Archive for July, 2006
This last week in Bali 2 tourists died while enjoying water sports. The first was a 40 year old Australian who was rescued from drowning on Kuta beach. He was hit by large waves while swimming, and though revived by life guards, passed away at BIMC in Kuta.
The second fatality was a Taiwanese tourist diving in shallow water on Nusa Lembongan. Kao Chin Hsien (42), felt unwell and suffered a heart attack while diving. Bali does have some great water sports, including some of the best surfing in the world. The danger for most tourists is getting caught in a current whiel swimming and being dragged into big surf. If you do find yourself unable to get back to shore, do not panic. Try to swim diagonally back to the beach, NOT straight in. Usually riptides are not that wide and you can swim out of them. If you have small kids, be very careful about letting them play in the water, if you are aware of strong surf. THe besty places to takw young kids to the beach is Nusa Dua and Sanur, as the waves break off the reef and not straight not the beach.
www.baliblog.com
July 31st, 2006
Qantas’s discount arm, Jetstar, promises a great product, new, safe, comfortable planes, with no frills, for a low price. This follows the global trend, with SouthWest in the US and RyanAir in the UK. RyanAir feel like a cattlecar, lets hope Jetstar can do it better.
Demand for Jetstar’s one-way tickets from Melbourne to Bali ($169), have been going like hot Chiko rolls. Here’s more from The Age.
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 31st, 2006
Bali shines with continous sunshine. I feel spoiled because this summer Europe has been cooking and I get to return to Bali very soon. Highs in Denpasar have around 27C, lows around 23C, that’s fairly comfortable, especially if you stay in the shade with plenty of air flow.
Here’s the 10 day weather forecast for Bali. Enjoy it and don’t forget to bring the sunscreen.
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 31st, 2006
Bali Appoints Tourisms Ambassador and Ambassadress for 2006.
In a rigorous selection process involving written essays, English language proficiency tests, demonstration of generous knowledge on Bali tourism, and a series of intensive interviews 30 contestants recently vied for the right to represent Bali as its tourism Ambassador for the coming year.
Following a selection process that took several weeks to complete a remaining 20 finalists – 10 boys and 10 girls – were quarantined from July 13-15, 2006 at the Sheraton Laguna Resort-Hotel, Nusa Dua where all received short courses in information on Bali tourism, professional public relations skills, personal deportment, English, and personal grooming.
Final Selection
In a gala evening held on Saturday, July 15, 2006, at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, nearly 200 invited guests enjoyed an evening of outstanding entertainment and traditional dance as contestants and guests eagerly awaited the announcement of who win the right to represent Bali tourism on behalf of the Bali Tourism Board.
At the end of the evening the final decisions of the jury were announced:
• Bali Tourism Ambassador 2006: Liberty Putra Simanjuntak
• Bali Tourism Ambassadress 2006: Sri Purna Widari
• 2nd Runner Up Bali Tourism Ambassador 2006: I Nyoman Sutarsa
• 2nd Runner Up Bali Tourism Ambassadress 2006: Nyoman Karina Wedhanti
• 3rd Runner Up Bali Tourism Ambassador 2006: A.A. Bagus Candra Suteja
• 3rd Runner Up Bali Tourism Ambassadress 2006: I G A Ayu Mirah Purwantari
• Favorites:I Nyoman Sutarsa and Sri Purna Widari
• Most Photogenic: Bagus Ferriyanto and Sang Ayu Isnu Maharani
Shown on balidiscovery.com are, left to right, Bali Tourism Ambassador 2006 Liberty Putra Simanjuntak, Bali Tourism Ambassador 2006 Sri Purna Widari and General Manager of the Discovery Kartika Plaza Urs Klee.
sources : www.balidiscovery.com
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July 28th, 2006
A Recent Trip to Bali by Australia’s Minister for Health and Ageing Prompted Tony Abbott to Examine Why Australians May Have a Patriotic Duty to Visit Bali.
Australian Parliamentarian and Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, recently visited Bali on a private holiday prompting him to submit the following op-ed piece to the
The Age Melbourne originally published on July 19, 2006.
