Archive for December 4th, 2006
In a perfect world the sky would be always blue, the birds would always sing, and the air would always be clean. That’s not always the case, but things are improving.
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The
LA Times has an article, that talks about France’s move to ban smoking in public places. If the French can do it, anyone can. The same article calls Indonesia a ’smokey pocket’.
Jakarta has supposedly banned smoking in public places already, but how that’s being enforced is anyone’s guess. An expat told me recently of a trip to Jakarta, where he stayed in a 5 star hotel. His room stank of cigarettes, the lobby having a fog of smoke.
One of the reasons I don’t care for smoking, is the chance of lung cancer, which kills a great many people, including Allen Carr, longtime anti-smoking guru. Worst places in Bali for smoking in my experience, are breakfast places popular with Euro’s.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006
Lawyers representing members of the Bali Nine, drug trafficking gang, who are on death row, will challenge their conviction next month.
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Australia outlaws the death penalty, and feels uncomfortable with the fact that 6 of its citizens, are set to face it in another country. Lawyers for the 6 on death row, will argue imposing the death penalty in drugs cases, contravenes the constitution and international law.
My call: Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukuamaran get death. The others get life, or even less if they can find a ‘Big Solution’.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006
Bali is sometimes called the Island of the Gods, the place where beautiful people interact with nature, showing the rest of us how life should be lived. For 95% of people visiting Bali, that stuff is best saved for brochures and postcards, they want their creature comforts.
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Getting stuff cheap, in a relaxed setting, is what its all about for most people. Locals scraping a living, villas causing pollution, culture changing rapidly… screw that Jack, gimme my margarita.
A pitstop in Bali afford you access to creature comforts, western amenities and plenty of cheap food and drinks. Hard to beat, and if the Indo government got off their behinds and promoted this island, we might even make a buck.
Here is a short comment by 2 recent visitors to Bali, on thuis topic.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006
Where would Trump stay if he came to Bali? His ego is so big he’d probably build his own resort. But if he was just passing through, it would have to be the Bulgari.
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Located on the coast of the southern Bukit, the
Bulgari defines luxury. Its also defines wealthy because if you are not wealthy, you are going to starve there (omelette 130,000rp, nasi goreng 150,000rp). According to one of the staff I talked to the other day, a standard villa is $1,100 per night, President’s suite $5,000 per night. Apparently there is a strong Asian occupancy at the moment.
If ‘The Donald’ did grace the Bulgari with his presence, its likely the hotel would be renamed, the ‘Trump Bulgari’, by the time he left, or at least the Bukit (Trump Hill). I’d like to hear from anyone who has stayed at this lovely place, if the experience was what they were looking for.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006
Bali can be all things to all people. The perfect surf destination, a tropical party zone, an arts and culture center, a diving paradise, ’spa world’ or just a comfortable place in the sun.
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One recent visitor to Bali, from the UK, explains why he came, what he did and what his impression was. Its rather simplistic, but worth noting that many people who come to Bali, see it as a ‘pool by the beach’.
This guy managed to get out of Kuta, up to Ubud. He then did an early morning hike, plus a 12km bike ride. Both these are good ideas in the Ubud area. Things that could of made his trip better, would probably been hiring a car with driver (130,000rp per day for a Suzuki) and getting around a bit earlier. Also wearing a hat and using sunscreen, are essential, if you are going to be out longer than an hour.
For people coming out to Bali who don’t know the island, and want to avoid the ‘poolside’ scene, here are some tips.
•Hire a car & driver and get out of the Kuta area.
•Ubud is great for history, art, morning hikes, bike rides.
•East Bali is a wonderful part of the island, with an entirely different pace than Kuta. You can base yourself in Candi Dasa and do your own day trips, or stay in quiet places such as Sideman, or Jasri.
•The mountains are awesome too. Hiking up Gunung Batukaru and staying at the Eco Lodge, will certainly get you away from the madening crowds. Accommodation and hiking also available in Munduk.
•The western coast at Balian and Yeh Gangga is not touristy at all, with rice fields coming down to the beach. With your own transport you’ll see great sights, meet local people.
•Bukit peninsula has budget / luxury accommodation. Everything from a bamboo shack on Bingin beach for 50,000rp, to cliff top places at Balangan to the Bulgari. A much quieter, more village type scene, and close to Kuta.
There you go, plenty of options for people who desire adventure, or an alternative to sitting by the pool.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006