Archive for August, 2008
Alixandra Hallen - Celebrity News Service Contributor
Bali, Indonesia (CNS)- Bali Fashion Week is a six-day fashion showcase beginning August 24 running through August 29. The fashion event features trade exhibitions, and a street carnival in addition to the fashion shows.
The shows will highlight Indonesian designers, as well as international designers who choose to come for the event. Designers showing at Bali Fashion Week include Andre Kim, Doii, and D’Zip.
In its seventh year, Bali Fashion Week is presented by “ModaBali Foundation,” which works to combine fashion, art and culture. Bali Fashion Week is a platform for local and international designers to showcase their work for buyers and sellers, as well as build relationships with them.
Source: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/
August 20th, 2008
Indulge your taste temptation to experience the epicurean delights from the award winning culinary teams in Balinese contemporary setting.
The package includes:
* Accommodation at Deluxe Lagoon Access Room
* Airport transfer to and from the resort
* 1 (One) time Indonesian dining experience at Mayang Sari, a modern Indonesian restaurant for 2 persons (beverage excluded)
* 1 (One) time Seafood dinner experience at Ocean Terrace, beachfront restaurant for 2 persons (beverage excluded)
* 1 (One) time Balinese cooking lesson with Chef for 2 persons followed by lunch
* Daily tropical fruit in the room
* Daily buffet breakfast at Café Lagoon for 2 persons.
* Daily afternoon tea at Mayang Sari Lounge served by Butler.
* 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.
Café Lagoon
Café Lagoon features western and pan-Asian cuisine, with an extensive à la carte menu. Various buffet themes are also offered. Café Lagoon has a spectacular glass show kitchen where you can observe their chefs preparing the best of eastern and western cuisine.
The restaurant has both air-conditioned and al fresco seating areas, furnished in a contemporary style. A lavish breakfast buffet is offered, featuring western and Asian breakfast items, a fresh juice counter, a specialist barista station, and an open bakery. The Ă la carte menu selected carefully by world renowned chefs features many ingredients of international and traditional flavours. In addition to local Javanese and Balinese specialities, guests can enjoy selected international cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, Japanese, European and many others, which are all distinctively presented. Our warm, friendly staff will be happy to advise you on the house favourites.
Thanks to the spacious wine cellar inside the restaurant, guests can enjoy world class wines selected from around the world. As well as being spoilt for choice of cuisine, guests will be able to treat their eyes to a spectacular fresh view of lush tropical gardens and the blue lagoon while enjoying their meal.
Mayang Sari Restaurant
The many and varied flavours of Indonesian cuisine are presented in an exciting new way at Mayang Sari Restaurant. The hotel’s signature restaurant offers a unique modern Indonesian dining experience, drawing on authentic and traditional recipes.
Using locally-grown fruits and vegetables and the full range of Indonesian herbs and spices, the selection of dishes presents familiar flavours in a way more suited to the modern restaurants for which Bali is quickly gaining an international reputation.
Award-winning executive chef I Made Putra has drawn inspiration from traditional menus. He imbues each dish with a presentation worthy of the major trophies and awards, which he and his team have repeatedly accrued in culinary competitions both in Indonesia and abroad. Service is exceptional, as befits the luxury surroundings of The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali, and the expansive glass frontage of the restaurant looks out onto one of the lagoons from which the hotel takes its name.
The restaurant is accessible from two levels, with a winding circular stair creating the impression of a meal to remember as it descends. An adjacent lounge is used to await seating, for pre-dinner drinks, cigars, and a selection of daily afternoon tea delicacies.
Ocean Terrace
Ocean Terrace, the beachfront dining restaurant and oyster bar features a choice of Continental & Asian creative dishes as well as ultra fresh and live seafood located at the beachfront, affording spectacular ocean views.
Bastian Mantey, Chef de Cuisine of Ocean Terrace bringing a wealth of knowledge gained from working in some of Europe’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants. Bastian transfers his innovative and creative talents to Ocean Terrace to ensure that every meal is a culinary experience, styled to perfection.
Should you have any special dietary requests or gourmet preferences, please do not hesitate to ask Bastian – he will be delighted to create a “tasting journey” for you to experience.
Live seafood, fresh from the local fisherman, is one of the specialties. Make your selection from the live seafood aquarium and have it prepared to your liking by the chefs. The restaurant also features an extensive grill menu.
