Alila Manggis’ The Green Bank 2011
Dear friends,
We have just completed one year of thegreenbank at Alila Manggis in Bali, Indonesia and are proud to present to you a recap of what we have done. Let me just say for now that I continue to sincerely believe that it is a step in the right direction and am personally proud of what we as a team have achieved. We don’t aim to change the world but we certainly wish to encourage a few believers to make a difference in Bali. I look forward to hearing from you any ideas, suggestions or comments you may have to share.
The Green Bank 2012 Resolutions :
To complete the Collection Point, Sorting Station and playground for kids in the village which will in turn assure us of extended participation. To appoint a working committee from amongst the team at the hotel. To work at setting up the ‘home gardens’ in interested homes. To train clusters of families in different crafts such as candle making and re‐cycling paper to make cards and note lets, etc, so that as a home industry, our promise would be to buy back from them and sell them through our Alila Living boutique. To set up a better organised composting area. To continue to reduce the issue of non-biodegradable products in the hotel operation.
Happy reading and best wishes for a “Surprisingly Different” 2012. Thank you very much for listening …. It is your support that motivates us to keep going.
Best regards,
Sanjiva
Sanjiva Gautamadasa
General Manager – Alila Manggis
sanjiva@alilahotels.com
DECEMBER 2011
WE ARE A YEAR OLD … AND WE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Twelve months into the programme and we are still moving forward. It is time to take note of the strengths and work at rectifying weaknesses from the past in 2012. Our aim is to spread the concept from our little neighbouring village of Buitan in Manggis to a few more little villages within the vicinity. As usual, we ended the year with a customary collection of garbage, and completed thegreenbank banner painting, banners that would be used by us at their different events and sessions. A slideshow of the past year and their participation intrigued the children when they saw themselves on the TV set‐up to remind them of the year that had passed. A cake was cut and the birthday song was sung in both Bahasa Indonesia and in English, with a genuine promise to keep going in 2012 and take the initiative to the next level.
NOVEMBER 2011
WASTE COLLECTION CONTINUES
The routine collection of garbage continues with emphasis on encouraging members to sort the garbage so that they realise the differences. In our second year, it is our intention to take them to visit some Recycling Centres in Bali.
OCTOBER 2011
OUR SHORT TERM GOAL – A GARBAGE COLLECTION POINT & SORTING STATION IN THE VILLAGE AMIDST A PLAYGROUND FOR THE KIDS
To continue with consistency, we need to ensure that we gain the support of the extended community and enjoy the confidence of the multiple villages in what we are trying to do. We aim not to make them suspect that it is we who earn the laurels for doing things through them and thus gaining recognition, both locally and internationally. We wish to engage them, and through theoretical methods and through activities, to introduce them to and teach them the importance of looking after and conserving our environment. Keeping this in mind, it is our intention to:
- Set up a Garbage Collection Point and Sorting Station in the village with the support of the village council to encourage everyone to dispose of their garbage sensibly while we continue to as promised manage it and collect it.
- Since having fun encourages learning, we will combine this with a playground for the children. At one corner of this playground will be a Learning Board for the display of notices, educative tutorials and information.
SEPTEMBER 2011
BUITAN VILLAGE CLEAN‐UP CAMPAIGN
We walked through the village and beach with our neighbours on a clean‐up mission. With time we believe that they will decide it easier not to throw things there in first place.
AUGUST 2011
LET’S GROW SOME VEGGIES
On 5th August, we handed all participants a fruit or vegetable plant and showed them how to plant it in a bed laid out for the purpose. They would be allowed to come in any time to tend this plant which would be marked with their name. The intention behind this was to encourage them to do the same in their small garden plots back home. The small amount of produce they may generate will be bought back from them for use in our menus, once the broader goal is achieved.
UNICEF “SPIRIT OF CHAMPION” EVENING
We sponsored 12 older members (children) along with three of our Co‐ordinators to attend this event at the Bali Art Centre in Denpasar in support of the UNICEF Check Out for Children Programme where all the money collected goes towards inoculating children in the underdeveloped world against 9 deadly early childhood diseases. It included a demonstration for all on the martial art of ‘Wushu’, an art that promotes wellness of mind, body and soul. The evening ended for the kids at Dunkin Donuts and KFC – the good mixed with the not so good.
