Archive for August 7th, 2006
Watersports proved dangerous last week as 3 Australians lost their lives. Jeffrey Joseph Rigby, 48, from Perth, drowned on Seminyak beach surfing. Balinese locals held a ceremony on the beach to cleanse it of evil spirits. Saturday saw Jeffrey Joseph Rigby, 30, from Melbourne, dissappear while surfing at Bingin (strange as the take off spot is small).
Earlier this week Iona Margaret Thompson, 84, from Adelaide died while snorkeling in Lipah, a tiny coastal village south of Amed. Mrs Thompson was close to shore with her husband. The cause of death has yet to be determined.
Sorry to hear of their misfortune, and I hope no one else suffers a life-ending accident, while on holiday in Bali.
source : www.baliblog.com
August 7th, 2006
Playground of the rich, but not so famous, Ku De Ta is celebrating its 6th birthday today. For tohse Seminyak faithful, who have helped Ku De Ta along the way, there is a special dinner tonight, from 7-11pm.
For 950,000rp you will get champagne on arrival plus a set dinner and show. DJ Billy the Kid will be working the decks. Sunday promises even more fun as former INXS frontman, Jon Stevens, performs with his band at sunset.
August 7th, 2006
The weather in Bali right now is lovely. Weather is one of the things that will greatly affect your trip, and one that you have no control over. Luckily, here in Bali right now, things could not the better.
Last night I used the AC, but also used a sheet and was super comfortable. Tonight, now the jet-lag has worn off I’ll try sleeping without AC. Returning to my house in Seminyak, I immediately noticed that everything was dry. The street, the buildings, everything. It hasn’t rained here for a while and the sun is bright.
Here is the 10 day weather forecast for Bali.
August 7th, 2006
Uluwatu is the most famous wave of Bali. There is always some swell here so it’s also always crowded. The spot offers several waves which are working with different swells and tides:
The Peak: best at mid and high tide. Closes out at low tide. In front of the cave. it’s the most consistant. Short and powerful waves, tubes. The take off is moving. It works from 1ft to 8ft. The most crowded. One of the sections closes more than the others.
Racetracks: 100 meters further. fast wave, a lot of sections with easy tubes. Best at low tide and at 6ft. Can hold bigger swell. On the right tide and the right swell, “The Peak” connects with “Racetraks” (you need to be a good tuberider). Over 10ft, Racetracks breaks until “The Corner”.
Inside Corner: best at mid and low tide with a 6ft swell. At first, it’s a fun wave and the final bowl is a tube. Don’t do a cutback just before the bowl! Take plenty of speed, stay high in the face and trim. You will pass the tube.
Outside Corner: the REAL Uluwatu. Works only with big swells (>8ft) and at low tide. The lower is the tide, the better is the wave. Take at least a 7′ board. It is a succession of long walls good for carving and, sometimes, a beautiful final tube. The length is around 300 meters.
Photo:www.baliwaves.com
Temple: less surfed. 2 waves in fact (”Outside temple” and “The Bombies”). Only for experts because the water is very shallow. For thoses,it is a incredible tube when it works.
Spot information for surfing at Uluwatu (globalsurfer.com):
Type of break: reef break
Type of wave: hollow barreling wave
Direction: left hand
Bottom: coral
Average lenght of ride: long
Suitable for : expert level
Detailed information:
Photo:www.baliwaves.com
Crowd level: a big crowd
Best tide: mid
Ideal board size: 6′8-7′4 Mini gun
Ideal wind direction: south-east
Wavesize & wetsuit:
Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter
Overhead: 6′- 8′ - Ok : 2′- 4′ - Overhead: 6′- 8′ - Overhead: 6′- 8′
Boardshorts - Boardshorts - Boardshorts - Boardshorts
Getting There
To reach Uluwatu from The Ngurah Ray International Airport by using Taxi, rent car/motorcycle or using travel agent. Its about 1 hour drive.
Where to Stay
There are many accommodations from Warung (warung in a traditional caf), motels, hotels until Villa. The range price in $5 until $ 2000 for 1 day. If you stay in warung you just pay for the meals.
Photo:www.baliwaves.com
There are many surfing spot near Uluwatu such as: Padang-padang beach, Dreamland beach, Bingin beach, Impossible beach.
Dining Guide
Various restaurants and cafes throughout Uluwatu, from cheeps price to a luxury restaurant.
Souvenir Tips
Sea-related products, such as items made of seashells, corals and t-shirt, etc.
Other Things to See or Do
There is Temple near the beach, its one of the best temple in Bali called Uluwatu Temple. In the Temple you can see a lot of attractions such as:Watching traditional Bali dace performance, Watching Sunset (very good view from Uluwatu Tample).
Travel Tips
A good hat and water-proof sun-screen.
Photo:www.baliwaves.com
Basic first-aid kit, antiseptic dressing, etc.
Sand-shoes and thongs.
Board-shorts, t-shirts, 1 pair light-weight, long-pants and long-sleeve wind cheater.
Two towels and sun-glasses.
Personal toiletries, after-sun cream, insect repellent.
Walkman, camera, handy-cam and books.
Booties, 2 surf-boards.
Light-weight wet-suits, rash-vest, gate helmet and spare leg-ropes.
Sources
Baliwaves- www.baliwaves.com
Surfing Indonesia, periplus action guide.
Global Surfer- www.globalsurfers.com
August 7th, 2006
Indonesia and Australia close to prisoner exchange deal, according to The Australian. Australian attorney general, Philip Ruddock has said that an agreement could be reached next month, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Schapelle Corby is coming home.
Extradiction treaties and prisoner exchange deals, are difficult to arrange, because certain countries view the law differently. For example, Japan will deport citizens of other countries, but not its own citizens. Britain will deport anyone, including its own citizens on the barest of evidence. Schapelle Corby doesn’t want to go back to Australia, as there will be on beach days or Pizza Hut. She has 1 more appeal, the Indonesian Supreme court in Jakarta.
August 7th, 2006
Hooray for good things. I am back in Bali after a 12 hour flight from London to KL and a 3 hour flight to Denpasar. It feels awesome to be here, better than I was hoping for. Whenever I revisit, a place my feelings can change dramatically. The first several times I came to Bali I was on a high, but there were a couple of times when the weather wasn’t so great, I got hit with stick up artists and requests for money, making the whole place feel not entirely wonderful. Add that to the grey cement in Seminyak, and I have been a bit dissappointed.
This time was way different. Coming from the English summer, and some scorching temperatures, I thought I was acclimatized to summer. Arriving in Bali turned that several notches up. The humidity is double and the amount of greenery, the plants and the color of everyday life is jumping out at me.
I hope this continues, I feel like a first time tourist, carefully stepping over the canang (offerings on the ground). Everyone I have met today have been cool and many people have smiled and said hello.
My day (as far as this session of being awake) started at Heathrow in London, a big busy, run down airport where people are treated like cattle. I was actually quite relaxed after sorting out all the nonsense with my ticket. At the check in desk, I presented my new e-ticket from Garuda, only to be told Malaysia Airways doesn’t take e-tickets. Back in the frying pan. Some frantic waiting at Malaysia’s desk and calling Garuda’s
London office got it straightened out, and after a brief question and answer session at the check in about my passport, visa and work status, I was on the plane.
Using VOA today was extremely painless. They have this thing down and the immigration processing took roughly 10 minutes from the time I hit the back of the line to the time I walked through. Right now Bali is feeling like the ‘Island of the Gods’.
sources : www.baliblog.com
August 7th, 2006