Posts filed under 'Indonesia & Bali Tourism News'
Indonesian VP Yusuf Kalla has made a request to the island’s tour operators, and the Culture and Tourism Ministry, to start using the expression ‘Beautiful Bali Indonesia’.
Many people in the tourism industry have complained for a long time, that Indonesia does not have an organized marketing campaign, maybe this is the first step. The reason places like Manado got some popular, is that Europeans and other outsiders, set up businesses there, and marketed the place themselves.
‘Beautiful Bali Indonesia‘ is okay with me, but why not just ‘Beautiful Bali’? Also if we’re calling Bali ‘beautiful’, let’s clean up the joint, starting with the trash along the side of the road. I’ve got no problem with the airport, other than the amount of time it can take to get processed.
Its a positive step that the VP is taking, and I hope Bali’s beauty gets the attention it deserves. You can just see the commercial, towering volcanoes, barong dancers, the Tanah Lot temple, a procession of elegantly dressed ladies on their way to the shore singing “Jiggy-jiggy boom-boom, Jiggy-jiggy boom-boom, Bali holiday.”
source : www.baliblog.com
December 11th, 2006
Check out these topics currently being discussed on the Bali Forum at BootsnAll:
December 11th, 2006
Selamat Hari Raya Kuningan. Saturday December 9th is Kuningan, the end of the Galungan celebration, in which ancestors descend to Earth. On this day the Gods and spirits return to heaven. Around Bali, people will be attending ceremonies at their family temple to honor the spirits of their ancestors. Last I got a call from a Balinese friend who was sad, at not being able to go home to East Bali, due to work commitments.
The 21st Century and westernizing of the economy, means many Balinese people have to balance a job with cultural / religious activities. This morning the staff at Cafe Seminyak were looking lovely, dressed in sarongs and kebaya’s. One of them asked me where my sarong was. I said it was back home in the closet.
For visitors in the Kuta area, there are some big ceremonies going on today. Back in 2003 I visited Serangan Island, which is located on the Bypass between Kuta and Sanur. Serangan has 2 temples the largest of which is Pura Sakenan
Here are some of the temples in Bali that are having ceremonies today.
•Pura Taman Pule, Mas - Ubud.
•Pura Ularan, Takmung - Klungkung.
•Pura Bukit Jati, Gulingan - Kawan - Bangli.
•Pura Dalem, Desa Guang - Sukawati.
•Pura Sadha - Kapal, Badung.
•Pura Sakenan, Serangan - Denpasar Selatan.
•Pura Pekedungan - Kediri - Tabanan.
•Pura Pasek Gaduh - Grokgak Gde - Tabanan.
•Pura Dalem Sanding - Tampaksiring.
•Pura Dalem Agung Sri Nararya Kresna Kepakisan, Br. Dukuh - Gelgel - Klungkung
I’ve also seen Kuningan celebrations at Tanah Lot and in Klungkung. If you wish to visit a Balinese temple, to check out the ceremonies, remember to wear a sarong and sash. No sexy clothing, or loud behaviour either. The atmosphere around ceremonies I find is relaxed, but it is a religious occasion, so try to avoid charging in, without thinking about the important aspects. For example, do not touch the offerings, do not step in front of people praying, do not talk loudly during a blessing by a priest etc.
Have a great Kuningan in Bali.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 11th, 2006
Ever seen that movie ‘The Beach‘ staring Leonardo di Caprio? I love that first part of the movie, where he is exploring the Bangkok, steamy hot, wild and wonderful. The Kuta area in Bali is the closest thing to that kind of scene, with bamboo shacks like Warung 96 and Espresso Bar, together with Bounty, providing a traveler’s ghetto to escape into.
Leonardo Chen’s blog has an article by Denise Dowling, entitled ‘Kuta Sweats Sex‘, which talks about the scene in the eyes of a newcomer. It focuses on the western lady / local man scenario, which often gets blown out of proportion.
Seems to me Bali offers many people the chance of a different scene, a break from their normal responsibilities. We are so stressed out in the west, its not surprising romance with a stranger often happens.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006
Part of my job is doing hotel reviews, so that people can make a better choice for themselves when coming to Bali on holiday.
