We're loving Lindy Klim's Bali lifestyle, why Bali stirs her soul and how it makes childhood so special for her children
Long before it was considered hip & happening to jaunt into Bali for a year or more of time out or cool ‘island lifestyle’ living, the gorgeous Lindy Klim and her family were calling Bali one of their two permanent homes. Splitting time between the metropolis of Melbourne and her glam fashion and ambassador commitments across Australia, with chilled family time in the laid-back surfer ‘hood of Canggu in South Bali has become business-as-usual for this accomplished and effortlessly glamorous mother of three. Wouldn’t we all love to balance fabulous fashion moments and ambassadorships [Omega, Qantas, MAC to name a few] with gorgeous family time, sunsets and exciting new business plans in Bali. Ah, yes please! [More on Lindy’s new business adventures coming soon!].
Here, Lindy tells us a little about her Bali loves, and the special places that help make the island home for her and her children [with ex-partner Michael Klim], Stella, Rocco & Frankie.
We all dream of living in Bali, how & why did you do it?
I’m half Balinese and unfortunately didn’t get to know my father who passed away when Stella was born, almost 10 years ago now. I had this big need to come here and get to know the island and family I knew little about. Along with being a new mum, that time coincided with busy times with Michael working and our starting the business of Milk & Co, so Bali was a place to reconnect as a family and spend quality time together for three months at a time, initially. Then, in typical Bali expat style, we never really went back permanently – we’d stay for longer each time and then start to commute back, we lived like that for a while until deciding to make Bali our home for the children.
What does Bali mean to you?
Bali is a just a really special place, for so many reasons. Where do I start? We love way the kids can be and grow up here, it’s so free & natural. I adore their school, the Green School, as do they. They have friends around the corner, can walk to the beach or ride bikes around right outside. It’s like everything we used to do in the ‘70s, they’re only kids and here they don’t get to be preoccupied with TV or advertising like most of the world. I love the way they don’t even know what they want for Christmas as they’re so busy living their life and not at all consumed by TV, a new surfboard is as much as they know to ask for!
For me, it’s about just feeling so calm when I’m here. One part of my life is quite glamorous and in the public eye, and Bali is the total opposite. There’s no keeping up with the Joneses, no-one cares about what you’re wearing, what car you drive and the rest. Nobody cares what you do. Bali is a great balance because for me, and I’ve got a great group of friends here yet it’s a private place and so easy to feel more centred, do more yoga, see great healers, eat healthily, do my hippy stuff. Then when I’m in Australia I love enjoying the differences – red wine, red meat, beautiful shoes and handbags!
Describe your lifestyle in Bali in a few words?
Super relaxed, easy, fun, fun with kids, spiritual, free.
What’s your favourite Bali experience or moments?
Bali sunsets, no doubt. Having this view from our villa, with the sun setting right here, means we never miss one. They’re so special, we always appreciate them. We also climbed Mount Batur to reach the top for sunrise, that was just incredible – so special. I’ve climbed a few mountains but that is one that takes the cake, eating breakfast up there as the sun comes up was magical. Easter is also a favourite time, as it is slightly cooler weather as it is coming into the rainy season, and it’s far less hectic than in the winter [high season July & August].
What’s your favourite cultural time / experience in Bali?
Without a doubt, it’s Nyepi, [Balinese New Year, or Day of Silence]. We have a great group of friends who come with us over to Alila at Candi Dasa. They’re so great at keeping the children entertained with beautiful Nyepi themed activities for kids to do. We love the Ogah Ogah parade the night before, and when the island is in darkness over the 24hours of silence, the stars are so bright. The kids get so excited thinking they can see spirits flying past the island.
What do your children love most about Bali?
Their school, the laid-back lifestyle, their friends, surfing, not wearing shoes! That’s becoming a biggie lately. On Rocco’s first day of school, he almost got away with not wearing any shoes or even having his backpack! He’s always saying, ‘Mum, please don’t make me go back’ as he loves life here so much.
How is Bali different to other places in Asia?
