WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THAT VOLCANO!

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WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THAT VOLCANO!

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Bali’s biggest volcano – Gunung Agung – is making headlines around the world as it rumbles then subsides, sending out a plume of ash & steam that varies in intensity and may or may not presage an eruption. If the volcano is drawing the eyes of the world at the moment, for the Balinese Gunung Agung is a constant presence, not just physically but in the very way that they conceive the world.

The Balinese belief system is a unique hybrid of Hinduism, animism and ancestor worship – and Gunung Agung is at the heart of this system. It is the abode of the ancestors, the sacred seat of the Hindu god Siwa, or Shiva – otherwise known as Batara Gunung Agung, home to Bali’s most sacred temple, Besakih.  Every village temple is built to face it and the Balinese orient themselves by it.
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WINTER SUN: INSIDE KERALA – DISCOVERING THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF INDIA’S SOUTHERN JEWEL.

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WINTER SUN: INSIDE KERALA – DISCOVERING THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF INDIA’S SOUTHERN JEWEL.

Think Kerala and the mind probably conjures images of white sand beaches studded with palm trees. Yet Kerala’s interior is one of the great and largely unsung treasures of the Indian subcontinent – a richly fertile mix of monsoon forest, iridescent rice paddies, picturesque and mountains and lakes. It boasts no less than fourteen wildlife sanctuaries where you can encounter creatures like elephants, Indian bison and of course tigers, plus there are six national parks! There are the tea plantations of the Western Ghat mountains to explore, sandalwood forests and spectacular waterfalls like the Athirapally falls…

And then there are the inland waterways that wend their way through the countryside – a network of rivers and manmade canals connecting the state’s lakes and lagoons. One such inland body of water is Lake Vembanad – the largest and most captivating of Kerala’s lakes and the location of luxury resort, Karma Chakra.
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The story of Petros, the VIP (Very Important Pelican) of Mykonos

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The story of Petros, the VIP (Very Important Pelican) of Mykonos

There are many reasons why Mykonos, one of the most famous Greek islands, is well-known among tourists and jet-setters from around the world. Although its stunning turquoise waters, delicious food, natural beauty and world-class party scene are enough to make you fall in love with the Island of Winds, the fantastic story of Petros (Peter) the pelican is well worth discovering.

The history of Petros

In 1958 a fisherman collected and nursed an injured young pelican that landed close to his caïque ( a small fishing boat) while off the coast of Mykonos. During its recovery, the pelican got so accustomed to humans that it began wandering the streets and became an everyday part of life on Mykonos, supported by the locals.

It didn’t take long until the locals gave the pesky pelican a name, Petros, which according to local legend, was the name the fisherman wanted to name a son should he ever be fortunate enough to have one.
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The spookiest Halloween traditions around the world

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The spookiest Halloween traditions around the world

By far the spookiest night of the year, Halloween is one of the most eagerly-anticipated celebrations around the world, traditionally held on October 31st.

Originating deep in the pagan practices of the Celtic culture, the custom of remembering the dead became more popular after Irish migrants immigrated to America. For most of us, Halloween means the ghoulish faces of jack o’lanterns and “trick or treat” – where children visit neighborhood houses in the hope that they’ll receive fistfuls of sweets, yet Halloween’s appeal – and its traditions – vary greatly country to country.

Halloween in Mexico

In Mexico, El Dia de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, lasts for three days. During this time, locals organize parades featuring dancers dressed as skeletons and a person carried by ushers in a coffin. It’s believed that spirits of the deceased come back to visit the living, so families decorate their living rooms with flowers, photographs, water, and some of the dead’s favorite foods while burning candles to help guide the spirits in the dark.
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Bali 10s Rugby Tournament packs them in

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Bali 10s Rugby Tournament packs them in

Last weekend’s hugely popular Bali 10s Rugby tournament was an action-filled couple of days which attracted teams from across the region. It goes without saying that Karma’s love for rugby knows no bounds so our sponsorship of the Bali 10s is the most natural of fits.

What’s more, it’s the biggest tournament of its kind in Asia with more than 40 teams from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong and Indonesia competed head-to-head across a number of categories including Men, Women, Veterans and a Bowl playoff.

As for the rugby, spectators were treated to an action-packed two days consisting of around 40 games a day. Sunday afternoon saw the weekend reach its peak as a big crowd inside the Gelora Samudra Kuta stadium watched the finals and saw Kala Kweens from Perth, Australia (Women’s 10s Cup), Napier from New Zealand (Mens 10s Cup), Bali Chillis (10s Bowl) and West Old Boars (Veteran’s 10s Cup) respectively pick up the major trophies on offer.
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