Back in 2004, I interviewed Ida Bagus Puspa Arthawa, the manager of the Puri Raja Hotel in Legian and we got slightly off-topic talking about Bali. He was an interesting man, and it was insprinig to talk to someone with something to say. I think he he understood many of the problems facing Bali and the Balinese.
Baliblog: You yourself are from Java?
Arthawa: No no. I’m Balinese.
Baliblog: I thought because I saw the name ‘IB Puspa Arthawa’ and I have a friend from Java called Puspasari.
Arthawa: Ya. ‘IB’ , what we mean is ‘Ida Bagus’, is Balinese.
Baliblog: So how long have you worked here?
Arthawa: Ah, too long. Have been here too long really (laughing). Ya but you have been to Bali already, and I think you knew the job opportunities in Bali are very little. I have been at this job for a long, and am waiting for what the time will say to me.
Baliblog: You know I’ve often thought that Balinese people must feel a lot of stress and strain, because of economic pressures. They have to pay a lot for ceremonies, cremations and they see tourists with nice cameras, motorbikes etc. and they think ‘I want one.’ The kids same thing which makes me think when you compare this time to 50 years ago its must be a lot harder now.
Arthawa: Oh ya ya. Men’s lives are very much influenced by environment. Fifty years ago the number of tourists coming over to Bali was very little and even now village life I think has been influenced by the tourists. Television also has given a great change to the Balinese life. We have to recognize that it would be back to very personal, the person to ask themselves what really that are looking for in this life. Otherwise so they don’t know where to go and they don’t know the goals of their life I think.
Nowadays Bali people say ‘Oh that’s modern’, and then they want to get success to compare with the modern life.
Baliblog: Its funny because when I look around most of the Balinese people seem very relaxed and a lot of the ‘bules‘ seem very stressed, particularly like me, the ones who live here. We’re always very busy, start work at 8am and finish at midnight, you know that’s us. Often times I look at Balinese people and think ‘I wish I could be like that’.
Arthawa: Mmm, er I think there needs to be time to make a change mentally in the people. You are coming from a culture that is used to being very busy, otherwise you get sick I think. Bali people we are coming from the family or the society of agriculturalists and now we’re just taking part in different kinds of businesses. Well then it is a transition between the agriculturalists and business, or to the trade where time is really valuable.
I don’t know whether Balinese will maintain themselves, and want to be real Balinese. They change their minds, and I think that happens everywhere in the world.
Baliblog: I think so unfortunately. When I see people putting out the ‘canangs‘ in the morning and afternoons and I see young people going to the ceremonies I think that’s great, because they all seems very interested in it. I went to Pura Besakih ( the Mother Temple) with enam orang Balinese (6 Balinese people). Driving in the car everybody was very excited and I thought ‘how interesting’. In America or England we would be going to a rock concert or a football match and if someone said ‘hey you want to go to church?’ most people would say ‘No no’. These young people were very excited, because they were going to Pura Besakih and I’m wondering in 20 or 30 years time, will you see the same level of excitement?
Arthawa: Change is always there. We cannot predict whether it will be slow or quick. Men change because mostly of what is going on in one’s mind. I think the more the intellect develops, I think the more they are going to change themselves. The change is in your head. If you are becoming fully intellectual, they will be bright and that will make change.
Baliblog: Have you ever seen any Balinese kids or teenagers that have said ‘I don’t want to go to ceremonies anymore�’
Arthawa: Well you have to see that there is a village organization. We don’t know exactly whether they really intend to join the ceremony and social activities, if its coming from their heart or not. But from the culture, the social culture of the villages they have to say ‘yes’. Again I cannot say if it is coming from their heart, or if it is because they have to join because special reason, or a personal reason. That we cannot say for sure. There is a ceremony, maybe they are interested in it, or maybe they just want to kill the time.
Anyway life will change, no one can stop it, only that it will be slow or quick. Now people start enjoying French fries, burgers rather than nasi campur.
Baliblog: I eat masakan Indonesia dua kali satu hari (2 times, 1 day ).
Arthawa: Oh ya! Well for sure most of the people need change. Are you from UK?
Baliblog: Yes
Arthawa: Okay. UK used to be like that too. I hope what happened in Bali, has met with your intentions for coming over. You have settled down in Bali?