The fresh seafood here gives a nod to the expected fish and lobster beloved of menus worldwide, each with an unexpected twist. The local content of this menu selection cannot be discounted. Bali’s rock Lobster, Ocean crab, river prawn and Mahi-Mahi fish as well as oysters are a few choices for guests to enjoy while being embraced by the Nusa Dua fresh air.
For enquiries or bookings, please contact +62.361.771327 or email: thelaguna.nusaduabali@luxurycollection.com
Source: http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com
August 19th, 2008
Graha Wicaksana, the head of Community Development for Kuta, Bali’s most famous beach area, has confirmed that the Kuta Karnival returns for nine days from October 18-26, 2008.
Initially organized as a response to the Bali terrorist attack of October 2002, the event has now become a regular fixture on Bali’s busy calendar of yearly events. This year’s event has been given the motto of “A Celebration of Life” reflecting the nine days of traditional art performances, sunset dances on the beach, sports activities, and an entire bazaar of culinary kiosks located in tents up and down the beach.
Following the first Kuta Karnival held in 2003, this will represent the sixth year for the festivities which now garners national and international press coverage. The 2008 Karnival will also feature Balinese dance competitions, environmental conservation exhibits, a fun cycle show, seminars and a mass street parade. Based on past years, the Kuta Karnival is expected to draw more than 90,000 people.
Some of the highlights of this year’s Kuta Karnival:
â—Ź Opening Ceremony - Held on the first day of the event, this day will be marked by a traditional Sekar Jagat dance and “Bali Paddle for Peace” in which 1,000 surfers will take to the ocean to spread flower pedals on the waves. 500 turtles will also be released back into the local seas.
â—Ź Food Festival - Tentatively set for day 8 and 9 of the Kuta Karnival more than 60 of Bali’s best restaurants will set up kiosks along Kuta Beach. A children’s play area will be in operation and live entertainment will be on offer from a central stage during these two days when more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend.
â—Ź Tebs Shocking Games - Tebs will be offering samples of their beverages and a number of adventure activities including rope climbing and rope games offered under the careful supervision of the professionals from Tree Top Bedugul.
â—Ź Beach Volley Ball Competitions - Volley Ball competitions between both local and international teams at the competition arena on each day of the Kuta Karnival.
â—Ź Beach Soccer - Held on “Surf Family Day” informal soccer matches for all those who wish to take part.
â—Ź Sand Creations - School children will have the opportunity to compete for prizes as they display their ability to build sand-based sculptures.
â—Ź Life Guard Demonstrations - See life-saving techniques demonstrated by the Kuta Life Saving Association.
● Surfing and Body Building - Competitions to be held at “Halfway Point” on Kuta Beach.
â—Ź Skate Ramp - Bali’s landmark skate arena located on the beach will allow everyone a chance to try their skill at skateboarding. Day 3 will be dedicated to a final skate boarding competition.
â—Ź Tug-of-War- See companies, clubs and community groups compete.
â—Ź Traditional Dance and Music - Scheduled for every afternoon of the Karnival - a different traditional Balinese dance each day.
â—Ź Surfer Girl Balinese Dance Competition - Traditional dance competition for children.
â—Ź Traditional Kite Flying - Scheduled for day 2, some 3,200 kites are targeted to participate. at the Bali Garden Hotel.
â—Ź Arts Attractions - Alumni from Bali’s Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) will perform during the Karnival.
â—Ź Bali Islamic Festival - Islamic-themed activities will be on offer at the Discovery Shopping Mall.
â—Ź Beach Stalls - Local merchants and organization offering knowledge and goods from their bazaar stalls stretched along the beach.
â—Ź Suzuki Music Festival - scheduled for each day of the Karnival, see new products and national bands perform.
â—Ź IndieFez XL - Sponsored by XL on the music stage, Day 5.
â—Ź Cardinal Awards - A competition between local bands and models. Winners will compete in Bandung, West Java in a national competition later in the year.
â—Ź Karnival Parade - Set for the last day of the Karnival in the parade will include decorated floats, roller skaters, cyclists, big bikes, antique cars, gamelan orchestras, and horse-drawn carts.
â—Ź Jalan Santai - A fun walks by more than 2,000 people through Kuta Beach.
