Archive for September 27th, 2006
The old saying is true, that visitors to your see more of it than you do. I am a longtern visitor to Bali, and have seen my fair share of it. One part of Bali I have never seen, that is popular
with visitors, is
Nusa Lembongan.
Looking a map of Bali, you can see 3 islands across the Badung Strait to the south. These are
Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and
Nusa Penida. The tourist island is Nusa Lembongan, famous for its surfing breaks (
Shipwrecks,
Lacerations,
Playgrounds) and for its days trips for snorkeling.
Ika and Jevon are going to Java for most of Ramadan and the week of Idul Fitri. Ika wants him to experience the festive atmosphere and feel the spirit of the occassion, much like being in England for Christmas.
This gives me some extra space with which to explore and a trip to Nusa Lembongan is overdue. Looking at my guide book, the ‘Natural Guide to Bali‘, it tells me there are several ways I could get to Nusa Lembongan. These include: Public boats from Sanur beach, leaving daily at 8am and 10am (90 minute one-way, 35,000rp). Coming back the boats leave at 7.30am from Jungutbatu.
Perama does a shuttle from Sanur, leaving at 10.30am and returning at 8.30am, for 50,000rp. I’ll probably take Perama, as they are most likely be on time, and have a boat with no holes in. It is possible to charter a private boat for 300,000rp.
For people staying in Kuta, Perama has an office about 50 meters before the bottom end of Jl. Legian. Pop in and ask about their latest schedules and rates.
What’s on Nusa Lembongan?
Nusa Lembongan is basically a quiet fishing community located on a dry island. Westeners go there for surfing, staying at the guest houses in front of Lacerations and snorkeling, from day trip boats. There is budget accomodation as well as higher end. I’ll go for the budget and give a rundown of what else is there.
source :www.baliblog.com
September 27th, 2006
Since living in Bali I have met other expats, who have had their parents visit. The way it often works is a person moves to Bali, loves it, tells their parents about it, only to have them offer reasons why they don’t fancy coming out. These might include “Its too far,” “its too hot,” “I wouldn’t like the food,” “I can’t speak foriegn languages,” “its like the jungle,” “I heard they’re all Muslim out there.”
Let’s knock these on the head.
Its too far:
Bali is a long way fron N. America and Europe, but for mums and dads, who have time on their hands, a stopover in Dubai / Bahrein / Seoul, Hong Kong etc. could be a nice part of their trip.
Its too hot:
During the wet season (Nov-Mar) it is extremely hot and humid. At the peak of the dry season (July-Sept) the weather is warm / hot during the day, but cool in the mornings and evenings, with lower humidity. The other night I put on a sweater as I was cold.
I wouldn’t like the food:
The popular tourist areas (Kuta/Legian/Seninyak/Nusa Dua/Sanur/Ubud) have an amazing array of international food places. If I want I can get fish & chips (Wrap a Snapper), just like in London, about 5 minutes from my house in Seminyak. If you can’t handle rice or spicy food, you never have to.
I can’t speak foriegn languages:
I know expats who have lived in Bali fulltime, for 15 years and can’t speak Indonesian. You really don’t have to worry about the language barrier.
Its like the jungle:
There is a little bit of jungle left in Bali, up around Batukaru, but for the most part Bali does not resemble a jungle. Driving around East Bali, or the hills of Tabanan, most people will be impressed with the sweeping rice terraces and exotic landscapes.
I heard they’re all Muslim out there:
Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, Bali is not. Even if you you visit Muslim Java /Lombok, you will not feel any weirdness, as people are pretty cool. I’m a Muslim and I won’t give you a hard time (unless you steal my Bintang).
Talking recently to a British expat who’s parents visited, he told me they had a good time, and liked Bali as the weather was cool, in the evening. They did not care to sample Indonesian food, and that annoyed him a bit. Whatever, at least they made it out.
I reckon most parents could find something they’d like in Bali, aside from the selection of good food. Shopping for gifts, getting spa treatment, going for a drive in the mountains, checking out the Irish music at Cat & Fiddle in Sanur, visit a village with a local, see a Balinese dance in Ubud. If the parents are active, that opens up a whole other range of possibilites, including hiking, snorkeling, horse riding on Seminyak beach.
