Archive for November 23rd, 2006
Bali has a reputation for many things and spas are one of the categories where a visitor will have plenty of choice.
Living in Seminyak I am very close to one spa with a very unique style. The Prana Spa at The Villas on Jl. Kunti has been open almost 1 year and anyone driving past will be immediately struck by its unique Moroccan and Indian style.
I arranged to meet with Ketut, the food and beverage manager for a look around.
Arriving at 10am I parked outside and walked through the entrance of the circular building into a central garden which serves as the dining area. I think the first thing that grabbed me was the strong orange brown coloring and the relentless Indian motifs present in the architecture and decoration.
Ketut arrived and we sat at a table, he sipping an orange juice and me a Bali coffee. He has been here at Prana for 3 years, as food & beverage manager. He previously worked for the Sheraton in West Papua.
He told me the owner of Prana is Mr. Jim Elliot, an Australian painter who came to Bali 5 years ago. He built himself a villa at the present location and decorated it in his own style. Friends came to stay from overseas and wanted him to build them villas. There are now 50 villas
The concept for villas is almost the same, a little bit of Balinese and Indian style, featuring, statues and Hindu symbols.
The style of food served in the restaurant is a mixture of Indonesian and western, with a little bit of Indian fusion. Says Ketut “The food must represent the style of spa.” The restaurant supports the spa with healthy food by sticking to 3 basic principles: Detoxification, digestion, balancing.
Ketut says “Our food is all natural, organic and helps with all these.” “We use fresh juices, raw salad, alfalfa sprouts and other locally grown items helps digestion.”
For balancing they have power drinks like Chai tea.
There is a daily special which is a very good price at 39,000rp. It includes an appetizer, main course, dessert and choice of soft drink, juice, mineral water. The daily special is available for lunch and dinner.
I asked Ketut what was special about working at Prana and he told me the culture is different in this restaurant. The guests come here for leisure and don’t mind waiting a little longer for the food. The whole pace of the establishment is one of tranquility and rest.
Says Ketut, “The staff here are peaceful.”
The restaurant is open to general public 7am - 10.30pm and does serve alcohol.
Ketut has tried the spa, massage, and ayurvedic treatments and told me after the ayurvedic treatment you will sleep like a baby. He told me the purpose of the Spa is re-balancing, to make the body good.
Ketut showed me to the entrance of the Spa where Widiana took over. I snapped a couple of shots inside the reception area before Widiana informed me that all photography was banned. That was a shame indeed because Prana Spa is decked out like an Aladdin�s cave with carpets, mirrors, gold designs, Moroccan lamps and blankets. It really is an overwhelming place and all I can say is ‘Wow! they didn�t go halves on the decoration.’
Widiana showed me to the various rooms for changing, massages, water massages, steam room and facial room. A wide range of Balinese treatments such as the oil massage, Indian Ayurvedic re-balancing and Shirodura are available. There is also a selection of facials, wraps, cream baths, manicures, pedicures that are all available in packages. Widiana told me the foot massage was very genuine and is practiced in the villages in Bali.
I think for someone looking to pamper them self this would be a great place. Prices aren�t bargain basement but then again you aren�t looking at a white tiled floor with a retired beach vendor working on you. It seems to me a lot of attention to detail has been put in and I�d bet the treatments are pretty good.
All the restaurant staff are from Bali. The Spa has staff from different parts of Indonesia as some of the practices and skills are learned elsewhere. The clientele at the restaurant and Spa tends to be mixed, with a fair proportion of Australians, Koreans and Indonesians. The Spa enjoys a roughly equal proportion of men and women clients.
Prana Spa at The Villas
Jl.Kunti 118X
Seminyak
Bali
0361 730840
Prana Spa
•What is it?
Prana Spa is a high end health spa, designed, built and decorated in Indian / Moroccan style. Spa treatments are high quality, with trained staff.
•Where is it?
Located on Jl. Kunti in Seminyak
•Who would Prana spa be good for?
People on a romantic vacation / honeymoon. As a special treat for someone. People who want to spend money on high end spa treatments, in a unique environment.
•Who would Prana spa not be good for?
People on a budget. Men looking for ‘extra services’.
•How long does it take to get there?
From Kuta 5 minutes up the Sunset Rd / Jl. Legian.
•Best time to go?
Anytime is good.
•Accommodation available?
Yes, at The Villas, attached.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 23rd, 2006
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of Bali’s kayangan jagat (directional temples) and guards Bali from evil spirits from the SW.
