essentialactivities
1. All dressed up:
The fun never ends
at Bali Circus
2. Eye on the balls:
Learn the basics and
practise juggling
ESSENTIAL LOWDOWN
Type of activity:
Adrenalin level:
WAKE-UP CALL
Price (US$):
120,000 – 220,000 RP PER CLASS
Length of activity:
60-90 MINUTES PER CLASS
Child friendly:
YES
Meal provided:
2
PHYSICAL
NO
T
he word ‘circus’ conjures up
showspace that will soon evolve into a big top
grandiose images of big tops,
and equipment for anyone inclined to test
showmanship, feats of derring do
themselves in a number of ways. Bali Circus
and incessant entertainment in
runs camps for children and has a packed
the form of clowns, lion-tamers,
timetable of weekly classes for all ages. It’s a
elephants doing tricks and trapeze
brilliant way to keep kids entertained whether
artists flying through the air with the
they are on holiday in Bali or living here but also
greatest of ease. It’s the big top, it’s loud and
teaches them skills that are enjoyable to learn.
it’s brash – the greatest show on earth. So as
Whether people choose to attend one lesson
you walk down a quiet laneway in Kerobokan
or end up embarking on a new adventure, all
you can be forgiven for thinking that Bali Circus
are welcome.
doesn’t quite live up
to that stereotypical
“I like how we get to learn new things and we feel
vision. And you’d be
healthy when we’re having fun.”
right. Because Bali
Jack, aged 8, Essential Bali guest reviewer
Circus is more of an
interactive experience
that allows you to be
the star of the show.
Essential Bali has a mission to learn something
new in every issue so this time around it was to
It does have a ringmaster in the form of Nadia
learn a few tricks of the circus trade. While this
Lala, a force of nature conversant in various
is a perfect activity to engage and entertain
circus skills; part trapeze artist, part acrobatic
children, we are, sadly, no longer of that age
show-off extraordinaire, part showwoman and,
and so it was time yet again to teach an old
dare we say it, part clown. She’s a one-woman
dog some new tricks. We signed up to a variety
blur of energy and enthusiasm responsible for
of classes to see if we could manage what
a wonderful facility where children and adults
the younger people tend to pick up quickly as
can learn circus skills and either put on shows
they so often do. Whether we could replicate
themselves at the end of their learning curve
the enthusiasm and ability of those significantly
or watch as the professionals go about their
younger than us who benefit from Nadia’s
business in circus performances.
training only time would tell.
The ‘circus’ in this case is not a big top, but an
eclectic place that houses areas for learning
trapeze, silks, juggling, acrobatics and so much
more. It’s a rambling arena with lovely garden,
In retrospect starting with an aerial class was
possibly putting the cart before the horse
or learning to run before we could walk
depending on you choice of cliché. As we’re
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