Archive for June, 2006
On your vacation in Bali, shopping probably a thing that you’re not to be missed. On most department stores in Bali, prices are tagged and fixed. Major credit cards are accepted.
However, in smaller shops, bargaining is required and pay in cash is common. Below is the list of shopping areas in Bali.
Bali Shopping Areas
Bedugul
In the cooler mountain region, Bedugul is renowned as a farming area. The local market sells fresh fruits and vegetables and specialized in orchids and other plants.
Tucked into the long-settled of an old volcanic crater and on the edge of a large serene volcanic lake, this cool, slow-paced village is a world away from the hustle bustle and the heat and humidity.
Travelers will often pass through Bedugul on their way to the northern coast when they sometimes drive to the coastal beach town of Singaraja and Lovina.
Beside shopping, some visitors also choose Bedugul for a bit more adventure and go parasailing, water-skiing on the lake and golfing.
Batubulan
Batubulan is renowned for stone carvings. Traditionally, stone sculptures carved from soft volcanic rock called paras were used to adorn temples and palaces but recently they are sold for export as well.
The craftsmen can make practically anything you request from a Garuda to a garden gnome. Recently, many antique shops have sprung up on the same road, selling items from all over the Indonesia. Discerning buyers may well find a bargain.
Bona
Bona is a village known for bamboo growing and goods produced from bamboo such as furniture and mats.
The villagers also produce goods made of lontar leaves.
Celuk
Continuing on the road to Ubud, you will pass through Celuk, home of silver and gold artisans. Huge stores house a wide variety of all types of intricately designed pieces.
The silver filigree work is quite amazing. Bargaining is a must. If you can go off the main road into the village where the craftsmen work and live you will get better prices.
Duty Free Shopping
Plaza Bali and DFS have duty free shopping outlets in Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua and the airport in Bali.
They have a wide range of designer label boutiques. Bare in mind some products in Indonesia don’t have a high duty, such as cigarettes.
Denpasar
The capital of Bali is not generally a tourist area but there are a few main areas worth to checking out. The Kumbasari market near the river gives an interesting overview of an Indonesia market with household wares and clothing on the third level, spices and dried goods on the second level and traditional market in the basement.
It can be a bit dark in the basement so watch your step. Nearby is Jalan Hasanuddin, a whole street of gold shops, selling 18-22 carat gold jewelry. Not far away from jalan Hasanuddin is jalan Sulawesi where all manner of fabrics are available.
The whole street consists of fabric stores on both sides with a few household ware stores in between. If you’re looking for handicrafts, there are quite a few shops in jalan Gajah Mada selling similar items to those seen in Kuta, but without the hawkers.
It’s a good idea to check the government run handicraft center in Tohpati (Sanggraha Kriya Asti) which has a range of handicrafts at fixed price and will help you a measure as to what’s available for a certain price.
Denpasar has a large selection of department stores. Try Matahari, Tiara Dewata, Tragia, Ramayana or Rimo. Supermarkets are located within the areas of most of these department stores.
Kuta/Legian/Seminyak
The main road in Kuta has a multitude of shops and restaurants on each side selling a wide variety of goods including swimwear, sarongs, handicrafts, cassette’s, CDs, jewelry, clothing, furniture and leather goods.
You’ll also get hit for watches, transport and bracelets from the ever-present street hawkers.
If you’re not interested in their wares, don’t make eye contact. If you look at the goods, they will follow you for the next kilometer or so, even if you insist you’re not buying.
The upper end of jalan Legian from Seminyak to Kerobokan has turned somewhat into an enclave of boutiques specializing in men’s and ladies clothing, interior, furniture and some interesting deli’s and warungs.
There’re not many hawkers up this end of the street which makes for a nice change.
Klungkung
Bali’ s smallest district, Klungkung has a busy traditional market and it is also home to some of the oldest antique stores in Bali.
A magnificent example of Klungkung architecture, it is surrounded by a moat and is decorated with paintings on its ceilings in the best tradition of the Klungkung style.
In Klungkung you can find krises, songket sarongs and some quality 22-carat gold pieces in Balinese designs.
