Hotelier and entrepreneur Anak Agung Gde Prastista, managing director of Putra Mas Group, has had a busy life running three successful hotels, as well as nine restaurants in Bali. Exquisite Taste talked to the father-of-three about how he’s coping with a stay-at-home life.
Q: How has the stay-at-home situation changed your daily life?
A: It’s definitely a game changer, I usually go to my businesses and coordinate with my team in person, but now I have to do most of this through online meetings. It is different, but manageable. On the other hand, I have a great time with my family at home, which is priceless.
Q: What activities do you like to do now that you have to stay at home more?
A: I have a lot of free time to study what I’ve been wanting to learn, of course online. I am currently subscribing to masterclasses, photography class, as well as videography class, something that I have been really keen to do for some time. Also, my wife and I are experimenting with new recipes from YouTube to make at home, and opening orders for friends to buy. It is something that we like to do to kill the time and make the best of this situation.
Q: Please share your tips on how to stay positive at home.
A: Schedule your new activities on a weekly basis. Let Monday be your cooking adventure day, Tuesday is your health or vegan research cooking day, Wednesday your exercise program exploration, and so on. So you have something to look forward to on those days. Travel the world from the Internet, choosing somewhere different each day so you have an itinerary in mind when this pandemic ends. Basically, do whatever you haven’t had much time to do during your regular busy days.
Q: Do you have any tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
A: I just purchased a static roller for my bike and use it every other day. I also go swimming with my kids quite often, especially in the morning to get some sun exposure. Eat healthy food and plan what you eat, so you don’t get too much more calorie intake than outtake.
Q: What do you miss the most from your normal life?
A: Being able to go to places that I normally visit, whether it is just casual dining, going to the movies, or socializing with friends. But I believe we will all be able to do this again soon, as long as we follow all the health protocols. We will be rejoicing about life once again in no time.
Q: What is the first country you want visit after the quarantine is over and why?
A: I love Japan. I love its culture, I love its food, I love everything about it. As I just opened up a new Japanese restaurant, Aburi, last December, I feel the need to go to Japan to look for new dishes to be recreated at the restaurant. At the same time, as I am travelling with young children, Japan is a safe place to visit with family, and we can easily find great food and many attractions wherever we go.
