Archive for March, 2009
DENPASAR: Various tourist spots in Bali were deserted Wednesday as much of the island’s Hindus observed the religious holiday of Galungan, which celebrates the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil).
Only a handful of overseas tourists were seen swimming and sunbathing along Kuta Beach in Badung regency, while local tourists milled along the beachfront.
There were no lifeguards on standby at their post, with most celebrating Galungan and those on duty busy patrolling the beach.
A similar atmosphere prevailed at Sanur Beach in Denpasar, as well as at the high-end Nusa Dua tourism enclave and Tanjung Benoa Beach in Badung regency.
“It’s always like this. It gets really quiet during Penampahan *a day before Galungan* and Galungan,” Ratna, the manager of a travel bureau on Segara Beach in Kuta, told Antara news agency.
“Tomorrow *Thursday* on Umanis Galungan, there will be more people.”
Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has declared a three-day holiday from Tuesday to Thursday to allow residents to celebrate Galungan. -JP
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 20th, 2009
Wasti Atmodjo , The Jakarta Post , Denpasar
The Denpasar administration is ready to turn Bali’s provincial capital into a creative city by 2010 in anticipation of population growth and globalization, by planning for sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism, trade and industry.
Denpasar Mayor IB Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra said Tuesday the programs should involve all layers of society and fully benefit the public.
Rai, an avid advocate of the implementation of information technology for all city officials and residents, has appointed head of the Denpasar Development Planning Board, I Gusti Putu Anindya Putra, to coordinate the planning works.
“We need to have a framework and blueprint to guide the policies for several years ahead,” Rai said.
“I have asked my officials not to draw up monotonous programs. Creativity should start from us officials as decision makers.”
“Currently, we are still at the exercise stage, but by 2010 I expect everyone to be ready.”
The mayor pointed out the agricultural sector as an example where the administration had tried to reinvigorate the spirit of the tumpek wariga or tumpek bubuh ritual, believed to be the day the gods bless all plants.
The city administration held a floral exhibition involving farmers grouped under the Denpasar branch of the Farmers’ Market Association (Aspartan) to commemorate the ritual.
As for cattle, an exhibition was also held, as well as a competition for Balinese cows in conjunction with the tumpek kandang ritual, in which the gods bless all cattle.
“Such examples are part of the creativity combining local genius in real life,” Rai said.
“We cannot keep the philosophy alive without giving it meaning.”
Rai also said his administration had encouraged farmers’ creativity, as seen in Peguyangan Kaja village in North Denpasar district, where villagers are engaged in organic agriculture. The villagers are urged to produce their own fertilizer using cow droppings.
“All good programs will be strengthened, while those that aren’t will be made over, so at least there will be innovation,” Rai said.
Anindya said he expected all agencies and offices in the Denpasar administration to submit their plans in a month’s time to be discussed together.
“Creativity doesn’t just mean innovative programs, but also refers to local genius and emphasizes public participation,” he said.
“All this time, the public was just the object of a program, but now we will promote them.”
“The public is also encouraged to create their own programs if so desired.”
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 20th, 2009
Source: PATA; The Moodie Report
By Dermot Davitt
INDONESIA. Direct international tourist arrivals to Bali surged by +17.7% year-on-year in January, to 164,643 visitors, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). The organisation quoted figures from PATA member Bali Discovery Tours.
Australia is now the top source market, replacing Japan, PATA noted. It said: “Arrivals from Australia (27,873) accounted for some 37.8% of the total for January 2009. Japan is in second spot with 25,324 arrivals while China (PRC) has risen from fifth to third place with 23,115.”
Bali ended 2008 with a record two million international arrivals. And despite the early-year promise, the Bali Tourism Authority is urging caution over the year ahead. It has forecast a drop of -8.6% in tourism arrivals for 2009.
Bali’s tourism industry has faced a series of crises in recent years including the terrorist bombings of 2002 and 2005, and the bird flu scare in 2003, each prompting a plunge in visitor traffic, notably from Japan.
The latest PATA Quarterly Tourism Monitor (for Q4 2008) underlined the positive signs for travel and tourism in Indonesia as a whole. The number of international arrivals to the country, measured at 15 ports of entry, rose by +17.2% in the last quarter of 2008 to nearly 1.38 million. Total numbers of international visitors to Indonesia in 2008 rose by +13.2% (compared to calendar year 2007) to over 6.23 million.
Source: www.moodiereport.com
March 19th, 2009
Sri Chinmoy Tribute Songs of the Soul Concert tour coming to Vancouver on April 23.