For more information contact Mr. Graha Wicaksana at telephone ++62-(0)815575222.
Source: www.balidiscovery.com
August 19th, 2008
The timeless, elegant and revered St Regis Brand is proud to present to global travelers its first resort in Asia, The St Regis Bali Resort. The resort will feature 81 over-sized suites, 42 splendid villas and 2 residences.
Developed on an 8.8 hectare land space, the resort location signifies a convenient union, being strategically situated on the pristine blue beach, overlooking the majestic ocean and green landscapes of the Bali Golf and Country Club, within the private enclave of Nusa Dua, also known as the Garden of Bali.
In a class of its own, The St Regis Bali Resort is unique and different with its location, flat and vast spaces and rich residential feel permeating its suites and villas.
Guests at The St Regis Bali Resort will experience and enjoy the height of luxury and comfort with the signature St Regis butler service, an indulging session at the exclusive Remede spa as well as culinary feasts at two extraordinary restaurants, a deli and a bar.
Targeted at international professionals, The St Regis Bali Resort has been developed as an oasis of carefully considered interiors that indulges one’s every sense through its facilities, ambience and cuisine.
The St Regis Bali Resort reflects landscape architecture from the early 1900s, inspired by the blending of art and nature with lifestyle and living, and features interior design that manifests a true element of style in the culturally rich, luxurious environment of Bali. The use of rich imported fabrics with indigenous materials and cultural artifacts runs through all the 81 suites, 42 villas and 2 residences. Filled with high-end room amenities, guests at The St Regis Bali Resort can relax and unwind in comfort.
The St Regis Bali Resort boasts of two restaurants, the signature fine beachfront dining, Kayuputi, a contemporary and relaxing indoor and al fresco dining venue located on the beach front with a stunning backdrop of the ocean, and a continental restaurant, Boneka, which offers a delectable fare reflecting Western and Asian inspired delicacies. Guests can also enjoy a one-of-a-kind delicatessen, Gourmand Deli which indulges in an array of international quality and fine foods including an extensive range of delectable delights and homemade specialties and King Cole Bar, the original birthplace of the Bloody Mary cocktail, which is ideal for relaxing and reminiscing.
The St Regis Bali’s grand Cloud Nine Chapel, located on the beach, offers an exceptional wedding venue, unparalleled in setting and service while the resort’s magical charm shines through with the Cloud Nine honeymoon villa. Meetings and gatherings can also be successfully materialised at the resort at the Astor Ballroom, John Jacob IV and Newport rooms.
Reflective of a sanctuary for world travellers looking to lift their cares away, the Remède Spa at the resort offers treatments which combine several exotic therapies using Balinese philosophies and the latest technology of Aqua-Vitale as well as an Athletic Club to work up a sweat.
A stay at The St Regis Bali Resort will leave an indelible memory of the extraordinary quality and standard of service symbolic of the St Regis legacy of excellence.
Source: http://www.independent.com.mt/news
August 15th, 2008
Bali’s Jari Menari Spa (Dancing Fingers) has received some well-deserved publicity in a recent edition of TIME Magazine (ASIA).
In an article entitled “Nice Touch” by Cynthia Rosenfeld, the interesting life-journey of American Susan Stein who began teaching her Balinese gardener and security staff how to give massages to her house guests is briefly retold. From these humble beginnings Susan’s now runs one of Bali’s best spas, while traveling the globe from Morocco to Bermuda to Italy with her team sharing their massage expertise.
[TIME MAGAZINE ARTICLE on “Jari Menari”]
Source: www.balidiscovery.com
August 15th, 2008
Trips Worldwide has launched a 15 day holiday to Bali and the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur where you can learn the ancient art of Balinese healing.
The trip departs London Heathrow on a daily basis to KL before transferring to the new Spa Village Resort on Bali’s northern coast.
Located in the traditional village of Tembok, the Spa Village Resort where guests embark on a week long Spa Village Academy Course comprising daily classes in the philosophy and practice of Balinese healing arts, inspired and guided by a 75-year-old Balinese Healer from the nearby village of Tembok.
Students will receive training in Balinese massage techniques and Lulur (body scrub), plus get an introduction into Jamu (herbal remedy treatments).
The holiday costs from ÂŁ2,160 per person including flights, private transfers, hotel accommodation (full board in Bali and breakfast only in KL), Spa Village Academy Course and privately-guided sightseeing tours.
