My Eat Pray Love Palm Reading In Bali

I heard all the rumors about a Balinese medicine man who reads palms in Bali. A man called Ketut, who was introduced to the world during the ‘love’ section of Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, EAT PRAY LOVE.  Gilbert’s memoir told of a newly divorced woman who traveled to Italy to eat, to India to pray and to Bali for love. In the story, Gilbert agreed to trade English lessons with the Balinese healer for his teachings “on all he knows.” This happy man with sparkly eyes and his grumpy wife achieved Rockstar status after the release of the film starring Julia Roberts.

While the film got mixed reviews, I love it deeply. So much so, it inspired me to take a similar one year (life changing) journey ‘round the world’ post my own divorce.

Parts of the film were shot on location at the family home of Ketut Liyer, near Ubud, Bali. With the payout from the movie, Ketut was able to expand his property into a hotel. Their bed & breakfast hotel is listed here on Booking.com under the name Liyer Spirit House.

The original medicine man passed away in 2016. Today, his family continues the legacy by offering palm readings at the hotel, given by Ketut’s son, Nyoman. (who tells you he was trained by his father) Fans of the film flock to this location to see up close, the spot where Liz Gilbert, Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem sat on the porch. If you’re intrigued, here’s what you should know from someone who’s been there several times.

Liz Gilbert refers to Ketut as “a magnificent man who taught me how to sky-walk.

Some locals say that the ‘now wealthy’ family still sells ‘medicine man’ services, but the talent is only so-so compared to the legendary Ketut. What I didn’t know was, that I would randomly stumble into this same compound on my second trip to Bali.

There’s no denying the chills and goosebumps experienced when, on a morning walk, I saw a sign that read: ‘Ketut Liyer’s House & Family’. How had I not hunted this down earlier? I’ve watched the movie a zillion times.

Camera ready, I peeked through the gate and saw a woman walking towards the exit. “Hi, I’m Debbie from the states, are you staying here?” Turns out she’s from Texas and was a guest of the compound, which now is a full service homestay and spa. She readily shared how much she enjoyed her time here and that her palm reading was a lot of fun. She said that Ketut’s son, Nyoman is the new medicine man and showed me where to sign up for a reading. Oh hell yeah, I’m going in. How could I not?

Though they weren’t open for business (it was 7:30am), the manager took my $20 and said she’d find me when they were ready for my reading. For $20 you get a 15 minute palm reading and for $40 it would include a healing too. A Balinese healing is a blessing ceremony for good luck and prosperity. During the ritual, you watch the medicine man chanting and praying. He sprinkles holy water on your head (three times) and gently places wet grains of rice on your forehead and throat because rice represents life in the Hindu culture. 

When it was my turn, an assistant wrapped me in traditional and appropriate clothes to meet a healer. He covered my skirt with a long sarong and tied a pink scarf at my waist. I was led to a porch to sit on a straw mat across from a smiling sweet man wearing a Ralph Lauren polo shirt and big gold rings!  

Below is the transcript, verbatim, from my recorded palm reading session with Nyoman Liyer:

“I see you, pretty, smart, sweet. Good quality like that you keep more. I see your body healthy you eat good, but must keep discipline too. You sometimes too busy, don’t forget breakfast. Keep discipline for eat so you have good busy & healthy life. But not more, if you do more you have problem again, too fat you not good, too fat you bring problem here, not balanced.

For personality I see lucky. Now I check your line.

 The first if life line. Debbie you have long life if Debbie happy, relax and be good person. I think you already have like that, very strong, very healthy. Job, financial, not problem, you have double job, not everyone can do like you. You are smart and clear. Not everyone has long life line like you.

See my line, is long like you.

Your lucky line is long too, very strong, very clear. Your brain line has too many branches here, very intelligent, strong, very creative again, too many branches, have multi talent but important have more be patience and balance. Don’t worry always pray.

Heart and love line, don’t worry, heart is very kind and soft, not everyone has like this. You same like my wife, my wife is 65 now and always good. I see only in love not lucky, you have problem like that. But you have partner 2 time, I see this clear 2 time partner only, already not lucky for you. Line is broken two times. If you meet someone with good talk, bring you happy, single is ok. Very important Debbie like that single is ok.

Now here you see, you will have live more than 90 years. If you meet someone bring you happy, if not ok like now. Of, now for baby, you enough with 2, you see, not again, now you waiting for grandson and granddaughter. Debbie, you very happy, you think you life is enough, like that , you understand?

You have success, you pretty, what you do you will be lucky. Me happy, Ok Debbie, bring your friend come to meet me, you book with my staff for spa now?”

And now, my translation:

• Be careful with eating too much, I can tell you like to eat. 100% true, big foodie here.

• He probably tells all the women they are pretty, smart and lucky.

• He was spot on with the two partner comment, twice married, twice divorced, and having two babies.

• I will live to age 90! I’ll take it.

• It’s also really important you are content with being single. 100% true

• Ending with, bring me all your friends so I can make lots of money. Ha!

I must say, it was pretty cool hanging out at Liyer Spirit House, mostly because it was so meaningful to see the set of a movie I practically know by heart. Funny thing is, a few days later I did bring friends here, ladies who were also pretty, sweet and lucky too.

Do I recommend visiting? Yes!!!

If you enjoyed the movie Eat, Pray, Love – you will get a kick out of seeing this location. Leave any expectations at the gate and enjoy the movie experience.

Want help planning your trip to Bali? Let us know, we have the scoop. 

*Update: I visited Liyer Spirit House again in March 2023 on our signature women’s retreat. All the ladies were thrilled to be there and have palm readings too. Namaste.