If I was retired and living in a cold climate, taking a couple of months off in Bali, would be a thing i’d do every year.
source : www.baliblog.com
September 27th, 2006
Before I was a parent I had no interest in kids, and it was not my ambition to have them. Now that I have a son
Jevon, I think it is the most wonderful thing. Its better than having a pet, because a pet will only take you so far. I mean the smartest dog will still be salivating and wagging its tail, even as its intelligence peaks. A kid however, is a different ball of wax.
One of the aspects of being a dad I most enjoy is to see, on a daily basis, how Jevon’s awareness grows, and how he starts to consider how his actions will affect others. Tonight we sat on the step on my porch, and watched a couple of gecko’s having sex. When I tried to photograph the action, my extented macro lens accidently tapped them, and they split.
As far as diet, Jevon is displaying ‘bule’ tendencies already. He doesn’t really like rice, but likes bread, spaghetti, milk, cheese and fruit juice. Ika said in the evening she gives him fried tempe (soybeans) in soy sauce and he loves it. when she tries to give it to him for breakfast he won’t
touch it. “There you are.” I said. “Us bule’s don’t want to eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
The little bugger can now climb up on the table, climb out of bed and into the bathtub. He touched the hot iron the other day, so has an idea of what ‘hot’ feels like. So far we have not used a ‘Kiddie backpack’, only the sling that Ika had, or a push chair. We either carry him or he walks. In a restaurant he is happy to sit in his own chair. Having a kid in Bali has been very easy so far.
source : www.baliblog.com
September 27th, 2006
Expats living in Bali often need the nuts and bolts, meaning hammers, drills, electrical and equipment etc. The one stop place is
Ace Hardware in Kuta. Today I went over to Ace for a closer look.
Ace Hardware is an American company, with branches all over the world. Their range of goods is extensive, everything from garden, to automotive to interior decoration. Here in Bali the prices are somewhat higher than they are in the US, as the merchandise has to be imported and shoppers have fewer options if they don’t go to Ace.
Ace is located in the Kuta Galeria, at the Sunset Rd and Jl. Imam Bonjol. Its building is one large aircraft hanger, with everything laid out in separate departments.
Here’s a few of the items and prices for each department.
Outdoor living:
Gazebo - 299,000rp
Weber gas bbq ,size large, deluxe with attached table - 11,500,000rp
Weber charcoal bbq - 1,567,000rp
RubberMaid medium cooler - 419,000rp
Tyrano mountain bike - 5,255,000rp
Other stock includes camping equipment, sporting goods (leather soccer ball - 59,000rp), swimming goggles (34,000rp), Pet care products and garden loungers.
Lawn & Garden:
This section has tools, gloves, chemicals, ornaments.
1 gallon of Ace Home Insect Control - 135,500rp
1 petrol lawn mower made by White Outdoor - 7.7m rp
Paint:
This section includes paint, brushes, ladders and other gear.
1 gallon (3.79 liter) Ace Flat Wall Paint (Acrylic latex) 230,000rp
1 quart (946ml) Ace Satin Wall & Trim (Acrylic latex enamel) 85,700rp
Basic step ladder - 597,000rp
Also includes exterior paint and spray paint.
Automotive:
Every accessory for cars except the car itself.
Turtle Wax Express shine - 53,000rp
Prestone ATF Stop Leak - 58,500rp
Shell Helix Motor Oil (1 liter) 31,500rp
Hardware:
Krisbow safe, 380*350*360 - 2m rp
Sentry Safe, fire & water safe, A5846603*472*472 - 6.2m rp
Locker set by Ace, featuring 12 lockers is a 6 foots stack - 1,729,000rp
Also available are locks, nuts, bolts.
A regular rotating Master Lock is 77,900rp
Tools:
J-Tech Double Open End Wrench Set, 5.5-2.7mm (9 pieces) - 272,000rp
Ace Adjustable Wrench (10 inch) 49,600rp
Krisbow 9 piece Ball Point Hex Key 45,000rp
Also available are tool boxes, trolleys, carts, pallet lifts, air compressors, drills, circular saws, hard hats, levels, tape measures,
Krisbow 600mm spirit level - 89,100rp
Electrical:
This section features interior lighting, flash lights, camping lanterns, ceiling fans, power strips.
