Archive for February, 2008
Chilean Felipe Aguilar shot a three-under-par 67 in the third round to keep the lead at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open golf tournament at Cengkareng Golf Club, west of Jakarta, on Saturday.
After bogeying the first hole, the Chilean fired an eagle on the ninth hole and birdied his 11th hole to give himself an overall 16-under-par 194.
“I still got a couple of bad shots but I putted an eagle in the ninth hole, which helped me a lot. It`s like a revenge for what happened yesterday (in that hole),” the 34-year-old pro said after posing with fans for photos.
During second-round play, Aguilar intended to close his game with a birdie on the last hole, but ended up with a par after a downhill slide.
When asked about his preparation for the last round on Sunday, he smiled and said: “I will just take it easy … have a nice dinner and sleep early tonight.”
The second Chilean to hold a European Tour card, he said although he had thoughts about winning the tournament he was fully aware of the leading players behind him.
“We`ll know after 18 holes tomorrow. You can`t ever tell, because nothing is sure in this game.”
China`s Liang Wen Chong fared well, leapfrogging four players and landing in joint second place with Jeev Milkha Singh of India with an overall 14-under-par 196.
Wen Chong, who last year recorded the first rank in the Order of Merit of Asian Tour, fired eight birdies and bogeyed his first and fifth holes, while Singh carded six birdies and only bogeyed his 13th hole.
The three leaders were among the other leader-board players in the tournament who had a chance to play with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono watching.
The President dropped by the golf course to mingle with spectators at the tournament organized to coincide with the Visit Indonesia Year 2008 campaign. Also present were Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo and Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik.
“I invited the president on behalf of the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI) because we want to cheer our four Indonesian golfers who made the cut as well as to show that Indonesia is a safe place to visit,” Jero Wacik, who is also the general chairman of the PGI, told The Jakarta Post.
He said PGI promised a reward to the four Indonesians for their achievement but stopped short of elaborating on what they would receive.
The President arrived when Maan Nasim, Ilyasyak, Denny Supriadi and amateur Suprapto had already wrapped up their game.
“I was so happy to shake hands with Pak SBY that I couldn’t say anything,” said Suprapto.
Although an amateur, the 46-year old outperformed his pro teammates, finishing the day with four-under-par 206. Maan scored two-under-par 208 while Ilyasyak and Denny faltered at two-over-par 212 and four-over-par 214 respectively. (ind)
Indonesia Open
Leading third round scores in the US$1.2 million Indonesia Open at the Cengkareng Golf Club on Saturday:
194 - Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 65-62-67
196 - Liang Wen-Chong (Chn) 65-67-64, Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 65-66-65
197 - Prom Meesawat (Tha) 66-63-68, James Kamte (Rsa) 62-67-68
199 - Mark Bro (Nzl) 67-66-66, Joost Luiten (Ned) 64-69-66, Wang Ter-Chang (Tpe) 69-64-66, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 65-65-69
200 - Philip Golding (Eng) 65-70-65, Arjun Atwal (Ind) 67-67-66, Adam Blyth (Aus) 66-67-67, Martin Wiegele (Aut) 65-65-70
Source: The Jakarta Post
February 18th, 2008
Bali Province - (Bali Discovery) The search for two remaining university students of a group of 3 last heard from on December 26, 2007, and gone missing while hiking on Bali’s Mt. Agung has resumed following a break for the Galungan-Kuningan religious celebrations.
As reported on Balidiscovery.com, [See: Search Halted for Missing Students on Mount Agung] search efforts were suspended on January 18, 2008, by the Bali Search and Rescue (SAR) squad.
The body of one of the hikers, Muhammad Iqbal (21), was discovered by searchers on January 6th but the remaining 2 students remain missing. The dead hiker’s companions are Eko Saputra Sudirman and Yunita Indah Savitri.
When discovered in a ravine by SAR members, Iqbal’s body was in a sitting position with his hands covering his ears. A medical examination performed at Bali’s Sanglah General Hospital confirmed the young man died from exposure to the elements. Temperatures in the mountain area where the body was found regularly dip to 10 degree Celsius.
