Bali High!

Bali,

better known as the

Island Of The Gods 

has charmed many visitors to her shores.

From the painter

Don Antonio Blanco

to designer 

John Hardy

 to writer

Elizabeth Gilbert.

This mystical island 

of 

5633 square kilometres

is indeed a special place on

Planet Earth.

Balinese culture is perpetuated

through daily rituals

 in

colourful ceremonies

that are both unique and beautiful.

This spiritual island

is located between

Java

& 

Nusa Tenggara.

The Balinese are 

Hindus

&

the island is blessed

with a tropical climate.

My very first visit was way back in the early

1990's.

Already populated with

 eager tourists

 &

intrepid backpackers

searching for 

escapism,

the island was and still is,

thriving with 

enterprise in every form.

Skillfully hand-crafted souvenirs

&

 decor objects made a strong 

impression.

Over the years,

I've returned many, many times

to observe changes that come along with

progress.

Some good,

others questionable.

Nowadays,

five star hotels and equally 

glossy restaurants,

have mushroomed across the island

as if a 

tropical torrential storm

of foreign currency has rained

upon this

 island paradise.

As we all know,

there is a huge difference between

good and great,

passable and ridiculous,

while

 mediocre is found everywhere.

Eat, Pray & Love

 indeed!

On Bali,

the dining scene is as varied

as the

 geography of the land.

Local & regional

"warungs",

free-standing food stalls,

are found everywhere,

while international cuisine

has migrated here in full force.

One such restaurant named

Petitenget

opened this year,

in a quiet corner,

far removed from the

masses.

Let me present
Melanie Baylis.
Originally from France.
One part French & the other,
 English.
Transplanted to the island via
Dubai.
Arrived 12 months ago.
Wife
&
Restaurant Manager
rolled into one.

I've met Melanie several times at the restaurant.

She's totally charming.

Always smiling.

Really pleasant.

A fake personality you could tell straight away.

But Melanie comes across

as genuine as the pearls harvested

on the archipelago of 

Indonesia.

Not only is she picture-perfect,

she's also very competent

from my observation of her

in action.

Her language is exacting,

while her demeanour is very French.

This girl has verve!

Black or white?
Black.

What's missing in your life?
Horse riding & snow.

Fish or meat?

Meat.

What is your passion?

My job.

High heels or flats?

...depends.

Your hobby?

Being with friends over a good dinner.

Favourite film?

Je t'aime Moi Non Plus.

What is underrated now?
France.

Favourite cuisine?
French.

Biggest daily challenge?

To build up this restaurant.

Can you cook?
Yes.
My favourite dish to prepare is
Tartiflette.

What motivates you?

My job!

Most favourite wine?

Rosè Cotes de Provence- Saint Marguerite.

Next holiday destination?

Japan...for skiing!

If I say Orange, what would you say?
Banana !!!

What irritates you?

Conflicts.

Favourite restaurant in the world?
Joel Robuchon in London.

Favourite perfume?
Touch of Pink
from
Lacoste!

What keeps you awake at night?
My guests!!!

Bali's ultimate high 
has certainly captivated  
many.
The ancient temples are like
sirens, drawing us in with
their mystical energy.
After a stint in Dubai,
Melanie was enchanted by this island
which exudes ideal exoticism
&
"she needed a place which is green 
and has fresh air."
Besides, 
Bali has a great many lofty
pursuits.
Spa is BIG here.
From the most luxurious
to the
genuinely humble,
one could get pampered easily.

Our conversation over

 good coffee

in the late afternoon was almost over.

The restaurant had a few customers in

for a quick bite 

or

to relax away the afternoon heat.

Holidays does that to you...you let yourself

immerse in the 

local rhythm.

Abundance of artistic expression 

as

well as a 

strong cultural bond,

Bali is certainly captivating.

Melanie comes across as a lass

who is

 cool & comfortable 

in her own skin.

Her tone is gentle...

her manner amiable.

She believes that good food has to be "simple".

Flavours must not be too complex,

&

 French food will never be passé.

Happy Hour
was upon us
as we wrapped up our
easy-flow chatter.
As the Balinese
return home after 
another day of
work & prayer,
while
a
brilliant orange sun
hovers over the
Indian Ocean,
we bid each other
"au revoir".
Just as the bright ball of light
disappeared,
a glowing nod to another day in paradise,
I thought it was fortunate to have met someone
who certainly will have
her own restaurant one day.
The locals believe in the
alignment of the
stars & planets...
and so
Melanie's
time will come.
It's written all over her.
She has the energy 
that compels us to be taken in...
to be
spellbound!
What's next?
"...to change for dinner service
&
to make myself pretty!"

You already are my dear!