To celebrate Global Day of Discovery, we headed south to Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa, where we discovered cultural traditions and awesome eco-initiatives…
Ahh Uluwatu – breathtaking cliffs and fabulous white-sand beaches with the island’s laid-back vibes on Bali’s Bukit peninsula. There’s no better place to bask in vacay bliss, and adding to that is Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa – an architectural delight where each stay is an experience. For starters, this iconic Uluwatu resort is perched high up on a hill, overlooking the panoramic views of the blue sky and the Indian Ocean…
But that’s not all. A stay here means you get to connect with local communities and immerse in Bali’s rich culture and traditions. To experience the resort’s cultural offerings, we headed south and celebrated Renaissance’s annual Global Day of Discovery 2023 – three days of discovering Bali’s traditional arts, indigenous flavours, sustainability projects and more. Here’s what we got up to at Renaissance’s 9th anniversary, and the Global Day of Discovery!
The art of Endek, a Balinese fashion show and the Punchbowl Ritual
Without doubt, Bali is most famous for its arts and culture. One tradition that’s making its way onto the international stage is the art of Endek, Balinese woven fabric. We discovered the history and evolution of this traditional handmade textile from its birth in the 16th century to its use in modern day religious ceremonies, fashion and homewares. To see it all in action, the pioneering Tenun Agung Bali gave us a demonstration on how each fabric is weaved, before showcasing their impeccably finished products. Next up, a fashion show by Bali’s world-renowned designer, Dwi Iskandar, whose collection was centred around Endek. From the making to the runway, this unique artform will never go out of style.
Completing the fashion show was a selection of R Bar’s cocktails inspired by the indigenous flavours of Bali – all thanks to the team behind the bar, led by Yoga Tommy and Kiki Moka. Starting with the elevated Punchbowl Ritual, which featured arak (a Balinese spirit) infused with the island’s native fruit, salak. Sourced from local farms and double-distilled by The Selaka, a local distillery, it was the perfect harmony of bounties from the land with modern mixology.
Ecotourism and sustainable initiatives on the island
From the ocean to the table, we started day two of the Global Day of Discovery with a nutritious and delicious breakfast at Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa’s family friendly beach club, Roosterfish Beach Club. As we grazed on our seafood laksa and sipped on fresh coconut water, we learned about the Pandawa community’s coral education and farming programme. And the best bit was, we got to get our hands wet and planted coral ourselves!
Continuing our day of sustainability and ecotourism discovery, we headed to the ZeroWaste Center by R.O.L.E Foundation, an environmental skills centre aimed at addressing the issues of growing landfill, pollution and waste management. We learned about the importance of recycling and upcycling, as well as composting and permaculture, just to name a few. And psst… many communities and businesses, including Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa, have partnered with the centre to apply a more sustainable and environmentally friendly waste management system. Three green thumbs up from us!
A taste of the unique flavours of Bali
After a well-spent day of learning about the wonderful environment, we were treated to a taste of Bali’s produce and spices. Starting with an Indonesian-inspired aperitif, we were then taken through a culinary journey like no other at the resort’s Double Ikat restaurant. The Navigator’s Chef Table with Chef Wisnu Adiyatma is a collection of 12 of his favourite traditional Balinese dishes, made with the island’s iconic ingredients – think Kintamani tangerine, Bali seaweed, Jimbaran prawns, moringa leaves and more. Each plate was presented in modern elegance, and perfectly paired with wine from Sababay, one of Indonesia’s leading wineries. Our fave? Pepes Ikan, featuring steamed marinated barramundi served with tomato and kecombrang relish, crispy fish skin and kemangi leaves on top, paired with Sababay Reserve White.
The last day of Global Day of Discovery was an adventurous one! We toured the neighbourhood on a UNIKAT e-bike, and discovered the hidden gems of Uluwatu as well as a secret temple in Balangan Beach. We then made our way back to the resort, where a revitalising breakfast was served.
Want to stay and discover? Look out for Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa’s events and activities, and experience the best of everything Bali has to offer!
Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa, Jl Pantai Balangan I No. 1, Ungasan, p. +62 361 200 3588