Bali is such a unique island – there’s really nothing like it in my opinion, for a few reasons. Firstly, the gorgeous culture and people here is truly what makes Bali what it is, they’re so special and unique. With kids especially, there’s so much for them to do and see, or just be. And without paying a fee to do anything, it’s a great place for children to have fun. And more recently, the food! Bali has come such a long way with restaurants & bars, and its service. We were in Palm Springs recently which was great, but even there the pools and staff are nothing like here in Bali. It makes it difficult to go anywhere else for holiday, as we’re always comparing it back to Bali!
Your advice for anyone considering a move to Bali?
Let it go. They say Bali either accepts you or spits you back out, so you can’t sweat the small stuff. You just have to go with it – yes, the power and internet may go down at times unlike Australia, but you can still have cocktails at the W or see a beautiful sunset to balance things out. The change can be difficult and not just in moving here, but when living here with the differences. Things aren’t always as cheap as people think – yes housing and nannies may be less, but schooling and things like electricity can get you. And when you first move, you can be constantly entertaining visitors who are on their holiday, and never be at home! We have a coffee & coconut policy for catch ups during the week now.
Anything else we should know about your life in Bali?
I definitely dominate the roads when driving here, you just can’t back down! We also have family dance parties on most Friday nights with the kids and Ayu, our nanny, after dinner. Frankie in particular is obsessed with music, one night they wouldn’t let it end so we’ve had to tone them down now! People often ask me, ‘What are you going to do when you move back to real world’ which bothers us a bit. Living in Bali actually is our world, it’s my life and my kids life and we’re really happy here… It already is our real world.
LINDY’S FAVOURITE BALI…
Family place: Pan Pacific resort on a Sunday, they have waterslides without having to travel to the big waterparks, the food is great, you can see the temple and it’s quite inexpensive.
Fun/social night out: We’re loving One Eyed Jack at the moment, we’ve been going 2-3 times a week. And Ku De Ta – especially Sundays for breakkie with kids, and it’s still a lovely place for a sunset drink if you can get early enough.
Restaurants: La Lucciola for dinner, it’s so romantic, beautiful and the food is incredible. Upstairs at MamSan is always a good one too and we love Lacalita in Canggu, our local.
Café: My new favourite one is Shady Shack just around the corner, their halloumi bowls are the best thing ever. But there’s so many hipsters!
Shopping stores: I don’t do as much as I should but I love Souq, Magali Pascal is always really beautiful and Kim Soo for homewares. I often pick up my best treasures though on the side of road in the local stores and markets whilst driving the kids to school, I probably do most of shopping that way.
Bali style essentials: Denim cut-offs, slip dresses from Bassike in Australia, beautiful one piece swimwear or bikinis are a must of course, and I love beautiful scarfs [worn as a turban or headband, sarong or dress]. I have a really simple beauty routine – a cleanser, moisturiser and our Milk & Co Beauty Wipes. The wipes are double sided, double sized, and were the first of their kind, with one side exfoliating and the other cleansing. Perfect for Bali life!
Favourite sunset spot: My balcony.
Day trip in/around Bali: Karma Kandara at Ungasan, or Gerber Beach in Nusa Dua.
Bali experience off the tourist track: The Mount Batur sunrise hike. Bedugal is also stunning – the sunset is very pretty, the botanical gardens are gorgeous and the Tree Tops is great for kids with the zipline and all different things to do.
Favourite wellbeing and healing experience in Bali: This is where the hippie-Lindy comes out! I’m obsessed with Thomas for acupuncture, he is from Vienna and is AMAZING! I have been seeing him for years and years from the Detox Room on Batu Bolong. Jim the healer is known around the island, he scans your body and puts energy back in through massage. Omar my medium is also quite famous, he travels the world and even sees Arnie Schwarzenegger, so seeing him whenever he is in Bali is a true experience. Meli is amazing for reiki, her juices and food programs, she brings her beautiful energy to the house so love to see her. And Mel from Avocado Café does the most amazing home cooked meals, or protein or vegan food, – these are deliveries that you need in your life! Viewing any sort of Balinese ceremony is also spiritual in so many ways, everyone should experience Bali’s ceremonies.
Special Bali place: We love Candi Dasa! On the way up with the family we buy bunches of fish sates locally, they’re sooo good. It’s still untouched up there, so its not as touristy, hipster or backpacker like most of Bali has now become.
Follw Lindy’s Bali and Melbourne lives on Instagram.
