Archive for July, 2008
Garuda Indonesia will place the newly delivered Boeing 737-800 Next Generation series aircraft on the Perth Bali route from 18 August, 2008.
This move is in direct response to the resurgence in tourism to Bali from Western Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the state recorded a 75% growth in holiday makers travelling to Indonesia in the first quarter of 2008.
From 18 August, Garuda Indonesia will add another daily service to the two flights that are currently operating daily (except Wednesday). And, from 3rd September, an additional Wednesday service will bring the total operation from Perth to Bali to triple daily, providing a growth in capacity of 61.5%.
This is in addition to four direct flights per week to Jakarta from Perth.
The daily flight commencing 18 August, GA725, will depart Perth at 1425 arriving in Bali at 1810. This will give West Australians the option of a mid afternoon flight to add to the daily morning flight which departs at 0715 (GA727), and the six times weekly evening flight GA729 departing at 1715.
Garuda Indonesia’s General Manager WA, Mr. Iskandar Basro said, “Western Australians have had an ongoing love affair with Bali for years, prompted by great value packages and a strengthening Australian dollar. The word is out that there is no other place in the world where you can holiday in luxury for such great prices.”
“The addition of a further 1248 seats by 3 September should go a long way to ensuring that Western Australians can continue this romance. “
The capacity increase from the West Coast follows Garuda Indonesia’s announcement last month of an additional 1013 seats per week being added to East Coast Australian routes to Bali by 3 September.
For further details Garuda Indonesia reservations can be contacted on 1300 365 330.
Source: Garuda Indonesia
July 31st, 2008
Megan Neil
For years it has lived in the shadow of its more famous neighbour Bali.
Now Indonesia’s pristine Lombok Island is making a concerted effort to build itself up as the next Bali, while trying to maintain its natural charm.
Slower to catch the tourism train than its neighbour to the west, Lombok has been promoted as an “unspoiled Bali”.
But a future $US600 million ($A626 million) development may see it emerge on par with Bali as a world-class tourism destination, according to the United Arab Emirates-based developer.
Tourists visiting Lombok typically treat it as a side-trip to Bali, staying just a few days.
The Japanese and Australians, Bali’s top two groups of tourists, come to Lombok for the surfing.
The Koreans come here to honeymoon, the Europeans see it more like an extension of Bali, and expats come from Jakarta for the relaxation, explains Dominique Duvivier, the general manager of Accor’s Novotel Lombok.
But he says there’s new interest in Lombok.
The hotel struggled to survive in the aftermath of the tourism downturn that followed the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings.
Business is particularly good this year though, with the hotel running at about 53 per cent occupancy compared to just 30 per cent at this time last year.
News of a new airport and UAE property developer Emaar Properties plans have helped generate interest in Lombok.
“I think Bali is too crowded so they need to find a plan B,” Duvivier said of Lombok’s visitors.
“Also this development program is bringing some new investors, some new tourists.”
The Novotel Lombok is currently the only top-end hotel in the island’s south, although there are other budget and mid-range accommodation options in the area.
Lombok’s principal beach resort of Sengiggi is situated in the western part, closer to the capital Mataram, the current airport and Lembar, the main port for ferries to and from Lombok.
Work has started on a new $US72 million ($A75.11 million) international airport, close to the town of Praya and about 30km south of the existing Salaparang airport.
Authorities believe the opening of the new airport, expected in 2010, will make Lombok a primary tourist destination, rather than just an add-on to Bali.
International travellers will be able to fly direct to Lombok. And the new airport will be able to handle 2.4 million visitors, a massive increase on the Salaparang airport’s 800,000 passenger capacity.
Among them are expected to be a large number of tourists from the Middle East, drawn by Emaar’s planned development of a 1,175 hectare site in south Lombok.
The development will be set along a seven-kilometre natural waterfront complete with five-star resorts, luxury residences, a marina, golf course and shops.
The Bali Tourism Development Corporation signed off on the Lombok mega-tourism project in March, with masterplanning for the development beginning in April.
The first five-star hotels are expected to open to guests in a few years time and further development will take place over a number of years.
Emaar says its project, set on the Kuta and Tanjung beaches, will be environmentally friendly, integrating natural elements into a residential, leisure and hospitality zone.
Unveiling the project in April last year, Emaar chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar described Lombok as one of the most promising tourism destinations in Indonesia, adding it had the potential to be the magnet for world travellers.
“We are thankful to the Indonesian government for their trust in us to support their development initiatives that will help position Lombok on par with Bali as a world-class tourism destination,” Alabbar said in a statement at the time.