Kamasan
Kamasan village is a few kilometers outside Klungkung. Home of traditional Balinese “Kamasan” painting where a line drawing is made in black ink by a master artist and colored in with natural pigments.
Eggs, banners, paintings, bags, hats and many other goods decorated with Kamasan painting are all available here. The “Kerta Gosa” (Hall of Justice) at Klungkung features some impressive displays of Kamasan style paintings.
Mas
Further along the road towards Ubud is the village of Mas. Famous for woodcarving, Mas offer a myriad of wooden items.
The road through it is solidly lined with craft shops and you are welcome to drop in and see the carvers at work.
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua has a small market at the entranceway to Nusa Dua where you can still find some bargains. If you venture out of the gates there’s also the Tragia Supermarket and Department stores and some leather shops and tailors close by.
The main shopping complex, the Galleria with a variety of restaurants and stores.
The stores have mostly fixed price selling high quality items. The Kris Gallery is worth checking for some unique items. All the hotels have shopping areas with nice products and nice prices to match.
Sanur
Sanur’s main shopping street is Jalan Danau Tamblingan and it is somewhat more peaceful then shopping in Kuta. There are still a few hawkers but they’re not as aggressive, except at the beach market.
Sanur has an interesting variety of shops with lots of nice restaurants dotted between. There’re also an Art Market with woodcarvings and other handicrafts.
Sukawati
Sukawati has a new art market and a traditional market on the main road and side streets. Set in a two-floor building, the market sells everything from statues to dance costumes, all at reasonable prices.
A large assortment of woven baskets can be found here along with Balinese ceremonial items made from colorful “Prada” - gold painted cloth. These include dance costumes, fans, umbrellas and clothes worn at tooth filings and weddings.
Sukawati village is also a center for the manufacturing of the wind chimes you will find all over the island.
Tegalalang
Home of woodcarvers, this village and nearby villages specialize in the carving of soft wood figures.
Brightly painted flowers, frogs, fruits and animal figures feature heavily.
The Bypass
Proceeding the main road or the by pass from Nusa Dua to Sanur you’ll see on either side of the road, many pottery, wrought iron and furniture stores.
You can find some good pieces if you look carefully and bargain hard.
Ubud
After Mas area, you will enter the area of Ubud, often regarded as the cultural center of Bali. It is where the image of Bali as a land of artists was created.
Ubud gives you the opportunity to see the real Bali. The market has kept much of its traditional charm, with squatting Balinese sellers haggling loudly among spices and vegetables.
The Market also sells handicrafts, many made in the neighboring villages of Pengosekan, Tegalalang, Payangan and Peliatan.
June 7th, 2006
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Festival as an important feature of the Balinese life occurs on fixed dates according to the Balinese calendar. Instead of temple festivals take place mostly in every 210 days or every six months.
There are annual cycle and every six months celebrations of holidays, life-cycle ceremonies of a Balinese person since the time inside the mother’s womb followed in stages up until marriage and the most important of the Balinese ritual is that includes funeral rites and cremation.
To maintain and preserve every aspect of the Balinese’s cultural life, Annual Festival have been held by the Provincial Government, such as the Annual Bali Art Festival usually take place in every Saturday middle of June to Saturday middle of July with exhibitions and performances of various kinds of artworks and cultural achievements, Kite Festival.
Some of the events and festivals are:
Nyepi
This holiday is the Balinese’s New Year called Icaka New Year, the day of total silence throughout the island. No activity is done, no traffic at all on the roads, no fire may be lit and no amusement held for the day long. Great purification and sacrificial rites were held the day before so as to exorcise evil spirits from every corner of the compound.
Galungan
This is the most important holiday symbolizing the victory of Virtue ( Dharma) upon Evil (Adharma). The holiday is specialized by the fitting of “Penjor”, a tall bamboo pole splendidly decorated with woven young coconut leaves, fruits, cakes and flower, on the right side of every house entrance. People are attired in their finest clothes and jewels this day.
Kuningan
This holiday takes place ten days after Galungan, bringing the holiday period to a closing time. On this day, special ritual ceremony held for the Ancestral spirits.
This holiday takes place ten days after Galungan, bringing the holiday period to a closing time. On this day, special ritual ceremony held for the Ancestral spirits.