Cleaning Supplies:
This section includes mops, detergents, scrubbing brushes
A 2.9 liter jug of Tide laundry soap is 191,000rp
Shout Stain Remover (650ml) is 57,000rp
Windex (768ml) is 54,500rp
Mop with head and handle is 73,300rp
Housewares:
This section includes cups, plates, vases, chairs, furniture, candles, picture frames, shelving, rice cookers, microwaves.
Kris microwave - 625,000rp
Kris stand up fan - 748,000rp
Also there is a large selection of Tupperware and dining accessories, air cleaners, irons, kettles.
Kris Dry Iron - 89,000rp
Looking at Ace from a 10,000ft level, I’d say most of there stuff is way overpriced, but it is handy to have a single place where you can come and pick up stuff that works.
Membership for a year is 100,000rp and will give you 5% off of everything you buy.
Ace Hardware
Istana Kuta Galeria
Jl. Patih Jelantik
Kuta
(0361)769328
Ace is open from 9am-10pm daily. Free parking available for cars and bikes.
source : www.baliblog.com
September 27th, 2006
Here’s the best of Bali nightlife for the next 10 days provided by the Beat Magazine.
•Tuesday Sept 26th
Bacio
Aficionado
DJs Chandra, Andre and cut price on a choice of cigars
F Lounge
F Live Session
Live roots and blues classics served up by The Fonz and The Special Guests, open mic and doubles pool competition. From 11pm
Ku De Ta
Film Night 2006
See Main Stage for details
MBarGo
The Asphalt Jungle
DJ P-pen and Javaica percussion’s turn to rock the decks. From 11pm
Double Six
Funk Up
DJ Helmy
•Wednesday Sep 27th
Bacio
Babes & Bubbles
Half price champagne, wine, and cocktails only for the ladies. DJ Fadi on the one and twos
ESC
1000 Wings
Enjoy the delight of chicken wings, only cost you 1000 rupiah, while DJ Agung on the smooth tunes
F Lounge
Femme Fatale
Teased with ease by DJ Riz and 2 for 1 on all Roskas for the ladies till midnight
Kudos
Drama Queen
Bollywood style, with Monica, Jennifer, and Brenda taking the stage along with hot dancers. From 11pm
MBarGo
BKK Style Dancers
Hip hop dance show and go-go dancers taking over the dancefloor. From 11pm
Paparazzi
DJ Tommy
Double Six
Prettylicious
DJ Nolly
•Thursday Sept 28th
Bacio
Disco Glam
DJ Jonny digs in the crates for nostalgic classics. From 10pm
ESC
Customer Appreciation Day
Enjoy Smirnoff vodka for just 15K plus complimentary tapas from 6-11pm and deep House beats from DJ Andy Delux
F Lounge
Sir Norman Jay
See Main Stage for details
Kudos
New 2QT2BSTR8 Show
Contemporary dance show feat divas, dancers and DJ U-you live. From 11pm
Paparazzi
The Faces
Fashion show by Puravida while DJs Deecoy & Spry (Switzerland) drop tech and minimal house
Ubud
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
Literary extravaganza with lunches, seminars, discussion, poetry slams and more. Runs till Oct 3rd. See HereNow, for full information contact (0361)971257 or check ubudwritersfestival.com for full details
Double Six
Evolution
DJ Emon
•Friday Sept 29th
Harris Resort
Live@Harris with Saharadja
Bali’s own jazz-world music group live on stage. From 6.30pm. FDC 50k, extra buffet 48k
Bacio
Flavours
DJs Ai (Moonchild), Emon
F Lounge
Salsa Lovers
A new flavour for F Lounge, grab a partner and brush up on your moves. . From 11pm
Hu’u
The Hu’u Tribe
An invitation to experience the dynamic and hypnotic essence of thumping house tunes and beat of african drum with DJs Nason, Yudi and Benk-benk on jembe. From 11pm. FDC 100k
Kudos
Showtime
The glam and glitz of Vegas is on with dancers, artists and DJ U-you behind the decks. From 11pm
DeJaVu
F**k Me I’m Famous
C&C Models strutting on the catwalk, along with tunes by DJs Emon & Anastacia. From 11pm
MBarGo
Vital Instinct
DJ Fadi (SWE)
Dee Jay Cafe
The Duel #2
