This June was a busy time for us - end of financial year, new stock was arriving, we had new clients who were launching new restaurants early Spring and wanted new team attire. I had an appointment in Bali with a hospitality group who wanted to see us, and I had thought to add on a few days for a quick holiday, but I didn’t feel like I could afford the time. I didn’t want to leave the studio for 10 days. I didn’t want to go, least of all to Bali where everyone else was going on holiday. I didn’t want to go.
Added to the month’s busyness I had also read recently that Entrepreneurs shouldn’t take holidays for at least 5 years after starting their businesses. Our business is 3.5 years strong. The budget for a holiday wasn’t really there. Gina, the new marketing manager had just started and I really didn’t feel good leaving. Also, I had visited Bali 20 years ago, and I wanted to remember it as I had experienced it then, raw, rural, and the lovely Balinese people pre tourism.
Ten days later, after meeting the welcoming Balinese hospitality group, doing a bit of island hopping, seeing awesome sustainable businesses in operation, and experiencing the wonderful culture of the Indonesian people - I didn’t want to come back home to Australia.
Coincidently, on my return I readNaomi Simpson’s post about the importance of taking a break from routine and every bit of what she said resonated with me. In May, my cat of 21 years passed away and my dearest darling dad passed away 2 weeks after that. I was sad, in an unhealthy routine of not exercising and not feeling very creative. Everything Naomi wrote I felt. If you’re feeling in rut, feeling uncreative and indispensable, perhaps you’d like to free your thoughts, and go for a little free thinking holiday.
And it really is so simple.
I won’t tempt you with the adventurous times we had, but I’d like to share just 2 things which you may find interesting. Firstly, have you heard what John Hardy, his wife Cynthia, his daughter Elora, and his son Orin are doing for sustainable hospitality?
John Hardy is a jeweler. Concerned about the impact his industry had had on the land by mining, he wanted to give back to the environment and so embarked on building Green Villages in Ubud, Bali. The best way to describe these massive homes that his team has made from bamboo is to say that they’re like giant nests hanging from the sky. They’re in the round, no box structures allowed, all flowing energy, organic shapes and spaces, all to encourage free flowing thought. Perhaps you’d like to visit them and stay a couple of nights. You can book themon AirBNB. Look for Green Village Ubud where there a few to choose from.
Or you can take a course at his workshop here to learn more about bamboo architecture. His latest venture is developing a more affordable, smaller scale house which appeals to me and the ‘Tiny House’ movement.
On our return to Ubud after island hopping around Indonesia, the owner of the place we were staying at suggested that as we identified with sustainable practices, that we visitBambu Indah at sunset. We did. We experienced something magical and we didn’t want to leave. Bambu Inda is also in the Ubud area, high up the hill overlooking rice fields and pools below. Very few people visit this place and we were the only guests on the relaxing chairs overlooking the rice fields at sunset that day. It was pure magic. Bambu Indah is also owned by John and his family. It’s sustainable hospitality to a Tee. 12 Balinese bridal houses were purchased and brought to the property. These houses which you stay in, overlook the permacultured organic veggie garden which you walk through to reach your bridal home, the pond (read swimming pool) and lower down the natural pools, and in the distance the rice fields. Behind the bridal house is the massive Yoga platform and behind that the open air kitchen and open air restaurant. I had never seen anything like this before.
This is my dream business. To plant and eat off the land and to feed people real organic food in an awesome natural setting. Well done John and Co. you do it brilliantly. Perhaps you too would like to visit for a sun downer and stay forever?
And lastly - we think we’re so new age in creating plant based menus, but hello… the Hindu people have been doing this for centuries. No wonder they’re so lean in their stature, so gentle and so in tune with themselves.
Lastly, I’d like to recommend Chef Will Meyrick’s restaurantHujan Locale ( not the other very popular ‘Locale’ restaurant at the moment). He and his team delivered an awesome food experience and so glad that we had this outstanding meal at the end of our trip as we then had a new respect for the Indonesian flavours and strong plant based dishes. It was such a great experience to be pampered by the impeccably trained staff and to sit gazing out of the large windows looking down on the Balinese architecture below. It was a lovely end to a truly memorable time in a new environment.
On the down side, the one issue Indonesia does need to address is that pollution is becoming a killer. Paradise truly does exist on earth. Lovely people still exist. And with some care and education, I believe that Indonesia could become the eco tourism paradise for future visitors as well. It just need some care takers.
This time away from the studio was not want I anticipated, but in hindsight I have realised how important is us for us to get out of our hum drum routines and travel to meet people and experience the warmth of other cultures and have free flowing creative ideas. This holiday I also conceptualise another eco friendly, sustainable business. I never anticipated that.