Odalan
A celebration to mark the village temple’s anniversary.
A celebration to mark the village temple’s anniversary.
Pagerwesi
The name literally means “iron fence”, on which day ceremonies and prayers are held for strong mental and spiritual defense in welcoming the Galungan holiday.
The name literally means “iron fence”, on which day ceremonies and prayers are held for strong mental and spiritual defense in welcoming the Galungan holiday.
Saraswati
The day devoted to Sanghyang Aji Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and Art. On this day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Wedas are blessed and special offering are made for them.
The day devoted to Sanghyang Aji Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and Art. On this day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Wedas are blessed and special offering are made for them.
Ngaben or Pelebon
Cremation ceremony, typically Balinese Hinduism phenomena of Bali.
Cremation ceremony, typically Balinese Hinduism phenomena of Bali.
Metatah
Tooth Filing Ceremony
Tooth Filing Ceremony
Tooth Filing Ceremony
Bali Arts Festival
The arts festival followed by all regencies of Bali province centered in Denpasar. The Taman Budaya (Art Centre) is where the main events of the Bali Arts Festival are held each year.
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June 7th, 2006
Bargains Galore, Entertainment, and Delicious Food & Drink – All Await Visitors to Bali International Women’s Association Fair. Merchant Booths Now Available.
Bali International Women’s Association (BIWA) has announced that they will once again be holding their popular annual fund-raising BIWA Fair. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, June 11, 2006 at the North Wing of Kuta’s Discovery Shopping Mall.
One of the main events on BIWA’s annual calendar of events, proceeds will be used to fund educational and scholarship programs for under-privileged children in Bali and provide critical support for children whose parents are drug users and living with HIV/AIDS. The funds raised will also support women’s programmes on topics of domestic violence; skill development and health pap smear retreatments; the operations of the BIWA Mobile Dental Clinic; and various Bali environment management programs.
BIWA Fair
The BIWA Fair will run from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday June 11, 2006. Last year’s fair drew drew more than 3,200 visitors and organizers are hoping to better that record attendance at this year’s event which is open to the public without charge.
A Kids’ corner will be available with games, drawing and paintings to allow parents greater time and freedom to explore the Fair. There will also be a food corner offering home-made food and refreshing drinks. Throughout the day on a centerstage raffle winners will be announced, and music and fun games will be presented.
Booths Still Available
200 bazaar stalls are available at a cost of Rp. 300,000 for members and Rp. 400,000 for non-members (approximately US$33.33 and US$44.44). Booths traditionally disappear quickly and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.
For more information contact the BIWA Center at Jalan Tambak Sari, Blanjong, Sanur at telephone ++62-(0)361-7469607 or ++62-(0)361-285552.
More information: BIWA Email Contact
(Source: Bali Discovery Tours)
June 6th, 2006
Destroyed by a Bomb on October 1, 2005, Raja’s Restaurant Reopens for Business.
The bombing attacks on October 1, 2005, devastated two popular spots: a seafood restaurant on Jimbaran Beach and Raja Restaurant in downtown Kuta. In all, 23 people lost their lives and over 100 suffered injuries resulting from the blasts.
On that night at Raja’s, 3 employees – a female cashier, a waiter and a security guard died, while at least 4 employees suffered serious injuries.
Raja’s Back
Refusing to surrender to terror, the owner of Raja’s Restaurant, Rudi Limas resolved shortly after the tragedy that his restaurant would reopen. In keeping with that commitment, Rudi continued to pay his employees and provide assistance to injured employees who survived the blast and the families of his dead employees.
Now, 6 months after its closure, Raja’s Restaurant has opened its doors once again, but in a new location in Seminyak. At a happy opening party on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, staff members of the “old” Raja welcomed guests to the new second-floor outlet located at the Bintang Supermarket Complex in Seminyak.
