Volume #6
Exploring Destination on Foot | Sustainable Conscious Travel Options in Bali, Indonesia
This week’s read time: 8 minutes
In this volume, we’ll explore:
Why you should explore a destination by foot.
Sustainable Conscious Options in Bali, Indonesia:
🏨 Hotel: Bambu Indah
🍴 Restaurant: Bali Buda
🎒Tours & Experiences: Ubud Story Walks
If you missed previous newsletters, you can look them up here.
👉🏼 Exploring Destination on Foot
We always talk about alternative mode of transportation to cut emissions. But do you know which mode of transport is entirely free of charge and causes zero emission? 😉 If you are physically able, exploring destinations on foot almost guarantees an authentic local experience.
What’s in it for travellers?
Deeper Appreciation: There is nothing quite like getting lost at a destination on foot. Walking forces you to slow down, look around, and take in all that the destination has to offer.
Don’t believe us? Try it next time.
Choose an area in your destination that piques your interest — it can be the art district, Chinatown, or even a local neighborhood — and just wander around aimlessly. Move slowly, explore the shops and restaurants, say hi to random locals, grab a coffee at a café, and people-watch. We guarantee that it will be a much more meaningful experience than being surrounded by 2000 people taking photos of the same monument. There is truly nothing quite like it.
Discover Hidden Gems: Slowing down allows you to be more observant of your surroundings and discover places that you might miss when using other modes of transportation.
Flexibility & Freedom: You can easily change routes, explore narrow alleys, or stumble upon unexpected attractions without the constraints of a set schedule; there is no bus to catch or attraction closing.
Cost Savings: Best of all, this activity is entirely FREE! Who doesn’t love a good bargain? 😛
What’s in it for Planet, People & Economy?
🌏 Reduced Carbon Footprint: Walking is a zero-emission mode of transportation, which reduces the carbon footprint of your overall travel.
👥 Socio-Cultural Preservation: Walking allows you to form a deeper connection with the local community; it gives you the opportunity to interact with residents and explore local establishments that you might not otherwise visit as a tourist.
💼 Economic Empowerment: Walking through local neighborhoods means being a patron of local shops, restaurants, and businesses, contributing to the local economy.
Image Source: Bambu Indah Resort
👉🏼 Why is it sustainable conscious?
This is an ecolodge wonder not to be missed!
You only need one fact to understand their uniqueness: AN AIR-CONDITIONED BED (say what 😱)! Yes, you read it right.
To minimise their carbon impact, they've invented air-conditioned beds, where the mosquito net surrounding the bed captures the cool air.
To preserve local water resources, they've dug a well nearby, fed by natural underground water reserves and filtered it through a reverse osmosis system, then filtered again and recycled through their freshwater pool.
All bath products are made of 100% natural and organic ingredients, ensuring that runoff from sinks and showers doesn't harm the natural surroundings.
Their garden not only supplies food to their restaurant but was also designed to inspire guests to reimagine their own lives back home by digging up their lawns to plant tomatoes.
Thanks to their abundant garden, they are also one of the few places in Bali that serve organic Balinese meals.
Bambu Indah has seamlessly merged ecological mindfulness with world-class service expected in luxurious boutique hotels. They are, without a doubt, one of Bali’s true gems.
👉🏼 What’s in it for travellers?
→ 1000% Insta & TikTok Worthy ;) You've definitely come across this place on social media. It's a feel-good, look-good destination.
→ Unique experiences and features that you won't find in many places around the world (AIR-CONDITIONED BED!!!). Imagine the bragging rights you’ll have by saying you once slept on an air-conditioned bed!
→ Get inspired to make some changes in your own way of living when you're back home. Who knows, by next year, you might have some homegrown tomatoes on your balcony.
👉🏼 What can your travel business learn?
→ Understanding the importance of innovation when it comes to sustainable practices. Just because something isn’t available on the market, it doesn’t mean you can’t create it yourself. Be the innovator in your industry, and that will become your unique selling point.
→ Evaluate the cost-efficiency of water conservation practices. Investing in advanced filtration systems and recycling infrastructure may have an initial cost, but in the long run, you can save on your water bills and have potential positive environmental impacts that outweigh these expenses.
→ Providing 100% natural and organic products is about more than just doing good for the environment. Nowadays, such products are often considered luxurious and enhance guests' overall experience and satisfaction. As a hotelier, you understand that the devil is in the details 😎
Image Source: Bali Buda
👉🏼 Why is it sustainable conscious?