Visit Lombok today and you’re certainly not met with a carbon copy of Bali.
It’s immediately clear that it’s more laid back and less touristy, even though tourism is the island’s largest source of income.
It’s sometimes described as being like Bali 20 years ago, although at least one Lombok travel company says that’s incorrect if you consider the landscapes and cultures that are uniquely Lombok.
As lombokhotelandtravel.com puts it: “As the old saying goes, ‘You can see Bali in Lombok but you can’t see Lombok in Bali’.”
Whereas most Balinese are Hindu, Lombok’s population is mainly made up of the island’s indigenous Sasak people, most of whom are Muslims.
Entering one of the traditional villages, our guide reminds us that “this is not a museum, live people live here”.
The 700 people, described by guide Anaf as one big family, live here in a cluster of 150 thatched houses.
Sade, situated near Kuta beach, is not a tourist setup but they do welcome visitors. Guides like Anaf show tourists around for a small donation.
There’s nine other villages in this family, housing 4,200 people, with Sade being the oldest, “the mother of the villages”.
The Sasak people here continue a number of traditions, although some things have been adapted to the times.
“It’s our tradition, if you like a girl you have to ‘kidnap’ her,” Anaf says.
And so the parents live downstairs in a Sasak house, with the daughters sleeping up higher, next to the cooking area, until they’re 15 because then “it’s difficult to kidnap them”.
Of course nowadays everyone has a mobile phone.
“The kidnappings happened long, long ago, not now,” Anaf says.
After a call or a text message: “The girls wait at the front of the houses. It’s more easy to kidnap them.”
The first job of a Sasak family is still farming. And the girls have to learn how to weave the multi-coloured, intricate sarongs and songket fabric.
“Weaving is very important, it’s passed down from mother to daughter,” Anaf says.
“If the girl can’t do weaving they’re not allowed to get married in here.”
It’s also known for its pottery. And of course there’s the diving, snorkelling, hiking and surfing.
Horse carts or cidomos blend in with cars and scooters in Mataram, and life generally moves at a slower pace than in Bali (which is hard to imagine when you first arrive in Bali and quickly discover everything moves according to Bali time).
Riots in Mataram in early 2000 had a big impact on tourism to Lombok, as did the flow-on effects from a drop in visitor numbers after the Bali bombings.
Before the October 2002 bombing, a lot of Australians came to Lombok, Anaf recalls.
The numbers dropped significantly after that, although a graph at the village shows international visitors to Sade increasing from around 1,250 in 2002 to about 4,000 last year.
“Tell your family to come to Lombok because Lombok is still natural,” Anaf says as we leave.
Over at the Novotel Lombok, where the accommodation includes 23 Sasak villa rooms, set out in the style of a traditional Sasak village, Duvivier thinks the differences between Bali and its neighbour to the east are even greater than simply describing Lombok as the Bali of 20 years ago.
“In Bali, Kuta 20 years ago was still developed,” he says.
“It’s more than 20 years ago, I would say even 30 to 40.
“It’s (Lombok) still natural. There’s not too many places in the world where it’s still very authentic.”
He’s confident Lombok can retain its own unique character even with the Emaar development.
“Bali is crowded … We are far better in terms of beach here.
“There’s a few Aussie guys living here and they surf all day, living here in semi-retirement.”
Duvivier predicts Lombok will grow, “little by little, yes, but not like Bali”.
“I’ve worked myself in many areas and this one is totally magical.
“When you see the sunset, it’s breathless. You think ‘wow, this is beautiful’.”
IF YOU GO:
Garuda Indonesia flies to Denpasar, Bali, from Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin and Perth. Call: 1300-365-330 or visit http://www.garuda-indonesia.com.
The Blue Water Express departs at 8am daily from Bali International Marina at Benoa, 20 minutes from Kuta, costing 690,000 rupiah ($A78) one-way. It also stops at the nearby Gili Islands, popular for snorkelling and scuba diving. Visit http://www.bwsbali.com or call: 62-361-310-4557/8.
Garuda Indonesia and Accor have a range of packages for Bali, such as four nights at the Novotel Benoa Bali from $1043 per person or four nights at Novotel Nusa Dua Hotel & Residences from $1131, both ex-Sydney or Melbourne. Add a stay at the Novotel Lombok to any of these packages from just $45 per person a night. Normal rates at Novotel Lombok are from $US85 ($A89) a night. Taxes and fuel surcharges of around $345 ex-Sydney and $331 ex-Melbourne must be added. Visit http://www.BalionANYbudget.com.au.