Pleased to be offer re-employment to all of his staff who were welcomed back to their old positions, Rudi displayed an equanimity of spirit, rare in most places but common in Bali, telling the Indonesian-language DenPost that he bears no resentment or hatred for those who destroyed his business and caused death and misery among his staff and customers. Explaining, Rudi said he saw the bombing perpetrators as “victims of indoctrination and brainwashing,” who would never have committed their terrible acts if fully aware of their actions and its consequences. Similarly, Ni Wayan Sudeni, the fiancée of waiter I Gusti Ketut Sudan, to whom she was scheduled to marry just one month after the date of his death in the blast, said she preferred to leave the justice system to resolve the case, praying only that Bali would never again be affected by another bombing. Several service staff, still bearing residual scars and injuries from the fateful night six months earlier, were unanimous in expressing their happiness at being back on the job, able to welcome guests back to Bali.
A New and Safer Bali
Like the rest of the Island, Raja’s Restaurant & Coffee Lounge has been fundamentally changed by the events of the recent past. Guests entering the restaurant are now routinely checked by security staff and 8 CCTV cameras maintain a constant vigil on the restaurant and all its approaches.
June 6th, 2006
Dear Visitors and Friends,
This is a message from Parum Samigita which is the ‘Think Tank’ for the Banjars (Village Councils) of the Kuta, Legian and Seminyak areas of Bali.
It comes from the heart of the Balinese people at ground zero in Kuta. It is a message of love and brotherhood and expresses the message which they wish to send to the world.
Please forward it to anyone you think would appreciate reading it.
Parum Samigita has been coordinating relief efforts for the Balinese and migrant Indonesian families who have been dispossessed by the bombing. Please mail Viebeke for more details.
Now We Move Forward!
We Balinese have an essential concept of balance. It’s the Tri Hita Karana; a concept of harmonious balance. The balance between God and humanity; Humanity with itself and Humanity with the environment. This places us all in a universe of common understanding.
Kami di Bali mempunyai konsep penting mengenai keseimbangan,yaitu Tri Hita Karana, konsep keseimbangan yang selaras. Keseimbangan antara Tuhan dan umat manusia; umat manusia dengan sesama umat manusia, dan umat manusiaan dengan lingkungan. Ini meletakkan kita semua dalam alam pengertian yang universil.
It is not only nuclear bombs which have fallout. It is our job to minimize this fallout for our people and our guests from around the world. Who did this? It’s not such an important question for us to discuss. Why this happened – maybe this is more worthy of thought. What can we do to create beauty from this tragedy and come to an understanding where nobody feels the need to make such a statement again? This is important. This is the basis from which we can embrace everyone as a brother; everyone as a sister.
Bukan hanya bom nuklir yang dapat berjatuhan. Adalah tugas kita untuk meminimalisir kejatuhan ini bagi rakyat kita dan bagi tamu-tamu kita dari mancanegara. Siapa yang melakukannya? Pertanyaan ini tidak terlalu penting untuk kita bicarakan. Kenapa ini terjadi – mungkin ini lebih pantas dipikirkan. Apa yang dapat kita lakukan untuk menciptakan keindahan dari tragedi ini, agar dapat mengerti bahwa tidak ada seorang pun merasa perlu untuk membuat pernyataan seperti itu lagi? Ini penting. Ini adalah dasar di mana kita dapat saling merangkul sebagai saudara!
It is a period of uncertainty. It is a period of change. It is also an opportunity for us to move together into a better future. A future where we embrace all of humanity in the knowledge that we all look and smell the same when we are burnt. Victims of this tragedy are from all over the world.
Ini adalah masa ketidakpastian. Ini adalah masa perubahan. Ini juga merupakan kesempatan bagi kita untuk bergerak bersama untuk menyambut masa depan yang lebih baik. Masa depan di mana kita merangkul umat manusia dalam pengetahuan bahwa kita semua tampak dan mempunyai bau serupa dalam keadaan terbakar. Korban tragedi ini berasal dari seluruh dunia.
The past is not significant. It is the future which is important. This is the time to bring our values, our empathy, to society and the world at large. To care. To Love.
Masa lalu tidak penting. Masa depanlah yang penting! Ini adalah saat untuk memperlihatkan nilai-nilai dan empati kita kepada masyarakat dan seluruh dunia. Untuk peduli, untuk mencintai.
The modern world brings to many of us the ability to rise above the core need for survival. Most people in the developed world no longer need to struggle to simply stay alive. It is our duty to strive to improve our quality of life.