This means that the temple affects the island as a whole and has meaning for all Balinese, not just the Uluwatu locals. During the Galungan festival (the most important event in the Balinese calender that occurs every 210 days and celebrates the victory of good over evil) people from all over Bali come to worship here.
Pura Uluwatu is located on the cliff top close to the famous surf break on the SW of the Bukit peninsula. The temple was founded in the 10th century by Empu Kuturan, a Javanese Hindu priest who built the tiered meru and a shrine here as well as at other key locations long the Balinese coast. In the 17th century Niratha also from Java came to Bali and built temples, adding to Uluwatu.
I rode from Seminyak down the Sunset Rd to the roundabout at Simpang Siur in Kuta and headed in the direction of Nusa Dua. Uluwatu is 18kms down the Bypass from Kuta and the turnoff is to the right.
The road Jl. Uluwatu takes you through the local area of Jimbaran and past some big hotels before heading up the steep hill and into the heart of the Bukit. I followed Jl. Uluwatu to the very end where it terminated at a parking area with Pura Uluwatu another 100 meters further on.
Parking was monitored by a uniformed attendant in a booth and the price was 1,000rp. He offered to look after my helmet too for no extra charge. An older man who was waiting there told me he was from Uluwatu and would be my guide if I wanted.
Walking towards the entrance of the temple I saw the stone archway with a set of rules and regulations for visitors, including the fact there was and entrance fee. The little office to the left of the entrance accepted my 3,000rp fee and gave me a ceremonial sash which when added to the sarong I brought with me meant I was properly dressed. Visitors not possessing a sarong can get one from the office. Sitting at the office was a lady who offered to escort me through the temple to protect me from the monkeys, who she said are aggressive. I talked briefly to other tourists who had just come out of the temple and they said to take off my glasses and hat as the monkeys will rush me and grab any loose items.
The regulations say visitors can only walk around the temple which I found a bit confusing. They are referring to the temple compounds themselves not the temple complex. When I had my sash and ticket I strolled through the 2 archways (candi bentar) and down and long pathway towards the main temple courtyard.
Continuing straight I saw a cliff top path that led somewhere and I followed it. The pathway was lined with a carefully built wall and after a while the path turned into a muddy track finally leading to a cliff top view point after several minutes. There was nothing special up there except this one lady with a both offering drinks and souvenirs. This route offers good view of the temple high up on the opposite cliff. I still hadn�t seen any monkeys and headed back to the main temple complex.
I took the steps close to the cliff on up to the main part of the temple which is located on the highest point overlooking the ocean. It is possible for a visitor to navigate around and peer into the temple compounds although signs say not to enter.
While I was there the place seemed very empty with no special events or worship of any kind going on. The temple compounds are made from white-grey coral blocks and are not really decorated in any special way. I saw a pair of Ganesh’s guarding the entrance to the outer courtyard. The inner courtyard at the highest point has a view both north and south and has merus, the multi tiered structures featuring thatched roofs.
Monkeys were present in this part of the temple and as well as lingering in the branches of trees were happy to patrol the temple walls looking for an unsuspecting tourist. I had no problems with the monkeys on my visit but I have heard they can be a pest.
Descending the wide steps on the western side to the main part of the temple I passed the kulkul tower which contains a wooden bell, slit down the middle, used to summon villagers. I also noticed a wantilan structure used for meetings. This seemed newer than the other stone temple structures and the monkeys were using this at home base.
I walked back up the hill, handed in my sash and retrieved my helmet thanking the attendant for looking after it. Its possible to check out Pura Luhur Uluwatu in 1 hour if you are pushed for time.
Riding back in the direction I came I passed the turnoff for the surfing beach at Uluwatu. From the temple it’s the first left turn and it will take you 10 minutes of riding plus another 10 of walking to get to the cliff overlooking the surfing beach where you will find warungs.
For those staying in Kuta many tour operators do a ’sunset Uluwatu trip’ each day allowing you to enjoy the array of color changes. There is also a daily kecak dance from 6-7pm for 35,000rp.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu
•What is it?
One of the most important temples in Bali, situated on a cliff top, overlooking the ocean.
•Where is it?
On the western tip of the Bukit peninsula
•What’s there?
Great cliff views, a small clifftop Balinese temple, temple monkeys. Surfing break just around the corner.
•Best time to go?
When there is a temple festival, or evening dance performance.
•How do you get there?
From Kuta, take the Bypass towards Nusa Dua. Take the right hand Uluwatu turnoff, follow Jl. Uluwatu all the way to the end.