JULY 2011
RECOGNITION OF THE EFFORTS MADE
Six months into our programme, still going strong and evolving continuously, we now saw it as the opportune time to recognise our members for the efforts they had put into making this initiative a success. Every one of the members who contributed in any small way through the collection and contribution of litter was rewarded based on the number of kilos they brought to thegreenbank on their fortnightly visits. We also announced the winners of the “Say No To Plastic”– Recycled Bag Painting Competition that was held among the members.
MAY & JUNE 2011
THE COLLECTION OF LITTER CONTINUES
Our members continue to bring in litter from their homes and the vicinity around them more diligently. The amounts continue to be recorded. Now being six months into the commencement of the initiative, we decided to total the quantities brought by each member and reward them based on their contribution. Each member was to be recognised, however big or small their contribution had been, as a means of keeping them motivated to continue.
“SAY NO TO PLASTIC”– RECYCLED BAG PAINTING COMPETITION
We used our discarded bed sheets to make bags that the members could use next time they go to a shop. We encouraged them to paint a message and a picture on them using some natural colours made of chocolate, beetroot and carrot as well as some regular paints. Of course, the paints were more popular among the kids – they had fun and so did we. We selected the top ten which were displayed on the hotel grounds during afternoon tea time, inviting guests to judge which one was the best in their opinion.
APRIL 2011
THE EARTH DAY ACTIVITY
Earth Day was on the 22nd of the month. It also coincided with the Saraswathi Festival and ceremony in Bali – where the Hindus worship books and education. In order to ensure that we did not disrupt or get limited attendance for our Earth Day activity, we held it earlier on 20th April 2011. All of our registered members, 60 in all, along with some guests converged on the village our members come from. Upto now, they had been collecting and depositing with us the waste from their individual homes and not the waste that is strewn around the lanes and roads and land spaces. In the past, the hotel staff would do a Gotong Royong (a Balinese concept meaning ‘Together, we can do it’ ) every Earth Day to clean the village for the villagers resulting in the villagers themselves not really owning the issue. This time they had to join in, and join in they did! It all ended with lunch and dessert at the hotel compound, and oh dear, we served drinking water in disposable plastic cups. We too are evolving. Till then, we will make mistakes too.
MARCH 2011
We lost our way for a couple of days here and stalled on some of the activities we had planned. We promised ourselves that for this programme to be consistently sustainable and productive, we as a team would have to ensure continuity by being more diligent.
FEBRUARY 2011
RECYCLING PAPER
We have now started recycling the paper we dispose of in the hotel and offer it as an activity for our guests through our experiences booklet. We asked the participants (mostly children) if they would like to learn. The enthusiasm was overwhelming. We registered and enrolled all the children over Grade 3 who were interested.
JANUARY 2011
CONTINUITY AND CONSISTENCY
It is never easy to stay motivated when it comes to change and introducing it to a group of people who live very differently. That is what we believed anyway. We sent out an invitation reminding everyone that 14th January 2011 would be the first day of collection for 2011. Did we expect a huge participation, especially considering that in the invitation we had purposely left out the aspect of a tea party afterwards? Would they still be keen to attend was the question on our minds. This time we had even more participants, 34 in all, and again many with bags of litter all standing in line to be weighed. A few had even taken the trouble to pre‐sort them into the different categories before bringing them to the hotel. Members of our team, Arnaya, our F&B Manager, Suastika, our Security Manager, Sudiasa, our Engineer, and once again Rantun, took the chance to share some information. We decided that from the next time onwards, we would pre‐program (??do you mean pre-record?) what is said in order to ensure that the participants gain focused information and in small doses. The afternoon ended with a glass of water for each participant. They left us with smiles on their faces, feeling refreshed that they had done something very good and positive.
THE WASTE COLLECTION CONTINUED
In pouring rain, while we at the hotel had decided that the community would not show, we were pleasantly surprised when 31 people appeared, eagerly pulling their bags of rubbish for us to record and segregate, keeping us on our toes, so to speak. We did as we were expected. We were also planning to teach them how to recycle paper but this proved difficult given the weather so we re‐scheduled it. The afternoon ended with some Balinese sweets and water for each participant. They left disappointed that they could not recycle paper as they had hoped to, but with the knowledge that they would be back next week to learn the art.
