent press on the subject of the 28 boys detained and the bad rap for Bali family tourism, that as usual on this island it seems a twist has taken place, the press and some ill informed or desperate woman are coming to their defence, supporting these guys; saying they are not doing anything wrong, just supplying a demand, and ill represented in a film illegally made!

Arrgghh ... come on !

Having been in Bali 10 years, i have personal experience to the contrary.
The film only represents the flirtatious side of the boys antics with foreign women, even with a wife's support.
The reality of these boys manipulations are another story.
What a shame the director didn't take the time to research the many heartbroken and bankrupted foreign women out there, that have suffered at the hands of these so called kuta cowboys.
I know and have met so many.

So heres a few facts on how it really goes on:

1/Many of the Kuta cowboy Gigilo's are Not Balinese, They are Sumatran; Christian Batak and Muslim, Javanese, from Suluwesi etc Coming from other islands looking for all the naughty life, not so easily tolerated in their home towns.

2/They are not just on the beach, they are also hard working all the nightspots especially on the Jl Legian there favorite hangouts being Apache, The Bounty, and Espresso. Also on the Double six strip.

3/Manipulation is the Key strategy. They will often declare there undying love, and wish not to use her for any, thank her for a few meals and drinks paid for, take some cute pictures and even follow up with emails texts and phone calls every now and then after the girl has gone home, expressing,usually, hopes that she will come back or buy him a ticket and passport to go meet her.
In the meantime scouting the scene for another girl whilst she is out of the country.
The Japanese girls fall prey to this technique especially as they have such short holidays in Bali.

4/They generally have no sense of loyalty or heartfelt regard or respect for any woman.
Even if they know the girl is not wealthy, they will milk her for all they can get, many times in the guise of a personal disaster,
in which they plead for financial assistance ... "if you really loved me too ... you would ...." Help.. by giving money for a sick mum, for his rent that he cant pay coz no surf lessons this week with bad weather, medical help due to a bike accident, ticket home to see dying father, etc etc etc
You would be amazed how many times a boys father or mother can be sick or even die in a year.

5/Then there is the jealousy manipulation; if the girl needs him to be faithful to her, he needs a tiger motorbike( a great symbol a gigilo is successful) to drive you around when you are here and for himself when you are not, in safety.
And maybe a request to set him up in business here to get him off the beach or whatever and make him successful and independent so he looks good to be with you, just a little shop or bike maintenance place etc etc

6/Whatever the stories, and i have heard so many, this financial support does Not buy love and devotion, not even loyalty or respect, and If the girl does not comply within a certain time frame, including having a sweet brown baby; which would in their eyes guarantee passage out of Indonesia or at least a lifetime of guilt ridden financial support, then many can turn nasty, emotionally abusing or even physically.

7/ All girls coming to Bali need to be aware, if they like to have fun with the local talent, that it can turn nasty, it will cost you money and probably self esteem, and to guard their possessions and money at all times!

8/ Most of these guys are broke despite getting money from different girls, coz their mates have their hands out whenever any of them get a bit of cash, or thankfully sometimes the foreign woman wakes up in time and stops the support or retrieves her property. It is also a universal law it seems that money made by ill gotten means is quickly gone.

It would be so tempting to take and publish pictures of many of these guys that i could name and shame, but I live in hope that this latest public press about their antics might just shake them up a little and lead them to reform their actions and ideals.

Obviously I have little sympathy for these boys practices, and my heart goes out to the woman out there who have suffered already or are in the process of being fooled by one of these guys.
I wish you all a happy and long loving life, with many fun holidays to be had.

Bali can be a truly wonderful place to relax, rejuvenate, discover and Party
Enjoy!

Your Guide to See the Real Bali

2009-12-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

Hi my name is Lisa.
I am a fun loving Australian born International resident in Bali.
And just loving all this island has to offer! I have been based in Bali for my work in art and design,. . and Play, for some 10 years, and I love to show people around my choice home.

I am offering MY SERVICES as an Insider's guide/travel companion in Bali.

Using Your personal tastes, wants, and needs, to Inspire me to guide you on a trip of a lifetime, sharing with you, all the hidden delights Bali has to offer; that holiday makers generally don't get to see! . . . Please see : My Services : for more details.
and scroll down this page for more info about me and my photos

Taking a walk through rice paddies with butterflies

2009-12-08T17:31:00.000-08:00

Bali : I know Where its at !