•How long does it take to get there?
About 30 minutes from Kuta.
Admission:
3,00orp
•Services:
Drinks available outside. Warungs located down at the Uluwatu surf break.
•Dangers & Annoyances:
Temple monkeys can be aggressive. Watch your hat / glasses / bag
source : www.baliblog.com
November 23rd, 2006
Sitting here at an internet cafe in Seminyak, its relatively quiet. A scattering of nationalities are using the machines to keep in touch with relatives and friends overseas.
Steamy hot today, but I managed to get in an afternoon workout. Down at the gym on Blue Ocean beach, I was the only person working out, apart from the staff. Sitting here typing makes a person sweat, working out makes a person a sweat geyser. Fortunately for me the gym has AC, so I only have to worry about cooling down after working out. Staying in shape is a major problem for expats. When I moved here, a friend of mine said ‘pretty soon you’ll want to do something.” Eating nasi campur and sucking down Bintangs, adds calories and there are fair few fat bule momma’s out here, who aren’t in the same shape they arrived in, 15 years ago.
A lot of people, for some reason, hate gyms. “Its just not natural”, they say, “why not ride a bicycle or climb a mountain?” Yeah okay, in the middle of my busy day, I’ll go bike riding in the traffic, or spend 5 hours getting up to Batukaru and back. Gyms are good because you can pack a lot in, for a short time spent. I’ve done a 15 minute, intense workout before, and have been known to do the ‘drunk workout’ back in the US, after a session.
Around 6pm Poppies II in Kuta saw some foot traffic. From my vantage point in Taman Sari, a stream of Euro’s, locals and Asian tourists passed by. The tall, skinny Euro woman seems to be a recurring feature right now. Taman Sari itself seemed mostly empty.
Bali is a traditionally quiet at this time of year and if we do not get any ‘unexpected events’ between now and Christmas, 2007 should be looking good.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 23rd, 2006
Children of mixed parentage have been given dual nationality in Jakarta today. Indonesia’s citizenship laws are based on jus sanguinus, the idea that blood is thicker than water, as opposed to jus soli (as is used in the US) where your place of birth is used to determine nationality. The fact that so many wealthy foreign businessmen and their Indonesian wives, have complained to the government, about the futility of treating kids of an Indonesian mother, and a foreign father, as a foreigner, has finally borne fruit.
Here’s more from the Jakarta Post.
First children made dual citizensThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A group of 13 children of transnational marriages with foreign fathers, obtained Indonesian citizenship Tuesday, the first children to do so following the passage of the citizenship law in July.
Before the new law was enacted, children of transnational marriages automatically had to follow their fathers’ citizenship. Children with Indonesian fathers are still denied dual citizenship.
Currently there are some 300 to 400 other children are waiting for dual citizenship applications to be processed.
Justice and Human Rights Minister Hamid Awaluddin handed over Indonesian passports to the 13 children at a ceremony here.
Hamid said the children, aged between one and 14 years and currently holding only foreign passports, were given Indonesian citizenship less than 28 days after they made their official applications.
The children were exempted from paying any fees for the passports because of a transitional administration period, said Melati Transnational Marriage Community (KPC Melati) head Enggi Holt, who attended the event.
Hamid said the process of obtaining dual citizenship takes at least 28 days.
The immigration office needs 14 days to process the required documents before handing them over to the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, which will take up to another 14 days to grant local citizenship, the minister added.
The newly-enacted citizenship law gives children of transnational marriages with Indonesian mothers the right to dual citizenship until they are 18 years old.
At 18, they can choose whether to stay Indonesian citizens or follow their foreign fathers’ citizenship. They will be then given three more years to decide on which nationality to choose.
If they are married before the age of 18, their dual citizenship will be revoked.
Before the passage of the law, transnational parents had to pay up to Rp 12 million for a temporary living permit for each of their children every year.
“Those wishing for their children to have Indonesian citizenship must register at local justice offices. We have been sending registration forms to our provincial offices,” Hamid said.
He said that the immigration office was not charging any administration fees for the time being.
“Please report any unscrupulous officials to KPC Melati and they will forward the complaints to us,” the minister said.
However, he said, applicants will have to pay an administration fee after he and the finance minister agree on an amount.
In response to the plan, Enggi said her association urged the government to charge a fair amount, arguing that in reality officials often collected extra levies.
Dual citizenship applicants must provide four copies of each of the required documents, all to be certified by the relevant authorities.