Source: www.tripsworldwide.co.uk
August 14th, 2008
Best Western International topped off the Best Western Premier Kuta Kedonganan last week, with the opening of the new luxurious resort property on schedule for February 2009.
The Best Western Premier Kuta Kedonganan is a beach-front property with 188 rooms overlooking the famous Jimbaran Bay. Located just 10 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport, the hotel has been designed to preserve the exotic environment of Bali while complementing it with elements of modern elegance and world-class amenities. Conceived as a luxury project, the resort will feature under Best Western’s “Premier” brand.
“We are very excited about the prospect of opening The Best Western Premier Kuta Kedonganan next year both because it is a stunning property in its own right and it will be the first Best Western Premier Hotel in Indonesia,” said Jusuf Sawirin, Chief Area Development, Best Western Development – Indonesia. “The resort is ideally located in the heart of Bali’s leisure locale and as a Best Western Premier branded property, it embraces the superior amenities and cutting-edge facilities that are demanded by the most discerning world travelers.”
Best Western continues its ambitious expansion plans for Indonesia with the opening of 343-rooms Best Western New Kuta Condotel in Bali in December 2008 and four more hotels in line to open around the country in late 2008 and in 2009; Best Western Basko Hotel, Padang (Nov 08), Best Western Manga Dua, Jakarta (Dec 08), Best Western Premier Solo, Solo (Feb 09), and Best Western Grand Seminyak (Sep 09).
“We are confident that we will reach our goal of 20 hotels within the next three years in targeted locations, including Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, all Javanese provinces, Makassar, Kalimantan, Riau and Batam, which will ultimately make us the largest hotel chain in Indonesia,” added Jusuf.
Best Western International currently has over 130 hotels and resorts in Asia in various stages of rebranding, construction, and operation, with plans to bring its total portfolio in the region to 200 hotels by 2010.
Glenn de Souza, Vice President International Operations Asia, Best Western International, said, “Indonesia tourism continues to perform well, with international arrivals increasing by on average 10% each year. We are also seeing growing numbers of visitors from within the region and more domestic tourism.”
Lying between Java and Lombok, the island of Bali is renowned for its silvery sand beaches, stunning sunsets and rich culture.
Source: http://www.asiatraveltips.com/
August 13th, 2008
Andra Wisnu, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar
The hills of Jimbaran have become a new high-class tourist destination, with boutique villas and five-star hotels continuing to pop up.
Long-established five-star hotels in the area, including the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons, have paved the way for a slew of foreign and domestic investors to develop luxury boutique villas in the area, according to Robert Murdoch, owner of Serai Club, a high-class resort set to be completed by the end of the year.
Robert, whose Serai Club will cost his company somewhere between US$14 million (Rp 127.4 billion) and $15 million to build, plans to offer 23 luxury boutique villas, each complete with a private pool and a 24-hour butler service.
“I believe that Jimbaran could become a new high-class market establishment in Bali,” Robert said.
“I even think Jimbaran may end up being the Kemang or Menteng of Bali,” he added, referring to districts in South and Central Jakarta, respectively, where many expatriates live and tourists visit.
Jimbaran, which is located in South Kuta and is a 10-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, is considered a late bloomer compared to rival tourist destination spots on the island, including Sanur, Kuta and Nusa Dua.
“Sanur and Kuta are perceived as more lucrative because tourists prefer beaches to hilly, naturally beautiful places like Jimbaran,” Murdoch said.
Construction in Jimbaran is made more difficult by the area’s bed of soft limestone, he said.
“But there was simply nowhere else better to build because rapid development has been reducing good real-estate space,” Robert said.
Rendi Parangguan, a resort and hotel investor in Bali, said Jimbaran provided a more exclusive atmosphere than Kuta or Sanur.
“Everywhere else in Bali is becoming more dense, and Jimbaran simply has more class because it caters to the well-to-do crowd,” he said.
“So far, from what I’ve seen in my survey of Jimbaran, it has a lot of potential.”
Murdoch said Jimbaran attracted hotel and villa developers because of its strategic location in the center of southern Bali.
“In fact, we’re marketing the villas as homes that outsiders can buy,” he said.
A one-bedroom villa at the already-completed Serai Club will cost about $500 per night during regular season and $700 per night during peak season in the first year, Murdoch said.