SAR workers hold little hope of finding the remaining hikers alive, but have deployed several hundred searchers in an attempt to recover their remains.
Source: http://my-indonesia.info/
February 18th, 2008
Cap Go Meh is one of a series of Chinese New Year Celebration event, it is a ritual ceremony held on the 15th day after the Imlek (Chinese New Year Day), the ceremony will be celebrated by Tatung/Sinmin/Loya parade on the street all across the city along with traditional Chinese musical instruments.
Other events parallel to Cap Go Meh are Lampion Carnival, Dragon Festival and Barongsai. These events will be held both in Pontianak and Singkawang.
[=Event Coordinator:=]
- Singkawang City Tourism Office (Ph: 62 562 - 631423. Fax: 62 562 - 636023)
- Pontianak City Tourism Office (Ph: 62 562 - 732340. Fax: 62 562 - 732340)
- Tionghoa Cultural Council (Majelis Adat Budaya Tionghua)
Source: http://my-indonesia.info/
February 15th, 2008
Bandung, West Java (ANTARA News) - Udjo`s Angklung Studio has set itself the target of holding 15 concerts abroad this year.
“The opening concerts will be held in March - April in Turkey, South Africa and Rome (Italy),” the studio`s head, Taufik Hidayat Udjo, said on Tuesday.
He said foreigners` interest in music produced by the bamboo musical instrument had remained high.
His studio, he added, had also prepared thousands of angklungs to support the concerts.
The studio is one of Bandung`s popular musical art venues for both local and foreign tourists.
In the studio, he added, people can learn how to play angklung, watch the production process of the bamboo musical instrument and buy souvenirs.
The studio also runs a “home stay” program for people wishing to learn angklung and other Sundanese arts.
The Foreign Ministry was also providing scholarships for people from Asia Pacific countries to learn angklung at Udjo`s Angklung Studio. (*)
Source: http://my-indonesia.info/
February 15th, 2008
With new restaurants opening on a regular basis in the capital, dining options for Jakartans are certainly not limited.
But is Jakarta on its way to becoming a world-class culinary destination?
Petty Elliott, a food columnist with Jakarta Java Kini, said the city was ready to become a culinary destination as it offered a wide variety of food choices. However, she said before Jakarta could step onto the world culinary stage, attention would need to be paid to health and sanitation at food outlets.
“If Jakarta wants to become a world-class culinary destination, the city administration must have a food safety agency,” Petty said, adding that even local canned food in supermarkets rarely displayed health information.
Noted culinary expert William Wongso said the city administration should organize events to promote Indonesia’s culinary traditions.
“Jakarta is lagging behind in culinary tourism. We would not have to organize a huge event like the Hong Kong Food Fest or the Singapore World Gourmet Summit. A small event may be enough to encourage expatriates living in Jakarta to try local food,” he said.
He said aside from improving food health and safety standards, Jakarta should also improve its image as a safe city. He said he knew several expatriates who had been living in Jakarta for a long time but had never tried local food.
“Most expatriates try local food when their Indonesian friends invite them somewhere. Each person has a different pattern when it comes to trying food.
“Most Americans are careful about eating new types of food and Europeans are open to some new experiences. But Australians are the most adventurous people when it comes to food,” he said at the launch of a food guidebook in January.
William said food guidebooks were a way to introduce expatriates to good food in the city. However, he said writing such books was not an easy task as people’s tastes varied.
The Culture and Tourism Ministry reported in 2006 that tourists spent around 15.1 percent of their budgets on food and beverages. On average, the ministry estimates that a foreign tourist in Indonesia spends approximately US$100 per day.
The city administration aimed at attracting 14.5 million domestic and foreign tourists to the capital in 2007. Of that figure, it was hoped 1.5 million visitors would be foreigners.
In 2006, 1.26 million foreign tourists and 12.5 million domestic tourists visited Jakarta.
