Archive for June 12th, 2006
The 4th Kuta Karnival is back on again after it was cancelled in late February. Local businessmen have pushed for the Karnival to proceed despite recent incidents on the island that caused tourist numbers to drop.
It is hoped that the 4th Kuta Karnival will be a success and I have no doubt that it will. It is apparently set to be revived as part of island-wide efforts to revive Bali’s tourism fortunes. Organisers held a meeting recently and announced the dates for the Karnival. They will be from September 16-24, 2006 These dates coincide with peak holiday periods in major inbound markets for Indonesia including the domestic tourists.
As yet no theme for the 4th Kuta Karnival has been announced but they expect and are eager to make it one that is inclusive of the cultural and ethnic groups found in the Kuta and Legian areas as well as that of Seminyak.
The activities decided on so far for inclusion in the Kuta Karnival are skateboard and surfing competitions, a kite flying party, food festivals and cultural events, fashion shows and beach sports events. And naturally there will be an informal people’s street parade.
With all those events planned it will certainly be one helluva Time in Kuta!.
June 12th, 2006
It would be perfect to have quake resistant buildings and houses throughout the archipelago of Indonesia and in doing so it would dramatically lessen the damage costs and loss of life.
With the recent earthquake in Yogyakarta decimating the area and a year ago the Tsunami in Sumatra, the insurance costs were unbelievably high and in Yogyakarta alone the bill is estimated at $10 billion. Now thanks to recent technology from the Public Works Ministry’s Resettlement Development Research Center in Bandung technical assistance in rebuilding at least 60,000 quake-resistant houses is in progress.
Quake-resistant houses being built now using this latest technology have made it so they are quick to build and are affordable. Each house measured 36 square meters and cost around Rp 36 million to build. The house models for Yogyakarta had been used for tsunami victims in Aceh and Nias island in North Sumatra. In Aceh, at least 4,500 such houses have been built from the 26,000 ordered by the International Organization for Migration.
The research center does not produce the houses which are said to be safe even in high-risk quake zones but will teach the technology to small and medium-scale business assigned to rebuild houses for quake survivors.
Such an advancement in technology is surely worth investing in and the Indonesian government should come to the fore and foot the bill for a great deal of these innovative houses. After all, it will pay off in the long run.
June 12th, 2006
Confession time. I have never been on a Bali Hai Cruise in all my years in Bali. I have friends that have and they applaud the magnificence and enjoyment of these day and night cruises.
According to an article I was reading recently, the company has refurbished the luxury cruise vessel Bali High II with added delights. Of course there are still the Bali Hai Reef Cruise as well as Bali Hai Beach Club Cruise and the Bali Hai Sunset Dinner Cruise. But it is the Bali Hai II Cruise that has become the ‘pearl’ of the fleet.
Here is a section of the article from the Bali Discovery about the new Aristocratic Pearl Evening Cruise:
New Aristocrat Pearl Evening CruiseA new addition to Bali Ha’s range of cruise products is a new sophisticated “pearl themed” cruise onboard Bali Hai’s Sailing Catamaran Aristocrat.
Traditionally dressed Balinese Girls will distribute floral garlands to arriving guests who after a champagne cocktail in the garden will be invited onboard to be entertained by a string quartet.
Casting off and setting sail in the protected waters of the harbour,, a fine dining experience awaits including fresh salmon, salad platters, cold meats and fresh seafood, Balinese satays and fragrant rice.
Guests will also have the opportunity to sample “pearl meat” - a delicious by-product of Bali Hai’s newly established pearl cultivation center at Nusa Lembongan. During the course of the evenings cruise guests will receive an introduction to the process of pearl farming and practical tips provided by pearl experts on how to spot a valuable pearl.
Passengers on the new Aristocrat Pearl Evening Cruise are picked up from their hotel in the early evening for a 6:30 p.m. arrival at Benoa harbor. Following welcoming cocktails at the marina guest will board the Aristocrat at 7:00 p.m. with a scheduled return at 9:30 p.m.
Candika never has been one for the ocean and it will take a lot of convincing to get her on a boat. Heck, she gets seasick watching films of cruise ships going UP and then DOWN, UP and then DOWN…you get the picture. Admittedly the Bali Hai Cruises are not in this category as the waters off Bali make for pleasant cruising. She likes Whales and Dolphins. So I figure that if I could get her out on a Whale Watch Cruise then all she has to do is step up one to a Bali Hai Cruise. I’ll remember to take enough brown paper bags.
June 12th, 2006