“And we already have bookings for 2009,” he said.
A similar villa at the Club in Legian could cost more than $900 during regular season and $1,100 per night during peak season.
“The villas here are expensive and the developers have put a lot of money and effort into making them because we believe our investments will pay off,” said Murdoch.
Source: The Jakarta Post
August 12th, 2008
The best way to enjoy wine outside Jakarta and Bali is to bring your own wine glasses for the type of wine you like, or bring generic ones plus your favorite wine.
Airports in Indonesia may let you carry one bottle (or more if you’re lucky) in your hand luggage. When in doubt, just bring the glasses because chances are the “wine” glasses available locally will be the thick, inelegant “Elegance” variety, water goblets or variations. If you stay in a big city you can usually buy wine at the city’s best hotels. Look for supermarkets such as Gelael, Carrefour or Hero. If you have to stay in a smaller town, buy wine while in the nearest city or at a city airport if there is one.
So, if you are planning on drinking while in Muara Enim, buy wine in Palembang. To enjoy wine in Kuala Kapuas, you can buy wine at Swiss-Belhotel Borneo in Banjarmasin, but the selection was very limited when I was there early this year. If you are not sure whether the nearest big city has facilities selling wine, bring your own. If you are adventurous enough try the local (usually sweet and refreshing) palm wine or if this is not available, become a temporary teetotaler.
– Arif Suryobuwono
Source: The Jakarta Post
August 11th, 2008
Arif Suryobuwono, Contributor, Balikpapan
Jakarta and Bali are the most obvious places in Indonesia to get wine, with duty-free and duty-paid shops, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, events and wine and gourmet clubs offering the best and most varied selection of wines the country has to offer. Outside these two areas, wines may be found in certain hotels, resorts and supermarkets. The rule of thumb is that establishments offering wines can usually be found in places (including the remote) with industry or scenery which attracts Western workers and or tourists.
In Java, wines and spirits can be found in various hotels and restaurants in Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Malang and Surabaya. In Batam and Bintan wines (priced in Singapore dollars) can be enjoyed in top-end hotels. In Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, wines can be had not only in top hotels, but also from local wine distributors.
When I visited Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, last year and early this year I found wine in Carrefour hypermarket and at the Novotel Hotel. However, the two French establishments only sold French wine, which made a British consultant sitting next to me at the hotel bar unhappy. “Insular,” he quipped. He may have thought differently if he visited the Novotel in Balikpapan.
In Jayapura, the capital of Papua, wine can be had at the Swiss-Belhotel Papua — but it is served in mediocre glasses. Outside the hotel, it was virtually impossible to find wine. I was told the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages was restricted because Papuans have a notorious proclivity for violent behavior when drinking.
When in Banda Aceh early this year, I forgot to ask Hermes (once a Swiss-Belhotel) whether they sold wine. I have been to Banda Aceh several times, but each time I was there I did not think about wine because my mind was preoccupied with Sharia law, Acehnese coffee and delicious Acehnese food.
In Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, wine is offered at the Imperial Aryaduta which has a wine bar. Wine can also be found at Gelael supermarket and enjoyed with friends in the privacy of a hotel room with a nice view of Losari beach — as I did about two months ago. (We then took the wines from Makassar to Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi’s most well-known tourist destination. Even without the benefit of proper wine glasses, we very much enjoyed them in the serenity of Toraja Heritage Hotel in the evening, and with lunch the next day in a hilltop restaurant overlooking magnificent terraced rice fields.)
Drinking wine in the company of like-minded friends in Makassar and amidst beautiful scenery in Tana Toraja was most enjoyable, but in Balikpapan, a seaport city in East Kalimantan, I found a locally owned hotel with an exciting wine-and-dine scene. The hotel, Gran Senyiur, displays a good selection of wines in glass racks in its main restaurant and lounge, and has a wine bar. It serves wine in modest Ocean wine glasses made in Thailand, and it is not uncommon for people to dine with wine there. It comes as no surprise that it was this hotel where I took part in six wine-and-dine get-togethers in the past month. Energy related multinational corporations and major international mining companies have commercial activities here, so demand for wine is quite high and this city may one day reach the wine-and-dine sophistication of the usual two.
Source: The Jakarta Post
August 11th, 2008
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