The Moral Imperative for Tourists
Tony Abbott, MP (Australia), Minister for Health & Ageing
So far, no country has escaped from Third World status on the basis of foreign aid. Every country that has moved out of comparative poverty (such as Korea, Taiwan and Singapore) and every region that has become a particular country’s economic locomotive (such as Mumbai or Shanghai) has done so on the basis of trade, not aid.
This stands to reason because buying from someone makes him a partner while giving to someone is more likely to make him a supplicant than a friend. Aid is important, especially in times of trouble such as after the Asian tsunami of 2004, but not nearly as important as a market economy to the foundation of lasting wealth and self-respect.
This reflection was prompted by a recent trip to Bali, which tourism has lifted from being one of the poorest parts of Indonesia to being one of the most prosperous parts. It was gratifying to think that indulging in a five-star lifestyle at a fraction of what it would cost in Australia and enjoying some remarkably good value shopping might be helping to reduce world poverty and equalize the gap between rich and poor. Tourists have never been accorded much moral standing but it seems they are just as necessary as aid workers and might be of more long-term benefit for the world’s poorest countries.
A recent report by the Australian Co-operative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism noted that tourism accounts for 36 per cent of trade in commercial services in advanced economies but 66 per cent of such trade in developing countries. Tourism is the only service industry where the Third World as a whole has a positive balance of trade with the First World: a $6 billion surplus in 1980 rising to nearly $9 billion in 1998. In addition, international tourism in developing countries is increasing by 9.5 per cent a year compared to 4.6 per cent worldwide.
Unsurprisingly, the report warns that tourism is too important to be left to the private sector and worries about the effect of foreign tourism on local culture. Still, it concedes that all forms of modernisation change indigenous cultures and notes tourism is a growing and significant part of the economy in all but one of the 12 countries that are home to 80 per cent of the world’s poor. Tourism, it concludes, “appears to be one of the few economic sectors able to guide a number of developing countries to higher levels of prosperity and for some to leave behind their least-developed country status”.
If economic deprivation breeds resentment and tourism is an important means to economic development, it’s no wonder terrorist groups have targeted tourism in countries such as Egypt and Indonesia. Targeting places such as Bali’s Sari nightclub not only punishes the decadent infidel but helps to wreck the local economy in places which fail to conform to any zealot’s blueprint. Last year’s bombings in Bali, targeting families in cafes, were presumably designed to demonstrate that no one is safe and were a form of economic warfare against the people there.
The Federal Government rightly warns people about the dangers of travel in countries such as Indonesia, and people should be sensible about the potential risks involved. In 2003, in the aftermath of the 2002 bombing at Kuta, tourist arrivals in Bali were almost 40 per cent down on 2001. Even so, by 2004 tourist numbers had exceeded the previous peak. Australian tourists had increased by 10 per cent on the previous record. There are no official figures yet for this year but one hotel says September bookings are back to last year’s level.
In any event, Australians’ nervousness about security is in contrast to fondness for something different and enthusiasm for a good deal.
People who have no desire to court trouble or to make political statements can be conscious of the importance of Indonesia to Australia and reluctant to have their choices dictated to them. The most culturally oblivious tourist is still adding to our collective awareness of our vast neighbour as well as building the Indonesian economy, which is only a quarter the size of Australia’s with 10 times the population.
Then there’s the importance of preserving a Muslim country which is relatively easygoing, culturally pluralist and democratic. Taking a holiday in Indonesia is riskier than going to the Gold Coast, but may ultimately be quite a patriotic thing to do.
July 28th, 2006
Garuda to Help Carry Foundation Officials and Medical Equipment from Australia to Indonesia.
Garuda Indonesia in Australia has signed a formal agreement to provide important assistance with the life-altering work of one of Bali’s most important humanitarian organizations - The John Fawcett Foundation.
Operating in Indonesia as the Yayasan Kemanusian Indonesia (YKI), the Foundation founded by Bali-based Australian John Fawcett has been a leader in providing health support to underprivileged communities in Bali. The Foundation provides medical equipment, health technology transfer via the volunteer services of Australian medical specialists, and medical care and advice to needy Balinese families.