Baliblog: Yes. I’ve been here satu setengah tahun ( 1 and a half years).
Arthawa: Do you plan to settle down here?
Baliblog: I’d like to depending on how it goes. Maybe if there’s no more terrorism.
Arthawa: Ya ya that’s it. Ya that’s very hard to predict, but anyway if the change would be the movement a little bit slow, because as I said village organizations, where the culture is, where the religion is, where the temple is mentally binds all people in that village. Otherwise we don’t know, but people start becoming more individualistic than communal anymore. Before ‘it’ belonged to us, now ‘its’ mine ‘its’ yours.
Baliblog: I hope Bali can develop in a positive way, that helps the people remain connected with their culture, and allow them to move ahead in modern life.
Arthawa: What as a foreign person living now in Bali from a different culture, different way of life, do you have any expectations of what Bali would be in these few years time, or something?
Baliblog: I think the ‘bules’ like me come to Bali because we have the dream of Bali, and when we think of Bali, we probably have the image of 100 or 50 years ago, where its like beautiful mountains and villages. Then we come here, and of course we want the modern things too, and sometimes we have this dream-like image of how the locals will be like. People will be walking down the street, carrying offerings over their heads, everyone wearing sarongs and udengs etc. and then we see air pollution and pollution on the streets and construction. For example I’ll be out in Karangasem looking at the beautiful mountains and sawah ( rice paddy) and some guy’s gone and built a big concrete wall, or a big house or a garage and I’m thinking ‘people come 8,000 miles to see these beautiful things, and they are not going to be beautiful for ever unfortunately’. So what I’d like to see is the government making stricter building regulations.
Arthawa: I agree with you. That’s a way to protect it. Personally I think everyone is dreaming of becoming rich and they’ve got land. They might sell the land for the immediate purpose to buy a car, to get a house and then nothing else, it’s all gone. Even though they’ve got money they don’t know how to spend the money.
Baliblog: So if I buy land I have to be very careful.
Arthawa: Ha, ha (laughing).
Baliblog: I think maybe no good for me.
Arthawa: Ya ya ya.
Baliblog: I would like to see the government introduce a 3-stage zoning plan. Take somewhere like Denpasar and say ‘if you want to a new building go ahead because it’s already ruined’. Then you have an area in between Denpasar and the mountains, and you say ‘you can build some things, but they have to be in local style, and not above 2 levels. You have to paint the outside it can’t be just grey concrete blocks. Then you have areas Gunung Agung for instance and close to temples where you can’t build at all.
Arthawa: Ya I agree with you as a spectator. In a normal was the spectator is always in a position to criticize the spectacle right? If you see the football etc. easy to criticize. I hope the government will listen.
Baliblog: But they won’t, that’s the problem it’s all about this (money).
Arthawa: Sometimes that happens, because we don’t see that Bali will be a heritage for the next generation.
Baliblog: My friend said to me ‘look what they’ve done to Candi Dasa, they’ve built al those hotels, they’ve ruined the beach, it used to be a beautiful beach with no hotels but now there�s no beach with all these ugly hotels’, and you can never put the forest back.
Arthawa: That’s it ya. When the nature is gone it’s hard to put it back. Anyway if you have real intentions it is an honor, really if you have the time to talk with the government, at least it is a warning to them.
Life in Bali now has a very high competition for the wealth, for the worldly wealth, not spiritual wealth anymore. That’s the difference. If one lives in the center of Bali and is talking about the spiritual I think he will preserve it for a longer time but the number of those type of people is decreasing. If only a few people are talking about the spiritual and most people talk about the material then Bali would be really in big trouble.
Baliblog: Well thank you for talking it has been very interesting listening to you. Can I take your photo?
Arthawa: Of me? Oh no no!
Baliblog: Yes, because you are such an impressive man.
Arthawa: Go ahead and photograph the hotel, but not me because I’m really nothing.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006
Mykonos is a Seminyak standard. The Greek styled restaurant serves a range of starters and main courses, that when combined with the decor and music, takes you straight to the Mediteranian.
After meeting with Brian moore in Kuta, I shot up to Mykonos, located around the bend before KuDeTa, to meet with a few people, including Tony Novac-Clifford, from Hawaii. Getting comfortable with an arak madu, I learned that Tony lives on the island of Maui, and plans to spend part of the year in Bali. That’s got to be the best of both worlds for sure.
