Archive for May, 2006

Adventure Parks

Bali offers not just various customs but also various “adrenalin pump” parks. Many exciting amusements are available in Bali, with something new opening all time. The number of offshore and inland attraction are on the rise because many tourists want them.


After white water rafting that has gained popularity in Bali, comes offshore rafting or ocean rafting. The more adventurous sort of amusement has now become an alternative sport for tourists. Just try it. Your heart will beat faster, especially when your boat hits two meter-high waves at high speed but even so, just like any other adventure sport, safety is the first priority. Meanwhile white water rafting is still a popular activity with trips on the Ayung, Telaga Waja, Unda rivers, etc. You can refresh your mind by watching beautiful scenery along the route.

If you do not want to push your heart so hard, paradigling is a good choice and an exciting way to see Bali from the air. If wind conditions are right, you can view Bali from a very different perspective. If you are a beginner, a professional instructor will accompany you to ride in tandem. So, there is nothing to worry about.

For people with strong confidence and no heart problems, a must is bungy jumping and slingshot. Slingshot will shoot you up skyward so you can feel like a bullet. Bungy jumping offers you a chance to take the plunge. You can choose your view, wanna Kuta’s view (in Kuta) or natural waterfal’s view in Gianyar.

For your entire family, Waterbom Park is an excellent day out for adult and children. It offers five different water slides and a lazy river. You can relax by the pool that has underwater music and swim-to bar.

If you want to experience “war in paradise” Fantasy Bali Splat Mas-Jungle Skirmish is the place for you. It is a war game, where the point is to capture your opposing team’s flag and kill the enemy with paintballs.

Add comment May 23rd, 2006

Besakih Temple to be included into World Cultural Heritage List

DENPASAR (indo.com): Besakih Temple in Karang Asem regency, Bali, has been proposed as a member of the World Cultural Heritage List. The temple constitutes a powerful religious icon that unifies thousands of Hindu followers from different castes throughout Bali and beyond.


Sutaba, a representative of the Bali Archeology Board, explained to indo.com recently that Besakih Temple is part of the island’s ancient Hindu heritage, with a long history. This includes evidence of pre-Hindu belief systems found in the large ancient stones from the megalithic era. Also present is evidence of the worship of deities, such as those who are believed to reside on Mount Agung, the holy dragon known as Basuki, and also ancestor worship.

Besakih, often referred to as the “mother temple”, consists of five temple compounds around the main temple. These represent the five holy directions, and there are also tens clan temples which are used for ancestor worship on different days. Other compounds honor the founding father of Besakih temple, Rsi Markandya, and Basuki - the holy guardian dragon believed to dwell in a cave on Mount Agung. As the mother temple, Bekasi is the site of Bali’s largest and most elaborate purification ritual - Eka Dasa Rudra - held once a century.

Add comment May 23rd, 2006

Bali Information Event 2006

Please access to Events in Bali 2006 :

http://www.indo.com/featured_article/events2006.html

Add comment May 22nd, 2006

Seminyak weather forecast

Seminyak enjoyed great weather today, although it was a bit overcast his morning. Jennifer from the US might be
coming back for another shot at sun, food and romance. She is in Phuket Thailand now and is complaining about the weather.

To be honest, Bali looks like being a tad dull too over the next 10 days. Here’s the weather forecast for Bali. A cloudy cool day here is like a summers day in Germany, so its another part of the conditioning.

Add comment May 22nd, 2006

Kuta Beach Bali: An idyllic part of the world

Here’s a picture of heaven, beautiful Kuta Beach Bali, this afternoon. There were Euro’s and Aussies on the beach, as well as people enjoying the gentle waves, on this windless afternoon. Under the trees, drink sellers, bakso vendors and board renters got comfortable, and adjusted to the slow pace of business. I saw an older tourist enjoying a game of chess with a locals, and some Japanese ladies giggle, at Balinese boys hoisting their friend into a tree.


I chatted to one drink vendor, who told me he lives near the airport in Tuban. He wanted 10,000rp for a Pocari Sweat, cheeky bugger. We agreed on 7,000rp, which still gives him a nice margin. The other day in kampung Canggu, Ika and I bought 2 Pocaris for 7,000rp. Anything you buy on the beach has that extra margin built in. You pay for the convenience of having a smiley local, sit there all afternoon with an ice box full of drinks. Its definitely a value addition. The vendor said a small Bintang was 10,000rp, and a Coke 5,000rp. Here’s more on what he had to say.