See Main Stage for details
Paparazzi
Funktology
DJ Broyz
Double Six
The Vibe
DJs Wilson, Anastacia
Tanah Lot
Cakolosal
See Main Stage for details
•Saturday Sept 30th
Blue Nightclub
Early Birds Get Lucky
Never early to party! live DJ, drink promo, and free cocktails for girls from 9-10pm
Bacio
Fever
DJ Billy the Kid (AUS)
F Lounge
Felicious
Toasted to perfection as Alex Joy throws down soulful and deep house beats. From 11pm
Hu’u
Solid Gold
Across the tracks, heading way back to the 70-80’s, as DJs Jonny and Yudi play stuff you remember from the school disco. From 11pm. FDC 100k
Kudos
Sweat
With fire breathers, and bondage show, sweat is guaranteed. Dresscode: leather and black. From 11pm
DeJaVu
Made In Heaven
Javaica percussion with combo performance by DJs Lanang & Anastacia. From 11pm
D’Glow
Conjuction for Reward Members
Dance performance, tequilla girls, bikini waitresses, DJ Rowland (JKT) and ART. From11pm
MBarGo
Hell’ktrocity
DJs Fadi (SWE), Leon. From 11pm
Double Six
Insomniac
DJs Ai (Moonchild), Emon
•Sunday Oct 1st
MBarGo
My Crib
DJs Fadi (SWE) and free welcome shot to ensure a smooth close to your weekend. From 11pm
F Lounge
Fuzzy
Tenderly stroked, soothing you with chilled house and downtempo grooves. From 11pm
Double Six
Rainbow Night
•Monday Oct 2nd
Bacio
DJs Chandra, Andre
MBarGo
Reggaeton Summer Riddim
DJs Lazy Bones (JPN) and Leon serving you the Latino version of R’n’B. From 11pm
Double Six
Pure Volume
DJ Dede
Paparazzi
DJ Tommy
•Tuesday Oct 3rd
Bacio
Afficionado
DJs Chandra, Andre and 20% off selected cigars. From 10pm
F Lounge
F Live Session
The Fonz and The Special Guests got the blues up on the red carpeted stage, open mic and pool comp for the hustlers. From 11pm
MBarGo
Asphalt Jungle
Percussionist Javaica and DJ P-Pen collaboratin’ and perpetratin’. From 11pm.
Paparazzi
DJ Tommy
Double Six
Funk Up
DJ Helmy
•Wednesday Oct 4th
Bacio
Babes & Bubbles
Half price on champagne, wine and cocktails, but only for the ladies, DJ Fadi (SWE) presides over the music. From 10pm
F Lounge
Femme Fatale
Riz will tease you with ease till you drop to yer knees, plus 2 for 1 on all Roskas till midnight for the ladies
Kudos
2QT2BSTR8
Dance show with Monica, Patricia, Jennifer and hot dancers. From 11pm
Paparazzi
DJ Tommy
Double Six
Prettylicious
DJ Nolly
•Thursday Oct 5th
Bacio
Disco Glam
DJ Jonny all night long where boogie woogie will rules the night
F Lounge
Hip Shaker
Supasoul controllaz Wayne Wonder shakes a fonky payback from wayback. From 11pm
Kudos
Drama Queen
Chicago is in the house, along with its artists, dancers and tunes by DJ U-you. From 11pm
MBarGo
Bikini Show
The girls will strutting on the bar, in their sexy skimpy bikini provided by Bali’s own Surfer Girl. From 11pm
Paparazzi
Red Hot Thursday
DJ Rowland (JKT)
Double Six
Evolution
DJ Emon
Coming Events
•Friday Oct 6th
Bacio
Flavours
DJs Chandra, Andre, and special guest DJ
Sky Bar
Oakley Fashion Presentation
The wide range of their collection of wardrobe and eyewear on fall 06 will be on the stage. From 8pm
Kama Sutra
Ari Lasso Live On Stage
Ex-vocalist of Indonesian group DEWA, now solo, back to prove he’s still got the goods. Three successful albums already under his belt. “Rahasia Ilahi” (God’s Secret) and “Rahasia Perempuan” (Woman’s Secret) are already classics. what more reason do you need to check him out? From 11pm
Bahiana
Brazilian Carnival
Bringing the flavours of Rio with lavish outfits and samba beats! From 11pm
•Saturday Oct 7th
Bacio
Fever
DJs Chandra, Andre and guest performers
Paparazzi
Hottish Saturday
DJ Alfan
Double Six
Insomniac
DJ Emon
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source : www.baliblog.com
September 27th, 2006