The culinary sector is the second highest contributor to regional income after automotive tax. In 2006, the culinary sector contributed Rp 1.72 trillion to the region, with Rp 473 billion coming from hotel tax, Rp 427 billion from restaurant tax and Rp 168 billion from entertainment tax. — Tifa Asrianti
Source: The Jakarta Post
February 14th, 2008
The Culture and Tourism Ministry has declared the new year Visit Indonesia Year (VIY) 2008, with a target of seven million foreign tourists expected to visit various places of interest all over the country.
This government effort certainly deserves our support, particularly because we have been behind Malaysia, which last year launched Visit Malaysia 2007 with the 50th anniversary of independence as its theme. Malaysia undertook large-scale investments and international promotions for this purpose.
When VIY 1991 was underway, Indonesia only managed to increase the number of tourists by 400,000 over the previous year’s record. VIY 2008 will hopefully score an even bigger rise in view of the major theme adopted at present: celebrating 100 years of national awakening.
In order to make the public confident of the success of VIY 2008, the ministry should explain the extent of its preparedness to face this event. In this way, the government, the tourism industry and society can cooperate in anticipating the worst factors of counter-promotion.
The first is the factor of natural disasters. Tsunamis, earthquakes, floods and bird flu have proven to discourage foreign visitors. The second factor covers information, transportation and various other facilities and infrastructure.
What about Indonesia’s VIY 2008 promotion investments? Malaysia spent about US$80 million on media ads and airport billboards in Asia last year. Let’s hope the government will reveal its preparations so that the goal of attracting a lot more foreign tourists will be achieved. Otherwise, it’s only anyone’s guess.
WAYAN SUDARMADJA
Jakarta
Source: The Jakarta Post
February 13th, 2008
Mataram (ANTARA News) - West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province is to host a two-day business forum between Indonesia and Middle East at Senggigi tourist resort in Lombok island on February 18-19.
Provincial administration spokesman Abdul Malik said here on Monday that the RI-Mideast business forum would be attended by a least 20 investors from Indonesia and the Middle East.
Besides the investors, Middle East countries` ambassador to Indonesia and a representative of Emaar Property would also attend the forum.
Abdul Malik said Emaar Property would build accommodation facilities at the former Lombok Tourism Development Center (LTDC).
He said domestic participants in the forum would be made up of business makers from a number of provinces in Indonesia, including West Nusa Tenggara.
Business opportunities between Indonesia and Middle East countries will be discussed at the forum to be organized by Indonesia`s Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“We have to make the forum a success by promoting various business potentials in NTB in an effort to attract the interest of the investors in investing here,” Abdul Malik said.
After the forum, the investors from the Middle East would visit the operational sites of a number of local companies on Lombok island engaged in pearl, lobster and “kerapu” fish farming .(*)
Source: ANTARA News
February 12th, 2008
T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta
“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life. That word is love.”
The famous quote by Greek tragic dramatist Sophocles (496 BC-406 BC) tells how powerful love is. And in celebration of the glory of love, Valentine’s Day is observed in many parts of the world with lovers expressing their feelings in the most romantic way.
Posh hotels across the metropolitan city of Jakarta have prepared special programs for those who want to indulge their loved one in an unforgettable moment filled with beautiful memories that will last the rest of their lives.
Hotel Mulia Senayan, Hotel Borobudur, Grand Kemang, Ritz-Carlton, Grand Hyatt, Gran Melia, Ambhara Hotel, JW Marriott, Shangri-La and Santika are but a few of the many establishments in the city that will pamper lovers with a romantic ambience through their special programs, from candlelit dinners and relaxing spa treatments to concerts and room packages.
You can spend “Very Valentine” moments with your loved one while being serenaded by top diva Krisdayanti at Hotel Mulia’s Cascade Lounge.
At il Mare you can wine and dine with the love of your life at a romantic candlelit dinner. The Caf‚, too, offers a night to remember while indulging in an infinite range of international delights for two.
Following a romantic dinner, you might want to spend the night in the lavish Mulia Presidential Suite, Ambassador Suite or Chairman Suite for the ultimate romance-filled night.
Hotel Borobudur Jakarta offers a fabulous dining experience at its outlets: Bruschetta Italian Restaurant, Teratai Chinese Restaurant and Bogor Caf‚.
