Double Six - Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun

In terms of nightlife destinations in Seminyak, there is one venue that stands tall (literally) above the rest. A landmark club destination known amongst the young and old throughout Southeast Asia and one as undeniably recognizable as Bali's many cultural tourist sites. For serious clubbers, energetic ex-pats, or vacationing weekenders, Double Six is the spot where every nocturnal Kuta/Seminyak/Legian partygoer eventually ends up, no matter what day of the week or what hour of the night. Adjoining Double Six is Paparazzi Lounge, a more exclusive annex of sorts that opened its doors in 2004, and now soon to join the 2 venues will be Bacio, another bi-level lounge set to open by summer high season 2006, creating a super club trinity along scenic Blue Ocean Beach in Seminyak.

Having recently celebrated its 19th anniversary in June 2006, the very first incarnation of the space was as an Italian restaurant that opened in 1987. At this time there were very few restaurants, shops, and no discotheques, on what is now known as Jl. Double Six. By 1994, the eatery transformed by name and nature into Bali's very first open-air nightclub, a revolutionary concept at the time envisaged by well-known Balinese entrepreneur, Pak Kadek, who wanted to create a casual beachfront nightclub that suited the growing surfer and tourist population whose wardrobe generally consisted of singlets and flip flops. Throughout the years, Double Six has grown exponentially in popularity, especially as a nightclub that provides world-class DJ entertainment from 11pm to 6am, 7 days a week. Representing progressive house music and occasional trance and neo-electro, Double Six has been a stop off point for several of the globes most famous and respected Djs, the likes of Sasha (UK), Tiesto (NL), Pete Tong (UK), Armand Van Helden (US), Lisa Loud (UK), and Danny Howells (UK), to name just a few, as well as a healthy rotating roster of international ex-pat talent and local jock residents who hold things down regularly and during the weekends when as many as 1,500 people boogie down on the expansive multi-tiered dance floor during the 2am – 5am peak. Many special music events, from Marlboro Racing Nights that feature Jakarta DJ talent to the popular Sunday "Rainbow Night" that caters to alternative lifestyles, also take place at the venue, thus providing for a wide demographic.

Double Six underwent a renovation 3 years ago that completely refurbished and modernized the nightclub. Under a massive, traditionally constructed wantilan (pavilion) alang-alang roof, the club's 2,500 pax capacity interior boasts modern minimalist touches, world-class sound and lighting systems, as well as multiple air conditioning units that keep the open sided room cool when things get really hot. Just outside of the main club room is a sizeable swimming pool that is open in the day as well as during club hours and is the deepest pool in Bali at 5 meters, the reason being it is the landing pad for a 44 meter bungee jump, an official A.J. Hackett bungee (founder of the sport and most reputable and safest in the business) and the tallest one in Southeast Asia, making Double Six the only club in the region where you can disco, dunk, and dive with death-defying daring.

Connected to Double Six, but with a separate entrance and style is Paparazzi Lounge, an upscale version of it's larger and more accessible sister club that is open from 10pm – 3am. Paparazzi's interior is perhaps most reminiscent of a South Beach, Miami hot spot with its warm, deep red interior, modern and comfortable furnishings, minimalist décor, design and lighting, and outdoor terrace that over looks the beach area and Bali Strait, all the while allowing a constant cool ocean breeze to waft through. The music at Paparazzi is slightly tamer than Double Six, leaning more towards house and soulful progressive with a retro sound on Thursday spun by international and local acts, but the venue packs it in just the same, especially on Fridays and Saturdays when consummate hipsters flock to the spot in a see and be seen frenzy. A dress code at the door that prohibits casual wear (flip flops, singlets, etc.) ensures that the clientele at Paparazzi is never sub par and always classy. After the extended closing time at 4am on weekends, most of the diehard revelers left behind venture over to Double Six to test their stamina for another couple of hours.

The final addition to the triple club extravaganza will be Bacio (Kiss), slated for a soft opening in mid-August and a grand opening on August 25th. Pak Kadek's idea behind the new two-story venue is once again a lounge concept similar to Paparazzi's, but will be almost twice as big at 550 square meters, will encourage even greater exclusivity then its prototype, and will be suited towards an older, more sophisticated crowd of ex-pats and tourists. The second floor mezzanine will feature a strict members only policy complete with privileges, while the ground floor will present a broader, more eclectic musical selection that will range from down tempo to lounge to retro to chill house, all set to the modern comforts one would find in cosmopolitan locales. This venue will cater to more of a pre-club crowd and will shut doors at 2:30am so that customers can choose to call it a night or move on the party next door.

As Pak Kadek has said of his many projects, especially in light of Bali's previous post-bomb downturn, "What do people expect me to do? Where do they expect me to go? I am Balinese and I must never give up. I have to continue to build to set an example to others that Bali remains strong." Driven by this type of conviction and with 19 years behind the Double Six vanguard, it would appear that Paparazzi and Bacio should be well assured of sharing the same successful fate while continuing the vibe that has made Double Six an internationally recognized nocturnal institution.

Double Six/Paparazzi/Bacio
Jl. Double Six Seminyak, Bali
TEL: 0361 731 266 Doublesixclub

To Be-ach or Not to Be-ach, Is that the Question?

When we think of Bali, we conjure up images of palm trees, white sand and crashing waves, whether in fact the image appeals to us because we are surfers, sunbathers, shell collectors or sunset/rise shore walkers. For whichever reason, the beaches encompass Bali with love and we shall all visit one at some stage of our visit, whether our hotel is placed right in front of one, or we choose to venture further a field through recommendation.