In recent years the Foundation has expanded its program of medical assistance of isolated Indonesian provinces beyond Bali. The YKI runs mobile eye clinics in Bali, South Kalimantan and East Java.
The North Bali Mobile Eye Clinic launched by the Foundation in March 2005 has already performed nearly 1,000 free-of-charge sight-saving cataract operations. At the same time, more than 4,000 Balinese adults and school children have been screened for vision problems with a 82% of those examined requiring spectacles, all provided without charge through donations of used eyeglasses channeled through the Foundation.
In 2005 Garuda Indonesia flew 10,000 pairs of used spectacles, to Bali free of charge donated by the people of Australia and collected by Harvey World Travel.
In explaining the Airline’s continuing commitment to the work of the John Fawcett Foundation, Suranto Yitnopawiro, Regional Manager for the Southwest Pacific for Garuda Indonesia, said, “These villagers (helped by the Foundation) can now read, do fine work, make offerings and generally contribute to the family and the community,”
The work of the Foundation in Bali and other parts of Indonesia is not limited to the treatment of the visually impaired. Cleft lip and palate surgery together with orthopaedic surgery are among the organizations many projects. Education assistance in the form of books; school uniforms and fees; provision of medical equipment donated by Australian hospitals; training in microscopy; and treatment of tuberculosis are also some of the many areas in which assistance to the people of Indonesia is provided by The John Fawcett Foundation.
Garuda to the Rescue
Under the recently signed sponsorship agreement, Garuda Indonesia will provide key personnel from the Foundation with discounted airfares and waive excess baggage charges for volunteers carrying medical supplies to Indonesia. The Airline also supports various fund-raising activities held to sustain the Foundation’s work in Indonesia.
“The Foundation does an amazing job in easing the suffering of thousands of Indonesians, and Garuda Indonesia is proud to be able to play a part in their humanitarian efforts,” Suranto said.
www.balidiscovery.com
July 28th, 2006
The Oberoi, Bali Feature ‘The Taste of India’ Through August 31, 2006. Gala Indian Dinner Set for August 5th.
The Oberoi, Bali one of the Island’s most prestigious resorts which traces its roots back to India is offering local residents and visitors the opportunity to sample authentic Indian cuisine through August 31st at its Kura Kura Restaurant.
The Taste of India
On hand to supervise the kitchen brigade throughout the Indian culinary event is Indian Master Chef Arjun Singh, Executive Chef of Vanvavilas in Ranthambhore, India. Considered a leading authority on India food, Chef Singh has traveled internationally preparing sub-continent specialties for appreciative audiences world-wide.
Those who take the opportunity of visiting The Oberoi, Bali more than once during the more than one-month long event will not be disappointed with menus slated to be changed every week. Depending on the date selected, guests will be treated to delicious Indian food specialties, such as Thawa Jiga (pan fried jumbo prawns in a mild spice paste); Aloo Tikki (potato galettes filled with sweet peas); or Roghan Josh (braised lamb in a saffron and dried ginger sauce).
Indian Gala Diner
On Saturday, August 5th an Indian Gala Dinner including cocktails, a six-course gourmet Indian dinner, and complementing wines will be served at a per person cost of Rp. 850,000 (approximately US$90.50).
Seating is limited making reservations a necessity.
For bookings or more information telephone ++62-(0)361-730361 extension #854.
sources : www.balidiscovery.com
July 26th, 2006
The latest series of earthquakes to devastate parts of Java’s southern coast on Monday, July 17, 2006, have added a new national sense of urgency to efforts to develop a nation-wide tsunami detection system and emergency response program for natural disasters.
The latest quake, which struck shortly after 3 p.m. on July 17th, devastated a 177 km stretch of Java’s southern coast in the Pangandaran region, some 900 km west of Bali. While the earthquake and resulting tidal wave are now credited with causing nearly 600 deaths, hundreds of injuries and substantial property damage – Bali was completely untouched by the disaster as local resident did not feel the tremor. Local port authorities attribute a sudden rise of 20 cm in local tidal levels on Bali’s shoreline to the after effects of the earthquake.