Banyak dari kita telah mampu menggunakan kehidupan modern untuk berkembang melebihi kebutuhan untuk sekadar bertahan hidup. Kebanyakan orang di dunia yang telah berkembang tidak lagi perlu berjuang untuk sekadar hidup. Tugas kita adalah untuk berusaha memperbaiki kualitas hidup kita!
We want to return to our lives. Please help us realize this wish.
Kami ingin kembali ke kehidupan kami! Bantulah kami untuk mencapai keinginan kami ini.
Why seek retribution from people who are acting as they see fit? These people are misguided from our point of view. Obviously, from theirs, they feel justified and angry enough to make such a brutal statement.
Kenapa cari ganti rugi dari orang-orang yang bertindak semaunya? Menurut pandangan kami, orang-orang ini telah sesat! Tentu, dari sudut pandang mereka, mereka merasa mempunyai hak dan rasa amarah yang cukup untuk membuat pernyataan yang sedemikian brutalnya.
We would like to send a message to the world - Embrace this misunderstanding between our brothers and lets seek a peaceful answer to the problems which bring us to such tragedy.
Kami ingin menyampaikan pesan kepada dunia – rangkullah kesalahpahaman antara saudara-saudara kami, dan mari kita cari jawaban damai untuk masalah-masalah yang telah mengakibatkan tragedi.
We embrace all the beliefs, hopes and dreams of all the people in the world with Love.
Kami merangkul semua kepercayaan, harapan dan mimpi dari orang-orang di seluruh dunia dengan rasa cinta.
Do not bring malice to our world. What has happened has happened. Stop talking about the theories of who did this and why. It does not serve the spirit of our people. Words of hate will not rebuild our shops and houses. They will not heal damaged skin. They will not bring back our dead.
Janganlah membawa dendam ke dalam dunia kami! Yang terjadi biarlah terjadi. Berhentilah berteori mengenai siapa yang melakukannya dan mengapa dilakukannya. Hal itu tidak akan bermanfaat bagi jiwa kami. Kata-kata kebencian tidak akan membangun kembali toko dan rumah-rumah kami. Kata-kata kebencian tidak akan menyembuhkan kulit yang telah rusak. Kata-kata kebencian tidak akan mengembalikan mereka yang telah meninggal.
Help us to create beauty out of this tragedy.
Bantulah kami menciptakan keindahan dari tragedi ini.
Our community is bruised and hurting. Our spirit can never be broken.
Komunitas kita memar dan sedang sakit; namun jiwa kami tidak akan pernah rusak.
Everybody in the world is of one principle brotherhood.
Setiap orang di dunia berprinsip satu: persaudaraan.
Paras Paros Sarpanaye Sabayantaka
Tat Wam Asi – You are me and I am you.
Anda adalah saya dan saya adalah anda.
We have a concept in Bali, Ruwa Bhineda, a balance between good and bad. Without bad there can be no good. The Bad is the ‘sibling’ of the Good. Embrace this concept and we can move forward into a better world.
Kami mempunyai konsep di Bali: Ruwa Bhineda, keseimbangan antara yang baik dan yang jahat. Tanpa kejahatan tidak mungkin ada kebaikan. Yang Jahat adalah saudara kandung yang Baik. Rangkullah konsep ini dan kita akan maju menuju dunia yang lebih baik.
You love your husband and wife but sometimes you fight. Fear arises and shows its opposition to love. This is normal. This is a natural, essential part of life.
Anda mencintai pasangan anda, tapi kadang-kadang ada perselisihan faham. Ketakutan timbul dan memperlihatkan pertentangan akan cinta. Ini normal. Ini alamiah, dan merupakan bagian penting dari kehidupan.
There is Sekala / Nisikala - the underworld forever in darkness merging with our world in the light.
Ada sekala/Nisikala – dunia penjahat selamanya dalam kegelapan menyatu dengan dunia kita dalam terang.
These are the concepts by which we, as Balinese, live our lives. Please, we beg you, talk only of the good which can come of this. Talk of how we can reconcile our ‘apparent’ differences. Talk of how we can bring empathy and love into everybody’s lives.