27 December 2010
THE LAUNCH
The staff and their families came marching into the hotel with an average of two sacks each of litter. The pillow cases were just too little for what they had in mind. Our staff registered every person who brought a bag in and weighed their contribution, making a note of each contribution next to their name. There was a welcome address and a thank you from Rantun, our Housekeeper, who took the opportunity to explain a bit about what negative effects can be caused, sooner or later, if we don’t start doing things differently. A tea party followed thereafter with some snacks, sweets and ice creams, juices and ice tea. A thank you note in Bahasa and English was handed to each participant. We promised to maintain a minimum of two collection dates every month commencing 2011 – a promise I am proud to say we kept save for on two occasions.
21 December 2010
THE INTRODUCTION
Twenty of our staff live in Buitan. We met with them and asked them what they thought of our proposition. Their usually callous outlook to disposing of waste made me expect a frightfully negative response, but instead, they wanted to know when they could start. We gave them an old pillow case each and asked them to fill them up with litter that they throw out on a daily basis from within their homes. We asked them to bring these ‘recycling bags’ back to the hotel on the 27th with as much litter as they could for systematic sorting.
Alila’s 2011 Achievements
Our success in the last TEN years came about because of our friends in the travel trade, media and our guests who believed in the Alila promise and told our stories to the world… Here are Alila’s achievements in 2011…
November 2011
Alila Villas Soori achieved the Villa Ultimate Award by Island Destinations’ debut 2012 Travelers Collection
October 2011
Alila Ubud listed in the 20 Best Hotels in Asia and The Indian Subcontinent by Condé Nast Traveler UK “2011 Readers’ Travel Awards”
October 2011
Spa Alila at Alila Villas Soori nominated for Eco Spa of the Year and Spa Design of the Year by ASIA SPA AWARD
October 2011
Alila Villas Uluwatu listed in the “100 Best Hotels in the World” by The Sunday Times Travel 2011
“The setting – a craggy limestone perch battered by surf – may be awesome, but Alila’s design is more than a match. Sculptural cubes above the pool and the ocean hide sumptuous chill-out zones. Villas combine maximum privacy with enviable amounts of outdoor space.”
July 2011
Alila Villas Uluwatu awarded International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies
June 2011
Alila Villas Uluwatu a finalist in the Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence by Urban Land Institute 2011
May 2011
Alila Diwa Goa awarded as one of India’s Best Managed Hospitality Groups in 2nd Annual India Leadership Conclave 2011
May 2011
Alila Villas Uluwatu awarded a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) international award for architectural excellence
May 2011
Alila Villas Uluwatu achieved EarthCheck Silver certification for its compliance with environmental practices.
The EarthCheck Program is widely regarded as the world’s most scientifically rigorous, and is focused on maximising operational efficiencies to minimise CO2e emissions, while supporting host communities. It looks at key environmental indicators such as energy and water consumption, total waste production as well as community commitment, to determine the level of performance.
May 2011
Alila Villas Uluwatu picked as one of the World Coolest Hotels by Ottawa Sun
“It’s no wonder the beautiful people flock to Alila Villas Uluwatu, a jaw-dropping cliffhanger of a retreat on Bali’s dramatic southern Bukit Peninsula, boasting panoramic views over the Indian Ocean.”
May 2011
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Alila Ubud and Kemang Icon listed in the World’s 20 Coolest Hotel Pools by FORBES USA
April 2011
Alila Diwa Goa took home the Critic’s Award for the “Best New Hotel in the Luxury and Upscale Segment” at the 2011 Hotel & Investor Conference South-Asia (HICSA). HICSA Hotels of the Year Awards are recognised as a global benchmark for excellence in the travel and hospitality sector and honour the most outstanding hotel developments of the previous year in South Asia.
February 2011
Alila Villas Uluwatu listed in “Top 10 Hotel Pools: Dive Into Decadence” in The National Online
Jakarta’s Most Creative Hotel
From http://www.starproperty.my/PropertyGuide/Living/17179/0/0
Indonesian architect Sardjono Sani is regarded as a modernist and has taken his concept of architecture and interior design to a whole new level with his Kemang Icon hotel project. Located in the affluent enclave of Kemang in the south of Jakarta, the 12-room boutique hotel is well-sited in an established part of the sprawling city.