This Bali establishment needs no introduction, with multiple locations throughout the island reflecting Bali Buda's commitment to sustainability from the moment you walk through the door.
Their menu features locally sourced and organic ingredients, collaborating closely with local farmers practicing organic farming methods. This involves using natural pesticides and fertilizers, preserving soil health and biodiversity while contributing to a balanced ecosystem.
The health-supportive food selection is 100% homemade with real ingredients, naturally processed, and carefully sourced to be chemical-free and GMO (genetically modified organism)-free.
Bali Buda also boasts some of the most sustainable takeaway packaging on the island - paper bags made from old newspaper, food wrapped in banana leaves, soups served in glass bottles... the list goes on.
They are dedicated to waste reduction - composting, and recycling, with up to 90% of their waste being repurposed.
Bali Buda also supports a local NGO, Rumah Sehat Madani (RSM), which provides maternal and general healthcare to disadvantaged families in Denpasar, Bali.
Beyond being a restaurant, each Bali Buda location features a health food store that acts as a marketplace for local farms and artisans. This commitment creates a positive ripple effect—boosting the local economy, preserving traditional farming methods, craftsmanship, and reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation of goods.
👉🏼 What’s in it for travellers?
→ Indulge in healthy and sustainably sourced meals
→ Support local farmers practicing organic methods. This helps boost the local economy, encourages sustainable farming practices, and preserves traditional farming methods.
→ Contribute to a local NGO through your dining experience
→ The health food store gives you an opportunity to bring a piece of Bali's sustainable ethos home with you or even to pack it to enjoy for the rest of your trip.
👉🏼 What can your travel business learn?
→ Offer health-supportive food options made with real ingredients and processed naturally to cater to the growing consumer demand for chemical-free and GMO-free produces. As individuals become more mindful of their dietary choices, positioning your restaurant at the forefront of this movement creates a unique selling point.
→ Demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability throughout your operations, from sourcing to waste management.
→ Prioritise locally sourced and organic ingredients to support local farmers and contribute to a more sustainable food supply chain.
→ Diversify your business by introducing features such as a health food store or a sustainable shop where relevant. This not only provides guests with the chance to take a part of your restaurant home but also establishes your brand as a memorable talking point for them to share and recommend to family and friends for future visits.
Image Source: Ubud Story Walks
👉🏼 Why is it sustainable conscious?
Ubud Story Walks was founded by three passionate history enthusiasts – Kelly, Khana, and Windari. Their mission is to safeguard the cultural heritage of Ubud, often known as the island's cultural cradle.
Recognising the area's neglect and growing commercialisation amid the tourist influx, they set out to address these challenges.
Their tours pay homage to the Balinese people, celebrating their resilience in the face of change while preserving their cultural identity.
Their tours navigates the juxtaposition of old and new, guiding guests through the 'modern' Ubud to unveil its rich history.
Walking with Ubud Story Walks is more than a tour; it's like a casual stroll with friends. Their goals for your visit are clear:
1) You leave knowing, learning, and loving Ubud
2) You become a walking talking wiki on Ubud for your friends!
If you are a history or cultural nerd, this one is definitely for you!
👉🏼 What’s in it for travellers?
→ An immersive experience that goes beyond visiting a typical tourist spot.
→ Gain insights into the cultural heritage of Ubud, appreciating its historical significance, not just its pretty cafes, beautiful rice fields, and monkeys in the forest.
→ Enjoy the company of friendly guides, making the tour feel like time-traveling with friends rather than a conventional guided experience.
→ Become a Ubud encyclopedia by the end of the tour so you can go home and boast about your newfound knowledge (ahem! more cultured 😜).
👉🏼 What can your travel business learn?
→ Recognise niche interests and cater to specific demographics. Ubud Story Walks appeals to history and culture enthusiasts, creating a niche market for their services. Doing it well gives you the opportunity to capture the majority share of that market.
→ Offer extensive educational and informative value. For travellters seeking historical and cultural experiences, the purpose of travel is to authentically learn about new places. Their primary objective is to develop a profound appreciation and understanding of the destination. They seek in-depth insights, going beyond surface-level information or readily available facts online. Share intriguing details that go beyond what can be easily found through a simple Google search.
→ Cultivate a word-of-mouth marketing strategy. Ubud Story Walks encourages participants to become walking talking wikis on Ubud, fostering organic recommendations and sharing of experiences.