In Pursuit of Happiness: Expat Clubs in Bali
For whatever reason, people have been forming clubs since time immemorial along with in which is actually no different here in Indonesia. Early colonials, for example, had the Harmoni Club. Today, the junction on which the venerable institution once stood is actually still called Harmoni, nevertheless in which is actually perhaps best known for a major intersection for the busway, as well as traffic jams.
The club traced its roots, at a different location, back to 1776 nevertheless in which was demolished in 1985 to widen the road. As an indication of the type of punter in which frequented the establishment, directly opposite stood Oger Frerers, a purveyor of the latest, finest gentleman’s fashions.
Images via the 19th century show an idyllic scene; horse along with carriage convey the well-dressed, rich via overseas along a rutted track, much like the average street in Banten province today, nevertheless without the horse manure, while natives lounge around under parasols or attempt to sweep the road. As you can imagine, the great along with the Great of the Batavia social scene might gather at the club, dressed in their best clothes purchased no doubt over the road, for the latest tunes along with gossip. in which might have been a very hierarchal society with the nabobs of business rubbing shoulders with politicians along with policy makers, hoping to have a say in how things were run along with hoping to exert some influence.
Clubs still play an important part inside Indonesian expat experience along with while there are chambers of commerce along with pubs for serial networkers, there are also clubs along with societies out there devoted to the pursuit of uninhibited fun along with pleasure. along with not just in Jakarta.
Take Bali, you know, in which island between Java along with Lombok. Frequently referred to as the Island of the Gods by lazy headline writers, in which is actually also home to a large number of expats along with, much like the expat of an earlier age, the Bali expats do what they can to recreate a little bit of home on their little piece of tropical paradise.
For example, they run. All those beaches, rice fields along with volcanoes make for fertile ground for those who like to sweat the daily stresses out of their system. One running group in particular is actually known as the Hash, or the Hash House Harriers as they are more formally known (or the drinking club that has a running problem as they see themselves). along with there are quite a few of them!
The Bali Hash House Harriers were founded back in 1976 along with they run twice a week, Tuesdays along with Thursdays. I say run. The beauty of the hash is actually the irreverence hashers feel towards the club. If you want to walk, then walk. If you want to run, then run. If you want to cheat, then cheat. nevertheless be warned, eyes are watching!
Bali Hash House Harriers by Bali Living Blog
Details of the Bali Hash can be found on their website www.bali-hash.com which has information of upcoming runs along with maps along with photographs. Then there is actually the Bali HHH II along with Bali Hash One for those who can’t get enough. Links to those sites can be found at the aforementioned website.
While the Hash is actually a pretty genteel afternoon where one can enjoy picture postcard views along with construction sites in equal measure, the Bali Geckos are a much more rough-along with-tumble Bali experience. The Geckos are the local Australian Rules football team. You know, the game played in Australia by big men in tight shorts along with sleeveless tops. Well, the Geckos, in a nod to their environment, have spurned the traditional tight shorts common throughout the game along with wear boardshorts instead!
The club was formed in 1997, apparently after a visiting player via Jakarta was boasting the capital city had the finest players inside country. Bali responded with the Geckos along with today they have a thriving setup, including a youth academy in which will be sending some young players to Singapore inside near future for a friendly match.
You can learn more about the Geckos at their website, www.baligeckos.com
Bali Geckos
Bali is actually not just about hashing along with AFL. There are plenty of places in which offer yoga along with spas for those ‘wellness’ aficionados out there. along with there is actually the Bali International Women’s Association (www.biwa-bali.org). Their website doesn’t seem to have been updated for a while, so if anyone does have any news about the ladies along with their activities please feel free to let us know along with we will be happy to publicise their happenings.
Piston Broke describe themselves as a social motorcycle group. Based in Sanur, their website says they like to party hard along with they have their own clubhouse, Barb’s Sport Warung, also in Sanur. You can find more information on their website http://pistonbrokebali.com.
When in which comes to golf, Raffles Golf Bali is actually a social club based at completely new Kuta Golf in Pecatu. They have a round together on Wednesdays, Fridays along with Sundays, while they also play at different courses around the island at different times. Their website specifically states they welcome players of all abilities, so I may take them up on in which next time I am on the island!
Raffles Golf Bali
They can be found through their website www.rafflesgolfbali.com.
As This particular magazine spreads its wings around Indonesia, in which might be great to hear about what sports along with leisure activities are on offer in different parts of the archipelago. If you are involved that has a club, in which can be a women’s group, a bridge group or a social football, cricket, or rugby club, then please drop us an email that has a few details along with we will be happy to add you to a future issue.
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In Pursuit of Happiness: Expat Clubs in Bali
In Pursuit of Happiness: Expat Clubs in Bali