Jakarta is touted as the most populous city in South-East Asia and the 10th largest in the world. It spans 661sq km and teems with 9.6 million people, at last official count. Jam-packed, sophisticated and trendy, Kemang is the preferred neighbourhood for any upscale business venture aimed at Jakarta’s affluent class. “In a matured urban society, there is a real need for personalised and unique services,” pointed out Sardjono, when explaining his hotel concept. “There is a segment in such a society that craves for fulfillment. This is where Kemang Icon comes into play.”
The building that houses Kemang Icon is located in the centre of Kemang, among hip cafés and trendy boutiques. But the hotel itself is rather hidden from the hustle and bustle of Kemang’s narrow streets. It is tucked away, behind art galleries and above office space that occupy the first two floors of the building. The hotel’s entrance is on the first floor. Here, impressive artwork decorates the wall and the tables. Take, for instance, a magnificent oil painting behind the concierge desk.
Maestro
Entitled, Nature in Meditation, and depicting the iconic image of the Borobudur temple complex, this painting is the work of Indonesian maestro, Srihadi Soedarsono, completed in 2000. There’s also a 1,000-year-old statue of Lord Ganesha in the corner of the lobby. And as you walk into the lobby, you will be greeted by an ancient Balinese topeng or mask, believed to have been made for the legendary royal servant-cum-clown, known as Panasar. Just when you thought that the interior of this boutique hotel is all about adding a contemporary edge juxtaposed against traditional Indonesian aesthetics, a pair of 17th Century French mirrors are hung on the wall. It is believed that the mirrors once belonged to the Sultan of Surakarta. “The emphasis on serious artwork hopefully conveys our commitment in providing one-of-a-kind services to guests,” explained Sardjono.
Affandi
A guest at Kemang Icon is treated as king, and Sardjono ensures that this was the way his guests were to be treated. “If the Srihardi painting isn’t your cup of tea, and you prefer an Affandi (Indonesian master) instead, I will make sure that you’re happy. You can request pretty much everything,” he said, with pride. “If you are to pay a premium price for a night in a hotel room, then why do you have to be given an architectural and design experience similar to 500 other guests in the same building? “I want to make Kemang Icon a place for people to indulge their ego, without feeling guilty. My guests shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting a ‘Me’ time,” said the veteran architect, adding that the desire to build a world-class boutique hotel has always been a dream for him and his wife.
Rave reviews
The dream finally came true in 2005, when the couple launched Kemang Icon. Rave reviews from Conde Nast Traveler’s, which named it among ‘Scene Stealing Hotels in Indonesia’. Los Angeles-based lifestyle website, Gayot, also included Kemang Icon in Top 10 Boutique Hotels in the world, making it on par with New York’s Gramercy Hotel and Paris’ Hotel Franklin D. Roosevelt. “It was about time that Jakarta has an establishment that forges energetic edge – one that symbolises a contemporary architectural icon. This was the main idea behind all the design decisions in this hotel,” said Sardjono, who obtained his degree in architecture from Parahyangan and a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Colorado, Denver. Indeed, the hotel immediately stands out architecturally. From the distinctive blue-glass façade to the mezzanine floor on the third level, there is a perfect interplay of space and intimacy.
Art Deco
In terms of materials, there’s also a harmonious combination of granite, marble, onyx, glass, metal and wood. Adding to the richness of the materials are interior accessories featuring Art Deco paintings and artifacts. Meanwhile, the wall colour scheme is awashed with a subtle palette. “I took into consideration the style, creativity, function and well-being when designing the layout. The emphasis is on open, visually connected space that enhance the interaction of work, living and play. Transparent yet preserving privacy in a stylishly modern way,” pointed out Sardjono.