For more information on the Novotel Lombok, located on the south of the island at Seger and Kuta beaches, visit http://www.novotel.com/asia or http://www.accorhotels.com/asia.
The writer was a guest of Accor Hospitality and Garuda Indonesia, staying at the Novotel Lombok.
AAP
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/
July 29th, 2008
JAKARTA: Garuda Indonesia says it will allocate the newly-delivered Boeing 737-800 Next Generation series aircraft on the Perth Bali route from August 18.
“This move is in direct response to the resurgence in tourism to Bali from Western Australia,” the company said in a statement.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the state recorded a 75% growth in holiday makers travelling to Indonesia in the first quarter of 2008.
From August 18, Garuda will add another daily service to the two flights that are currently operating daily (except Wednesday). And, from September 3, an additional Wednesday service will bring the total operation from Perth to Bali to triple daily, providing a growth in capacity of 61.5%.
This is in addition to four direct flights per week to Jakarta from Perth.
The new daily flight, GA725, will depart Perth at 2.25pm arriving in Bali at 6.10pm. This will give West Australians the option of a mid afternoon flight to add to the daily morning flight which departs at 7.15am (GA727), and the six times weekly evening flight GA729 departing at 5.15pm.
Garuda Indonesia’s GM for WA, Iskandar Basro, said Western Australians have had an ongoing love affair with Bali for years, prompted by value packages and a strengthening Australian dollar.
“The word is out that there is no other place in the world where you can holiday in luxury for such great prices.”
“The addition of a further 1248 seats by September 3 should go a long way to ensuring that Western Australians can continue this romance. “
The capacity increase from the West Coast follows Garuda’s announcement last month of an additional 1013 seats per week being added to East Coast Australian routes to Bali by September 3.
Source: http://www.aviationrecord.com/
July 29th, 2008
Soothe the mind, body and spirit. Experience spa journey in Paradise and stay at the unique feature of luxury resort in Bali.
The package includes:
* Accommodation at Deluxe Studio Room
* Airport transfer to and from the resort
* 1 (One) time Sunrise Yoga & Spa package for 2 persons, comprising 1 hour Surya Chandra yoga session, healthy fruit and vegetables refreshment and 1 hour Shirodara treatment, an ancient Indian spa treatment
* 1 (One) time Moonlight Massage at beachfront gazebo for 2 persons, includes Balinese massage, cocktail and homemade chocolate pralines
* Daily tropical fruits in the room.
* Daily buffet breakfast at Café Lagoon for 2 persons.
* Complimentary coffee and tea delivered to the room by Butler 24 hours.
* Complimentary access to gymnasium, sauna and jacuzzi.
* 24 hour Butler Service.
* Late check out until 2 PM.
Terms and conditions:
* Rate is per room per night with minimum stay of 3 (Three) nights and is subject to 21% Government tax and service charge.
* Rate is applicable for single or double occupancy.
* Reservation in advance is required and subject to room availability.
* Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or promotions.
* Credit card is required at time of reservation.
* Hotel cancellation policy applies.
* Not valid for group bookings.
Laguna Spa & Villa at The Laguna Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali
With a classical theme that reflects aspects of ancient eastern and western cultures, the luxury Laguna Spa at The Laguna Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali is a fully serviced health and beauty center. The overall atmosphere is one of peace and tranquility and the facilities are second to none. Laguna Spa & Villa boasts air-conditioned private salons for massage, body treatments, facial and beauty treatments, including traditional Balinese massage, aromatherapy, Vichy Shower, hair spa and cream bath performed by qualified beauticians and therapists. Laguna Spa & Villa uses the internationally renowned “Thalgo®” range of marine beauty products from France, along with traditional Javanese and Balinese body care essentials, which are also available for purchase.
In a private outdoor courtyard, guests can enjoy a high-jet warm water Jacuzzi, jet stream waterfalls, plunge pools, sauna and a “Kneipp” walk-through aqua therapy course, which offers soothing massages of the legs and feet with jets of hot and cold water. For the ultimate tropical spa experience, Laguna Spa offers relaxing massage treatments and reflexology in the hotel’s beachside massage huts, with spectacular ocean views surrounded by towering palm trees. Please visit www.luxurycollection.com/bali
The Laguna Spa & Villa provides a place where people can find relaxation for the body and mind. This is a complete getaway and a haven of peace and indulgence where luxury cannot be measured, only experienced.
