Archive for July 26th, 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
Australian airline Jetstar is getting travelers and tourists excited about cheaper air tickets to Bali. The airline launched its domestic arm 2 years ago, immediately starting a price war with Virgin Blue, offering 100,000 one-way air tickets for $29 each.
Jetstar is 4 months away from starting its operations to Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali and Osaka. Flights from Sydney rerturn to Bali could go for as little as $550.
“We will go very hard on fares on our commercial launch. There’s no question they will be unprecedented fares,” the Jetstar spokesman, Simon Westaway, said.
That’s awesome, I hope everyone and their roo take advantage of it and come back to Bali, its still great. I know there are many travel agents in Australia offering great packages with flights and hotel combined. Here in London my brother pointed out a deal in the newspaper…10 days at the Melia Benoa, including flight for $800 (pounds). Considering the flight itself is that much I’d say its a deal.
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 26th, 2006
Just off Jalan Erlangga and a stones throw from the ocean sits the beautiful Chinese temple Ling Gwan Kiong.
Winding your way through the narrow back streets and alleyways towards the harbour area is fascinating. Some of the original buildings built by the Dutch are still present and architecturally brilliant. There are also some great warungs in the area. When you finally arrive at the harbour area you will espy the magnificent Chinese temple.
A colourful and beautifully constructed klenteng, access to the temple is via a water bridge over a pond filled with pink and white lotus flowers. An unusual array of Koi fish can be seen in the depths of the water of this quaint pass over to the inner temple.
I spoke to the guardian of the temple, an elderly Chinese man hard of hearing, and I found it hard to obtain the information I needed regarding the klenteng. Instead, he ushered me into one of the many prayer areas, and smiled.
Gold Bhudda statues and ornately decorated textiles were to be found everywhere. I was particularly impressed with the murals of Deities hand-painted on the entrance doors and surrounding walls.
I can well imagine this temple to be a hive of pageantry and colour during Imlek, Chinese New Year.
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 26th, 2006