But, have you really ever considered what beaches mean exactly to the locals, who really do not enjoy 'sun-baking' or splashing in the surf to the degree that the tourists do? What significance does the big blue have for them? Well, first off, it is considered a form of income, as it has done for centuries; seaweed farmers and fishermen work tirelessly in their boats or even on shore for a catch, to bring home to share with the family, or sell at the local markets. Jimbaran Fishmarket was started years ago on the beach down from the Four Seasons from just a handful of charming 'Warungs'. The menu was simple; fish, local greens and white rice, sauced up with a local 'sambal'. Drink was either a bottle of the local brown stuff, 'Bintang', or the ubiquitous 'Aqua'. Sunset melted into evening, as a dome of stars climbed into the sky over the bay, and the beauty of it all was that you could plonk your table anywhere you felt, even with toes in the lapping Indian Ocean. The real pleasure and adventure of all this, was first choosing your fish from the local fisherman owner and having it weighed before your eyes, when you paid by the kilo. Unfortunately, these 'Warungs' were closed and shifted 100 metres into a strip of about 20 cafes, and the original charm was lost, along with the local fisherman's simplicity, and now you may drink from a long list, and eat whatever you choose with your catch. Nonetheless, it is still worth a visit.

The other occasion that the Balinese get to the beach is on auspicious ceremonies, occurring about twice a year. The sea is seen as a form of purification, of both their own bodies and various objects, and these can be witnessed on Melasti Day as well as Banyupinaruh Day. Otherwise, there are a few local surfers riding the waves, and on Sunday afternoons, families, or groups of friends, are tempted to dip at sunset, fully clothed! Quite an interesting sight to be witnessed.

For us, beaches can mean a whole host of recreational activities on the sun-kissed shores, or upon the waves. Many of the sea-facing resorts can be found over in Nusa Dua (meaning second island) on the southern tip of Bali. This enclave of hotels and resorts was set up to cater to tourism within a safe environment, and also to keep the impact of tourism for the locals on Bali at a minimum. Well, Nusa Dua is beautifully maintained, and a pleasure to those who visit; and as we are aware the impact of the world hit Bali as it broadened through international exposure, both good and bad.

The beaches however, remain timeless. Looking down towards the ocean, the scene hasn't changed for donkey's years. Cool blue-green transparency, showing feet with hidden toes beneath white sand. Waves breaking on a reef further out to sea, a breeze that whips across trees and grass on a headland, visible to the naked eye; a fishing boat lazes its way across the waves as an egret follows in anticipation of an easy meal. At Nusa Dua, this scene will not be broken by a cackled call of 'Plait your hair', or 'Massage' as the hawkers are non-existent (it is amazing how, as you come out of the sea else where on this isle with just a smile and wet attire, how a hawker will rush up to sell you a bow and arrow set or the such, when; a) you visibly haven't any money on you, and b) who wants to be Robin Hood just at that moment?), although, there are plenty of water sports for the truly active to participate in. Whether you enjoy one or more of the following you will not be disappointed; surfing, snorkeling, diving, kite surfing, wakeboarding, body boarding, water and jet skiing, windsurfing, kayaking or just lazing on a lilo (but watch the currents as they can be misleading, and therefore dangerous). The local hotels and resorts all have some, if not all, of the above-mentioned at reasonable rental costs by the hour or day, or even complimentary usage.

Along the Nusa Dua stretch and to Tanjung Benoa (a pleasant stroll the length of palm fringed shores), there are several notable resorts for beach fun such as The Conrad, which along with having its own spectacular beachside pool, looks onto stunning sunsets, with all rooms featuring ocean or garden views. The spa offers the full range of treatments, and here you can choose to eat and drink from several notable food and beverage outlets. The famed Sheraton Laguna, which as a vast sprawling tropical garden with pools and lagoons, has many organized activities from sunrise until dusk (if you care to be organized whilst holidaying). Its spa offers many thermic and aqua-hydro therapy treatments, as well as a gym to tone up after eating at the many food outlets, notably 'Mayang Sari' overlooking a waterfall and offering fine dining – a treat not to be surpassed!
The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel also has a great spot looking onto the sands, and can offer days of lazying around on sun-beds with everything at hand for the landlubbers of you reading this. I t provides first class entertainment, especially the weekly buffet and Balinese dance.
Incidentally Nusa Dua also has a golf course, Bali Golf and Country Club, if you feel like hitting a round, and not going anywhere near to anything beginning with 'sea'. This Golf Club has some competitive day rates so be sure to check before just 'turning up'. The greens are excellently maintained, which is no mean feat in the heat of the tropics. Of course, the waters are tempting, especially in the heat of the tropics, so a plunge a little deeper may be what you require. If that is so, then your hotel beach club can certainly put you in touch with a reputable dive company; and if you have never had a dive before, then Bali would certainly be the place to learn, offering extremely competitive international rates. Otherwise don a snorkel and mask and see what the fish are up to down there, octopus' garden or not.

The best of the beaches in Nusa Dua, is for last. The crescent shaped beach, which starts in front of the Nikko, and curves around past The Grand Hyatt finishes when it is cut off by a headland. At low tide, the porous volcanic-rock caves home and hide none other than the black and white sea snake (very often documented on Discovery, and for the record, not that dangerous). They are passive, sleepy creatures, and many an afternoon has been in search of a glimpse of the coiled stripes with my eager seven-year-old son. You may find that what you believe to be a 5 minute amble out to the rocks in search of the serpents turns into a 2 hour “where were you?' as you find shells, star fish, sea cucumbers and rock pools teaming with fish and other marine life, as the real island life pace takes you, until you forget time and just become one with nature.