“The Italian restaurant is a romantic spot for couples to enjoy a candlelit dinner and atmosphere with the melody of romantic musical tracks, free from noisy disturbances where lovers are entertained with the music of love,” said Fransiska Kansil, the hotel’s public relations manager.
A two-of-a-kind set menu has been created at the ever-romantic Bruschetta for those who are madly in love and are willing to pay Rp 640,000++ per couple.
Those who opt to experience a romantic night out in oriental ambiance, Teratai Chinese Restaurant is serving an exclusive Chinese Set Menu for Rp 588,000++ per couple, while the Bogor Caf‚ also offers a sumptuous dinner buffet not only for couples but also for families at Rp 238,000++ per person.
The dinner packages are presented with delicious menu inclusive non-alcoholic cocktails for couples and a gift voucher worth Rp 400,000 for a glamorous photo session at Gloss Fashion Photography.
“Guests can buy single red roses in the lobby, where an area for photo shots has been set up for lovers and families,” Fransiska added.
Borobudur Spa also has the Pampering Package for couples this month with a special discount of 20 percent.
Gran Melia, too, offers a romantic treatment for two at its Yhi Spa, with milk or lemon grass bath oil to restore perfect harmony to mind, body and soul. The 90-minute treatment, costing Rp 450,000++ per couple, includes two glasses of sparkling wine.
A Valentine’s dinner buffet will be available at Caf‚ Gran Via, while a romantic dinner is served at Colvmbvs Fine Dining with prices starting at Rp 498,000++ per person.
In the evening of Valentine’s Day, Hotel Grandkemang has a special offer for ladies to enjoy live music at Sparca lounge for free from 9 p.m. to 12 p.m.
“Get free specials for ladies; only men pay,” said Sri Utami, marketing manager of Grandkemang Hotel
The hotel also offers Ladies Deal for Valentine’s Room packages from Rp 530,000 net for a Superior room to Rp 750,000 net for a Grand Deluxe.
The Ritz-Carlton in Mega Kuningan and in Pacific Place also offer special Valentine treats to make the moment as magical as the feeling of love.
Sumptuous Valentine menus accompanied by romantic love songs will be on offer at Jakarta’s newest dining room, Pacific Restaurant Lounge. Located on the sixth floor of the Ritz-Carlton Jakarta in Pacific Place, it is a combination of fine dining restaurant and comfortable yet cozy lounge and bar overlooking the magnificent city.
The enchanting Valentine evening will start with the magic of sunset followed by a spectacular aphrodisiacs menu. You can celebrate the evening with live music, roses and chocolate while capturing your special moment at Rp 148,000++ for appetizer and dessert buffet, and individually priced a la carte main course.
For a more intimate evening, the hotel’s private pool gazebo will be transformed into a secluded romantic dinner gateway under the stars where guests will be pampered with special Gazebo dining set menu options.
The Ritz-Carlton in Mega Kuningan is preparing Valentine menus, with each outlet highlighting its best specialties, from a truly intimate to a casual and relaxed Valentine’s.
At Prime Steakhouse, Valentine dinner is all about enjoying a sumptuous romantic dinner inclusive of beautiful rose and a homemade heart-shaped box of chocolates for only Rp 698,000++ per person.
For an intimate Valentine’s, Portovenere Italian Restaurant is preparing a truly romantic Italian dinner with personalized a la carte menu at your preference for only Rp 598,000++ per person inclusive of special gift.
Entering the international buffet restaurant Airlangga, you will enjoy a warm family greeting from employees dressed in blossom pink outfits. If you want a more casual and relaxed Valentine’s, you may prefer the international buffet selections and blend of exquisite delicacies for Rp 268,000++ per person.
Mistere’s “Love is in the Air” Valentine deal is offering specialty drinks and sparkling champagne to celebrate the evening while enjoying a live band performance featuring the dynamic and hottest 4-Play.
