I have been told my life is a fairy-tale but my story is simple.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, I met a Balinese man from Ubud in 1984, and without much thought, moved to this charming hillside town and threw myself into a new life. Back then, ducks and cows wandered down the main road and telephones were a luxury.

That was over 40 years ago. Hard to believe.

Since then, four babies have been born, businesses have blossomed, and Ubud has become my home in every sense of the word.

We are the proud owners of Casa Luna Restaurant and Cooking School, Indus Restaurant and Art Space, Honeymoon Guesthouse and Honeymoon Bakery.

In 2003, my memoir and cookbook Fragrant Rice was published, an account of my life on this fabled island, woven together with Balinese recipes and insights into local traditions. To Stir with Love followed, a collection of stories from my columns in Jakarta Post and the Garuda in-flight magazine. In 2011, Bali: The Food of My Island Home was published, celebrating my favourite recipes from Bali and beyond.

In 2004, I founded the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival in response to the 2002 Bali bombings, a small act of hope that grew into Southeast Asia’s most celebrated literary event. In 2015, I added the Ubud Food Festival to the family, bringing the world’s food lovers to our beautiful corner of Bali.

I also lead small-group culinary adventures across the Indonesian archipelago, from the spice islands and home kitchens, to remote villages few visitors ever reach.

Life has also brought unexpected joy beyond the kitchen and the festival stage. In 2022, my daughter Laksmi became Miss Universe Indonesia, Bali’s first representative to ever win,  a moment that filled our whole family with immense pride.

I live in Ubud at the Honeymoon Guesthouse with my husband Ketut, surrounded by the island I have loved for over four decades.

Drop in and have a cup of tea with me.