I wonder where and what at you’ll experience on your next ‘out of the box’ excursion.
I just wanted to add that none of this post is sponsored. Thankfully my travel buddies had heard about The Green Villages, and I thank a local resident suggested who suggested Bambu Indah and Hujan Locale.
Store owner replied:
Wow! What awesome pics Josh, you look great as usual :) Thanks for your ongoing support.
Whether working the grill, pass or larder. You are always going to look good in the shirt. Comfortable & cool (if you are standing over a coal grill for 12hrs you are gonna sweat no matter what you wear). Always feel proud rolling into a shift in one of these.
Store owner replied:
Wow! You look great Olly, and Thank you for your beautiful review. It's much appreciated and we are sure this will assist other chefs who work in hot environments and want to look and feel cool. Thank you again.
I love the product, comfy and cool to wear. Special the apron really love it with the design.
Store owner replied:
Hi Phillip, thanks for taking the time to leave your comment - glad that you appreciate the quality of the apron which is made here in Australia. You're absolutely correct, this is lightweight denim as we mention on the website. Although it feels lightweight, these aprons last for many years and are absolutely loved by our chefs and I hope that they'll become a firm favourite of yours too. I'm here to assist with any questions you may have.
Store owner replied:
That's great to know that the aprons are comfortable to wear, thanks Nika, your comment is very much appreciated.
I was excited to order and received my 100% organic cotton chef Jackets and Aprons but was disappointed to find that there is a 2% spandex (Lycra) which takes away from the organic that you promote so strongly. Is there a reason for this and why isn’t it on your website under fabric content.
As far as I know the addition of spandex to your products takes it away from the circular economy as it is a synthetic material and makes the whole garment no recyclable.
I have been a chef for over 30 years and don’t think I have ever come across a chefs Jacket with spandex in it (polyester yes) A good fit should make putting a stretch material unnecessary.
Store owner replied:
Hi Sion, Thank you for your review. You are 100% correct, and I personally take full responsibility for this. We have added the fabric content this morning on all products. I can assure you we don't intend to mislead anyone - it was an oversight when changing the product descriptions recently. The 98% cotton is certified organic cotton. The 2% addition of spandex is woven in as when we worked with chefs to develop the collection, they wanted an element of stretch in the garments to allow the garments to be more tailored but move with the wearer to make them super comfortable. I will also email you directly to assist further.
Love it so light weight and breezy good for working in a fast paced kitchen wile still looking sharp cheer
Store owner replied:
Yay! That's great to hear that you're loving the softness of the fabric. Thanks for letting us know and may you enjoy wearing them for many shifts. xxx
This is probably theee best fitting and comfy jacket I’ve ever owned! I’m going to order a few more in the new year!
Thanks again guys for being so easy about the return due to them not fitting properly!
Thanks
Store owner replied:
You chose well Amanda! So glad he loves the fit and comfort of it. Thanks for letting us know.
Very flattering shirt. My only comment would be that the small is quite small. I’m a straight size 8 and I feel this is more like a size 6.5-7. But I’m still very happy with it.
Store owner replied:
Glad you like the flattering fit of this chef shirt Kaye. Thanks for letting us know about the sizing, we will consider this if we repeat this style in the future.
I have been a professionally trained cook for the past 40 years, so I have come through the traditional whites in a brigade system.
So far one of the best aprons / gear you can see some thought has been put into the design
Very nice
Les
Store owner replied:
Thank YOU Mr Leslie. Sorry you had to wait 40 years to wear "one of the best" but glad you found Cream Collection eventually. Enjoy every moment wearing the gear.
Was a present for my son. He is very happy with it.
Store owner replied:
Thanks Bea for your 5 star review, glad you love the comfort of the chef shirt. Enjoy!
I purchased the white Jo apron. Great quality apron, however the design was slightly different from the other photos of the same apron in different colours. I would prefer the pen pocket to be straight at the top (rather than slanted) and from an aesthetic standpoint I wasn’t fan of the round ring on the neck strap (but that’s probably me being picky)
Store owner replied:
Hi Andrew, Thanks for your 4 star review. I'll contact you about the images as the image of the white apron is as per the image on our website. The reason the pocket opening is slanted is that it is designed for ergonomic reasons, but we understand that every wearer has their personal preferences. Hope you are enjoying the comfort and fit of the apron. Thanks again.
Store owner replied:
Thank you Philipp! What a lovely review you have given, we appreciate it and glad that you are happy with the "insane quality" Thank you again.
Store owner replied:
Thank you Peter, so good to know your chef apparel ticks all the boxes. Thank you!!!! and enjoy.
Very happy with my apron love the fabric & tanks for the great customer service when I had to exchange as I mistakenly ordered the wrong size
Thanks Janet