BALI - Sri Chinmoy’s spirit lives on in Bali through a radiant bronze statue of the world harmony leader which has just been placed permanently in Ubud, the cultural center of Bali, along with an original of his paintings entitled ‘Brotherhood’.
Bali’s spiritual, political and cultural leaders gathered together at the Agung Rai Museum (ARMA) in Ubud, Bali to dedicate a 2.2 metre tall bronze statue of world harmony leader Sri Chinmoy. Leader of the twice-weekly interfaith Peace Meditations at the United Nations for delegates and leaders since 1970, Sri Chinmoy founded a wide range of cultural and humanitarian programmes globally, including the 80-nation World Harmony Run in 1987 and the Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms family, both taking place in Bali.
The statue of Sri Chinmoy was dedicated during a sacred ceremony led by the head of Balinese Hindus, Ida Pedanda Gede Ketut Sebali Tianyar Arimbawa, and hosted by Agung Rai, founder of ARMA. A few days earlier the statue was placed in position during an initial ceremony attended by leaders from all walks of life and several kings of Bali including the Regent of Ubud, Bupati Cok Ace, Cokorda Gde Ardana Sukawati who stated: “The mission of Sri Chinmoy is very close to our hearts…and I hope that we can all take part in this mission to balance this world through his work , through his words and through the prayers that we will do everyday and at every moment”.
The statue of Sri Chinmoy at ARMA is specially significant in that hundreds of thousands of children and tourists visit here from many nationalities and faiths each year for cultural and educational exchanges.
Sri Chinmoy visited Indonesia and in particular Bali many times since 1987 to share his peace activities and cultural exchange. He received many national and university awards, including the Presidential Medallion and the Heart of Indonesia and the Heart of Bali Awards.
Over the past three weeks, the Songs of the Soul Concerts, the World Harmony Runs and two exhibits of his Paintings for World Harmony, commemorated Sri Chinmoy’s memory and shared his vision of a oneness world with the Balinese people.
The Songs of the Soul concert tour, which feature acclaimed international musicians performing the compositions of Sri Chinmoy, will also be coming to Vancouver. It will be held at St. Andrew’s Church in downtown Vancouver on April 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free but reservation is required. Please call 604-833-5566.
Source: www.thelinkpaper.ca
March 18th, 2009
Wasti Atmodjo , Contributor , Gianyar
Just a year into his leadership, Gianyar Regent Cokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, better known as Cok Ace, has carried out many breakthroughs, including allocating BOS school operational funds, healthcare funds for the less privileged, and providing micro-credit loans without collateral.
His latest innovation is to develop five zones based on their respective features.
Gianyar is one of the nine regencies and municipalities in Bali renowned for its artists and artisans. It spans 368 square kilometers (36,800 hectares) and encompasses seven districts made up of 63 villages and six subdistricts.
Cok Ace said Gianyar was potentially capable of developing further, especially from the economic and cultural aspect, which was one reason why he decided to divide the five areas according to their respective potentials and to serve as guidelines for future development.
“This is also to quell rumblings that only Ubud and its surrounding areas are prosperous, but not other areas,” Cok Ace said at his office recently.
The five planned zones are central Gianyar (encompassing areas along the Tukad Pakerisan River), west Gianyar (Ubud and its surroundings), north Gianyar (Payangan and parts of Tegalalang), east Gianyar (Gianyar city and its surrounding areas, including the coastal area), and south Gianyar (Sukawati and surrounding areas).
Cok Ace, chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association’s (PHRI) Bali branch, added the condition of the Pakerisan river basin area, which includes Tampak Siring and Bedulu, was still preserved. They hold many tales, especially historical remnants from the Kebo Iwa era in the 14th century.
“This is where the Gianyar civilization began. Many historical remnants can be found in the Pakerisan river basin area, which is still intact, such as the temple at Goa Gajah and the Tirta Empul holy spring temple in Tampak Siring,” he said.
He intends to set up a living museum on a 2.5-hectare plot to complement the present archeological museum.
West Gianyar, with its center at Ubud, will be developed as Bali’s art center. Cok Ace said the art center would be an area where the local community could go about with its daily routines.
Most areas in north Gianyar, Cok Ace went on, such as Payangan and Tegalalang were still agricultural areas.
“I want to revitalize the agricultural sector and prove that agriculture can progress alongside tourism development.”
As an initial step, the regency administration has developed 5 hectares of residents’ land for agritourism, including a botanical garden. The area will be extended in the future to cultivate other plants that could meet demands from hotels, restaurants and other businesses in Gianyar and Bali.
Cok Ace has included Gianyar city and its surrounding areas in the eastern zone, which will be developed as an administrative, sports and entertainment center.