Walking along the beach, I came to the conclusion that I am the pastiest guy in Bali. The whole beach was peppered with these bronzed surfers, and girls with golden skin. I look like a slice of butter fish, without the oil. There are now many handy recliners and shades out on the sand. That makes life a lot better for tourists, not wanting to be pestered by beach vendors.

Add comment May 17th, 2006

Bali weather today in Seminyak

Bali’s weather is getting into that par of the year when the mornings and evenings are noticeably cooler. Don’t get me wrong, is still warm out, but riding a motorbike at 10pm or sitting outside at 6.30am, you’ll feel the coolness.


Today was another gorgeous day in Seminyak. I said to Ika that Jevon is definitely getting darker. That is because she takes him out more without wrapping him up. This is most likely the lightest we’ll ever see him, as kids out here surf and are out there in the sun.

Here’s the 10 day weather forecast for Bali. If you arriving soon, you’re cool, except for an occasional nighttime shower, it should be great weather.

www.baliblog.com

Add comment May 17th, 2006

A new air route from Bali to East Timor

East Timor or Timor Leste, as it is now known has a new air link to Bali. Adam Air began in 2003 and serves 30 routes, including Singapore and Malaysia. Its fleet of 25 planes consists of Boeing 737’s.

The new Denpasar-Dili route will start sometime in 2006. I will definitely have to take advantage of that for a visa run sometime. Adam Air will be launching a total of 15 new domestic and international routes in 2006.

www.baliblog.com

Add comment May 16th, 2006

SBY urges Muslims to seek wisdom over terror

Indonesian President SBY is in Bali tonight, getting ready for the fifth summit of the Developing 8 group in Nusa Dua. SBY has recntly been to the Middle East where he as his party undertook a ‘mini hajj’ praying at the most holy place in Mecca. More recently he met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in Jakarta.

With all that Muslim culture coming at him, SBY’s recent statements seem to highlight his role as leader of the world’s most populous nation. Speaking about the role of the Developing 8, he said “We are now in the third millennium. We have to work hard to rebuild our civilisation, the Islamic civilisation. That’s why we have to work together to build a strong partnership to fight for global justice, peace and prosperity.” “We oppose, by our Islamic teachings, radicalism and, of course, terrorism.” “There are many ways for us to achieve our objectives for our Muslim world … peacefully, skilfully and wisely.” Here, here to that. Mr. Nuclear (Ahmadinejad) is arriving at any time. Let’s hope he feels the same way.

This evening I got an sms advertising a Muslim chatting service. Maybe the guys in Nusa Dua could share their wisdom online.

www.baliblog.com

Add comment May 16th, 2006

Indonesian entertainment industry hammered by new tax law

The geniuses who make laws in Indonesia, have come up with another great one. As Bali Discovery reports, the maximum allowable tax on certain entertainment businesses has been raised from 35% to 75% !!!!

You’ve got to feel for any successful entertainment business. With the costs of start up, research and development, promotions, staffing, transportation, venue, equipment etc. etc. You manage to make a profit…and the government wants 75%. I come from the UK, a country run by morons who have never owned a business, and think market economics is for capitalists. Well market economics exist whether you like it or not. Take a look at Bali right now. Spaghetti Jazz in Seminyak just closed after a few years in operation. A business can take only so much beating, and isn’t just a cow to be milked.

If he Indonesian government is going to leave no stone unturned, in its efforts to promote Bali / Indonesia as a prime tourist location, and help to make the Kuta Karnival ‘THE EVENT’ in SE Asia, then maybe. But don’t hit people up in a down market. That just doesn’t make sense.

www.baliblog.com

Add comment May 16th, 2006

THE GREAT BALI Regions

Bali Island with its width of 5,808 km2 is divided into 8 (eight) regencies and 1 (one) municipality. This island is inhabited by 3,2 millions people who are mostly farmers.

All area either regencies or municipality place Mount Agung as the orientation. Mount Agung is placed as kaja (north) and the direction to sea is considered as kelod (south). That’s why, south direction for people in Singaraja will be opposite with the people in the southern part of Bali (Badung).
 
In Hindu perspective, north direction (mount) is a holy place while on the southern part is the insulted place. In the division of area, it is analogized the anatomy of the body: head, body and legs as utama (main), madya (medium) and nista (insult). Therefore, the holy place is located in north edge, in the middle as a place of residence and in the south as place of cemetery. Even, for sleeping, head is faced to north or east and legs are directed to south or west.

Add comment May 15th, 2006

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