Tony is a ‘food photographer’ by profession, visiting some of the world’s best hotels and restaurants, for free, sampling the food, and capturing it on film. We laughed about having the perfect job, I reckon he’s got a great deal, and he think I do. I asked Tony which hotel in Bali is his favourite and he said without a doubt, the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay. According to him, he generally does not like staying in hotels, but you’d have to pry him away fom that place. Basically, the Four Seasons Jimbaran has personal, private compound with a bale, pool, lounge, rooms, patio etc. Tony said you basically take your clothes of when you arrive, and don’t put them back on till you leave. Sounds like heaven! I once contacted the Four Seasons, to ask permission to photograph and write about their hotel. They are extremely protective about anything that gets written about them, so declined. Maybe I’ll save my money and check out a room sometime. Tony is obviously an expert photographer, as well as being a super interesting person. I look forward to meeting him again, and hearing how he is dealing with life in Bali.
Arriving late at Mykonos, ordered pork chops, which came with mashed pototoes and a small amount of salad, for 45,000rp. My arak madu’s were 15,000rp a pop and were good value. I can recommend Mykonos for gatherings as it is an informal environment, that is friendly and fun.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006
Saturday afternoon I had an appointment to meet Brian Moore fom Perth Australia. Brian is in Bali for a couple of weeks and as usual, is staying in the Kuta area. Being fans of the game of pool, we agreed to meet at Kori Restaurant on Poppies II in Kuta.
Kori Restaurant was built with the idea of being an oasis in the middle of Kuta. A kori agung, is the stone capped archway, that separates the middle and inner courtyards of a Balinese temple. Passing through the gate at Kori Restaurant, you step into another reality, with elegant staff in black lace kebaya’s. One of the parts of Kori Restaurant I like, is the pool room. Brian and I met at 6pm and he ws immediately very pleased I had suggested Kori. The pool room is cool, complete with a large pool table, jazz music and access to the bar. The deal is you rent the table for 30,000rp for 1 hour and get a free large Bintang. Sure there are cheaper places to play pool, but for me its worth it, just for the peace and quiet. Brian kicked my ass, he’s a shark and I hope we’ll get the chance to play again.
Brian will be heading to Gili Trawangan next week, a place he finds suits his style, being a social person, with a seriously relaxed personality
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006
Living in Seminyak Bali, I get to meet a whole range of interesting people. Its the kind of place that attracts them.
Yesterday afternoon I bumped into the good-vibes guy from Oregon. I think I mentioned him before, in his 50’s, psuedo hippie clothing, flowing white hair, healthy smile. As soon as I saw him the first time, I said ‘Eugene Oregon’ to myself. After chatting, Peter turned out to be from Corvallis, an hour away!. Can I spot them or what! The thing about these ‘healthy-earthy’ folks, is they kind of stand out, because they value interaction. Anyway, I was jamming to finish my stuff and get into the shower.
Still mighty hot here and I’ll wet just sitting reading a book. Around 7.30pm I zipped out to Batubelig in Kerobokan, and took the back way to Canggu, passing the impressive Canggu Club. That place has a smart location. Its Canggu, but not really, Its more like ‘outer Kerobokan’, which means residents of Semiyak can access it. Riding last night through a dust storm, created by a SUV, on the rutted, dirt road, I couldn’t help thinking how different the area will look in a few years. The back way to Canggu will be Jl. Legian a decade from now.
My reason for going out to Canggu, was to visit the new place of a friend who recently moved out there. Canggu Permai is the little collection of locals streets, that look like an Asian ghetto. In the immediate area however, are some okay places to eat include The Beach House. We had a dinner at a small restaurant, along with a couple from Hawaii. My friend is renting a 2 bedroom, local style place, with clean, tiled rooms, Asian bathroom, kitchen etc. for 5m rp per year. Just shows you, that if you don’t mind being out in the sticks, you can go cheap.
On the way out, I got stuck behind a long Balinese procession, which didn’t bother me at all. In fact I feel fortunate to live in a place, where people take the time to create such wonderful moments.