“We have set up an integrated administrative center here and a stadium is in the pipelines. The stadium will be the biggest and grandest in Bali, and can later be used to host national and even international events,” he said.
The regent also plans to have routine events at the city square and improve the beach to make visitors feel more at home, as well as build a safari park to cater to the needs of families, especially children.
The final zone is south Gianyar, encompassing Sukawati and surrounding areas, renowned the world over as an art market. Cok Ace plans to set up an art plaza there.
“The area will be managed as a plaza management, or an art village plaza. I took the idea from overseas, like they have in China and Japan,” he said.
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 17th, 2009
Mariani Dewi, THE JAKARTA POST, JAKARTA
The book The Best of Stranger in Paradise, Bali 1996-2008 by Made Wijaya is not written by a stranger, nor is it designed for strangers to Bali.
Do not expect this book to describe the beautiful Bali landscapes, or to tell you where to have your spa or what to eat.
Instead, get ready to laugh out loud at quirky photos and stories — most of which I believe will never get published in any other book — from the front page to the last.
Most of the photos were taken candidly and, while they lack professional photography standards, offer a more honest depiction of life on the island giving us a behind-the-scenes view that would be considered irrelevant by many other publications.
A photo of British supermodel Lilly Cole, for example, does not show her strutting down the catwalk or in a pose promoting some branded product with a hunk. While she is holding a phone, it was her own phone and she was taking a photo with four local men who were her support group during her stay.
The photos also provide a who’s who in Bali - a good introduction for socialites.
Equally quirky are Made’s reflections of the day - excerpts from his daily encounters over the last 12 years, including stories written during the reformation era, the 2004 elections, the Bali bombings, or about the more common religious processions and people he met.
Even in Paradise, however, not all is sweet and heavenly, as we see in the sudden death of Made’s local friend, Gung Nik. But through the author’s description of Gung Nik’s funeral, the reader gets a priceless view of the Balinese funeral ritual and (through Gung Nik’s fianc‚e) approach to the death of a loved one.
In his entry for late December 1997, Made writes, “‘Joy and Sorrow’ was the theme of the Queen of England’s Christmas message this year - `Suka-Duka’ it’s called in Indonesia: The Balinese practice a potent blend of awe and humility, inducing a state that helps them cope with grief.
“Somehow, this beautiful young girl, deprived of her young beau in the cruelest way imaginable, had the strength, through her religion and support of Agung’s giant family, to hold her head high and carry on as fianc‚e-in-morning.”
The book is arranged in diary-form, where interesting things are mixed in with Made’s blabbering about life and daily activities (the glossary really helps) and contains insider information which could never be found in travel guides.
A good approach to reading The Best of Stranger in Paradise is to simply open a page at random and be amazed by what Bali can offer beyond the tour packages and hotel brochures.
Made Wijaya, aka Michael White, has been in and out of Bali since 1973 after he dropped out of university. Since then he has worked in Bali as a journalist, tennis coach, tour guide, artist, landscape artist and others.
He offers not the glamorous but the true spirit of Bali, which he deems is under threat of modernization, with its suka and duka (happy and sad) approach.
Unfortunately, weighing almost 2 kg with its 373 glossy full color pages (excluding the foreword), this is hardly a bedtime pick which the content would certainly suit.
The Best of Stranger in Paradise Bali 1996 - 2008
Author: Made Wijaya
Publisher: Wijaya Words
Printed: 2008
Pages: 373
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 16th, 2009
Minister Wacik and Gianyar Bupati Tjokorda Bombarded by Local Wood Carvers Complaining of Lack of Wood Supplies and Poor Government Support.
During a recent visit to Bali, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, was bombarded with complaints from Bali’s wood carvers who cited growing difficulties of obtaining the wood supplies that form the core element of their craft.
Minister Wacik was greeted with a barrage of criticism from local carvers during a visit on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, to inaugurate the Association of Artisans from the Village of Mas Grhaya Krya Kencana at Mas, a wood-carving center near Ubud. Also on the receiving end of the protests was the Regent of Gianyar, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, who accompanied the Minister at the ceremony.
I Wayan Muka, a village leader from Mas, quoted in Bali Post, said, “on behalf of the people of Mas, who are 100% dependent on statue carving for our livelihoods, we hope the central government will help us resolve the shortage of wood.”
Craftsmen used the visit of the Minister and Bupati to also deliver their complaints regarding a desperate need for capital to develop their handicraft industry. The Mas carvers cited the need for money to expand their carving enterprise and undertake professional promotional activities together with training in business management. Muka added, “we hope the government can provide training in professional management skills.”