Ini merupakan konsep yang merupakan gaya hidup kami orang Bali. Kami mohon, bicaralah hanya mengenai hal-hal yang baik, yang dapat timbul dari kejadian ini. Bicaralah bagaimana kita dapat mendamaikan ketidaksesuaian kita yang nyata. Bicaralah mengenai bagaimana kita dapat menimbulkan empati dan cinta dalam kehidupan setiap insan.
The overwhelming scenes of love and compassion at Sanglah Hospital show us the way forward into the future. If we hate our brothers and sisters we are lost in Kali Yuga.
Pemandangan cinta kasih yang meluap-luap di Rumah Sakit Sanglah menunjuk kami ke masa depan. Bila kita membenci saudara-saudara kami, maka kami akan hilang di Kali Yuga.
If we can Love all of our brothers and sisters, we have already begun to move into Kertha Yuga. We have already won ‘The War Against Terrorism’.
Bila kita dapat mencintai saudara-saudara kita, kita telah mulai menuju ke Kertha Yuga. Kita telah menang “Perang melawan Terorisme”.
Thank you for all your compassion and love…
Terima kasih untuk kasih sayang yang telah anda berikan.
Asana Viebeke L, Kuta Desa Adat, Parum Samigita
June 6th, 2006
Candika my wife was the first to introduce me to the magic drink (as she calls it) Apokat. For years, she had ordered it in restorans and warungs, and even though she enticed me to ‘take a sip’, I declined. How foolish I was back then to decline!.
Now, almost every time I have a meal, I order Apokat as a dessert. Apokat is a blend of crushed Avocado, delicious chocolate syrup together with ice cubes. Apokat is really a meal in itself and quite filling. Popular with Indonesians, Apokat does have quite a history. Suryatini N. Ganti, wrote an excellent article on my favourite drink/meal. It’s amazing the variety and names given to this scrumptious drink throughout Indonesia.
You say ‘apokat’, I say ‘alpuket’: The versatile fruit
While discussing why our rather low and leafy avocado tree did not bloom the gardener commented that years ago he had suggested to me to plant a male tree next to the existing tree. A male tree?
The cook joined us and showed me two pits. One was round, “From the avocado you ate yesterday” she said, “it is a female pit. And the other one is pointed. So it is male.”
The gardener continued that avocado trees have to be planted in pairs. How do you know our tree is female?
“Because it is rather low and leafy” he said.
Not understanding the gender problems of avocados, I let him plant the pointed pit. He refused and said that a friend who had many avocado trees would give him a 50 centimeter tall male tree. So now, the wait is for Mr. and Mrs. Avocado’s offspring.
For some people in the hospitality industry here the avocado is a famous fruit.
Once upon a time a clever businessman added a heap of scraped avocado to a mixed fruit drink full of cubed ripe jackfruit, scraped young coconut flesh, with some iced water and a dark pink syrup, crushed ice cubes and finally on top of it all, a generous pouring of sweet condensed milk. He named the creation es teler.
Though teler mainly means “dog-tired” and “plastered”, as occurs after consuming some forbidden drugs, the man did not become teler. Instead he made millions of rupiah as his high-calorie drink became a favorite after-school beverage among children who did not care about the calories they consumed daily.
Es teler even went to Malaysia and Singapore and in upmarket establishments with a sophisticated presentation. Ever tried an es teler? It is taboo for weight watchers because avocados have 6.5 grams of fat per 100 grams edible fruit in addition to vitamins B1 and C and minerals like iron.
Avocados for es teler and other species grow throughout Indonesia and several regions in Java. The main producers of avocados are the regions of Lembang and Subang in West Java and Malang in East Java. The best pear-shaped avocados, however, grow in Pasar Minggu, a South Jakarta suburb that was known previously as the domain of fruit farmers.
In Sumatra, Aceh and Tapanuli have very good avocados too but the color of the fruit varies. Whereas avocados in Java are mostly a shiny green, Sumatra avocados are dark green or slightly aubergine while both types grow on the islands of eastern Indonesia.
Locally avocados are mostly eaten in a sweet dish and North Jakartans have also created an avocado fruit. A classic avocado drink is a glass of mashed avocados with 1 tablespoon of strong coffee extract made by boiling finely ground coffee beans in water and then filtering it. Add sugar to your liking and crushed ice cubes.
The name? Apokat kopi (coffee avocado).