The documents include a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, the mother’s identity card, the mother’s family identification card and a photo of the child.
A letter stating that the child in question is not married is also required for the application. The applicant must also fill in the registration form.
The KPC Melati said the certification process would be a burdensome, particularly for transnational children living outside Indonesia.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 23rd, 2006
Bingin is one of the famous surfing breaks of the Bukit Peninsula. The short, fast barrel is a joyride for those who dare. Exactly waht is out there at Bingin and who is it good for?
Surfing is huge here in Bali and one place you always here about is Bingin. The last time I went light rain was coming down, as I hit the Bypass in the direction of Nusa Dua. Taking the Uluwatu turnoff I rode past the big Dreamland access road and down to Bingin, which is off of the only major right hand turn in the middle of a row of shops. I had checked a map before leaving, and knew where the turn off was. A warung located just around the corner, after the right-hander, offered satay, so I stopped.
Stopping for a snack the lady confirmed this was the road to Bingin while assembling my nasi campur ( mixed rice). The nasi campur contained white rice, noodles, beans, a small piece of chicken and some satay liver. This together with my hot tea was 7,000rp.
I started taking photos which brought gigles form the lady’s 2 daughters who were firing up the satay stand outside. I asked what they were cooking as I thought it was satay babi, but they said as they were Muslim they only cook satay chicken and ’satay Baaa’ , meaning goat.
After my snack I rode down the lane and after several minutes it termintated in at a muddy track. This took me across a small stream and through someone’s pasture, finally to the cliffs overlooking Bingin.
People have described Bingin as a ‘machine‘, the perfect wave is so reliable. The only problem is everyone knows this and the ‘take off point’ for the wave is a very small meaning everyone and his brother is trying to get on the same wave. I saw people dropping in on each other like crazy and many occasions where a couple of surfers were zooming on the same wave and narrowly missing the other people in the water.
Coming over the hill I noticed an assortment of warungs and guest houses. The access to the beach was down a set of step stone steps which gave great views. These 2 ladies were working at a warung and asked me if I wanted a massage later. I politely declined.
Bingin has a sandy beach which leads into rock. The break is a reef break though so be prepared with rubber booties. I saw local kids splashing around on body boards close to shore. To the left is ‘Impossibles‘ a string of breaks that are impossible to join together, though you can give it a shot. From my vantage point I could tell when Bingin was going to get the next set as the waves break first across Impossibles, then after about 40 seconds wrap around and start crashing onto Bingin.
I bumped into surf photographer Morroke from Brasil who lives at Bingin. He was fixing his jet ski and told me he was surprised to see me down at the beach. I’d say there were a dozen foreigners down at Bingin, although I know people stay in the 12 guests houses, and surf other beaches for the day.
For access to the surf, you only have to paddle out 30-40 meters from shore. The guest house go for about 40,000rp per night, and there are 12 warungs serving food and drinks.
Bingin also has some decent accommodation up on the cliff. I visited a few a while back and was impressed at the accommodation in Bingin. Most palces are simple, with great views and friendly staff. If Kuta gets too much for you, head on down to Bingin with your lady, and enjoy the peace and quiet. One thing I’d mention, is that most places do not have AC, so in the wet season, its going to be steamy in your room. Ocean breezes make up for it, when you are outside.
Bingin is known as a great wave, but with a small take off point, can get crowded and pushy.
Bingin Bali
•What is it?
Bingin is a surfing break on the Bukit peninsula in Bali.
•What are the surfing conditions?
Fast, short lefthand barrel. Reef break.
•Dangers & annoyances:
Steep long walk down steps to the beach. Often gets crowded with locals.
•Best time to go:
The best surfing is in July. However there will be many other people. You might have a better time at another time of the year, when the beach shacks are empty, and there’s just a dozen locals in the water.
•Accommodation:
Cheap bamboo shacks on the slope of the cliff for 50,000rp. Better places on the cliff top.
•Necessary to book in advance?
Only in peak season.
•Services:
Ding repair available in the peak season. Beach warungs serve food. No real medical services. Police station on the main road in Dreamland. New boards available at Palu shop on main road in Dreamland. Internet access available (dial-up) at a couple of locations on main road back to Dreamland.
•Who would Bingin be good for?
Experienced surfers. People wanting peace and quiet.
•Who would Bingin not be good for?
Beginning surfers, people who need a wide choice of places to eat / shopping / entertainment. Also the beach isn’t the greatest, so those looking the ‘paradise beach’ might want to look elsewhere.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 23rd, 2006