The Gianyar Bupati, Tjokorda, calmly greeted the demands from the Mas residents, indicating that his office would try to coordinate a solution with the central government based on information that roots of trees harvested in Kalimantan forestry industry were being abandoned. Tjokorda told the people of Mas, “hopefully, we can quickly resolve this problem and the wood being thrown away in Kalimantan can be recycled with the help of the national government.”
When Tjokorda called for a part of Bali’s tourism promotion budget be used to promote handicraft production in Mas his statement received enthusiastic applause from the many carvers in attendance.
Minister Wacik, who is also a candidate for legislative office, pledged his readiness to work on helping to the people of Mas find more wood resources. He called on local artisans and the Bupati to seek more information on the location of tree root systems being thrown away so he can contact the Minister of Forestry and coordinate their diversion to Bali.
Source: www.balidiscovery.com
March 16th, 2009
Bali, Indonesia (PRWEB) March 11, 2009 — Bali Hotels and Resorts are world renowned for offering outstanding value for the most discerning travelers. True Balinese Hospitality in combination with one of the world’s most vibrant traditional cultures HAVE caused Bali time and again to be named the world’s favorite tropical island destination in prestigious international surveys.
In response to the uncertain global financial situation and encourage travelers not to delay their Bali holiday plans, more than 40 leading Bali hotels have joined forces to offer “Bali Bonus Nights” on new bookings for hotel stays through June 30, 2009.
An initiative organized under the Bali Hotels Association (BHA), that Chairman of the group of Bali star-rated hotels, Robert Lagerwey, said “Bali Bonus Nights” is a “world-wide tactical promotion intended to drive further awareness and drive additional business to the island.”
Lagerwey explained the existing promotional platform of “Bali is my Life” will be used as a backdrop of “Bali Bonus Night” promotion, emphasizing the central role played by the Balinese and their rich culture in Bali’s continuing success.
The “Bonus Night” scheme will apply for participating properties through selected wholesale, travel agent and direct booking channels. “Bali Bonus Night” bookings must be made between March 9 and April 30, 2009, valid for holiday stays in Bali through June 30, 2009.
World-wide Offer
“Bali Bonus Nights” are available from participating hotels with the qualifying room night levels to earn a bonus night determined by the guest’s nationality or country of residence.
Bali Bonus Nights levels are divided into three groups:
Group A: Stay 3 Nights and Get the 4th Night Free
Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, People Republic of China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
Group B: Stay 5 Nights and Get the 6th Night Free
Australia and New Zealand
Group C: Stay 7 Nights and Get the 8th Night Free
All European Union Member, Countries, Russia, Middle East markets,
The Americas, South Africa, and all other nations.
Conditions apply including eligibility is limited to new bookings, the offer is not available for group and conference bookings, and confirmation subject to space availability at the time of booking. “Bonus Night Bookings” must strictly be made between the dates of March 9 and April 30, 2009.
Participating Hotels
The “Bali Bonus Night” offer is available at the following Bali Hotels Association member properties as listed below:
- Amandari
- Amankila
- Amanusa
- Anantara Seminyak Bali
- Ayodya Resort Bali
- Bulgari Hotels and Resorts Bali
- Como Shambala Estates
- Conrad Bali
- Gending Kedis Luxury Villas & Spa Estate
- Grand Balisani Suites
- Grand Hyatt Bali
- Hard Rock Hotel Bali
- Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali
- Inna Grand Bali Beach
- Intercontinental Bali Resort
- Kamandalu Resort & Spa
- Karma Kandara
- Kayumanis Nusa Dua Private Villa
- Le Meridien Nirwana
- Maya Ubud Resort & Spa
- Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort
- Melia Benoa - All Inclusive Resort
- Nikko Bali Spa & Resort
- Ocean Blue Hotel Bali
- O~CE~N Bali by Outrigger
- Ramada Benoa Resort
- Ramada Bintang Bali Resort
- Risata Bali Resort & Spa
- Sentosa Private Villas & Spa Bali
- The Bale
- The Elysian
- The Haven
- The Laguna
- The Legian
- The Oberoi Bali
- The Villas & Bali Golf & Country Club
- The Westin Resort Nusa Dua
- Ubud Hanging Garden
- Warwick Ibah Luxury Villa & Spa
The Bali Hotels Association is a professional association of star-rated hotels and resorts in Bali. Membership is comprised of the general managers of the main hotels and resorts, representing more than 16,000 hotel rooms and 25,000 employees island wide.http://www.balihotelsassociation.com/
Source: www.prweb.com
March 13th, 2009
DENPASAR: The Denpasar Sanitation and Parks Agency has modified one of its garbage trucks to accommodate a vacuum cleaner, in a bid to streamline its operations.