Apokat is the official name in Bahasa Indonesia. What about regional names?
In West Java ask for alpuket or alpukat; in Central and East Java, alpokat; in North Sumatra buah pokat or jambu pokat; and in many other provinces they are jambu mentega, jambu puan or pukat. Avocado trees are very sensitive to weather changes. The flowering process is quicker on hot, sunny days and slower when the weather is cloudy and cool.
The fruit also has medicinal properties and can be used to treat a sluggish liver, while in West Java its leaves are traditionally brewed in water to destroy small kidney stones.
By the way, the avocado is an introduced species and hails originally from Mexico where the Aztec fruit was enjoyed by Columbus and was brought by those sailing the Seven Seas to Indonesia.
A local dip with Mexican overtones is guacamole ala Jakarta, seasoned with a bitingly hot local chili pepper. The dip makes a perfect cocktail snack with fried cassava chips.
June 5th, 2006
Indonesia needs the money-flow from foreign investment for the country to flourish and become the mighty nation it was once. At the moment, the money for infrastructure is obviously ‘not available’.
I was pleased to read that a number of Dutch businessmen have expressed their interest in investing in the infrastructure, drinking water, health equipment and the financial sectors.According to Chief Economic Minister Boediono after a meeting with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister L.J. Brinkhorst, “The Dutch businessmen have profound interest in investing in those sectors after seeing the latest economic development here”.
It’s not only the road infrastructure but also that of industries like development of the proposed nuclear plants, hospitals and the like. Investment is strongly needed in the tourism sector also in order to increase the development of tourist infrastructure. Tourism in Indonesia at the moment is at its lowest ebb in the islands outside of Bali.
June 5th, 2006
392 Ducks Confiscated and Destroyed in Gianyar Regency on April 25, 2006 After Avian Influenza Virus Found in Population of Smuggled Birds.
Authorities confiscated and destroyed 392 ducks discovered on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 in Blahbatuh, Gianyar Regency. The ducks, 16 of which tested positive for Avian Influenza (AI), had been smuggled into Bali the previous day, evading controls at the Gilimanuk Port after being landed by private vessel on a remote beach in Jembrana, West Bali.
Quarantine officials swooped on the home of a local resident, I.B Widnyana, where all the contraband birds were immediately euthanized and blood samples taken before the carcasses were incinerated and buried on site. Bio-security measures, including the disinfecting of the areas surrounding the site at which the infected birds were discovered and the burning of the cages and enclosures used by the birds, were also undertaken.
The confirmation of the latest cases of Avian Influenza (AI) in Bali brings to three the total incidents of AI infected bird populations identified on the Island. In March, 25 imported chickens in Jembrana and 13 more imported chickens in Karangasem were detected and destroyed by officials.
No confirmed cases of Avian Influenza among people living in Bali have been detected to date.
Reacting to the latest confirmation of AI cases in Bali, Bagus Sudibya, Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB) reminded the public of the absolute prohibition on the import of poultry from other islands into Bali, warning “it is not enough to place all the responsibility on officials charged with monitoring illegal imports. Everyone – including the people, those involved in the poultry trade and the Government – must all take an active role in preventing the spread of the Bird Flu virus.” Echoing widespread calls in the community for stern action against those violating the import restriction, Sudibya added, “violations of the prohibition against the import of poultry are criminal acts. We trust that our law enforcement officers will bring the full force of the law to bear on those responsible”.
On Going Steps to Control Avian Influenza in Bali
The Livestock Services of Bali are taking a number of steps in towns and villages across Bali to prevent the spread of the disease, including:
- Ongoing education of local farmers, those working in commercial poultry capacities, and local bird markets to increase bio-security measures.
- An ongoing and intensifying program of vaccination of local poultry populations.
- Increased security scrutinizing the movement of live poultry around the island.
- Official appeals to the public to immediately provide information to the police whenever they see evidence of the illegal importation of birds and poultry into Bali.
- Strict programs of bio-security measures and vaccination in any area in which birds and poultry are stored or traded.
- A program of education via the electronic and print media advising the public of the dangers and the potential threat of Avian Influenza.
- Direct “street-level” educational contact regarding Avian Influenza with those employed in the poultry trade at their places of business.