2009-11-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

It takes time in a place to really know a place!
And Bali is no exception.

I mean .... Whats up in Seminyak, where to hangout, walk, or even, stay in Ubud,
. . how to get to Ahmed, . . . Why go to Nusa Lembongan, and how is the most fun way to get there, and so you heard about the gillies on Lombok... whats there, how and when to go ???????

where do you go for a good night out on a tuesday night?
where do you change your money for a good rate in safety?
where do you pick up designer bargains? where is the best selection
of antique decorative arts, contemporary paintings, good quality silver,
fun tourist objects etc etc without being ripped off ???
Where do you go for a white sand beach with fewer people to bother you,
where do you go for a quit-ish sunset in a spectacular setting with low prices,
where is the best place to see a local dance performance, or experience a real ceremony or even have your own personal balinese cleansing?
where's the best seafood restaurant closest to where you stay?
where are all the expats hangin out tonight?
Who's playing, who's worth seeing, who's having a party?
Where is the nicest place for yoga, walks, local food?
where's the surf at, how's the kitesurfing, golfing, snorkelling?

Where are the Ex pats, the business people, designers, buyers, extended tourists,
artists, writers and local characters all hangin out ?

Coz lets face it thats where its at!

...... and how do you dodge the traffic to get there with ease?

Okay ... It takes more time than your average holiday to find out where its at!
But I am happy to be your expat friend guide and travel advisor and let you in on the know, shortcutting your initiation to experiencing the real Bali, and the best holiday you could have.

I work on an hourly or daily rate dependent on the number of people and time required.
With Payment by paypal or bank transfer on confirmation of booking.
For further enquirees feel free to drop me an email at designsbylisab@gmail.com

My Travel Experience

2009-11-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

I was born in Daylesford, a little country town with a population of 2700, in Victoria, Australia.

I began my travels in

1990-91 AUSTRALIA

For nearly 2 years I worked my way around Oz, as a Public relations girl for surf safety
and various alcohol companies in Queensland, crewed on a yacht, managed a
backpackers resort in the whitsundays, travel guide in the Northern Territory etc

1991 I flew to LONDON

Via Honolulu HAWAII for a few weeks of fun and sun before blowing all my money
quicksmart in London with a crazy almost 3 to 1 rate for the Aus dollar!
I did agency temp private care working to have some fun on my days off
and get the dosh together to travel on ....

1992 AFRICA

This time with a welsh girlfriend I had met in the Whitsunday Islands In Oz.
We independently travelled for 5 months in Kenya Uganda Zaire Tanzania Malawi
Mozambique Zimbabwe ... hitching bussing walking however we could get around

It was seriously rough travels but wow what a treat for the soul!
I'm a Survivor! . . . And I had amazing experiences with the people and the wildlife.
Especially loved meeting the silverback mountain gorillas in there own wild habitat!
then on to EGYPT

My girlfriend left for the UK and I stayed on for a month or more
Travel highlights were, sneaking up in the sand dunes with local friends to see the light
and sound show they put on at the pyramids of giza and sphinx,
and chilling out big time in Dahab on the red sea after all that hard duty travelling
in Africa, with the local Bedwin nomadic people offering me a ticket to
the moon on their camel every evening.

1992 -99 LONDON

My Base and Home, for many years, where I studied Art and Design
and worked as a care worker for the aged and disabled, in public relations, as a childminder,
as an accommodation finder for new backpackers and travellers to London,
then on to many and various interior design jobs, teaching childrens art
workshops and community art projects .... all helping to fund my insatiable
appetite for going out to see live music and festivals ... and travels in
the UK, Scotland, Hitched around Ireland, spent 5 months in Cornwall,
with many visits to Wales.
and EUROPE, loved Portugal, France, Greek Islands, Turkey, Venice ...

1999-2000 LONDON BALI THAILAND AUSTRALIA LONDON ...

I started my Lisa B label, designing my own collections of fashion and silver jewelry,
although Thailand became more of a travel and play experience with 8 visits.
Bali was great for work, being such a creative and diverse island.

Highlights of my travels in Thailand was being in ChangMai riding around on a scooter for a month in the worste monsoon weather ever and just ducking into whatever temple bar restaurant shop whenever the rain was to heavy, it was a great way to get to know the people and culture. Also living in a treehouse for 2 months right on the beach on a little fishing village island called Ko Jam, I spent the New year 2000 there dancing around a fire on the beach in front of my treehouse with thai sea gypsies.