A dozen design themes
To facilitate ‘Me’ time for his guests, Sardjono carefully selected design themes for each of the 12 bedrooms available at Kemang Icon. “Each room caters to an individual’s needs and taste. For example, there’s a room with an Oriental theme popular among culture buffs. Here, we placed Wayang Potehi puppet collectibles – with real human hair, no less,” said Sardjono. In contrast, there’s a room that offers a minimal interior design scheme, with monochromatic wallpaper and clean-cut furniture. “This minimalist room usually hosts the same kind of guests: tech-savvy, urbane and fuss-free business travellers,” he said. An oval room on the third floor, which has an asymmetrical layout and an expansive view of Jakarta, caters to travellers who demand a luxe lifestyle with an edgier design taste. But the one that takes the cake, is the room that highlights Balinese aesthetics, evident in the mini padi field right outside the window. Those who keep coming back to this room, Sardjono explained, are travellers who appreciate the romantic, tropical living concept while holding on to their urban sensibilities. With such a deep commitment to understanding the urban market segment, Sardjono has advanced the Indonesian boutique hotel concept further. And in the process, defied stereotypical ideas about tropical resorts that have dominated the hospitality industry for more than two decades.
Under the Skin at Alila Manggis
Like its namesake fruit, the mangosteen, Manggis on the east coast of Bali isn’t quite as accessible as better-known Bali destinations. However, it rewards you with a memorable taste of the ‘Island of the Gods’ that is well worth the extra effort.
About a two-and-a-half hour drive from the airport delivers you to the unspoiled eastern coastline of Bali in the shadow of active volcano Mount Agung, Bali’s highest and most sacred peak. Far removed from the party palaces and tourist traps, the locals here still follow their traditional lifestyle of rice farming, fishing, salt making and weaving.
Eager to explore the ‘real Bali’, we signed up on our first morning for a guided hike through the surrounding countryside. Pack a pair of sturdy shoes if you wish to embark on some of the more challenging ‘Alila Journeys’ offered, such as a four-hour trek to the summit of Mount Agung. If you’re like me and your resort luggage typically includes a less-than-hardy selection of strappy heels and flip flops, you can still enjoy a superb hike of the rice terraces and ancient villages a short drive from the resort.
Our hike took us along a hillside ridge following an ancient irrigation channel. The entire way we were afforded magnificent views of glittering rice terraces punctuated by palm fronds and thatched huts stepping down the verdant valley to the plain below. Beyond that, we glimpsed the sparkle of deep blue ocean and simmering silhouette of Mount Agung.
Along the way our guide, who grew up in these very hills, pointed out native pandan, cassava, tamarind and mangosteen plants. He explained how locals used macadamia and indigo to dye their exquisite ikat textiles. We drank young coconuts and snacked on tiny sugar bananas and snakefruit during a rest stop at a local home.
We eventually wound our way down toward the village, passing hill communities selling their handicrafts by the side of the road. If you’re in the market for Balinese weaving or wood carving, this is a great place to pick up anything from hair accessories to huge baskets.
The hike ended in ancient Tenganan – one of east Bali’s oldest and most unique villages. The fortress village dates back to the 11th century. Its identical terracotta houses are decorated with ornate stone carvings and wildly blooming bougainvillea. To this day, villagers follow ancient Bali Aga rituals, such as inter-village marriage and gladiator battles. They are also skilled in the intricate art of ‘double ikat’ weaving and you can purchase colourful cloths and traditional masks at the local workshops.
We arrived back at the resort just in time for afternoon tea – which promptly became my favourite time of day at Alila Manggis. Strong local coffee, sweet herbal tea and traditional ‘jajan’ snacks are served each afternoon in the resort grounds. Guests laze around the diamond-shaped pool or play badminton as late afternoon sunlight through the palms cast dramatic shadows across the blissful scene. Afterwards, sunset yoga in the seaside sala is the perfect way to achieve an even higher state of nirvana.
Those with a romantic streak should book a private seaside dinner for two served by personal butlers in the flickering glow of fire torches. Even regular dinner at Seasalt Restaurant is a treat. Chef Nyoman Santika, a native of east Bali, is well known across the island and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better Balinese meal.
By night, the meditative pounding of the ocean breakers echoes loudly across the coconut grove. I was lulled into the deepest sleep I’d had in ages, firmly under the mangosteen spell.
Delicious indulgence in Bali for our maximooners
Kath Freer and her husband James have been exploring the Far East, with an unscheduled interlude in Bali the latest stop on their year-long honeymoon. It makes a change for us to read about our adrenaline-junkie maximooners chilling out on the beach, downing mega-cocktails and devouring prawns the size of a hand – nice!
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