For enquiries or bookings, please contact at +62.361.771327 or email: thelaguna.nusaduabali@luxurycollection.com
Source: http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/
July 28th, 2008
Tony Greenwood of Pinjarra’s Peel Zoo is involved in the sustainable rehabilitation, rejuvenation and revitalisation of Australian and International flora and fauna on a daily basis.
The Bali Zoo will be the main point of discussion at the upcoming Asia for Animals Conference to be held in August 27th-29th 2008, due to its transformation from being dilapidated and often insensitive of the animal’s natural habitat, to being respected and admired around the world.
Tony Greenwood’s initial interest in the animal kingdom was borne from a young age and has been continued through to the current day. Tony’s experience has spread through countless countries and regions, including New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific Islands and South East Asia, with expertise focusing on the building and renovation of private zoos. Mr Greenwood’s prime interest is in the connection made between animals and humans alike – this is reflected through Peel Zoo’s slogan, promoting it as a place “Where Animals and People Say G’day”.
Currently, Tony Greenwood is at the forefront of a number of projects, both nationally and internationally. His ventures include Peel Zoo, Bali Zoo and a number of upcoming heritage sites eager for restoration. Bali Zoo’s revitalization is significant in the world of animal care, promoting the animal’s rights, as well as the workers of the Zoo.
Seeks to promote a care-based approach to the needs of animals as well as staff working at the Zoo, doing away with the profit-based stance often taken within the world of animal care which involves the wider community.
Prior to its ‘make over’, Bali Zoo was considered small and thoughtless of its inhabitants – now Bali’s only Zoo flaunts large, open-space enclosures, which are filled with lush native vegetation. Many Australian and International visitors have approached Tony, commending him for his enthusiasm, hard work and years of accumulated knowledge which has been focused on Bali Zoo and its now world acclaimed dedication to the animal kingdom, transforming it into “Nature’s Education Centre”.
One of the major focal points that Tony concentrates on is Stop Animal Abuse worldwide which is educated through natural habitats, leaving behind the concrete and metal jails that were once called zoos. The world is quickly catching up with the idea to “Live Today With Tomorrow In Mind.”
Tony Greenwood’s ongoing contribution to the animal kingdom ought to be praised throughout the zoological arena, considering his ongoing efforts to rekindle the relationship between man and animal.
Source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/
July 28th, 2008
Creative Holidays has gone mad! As Bali continues to be in high demand with Australian travellers, Creative Holidays is offering a fantastic opportunity to earn 500 World Rewards points.
Andrew Yell, general manager, sales, marketing and product, Creative Holidays said, “Bali is an incredibly diverse, great value destination which, with the continued support of the travel industry and consumers, will remain a favourite holiday destination for Australians.
This offer is great for everyone – our agent partners are rewarded for their hard work and loyalty and clients make fantastic savings.”
Creative Holidays’ Bali Bonanza is fantastic value and agents should ensure their clients do not miss out on this incredible opportunity, as well as earn themselves bonus World Reward points.
Creative Holidays’ is offering to stay a minimum of seven nights at the Hard Rock Hotel Bali and earn 500 bonus points per booking. Valid for all room types. Valid for sale until 31 August 2008. Valid for travel from the 1 - 27 September 2008.
OR
Stay a minimum of five nights at Novotel Nusa Dua Hotel and Residences and earn 500 bonus points per booking. Valid for two and three Bedroom Residences. Valid for sale and travel until 31 October 2008.
World Rewards is the Australian Travel Industry’s longest operating incentive program for travel consultants. World Rewards offers an expansive range of rewards to choose from ranging from movie passes, to electrical items and holidays.
Creative Holidays is Australia’s leading independent holiday company with a range of holidays to suit everyone, especially those who enjoy the independence and flexibility of planning their own holiday.
Source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/
July 25th, 2008
The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali has scored a coup this year by luring best-selling authors Vikram Seth and John Berendt to head its line-up of participants.
Indian-born Seth leapt to international fame in 1993 with the publication of his extraordinary novel, A Suitable Boy, a sweeping 1400-page saga set in post-independence India.
Berendt, former editor of New York magazine and long-time Esquire columnist, sold 2.7 million hardback copies of his first book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The book portrays an array of zany locals in the southern city of Savannah and their reaction to a scandalous midnight shooting and subsequent trial.
Other writers to take part in this year’s Ubud festival include Ceylon-born Nury Vittachi, Mexican author Alberto Ruy-Sanchez, Indonesian writer Andrea Hirata, Australian Alexis Wright, 2007 Man Booker Price short-listed writer Indra Sinha and three dynamic Chinese women authors — Geling Yan, Lijia Zhang and Fan Wu.
