The Jungle Awaits

Capella Curates takes seasoned travellers down barely trodden paths to discover the secrets of places they think they know.

- Charmaine Tai

“I was born to be a healer, but I didn’t want to do it. I was afraid,” says I Ketut Budiasa in a slow, steady voice. “But after I filed my teeth (a rite of passage when Balinese reach adolescence), I became more open to the idea. As a healer, I don’t use modern medication to treat others. We use our hearts, energy healing, and therapies that have been passed down from our ancestors.”

It would be another hour or so before The Camp Fire experience at Capella Ubud ends and I interject Budiasa’s stories with questions while nibbling on my freshly toasted marshmallow. I’ve visited Bali on several occasions, but this was the first time I’ve had the chance to hear about a local’s life.

The Camp Fire is just one of the numerous Capella Curates programs organized by Capella Hotels & Resorts, meant to provide guests with a deeper understanding of the local lifestyle and culture of the place they’re in. Its culturists – what Capella calls its experience officers – seek out local businesses and families that make a meaningful impact in their communities and work with them to design unique experiences.