GOOD NEWS FOR BALI
Bali tourist arrival numbers continue to improve. In the end, last year’s figures weren’t as bad as predicted and with an approximate 9% decline over the year in foreign tourists arriving here it appears the acts of terrorism of the year before didn’t have the long lasting effects some were forecasting a year ago. As Australians and Japanese slowly begin coming back, other nationalities have discovered Bali for the first time or rekindled an old flame and are arriving in larger numbers than ever. With this trend set to continue and the re-grouping and return of the traditional tourist markets the only conclusion is that times are looking fine for the year to come. That’s good news for all of us.

In this edition of FRV we have a close look at one of the biggest reasons that tourists come here; Bali Architecture. It’s here now, but is it here to stay? Michele Cempaka, Joseph Silas and I trek out to find the origins and the future of Bali Style and Architecture. We speak to four local architects about their views and experiences with Bali design and architecture and ask the question, “Do they like where local design is going now?” Read pages 44 - 62 for their responses.

Fashion is back in FRV magazine this edition with a short trip to Berawa’s Canggu Club with one of the most talented fashion designers in Bali right now, Monica Webber. The Canggu Club is a sophisticated locale and Webber’s clothing, and our models, do it great justice. Take it in on pages 78 to 89

There are two new dining locations we focus on in this edition and they are perched almost right next to each other. The Samaya offers some of the best beachside and tranquil dining in the area and the brand new Blossom at the Sentosa Villas is set to make a rather large splash just around the corner. Bali just got a hell of a lot bigger and better.

Ve Handojo is up to his old tricks in Jakarta and Solo, while Melanie Lee takes a trip to New Zealand and dines in one of the finest restaurants in the Marlborough wine region, as well as filing her usual stories once she arrived back in her homeland Singapore.

There’s also so much more in regular and feature articles in this month’s FRV.
We hope you enjoy the read.