Collision of Cultures will be a theme of the 2008 program, with established and emerging writers confronting the issues of “us” and “them”. The Ubud festival, now in its fifth year, was started in 2004 by Australian author and Bali resident Janet de Neefe with the aim of boosting business and tourism after the 2002 Bali bombings.
With the help of a tiny staff and an army of dedicated volunteers, de Neefe has had remarkable success in attracting top Western and Asian writers to Ubud, such as Amitav Ghosh, Kiran Desai, Michael Ondaatje and Richard Flanagan.
Last year Harper’s Bazaar listed the Ubud event as one of the six best literary festivals in the world.
The six-day festival will run from October 14-19.
MARGOT LANG
Source: http://www.thewest.com.au/
July 25th, 2008
Garuda Indonesia’s Bali on ANY budget is offering some very luxurious and beneficial spa treatments complimentary in the latest spa flyer.
When you visit Bali, the ultimate spa destination as voted internationally by many magazines, you will not just feel the pampering hands of your masseuse but also you will feel the benefits to your body. A massage is extremely beneficial to your health. When muscles are stressed they block oxygen and nutrients leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A massage will help loosen this tissue, release toxins and get blood and oxygen circulating properly.
Balinese massage uses a combination of gentle stretches, acupressure and aromatherapy oils to stimulate the flow of blood, oxygen and ‘qi’ (energy) around your body, and bring deep relaxation and wellness. Balinese massage is related to the Ayurveda, the Indian holistic medical system. A relaxation massage with attitude, this treatment will boost your circulation and also give you a deep tissue and muscular massage.
Four nights accommodation at Febris Hotel Tuban in a Superior Room is now available from $146pp share twin, including two hour Head to Toes Spa Treatment, Head & Scalp Massage, Hand & Shoulder Massage, Foot Refresh, Hair Wash & Blow dry. For four nights in ultimate luxury, stay at The Villas in Seminyak from $644 pp share twin includes 10min Prana Foot Ritual, 50min Balinese Massage, 30min Refreshing Facial, 20min Exfoliating Coffee Scrub, 10min Vanilla Bath, set meal at Prana Restaurant with a glass of wine, 1hr Reflexology Treatment at Chill. These, and more, spa packages are available when purchasing a return, economy class Garuda Indonesia airfare from $1127* ex Sydney, $1116* ex Melbourne and $856* ex Perth, including taxes & fuel surcharges.
A huge range of spa specials can be found in Garuda Indonesia’s Spa Heaven flyer which can be downloaded from www.balionanybudget.com.au
*Economy (“N”) class. Valid for travel in low season.
Source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/
July 24th, 2008
SOAKING up the sun on Bali’s Kuta beach sounds blissful but for Bondi Beach lifeguards on a cultural exchange in Indonesia it has proved an unpredictable exercise that has left them exhausted.
A handful of the larrikin boys in blue, made famous through Logie-winning observational series Bondi Rescue, have been put through their paces battling wild surf and unfamiliar conditions while filming Bondi Rescue: Bali, to screen on Channel 10 later this year.
For lifeguards Ryan “Whippet” Clarke and Tom Bunting, a gruelling ocean rescue to save a French woman and her two sons was the toughest challenge of their careers.
“It’s one of the most intense rescues I have done,” former Home and Away star Clarke, 24, said.
Bunting, 27, said, without the luxury of Jetskis and paddle boards, the visit had forced them to rely on the fundamentals of ocean rescue.
Kuta beach has suffered nine deaths so far this year, with an average of 20 to 30 deaths per year.
It’s a huge death toll considering Bondi has one fatality a year.
Source: http://www.news.com.au/
July 24th, 2008
New Zealander and President of Skål International, Phillip Sims will be the guest of honor at a luncheon on Tuesday, August 5, 2008, to be held at the Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort.
The Bali Chapter was singled out for recognition at the last international Skål Congress in Macau where the large and fast-growing Bali chapter was termed a ”Super Hero Club.
The special luncheon is open to members and guest alike. Reservations are available by calling Gede at the Skal Secretariat at ++62-(0)361-7840212.
Skål International, founded in 1934, is the largest organization of travel and tourism professionals in the world with 23,000 members in 500 clubs in 87 countries. Members are derived from every sector of the travel and tourism industry. Skål aims to promote global tourism by giving members access to its worldwide network, and also works to benefit the community at large.
Skål Club of Bali was launched in 1991 and is currently the only club in Indonesia.
Source: www.balidiscovery.com
July 22nd, 2008
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