The most recent major earthquake occurred less than 2 months after a devastating earthquake near Yogyakarata and Central Java on May 27, 2006 that claimed more than 6,000 lives; and less than 2 years after the December 26, 2004 North Sumatran earthquake and tidal wave that killed more than 230,000 people in 12 countries.
President Promises Urgent Action on Tsunami Warning System
Following the latest tragedy, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has pledged that a nation-wide tsunami warning system will be in operation by mid-2008, accelerating earlier completion dates for a program already underway by the Government.
In Bali, local officials checking tsunami warning devices installed in recent months were shocked on Tuesday, one day after the latest quake, to discover that one of the off-shore warning buoys had been stolen on the same day that the earthquake hit Java’s coats. The buoy, part of a 21.6 meter long semi submerged tower assembly, had been serviced by coastal officials only one day before it went missing.
Upon discovery of the theft, a replacement tower was immediately installed.
Local authorities are in the process of installing tsunami warning system detectors along all major tourism beaches in Bali. When completed, detectors will be in place on Kuta Beach opposite the Hard Rock Hotel, Seminyak Beach opposite the Double Six Club, Petitengert Beach, Kedonganan Beach, Nusa Dua, at Air Tanjung and Sanur Beach.
sources : www.balidiscovery.com
July 26th, 2006
I can recall several weeks ago reporting about the installation of Tsunami Warning System already being installed on the beaches in Kuta in anticipation of any future earthquakes and tsunami waves. Bali will install with six disaster warning towers.
The towers are parts of the Tsunami Early Warning System (TEWS) developed by the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency. The six locations selected are Kuta Beach, Seminyak Beach, PetiTenget Beach, Kedonganan Beach, Nusa Dua Beach, Tanjung Benoa Beach and Sanur Beach according to Tempo magazine.
All are in Southern Bali because that is the most dangerous area and another reason being is that Bali is a tourism destination and a densely populated area. It is planned that the construction of the towers will be completed by August this year.
Each tower will be equipped with a Seismological Communication telemetry quake detection system that is continuous real-time and compact and has been owned by BMG since 1990.
Starting this year earthquake detectors in Bali have already been using a digital system called the Fonyx System where all data analysis is executed using special software. Therefore details of earthquakes are known within only a few minutes including the power of the earthquake and the coordinates of the location.
When an earthquake takes place this equipment which is connected to satellites is directly activated and able to provide information regarding the earthquake to the general public as well as sound warning signals on the towers’ speakers.
In a period of between five and ten minutes after the earthquake parameters have been identified there will be a confirmation or a cancellation stage.
This means that if an earthquake will definitely will create a tsunami then BMG will confirm this to the public.
However if it is considered that it will not cause a tsunami then this will be announced to the public. The warning systems in addition to alarms or sirens also include recordings.
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 26th, 2006
The third copy of Playboy has hit the streets and so has the Muslim hardliners bent on delivering us from the devious grips of pornography and nudity. Get a life, it’s only a magazine!.
It seems that Indonesian Muslim leaders strongly protested against the third edition of the Indonesia Playboy magazine urging the police to take stern action against the editors of the U.S. based publication. This edition is supposed to be a bit racy!.
The July edition hit newsstands late last week with its cover featuring a woman wearing black underpants and grey jacket without wearing a bra. It makes me wonder if the front cover was of a man wearing only jocks or boxer shorts would attract the same attention. Probably from the female hardliners no doubt!.
Muslim hardliners described the magazine as more vulgar than the two previous editions and urged the police to take strict measures against the magazine saying that Playboy Indonesia was insulting and hurting the feeling among Muslims.
Indonesian police have formally named Erwin Armada, Playboy’s editor in chief in Indonesia, and Kartika Gunawan, who posed in lingerie for the first edition as suspects for violating anti-indecency laws that carry sentences of up to two years and eight months in prison.
The magazine has been criticized even by some who acknowledge that is no more pornographic than other tabloids sold in the country already.
Muslim hardliners have vowed to take to the streets to protest the publication saying that by continuing to publish Playboy was challenging the Muslim majority in Indonesia and that Muslims activists would accept the challenge.
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 26th, 2006
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