Sometimes surfers come across that perfect spot where the waves are just made for ridding the seas; a place where you can truly get a feel of the ocean’s majesty and raw power. A hideaway where you can surf to your heart’s content and meet like minded, free-spirited souls all drawn to this spot where the promise of adventure is all around. Uluwatu in the enchanting island of Bali is just such a surfing getaway. First brought to the limelight in the 1972 film, ‘Morning of the Earth’, the famous wave at Uluwatu has since then been a sort of Mecca for surfers who have journeyed far and wide to enjoy an unforgettable surfing experience. Staying at Uluwatu villas such as Alila Villas Uluwatu and enjoying the thrill of the “ride” this coastal escape has to offer is something that brings surfers here year after year.
However, as is most often the case, humans have left an all too visible mark on Mother Nature. Pollution of the environment and a lack of proper waste management led to this surfer’s paradise losing its “magic” as it were. This is where Project Clean Uluwatu (PCU) has come into play. Focusing primarily on cleaning up Uluwatu and coping with the problem of waste management, this organisation has done a lot to improve the environment of this coastal locale. In addition to this, it has also initiated projects such as encouraging community gardens as well as looking to spread awareness so that locals and visiting tourists alike will get actively involved in keeping this slice of paradise clean.
Partnering with the BaliSpirit Festival, Project Clean Uluwatu has helped raise funds for these projects with initiatives including a fund raising concert featuring Australian Xavier Rudd, which managed to garner more than $21,000. Uluwatu is slowly but surely beginning to “heal” and this stretch of shore is returning to its former pristine grandeur.