JW Marriott Jakarta, which is also located in Mega Kuningan, is creating magical Valentine’s Day moments immersed in music, feasts and romance. A special gift for ladies and photo memento will complete the celebration of love. If you dine in any of the restaurants of the hotel, you will have a chance of winning a fabulous stay at Renaissance Tianjin or a bottle of rose champagne.
Similar photo memorabilia is also offered by Shangri-La Hotel, where you can enjoy an evening of enchantment with a romantic atmosphere and a range of “Red Fire Valentine” dining packages with special menu and prizes, according to Ratna Sjamsiar, the hotel’s director of communications.
You can indulge your senses with a variety of dishes and drinks at Satoo. Its buffet, including fresh oysters, Peking duck and spicy Indian cuisine, is Rp 238,000++ per person, while a glass of “Special loVe Cocktail” (with teddy bear) is Rp 155,000++.
A Valentine’s Day evening dinner featuring a five-course set menu is offered at Rosso, the northern Italian restaurant and lounge for Rp 598,000++ per person including a welcome cocktail, a glass of Prosecco, a personalized chocolate heart and a chance to win a weekend getaway at Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta.
For those who want to see and be seen this Valentine’s Day, the lobby lounge is open for a buffet feast with live entertainment for only Rp 398,000++ per person. At Shang Palace, the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant, the Chinese chefs combine the art of love and cuisine to offer guests the option of two set menus at Rp 198,000++ and Rp 388,000++ per person respectively.
The “Red Hot Party” strikes again at B.A.T.S. (Bar at The Shangri-La”), bringing the hippest, most attractive people and entertainment to guests who prefer to party like rock stars on Valentine’s Day night. A sizzling set menu is available for Rp 275,000++ per person.
Source: The Jakarta Post
February 11th, 2008
Esther Samboh, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Visit Indonesia 2008 campaign, with its theme “Celebrating 100 Years of National Awakening”, was recently launched in Beijing.
The Indonesian Embassy in Beijing informed The Jakarta Post that the Embassy and Indonesian national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia jointly held an event at Awana restaurant in Beijing.
The event promoted golf, wedding and honeymoon tourist packages, among others, in cities such as Bali and Yogyakarta.
It also featured Indonesian traditional dances, cooking demonstrations of Indonesian food and tourism quizzes with prizes such as a free Beijing-Bali round-trip plane ticket.
Indonesian tourism films and a fashion show of Indonesian traditional clothing were also featured.
The event was opened by Garuda general manager for Beijing Pikri Ilham and was attended by diplomats from the Indonesian Embassy.
Garuda has set a goal of flying 22,000 passengers on the Beijing-Jakarta route in 2008, up from 21,650 last year, Pikri said as reported by Antara.
Garuda has prepared a number of programs in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong to attract tourists to Indonesia, he added.
As many as 7 million tourists are expected to visit Indonesia in 2008, bringing in US$6.4 billion in foreign exchange. Some 100 events and cultural festivals are also expected to be held in the country this year.
The government has allocated $15 million for promoting tourism this year.
In 2007, 5.51 million foreign tourists visited Indonesia, short of the 6 million target, but up from the 2006 total of 4.87 million.
Source: The Jakarta Post
February 11th, 2008
(ANTARA News) - The Papua Tourism Office was slated to hold the Lake Sentani Festival here on July 16-19 to support the annual Lembah Baliem Festival in Jayawijaya District in August, 2008.
“The Lake Sentani Festival will be held as an effort to protect the culture of the Jayapura District, mainly in the Sentani Lake area,” Head of the Papua Tourism Office Elly Weror said on Saturday.
The two festivals were designed in such a way to ease tourists wishing to enjoy the fetivities, Weror said, adding that the festivals were also intended to prolong their stays in the province.
Previously, there were only three big cultural festivals, namely the cultural festival of Lembah Baliem, that of Asmat and that of Kamoro, he said.
He added the office was likewise trying to realize the Cendrawasih Bay Festival.
Besides holding the cultural events, he added, the province has been reorganizing the tourist sites in the area, including the Holtekam Beach located some 60 kms from Jayapura.
Source: http://my-indonesia.info/
February 8th, 2008
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