City spokesman I Made Erwin Suryadarma said Tuesday that the modified vehicle would only be used on major thoroughfares such as Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Diponegoro and the roads circling Puputan Badung Square.
He added the city planned to purchase a specialized garbage and vacuuming vehicle that would cost taxpayers some Rp 800 million (US$66,708).
Denpasar, like many other major cities in Indonesia, suffers from a chronic waste disposal problem, with the blame spread evenly between residents for failing to properly dispose of waste, and the city administration for failing to galvanize proper waste disposal practices. - JP
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 13th, 2009
Alit Kertarahardja and Wasti Atmodjo, The Jakarta Post, Buleleng, Denpasar
Bali may be known as an overwhelmingly Hindu island province, but in the northern regency of Buleleng, Islamic traditions have thrived in peaceful coexistence, as seen in a ceremony Tuesday to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. | Wed, 03/11/2009 2:04 PM | The Archipelago
The ceremony took place in Pegayaman village in Sukasada district, where villagers of all ages took part in a sokok parade.
The village has a unique mix of Balinese culture influenced by the Buleleng kingdom, Bugis culture from the Bone kingdom, and Javanese culture inherited from the Mataram kingdom, local resident Wayan Hasyim told reporters at the sidelines of the parade.
Now elements of the Sasak culture (from Lombok Island in neighboring West Nusa Tenggara province) have also entered the village.
The procession starts on the Islamic date of 8 Rabiul Awal in the Hijrah calendar, with a dzikir ritual at local mosques. A similar ritual is also held on 12 Rabiul Awal of the year of the elephant, the Prophet’s birthday, followed by a recitation of the Al Barzanzi verse.
Hasyim said that a day after the birthday, there was a thanksgiving ceremony marked by the carrying of the sokok around the village.
The original sokok is a cube symbolizing the Ka’bah and the Prophet’s four sahabat (companions), he said.
It consists of 63 eggs symbolizing the Prophet’s age; the eggs were pierced by a staff resembling a tool for carrying the Koran; and fruits representing the ummah (Muslim congregation).
The villagers then decorate the sokok according to their own artistic preferences, but without forgetting sacred symbols.
Residents begin decorating it from before sunrise, as well as preparing the food. At about 8 a.m., three groups of Adrah dancers gather at the village’s main mosque before dancing their way around the village.
The male dancers sing praises to the Prophet, while villagers throw coins after them, causing children to scramble for the coins.
Most villagers in Pegayaman village are Muslims, making it a unique village. Their activities are no different from that of any other village in Bali.
Pegayaman villagers use high Balinese language and always take part in communal activities such as paying respect to the dead and visiting their relatives outside the village, according to local customs.
According to Babad Buleleng chronicles, Islam was introduced to the village in 1587, having spread from Banjar Jawa in Singaraja. As the number of Muslims grew, the Buleleng king granted them their own land - the current Pegayaman village.
The Muslims have blended well with the local culture by adopting, for instance, adopting Balinese names such as Wayan Hasyim, Nengah Panji Islam and Guru Nyoman Ali.
The celebrations to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday are not complete without colorfully wrapped eggs at Kepaon village in Denpasar.
Dozens of teenage girls walk straight while carrying these eggs with an energetic percussion and dance number by the Rodat dancers (”soldier” dancers) accompanying them around Kepaon village, one of the oldest and better known Muslim hamlets in Denpasar.
Hundreds of villagers, young and old, follow them to the front yard of the Al Muhajirin Mosque.
This parade is called the Ta’aruf parade, and is an opening act to the series of celebrations for the day, says Syaifuddin, event committee chief and deputy head of the Al Muhajirin Foundation, which runs the mosque.
The celebrations continue in front of the mosque. Village elders and royal guests, including Ida Cokorda Pamecutan XI (a descendant of the royal lineage of Badung kings who granted the area that is now Kepaon to Muslim immigrants).
Besides Kepaon village, which is home to some 500 families, the Badung royal family granted two more areas to Muslim immigrants: the Bugis village in Serangan district and the Java village on Jl. Ahmad Yani, both in Denpasar.
The Rodat dancers stop at the front yard, while the girls put the eggs down in a line inside the mosque. The arrangement of eggs, fruit and food is known among locals as Bale Suji.
The parade concludes with a free mass circumcision, attended by 25 boys. Mothers drum on percussion instruments made of animal hide and throw coins into the air for a mob of revelers.
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 12th, 2009
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