2001 INDIA Bali London

I spent 5 months travelling around the central southern states of India independently.
The fondest memory of my time there was in a stone sculpturing village, I had gone to with a view to learn the arts techniques, but fate stepped in with a little orphaned girl who befriended me on the street and took me to the orphange where she lived. There I met a lovely french woman who was donating the building of a roof shelter to give the children somewhere to play and do their homework. I helped her bring this about and went on to organize a community arts project enlisting the help of locals and tourists, We decorated, made blackboards saw to the completion of the building and gave daily art classes and a few english lessons to boot.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kerrala, Goa, Hampie and Bangalore, The colours, and I met many beautiful woman in my travels, but it was a difficult place to travel as a woman on my own.

2002-2003 SPAIN bali Australia

My partner at the time, and I swapped the base of London for Spain.
We packed up all in a van and left the UK on a ferry, then drove through FRANCE and SPAIN
at a leisurely pace before settling in near Granada, and then landing a mega interior design project for a swingers hotel in Malaga, We moved to Frigiliana, a white washed hill village above the coastal town of Nerga. 26 bass relief sculptures, 5 paintings, and numerous naughty decorative art features later, I then moved on to Tarrifa near the Morroccan border, also popped over to Morrocco for a few weeks. Absolutely loved Marakesh!

2003-2009 London BALI Australia BALI London ..........

I have been a lucky yo yo traveller for my work. Designing and producing in Bali, a few months at a time, 2 times a year,
spending the summers in Notting Hill in London selling my Lisa B label and catching up with my family in Oz, before heading up to Sydney to do the same there.
Although the last 2 years have seen me really settle in to Bali having contracted a house right in the heart of Seminyak, they are becoming very quick trips to Oz and London.
In Bali I began with my base in UBUD then I would bounce between Ubud and Seminyak
I have travelled extensively around this little island guiding friends and family or just for my own pleasure. It never fails to delight me as it is such a diverse, creative little island and I am always discovering new places and new faces.
I have enjoyed trips to Sumatra, Lombock and Java and hope to go to Borneo and Papua in 2010

My Services as a guide in Bali

2009-11-01T19:16:00.000-08:00

This is where You come in!

Its all about what you would like to experience. . . .

It could be an afternoon shopping for discounted designer clothes with afternoon tea or

sunset cocktails.

It could be a trip around the island with as many varied experiences as we can fit in,

ie; rice paddie walks, local bites, gormet meals, snorkelling, ceremonies, the kecak fire dance,

clubbing, live music venues, exploring temples, shopping, swimming, surfing etc etc etc

It could be you need me to guide you for wholesale business purposes.

A fun night out on the town, or a cultural or special balinese spiritual experience.

You tell me a little about yourself, your likes and dislikes and any expectations you may have.

How much time you would like to spend, your budget, and any special needs etc

You may be party people looking for fun, or on a quick business or stopover trip,

new to travel, in Bali for a conference, looking to immigrate, . . . .

* Whatever the weather! ... I will personally guide you according to your time and wishes,

working out an itinery especially suited to you!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Including expat local know how, not your typical tourist trail . !

I ride a scooter or drive a car in Bali depending on where I am going,

or I can arrange for a driver, or rent a scooter for you!

. . . .Whilst you are in my company you will be most welcome to pick my brains for any information

you need to know for the rest of your stay in Bali. . . . I will advise you on the safest money changers, atm machines, shopping and dining experiences, and generally whats happening where, also a few basic balinese cultural greetings and customs. I can take you to little hidden delights of cafes, beaches, and snorkelling spots. I can advise you on fair prices for shopping, intoduce you to local foods that are safe and delicious to try, and fill you in on some of the balinese spiritual customs and occasions.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I offer my services at $US20 per hour.

Or $US30 per hour for two people.

Plus $US10 per hour for each extra person.

$US140 per full day.

Plus $US70 for each extra person.

If its a road trip I would expect a daily rate plus standard seperate accomodation

and meals to be paid for.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

However, it will be a sliding scale of payment as we work out what your individual needs are.

Payment can be made by banktransfer to my Australian Or English account

or by using Paypal on confirmation of booking my services.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Just email me your interest and planned dates to be in Bali

and we will take it from there!

Best Wishes for a Great Life

Lisa

designsbylisab@gmail.com

Bali mobile number +6281999048597