
Villa Toscana, a two-bedroom property in Uluwatu, Bali, provides a Mediterranean-style experience. Tucked away off a main road, the villa offers a secluded atmosphere with its towering tree canopy and lack of street noise. It features seamless indoor-outdoor living with sliding glass doors opening to a private pool and tropical garden. Amenities include a standalone stone tub in the open-air master bathroom, a glass-walled kitchen, and high-speed WiFi. The kitchen is equipped for home meals and has a wall of wines available for purchase, along with a washer. The villa is within walking distance of cafes and restaurants, including Heal Cafe three minutes away, and Nyang Nyang Beach. Most other Uluwatu attractions are accessible within a 15-minute scooter ride. The property can accommodate a family or two couples, with a second bedroom, an ensuite, and a separate powder room for visitors. Starting at $283 per night, it offers a luxurious stay at a competitive price.
This summary was generated from a story originally published by Bali news.
Must readArtist Vincent Leroy's "Eccentric Lenses" installation in Munduk, Bali, offers a dynamic optical experience. This kinetic sculpture uses Fresnel lenses that interact with the wind, continuously altering the perception of the surrounding landscape. Each lens pivots on an off-center axis, creating an illusion of languid drifting and constantly generating new configurations. As the lenses rotate, they cause the mountains, fields, and sky to appear inverted and fractured, making the stable vistas fluid and ever-evolving. The artwork explores a unique rotation paradigm where centers shift, creating an uncertain axis, and allows the landscape to seem animated as it is projected through the shifting lens surfaces. The installation provides countless perspectives, with the horizon subtly shifting and natural features constantly rearranging, especially as daylight fades and the lenses scatter light. "Eccentric Lenses" aims to open dialogues between constructed and natural worlds, inviting viewers to reconsider their perspectives within the environment.

The Oregon Zoo has placed a rare female Bali myna, also known as the Bali starling, in its public Vollum Aviary. This species, the official bird of Bali, Indonesia, is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Poaching and habitat loss drastically reduced its wild population to just six birds in 2001, with fewer than 100 adults estimated to remain in their native habitat today. The female myna arrived at the Oregon Zoo in November 2023 through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. She previously raised a chick with an older male, and after the male's death, she was moved to the Vollum Aviary. Nicole LaGreco, who oversees the zoo's bird population, highlighted the importance of this public display in raising awareness about the species and the threats it faces. Poaching for the illegal pet trade is the primary threat, as the bird is highly prized and holds significant national symbolism in Bali. The Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, works to discourage keeping wild animals as pets. Oregon residents can report suspected illegal animal sales to the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division hotline.

The Harris Hotel Kuta Tuban Bali offers a practical and affordable stay, particularly for travelers with early morning departures or late-night arrivals at Ngurah Rai International Airport. Located just half a kilometer from the airport, the hotel provides a complimentary five-minute shuttle service. It features 146 rooms and suites, ranging from 25 to 50 square meters, some with garden or pool access. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, multi-channel TV, and tea/coffee making facilities. The hotel's design is described as functional and cheerful, with clean white walls and orange accents. Guests can enjoy a large, child-safe pool, a small spa, and an adequate gym. Harris Cafe serves a variety of Indonesian, Asian, and international dishes, including a breakfast buffet and an all-day menu with reasonably priced options like nasi goreng kampung. A pool bar offers drinks and snacks. Despite its proximity to the airport, the hotel is not under the flight path, ensuring a quiet stay. Nearby attractions, accessible by walk or taxi, include Lippo and Discovery malls, Waterbom Bali waterpark, Kuta Art Market, and Jerman Beach, which is a 10-minute stroll away. Rooms start from $53 a night, with discounts for Ascott Star Rewards members.