- A cooperative program of monitoring and surveillance coordinated between the Government, the Bali Veterinarian Service and the Veterinarian Faculty of Bali’s Udayana University.
Gianyar Regency Introduces Preventive Measures
Responding to the latest confirmed cases of AI in his regency, the Regent of Gianyar A.A. Gde Agung Bharata, has implemented a number of emergency steps to prevent a worsening of the situation:
- Following the destruction of the affected population of smuggled birds, coordinated command posts have been set up for villagers in the surrounding areas to report any symptoms of AI in either the human or local bird populations.
- Special teams including members of the Health Service, Agricultural Service, local law enforcement and the special command posts have been put in the place in the Regency for the 10 days following the most recent discovery of infected birds in Gianyar.
- All birds within a 100 meter radius of where the inspected birds were caged have been destroyed with the Government providing cash compensation at half of the market value of the destroyed livestock.
- Those involved in the cases of illegal importation of poultry are now being processed through the legal system. Current regulations (Law No. 16 of 1992) provide for up to 3 years in prison and Rp. 150 million (approximately US$16,666) in fines for each conviction. At present, 5 suspects are being detained by Bali Police in connection with violations of the import ban.
Governor’s Statement
On Thursday, April 27, 2006, Bali’s Governor Made Beratha instructed all Regents across the island of Bali to increase their vigilance against the spread of Avian Influenza asking for strict enforcement of the absolute prohibition on the import of birds and poultry from outside Bali into the island.
(Source: Bali Discovery Tours)
June 2nd, 2006
May 3 and May 13, 2006 Marks Celebration of Galungan and Kuningan – a Most Colorful and Interesting Part of the Year to be in Bali.
Galungan - this year falling on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, begins a 10 day celebration of fundamental importance on the Bali Hindu calendar and a particularly interesting time for visitors to be on the most spiritual of islands.
Marking the beginning of a window lasting ten days, Galungan and Kuningan is the period when the spirits of deceased ancestors descend to earth to once again be among their families. In order to welcome and appease both ken and kin, ancestral temples are cleaned, special offerings are made, and dances are presented to humor the hearts and bring contentment to those members of the family, now deceased, back for a brief reunion with family and friends.
Celebrating the triumph of good over evil, Balinese also see this as a period of introspection and self-correction; a time to repudiate those negative elements in their personality - such as deceit, thievery, violence, anger and jealousy. Balinese staff working across the island are given leave days at this time to return to their home villages and attend to ancestral temples during the celebration of Galungan and its complementing holiday of Kuningan, ten days later.
Visitors driving across the island during these holidays are certain to see giant Penjor - bamboo altar-poles, decorating streets and doorways of every village. Their looming presence, forming hallowed tunnels of palm leaf left and right down villages lanes, proclaim an ancient victory of Dharma over King Mayadanawa, an evil and godless king who once controlled Bali.
Galungan and the celebration of Kuningan ten days later on Saturday, May 13, 2006, when ancestral spirits again take their leave of this earth, is a very special period when the people of Bali are on their very best behavior: every village bustles with musical and dance performances; streets are clogged with elegantly dressed families carrying huge mounds of breathtakingly beautiful offerings to nearby temples; and the Balinese feel a very special attachment with their families, friends and the island they love.
(Source: Bali Discovery Tours)
June 2nd, 2006
DENPASAR (indo.com): A variety of Balinese artworks will be available at the Mandala Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park when its International Trade Promotion Center is finished.
The 15-hectare GWK cultural park is expected to be completed by the end of 2002, and is located at Ungasan hill, Jimbaran, Bali.
The facility is specially designed to provide opportunities for local small-scale business people to promote their products. A permanent space will provided to accommodate around 20 craftsmen from Gianyar, Badung and Denpasar.
Conceptually, the GWK Cultural Park is being built based on its architectural plan focusing on two mutually supportive components that are fused harmoniously to provide an alternative attraction facility for travellers. The GWK statue, with the 22 meter-high God Wisnu statue as the anchor, has been built on the top of Ungasan cliff. The statue, considered the most spectacular in Bali (and even Indonesia), is expected to draw much attention from visitors to Bali.
June 2nd, 2006
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