Back in Seminyak, friday night was taking a while getting going. The owners of Galaxy, on Jl. Dhyana Pura, Jeff from Melbourne and his wife Annie, invited me to join them for a drink or two. That turned into several, and I must say Jeff is great host, creating havoc by inviting all kinds of people to meet each other. For the record, Jeff is upbeat a bout Christmas and New Years. He runs a hotel, which is connected to the bar, and told me things are looking good. Let’s hope everyone on the street enjoys great prosperity.
Saturday and I have 3 invites to meet people. The one I’ll definitely keep is Brian Moore from Perth, who I’ll meet down in Kuta. Brian is a great spirit, who plans to move to Gili Trawangan!
source : www.baliblog.com
December 4th, 2006
Australian Michelle Condon, 35, from Port Melbourne, is still in jail in Bali, awaiting her trial for possession of methamphetamine. There are variations of this drug, but all amount to the same thing, addiction.
From what I hear, methamphetamine is produced in large quantities in Burma, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. Recently the cops busted a factory 40 kms outside Jakarta. Not being into the nightclub scene, I’m not so exposed to drugs, other than walking around in Seminyak and on the beach. Strikes me,that the average Balinese locals is not interested either. I know there is a drug problem, but its not as if most people are into it.
When I moved to California in the 80’s, everyone and their brother were into something. I’d visit someone’s house and they’d bring stuff out, like offering cookies. Anyway, thank God, Bali isn’t that way. If you want to see a movie that gets into the life a meth addict, check out Spun.
Michelle Condon has been charged with drug possession, a charge which if found guilty of carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in jail. As The Age reports, if she can ‘prove’ (you read between the lines on that one) that she is an addict, and the drugs were for personal use, the court can award a 3 month sentence.
Good luck to Michelle, and let’s hope she doesn’t have to spend long in a Bali jail.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 30th, 2006
Southern Bali has a number of foreign consulates located primarily in Sanur and Denpasar. Anyone who has visited embassies and consulates knows what dull sterile places they are.
The one exception to this rule was the British consulate in Sanur which was located in the Cat & Fiddle Pub on Jl. Mertasari. I almost couldn’t believe it when somebody told me that, too good to be true? I thought.
Visiting the place many months ago I met the Honorary British Consul, Mark Wilson and his brother Phil. Checking in with them again, I found that the Cat & Fiddle itself, as well as the British Consulate have moved. The consulate has moved across the Bypass in Sanur, on Jl. Tirta Nadi.
When I arrived at the new Cat & Fiddle, Mark and Phil were sitting around the bar, and I got chatting with them. They told me that the British Embassy in Jakarta had directed him to move the consulate away from the pub for security reasons. The American and Australian Consulates are like fortresses and even though the pub didn’t seem busy it was an easy target for a terrorist. The new location of the pub, means a lot more walk up traffic, so hopefully business will pick up.
While I was sitting at the bar Mark and Phil’s lunch arrived, Mark going for the lamb and cheese salad, and Phil the chicken pie and chips. Hailing from Burnley in Lancashire they still retain a taste for the traditional foods. Mark’s salad is on the menu as ‘ham and cheese salad’, but he told me I could have slices of roast lamb today if I wanted. I did and it was great with lettuce, tomato, cheese, beetroot and boiled potatoes. This was helped along by a couple of cold Guinesses.
We chatted about English football, and I didn’t realize the county of Lancashire had such a history, with many great teams of past a present. I’m a Londoner, so kept that part of my identity in the background, although I did admit to being an Arsenal fan.
After Mark left for work Phil and I chatted and he told me was working out near Sukawati renting villas for Bali Masari Villas. After living in Jakarta for many years Phil made Bali his home 3 years ago.
The Irish music night is Tuesday and starts at 8pm. I have attended several times and it’s a good time. For me it was so much more enjoyable visiting a pub and sipping a beer with the ‘main man’, than lining up behind a bullet proof glass counter.
Cat & Fiddle Pub.
Jl. Camara #36
Sanur
(0361) 282218
British Consulate Bali
Jl. Tirta Nadi
Sanur
Tel: (0361) 270601 Fax: (0361) 287804
email: bcbali@dps.centrin.net.id
Office Hours: 0830-1230 Monday to Friday
Cat & Fiddle Pub
•What is it?
An English style pub, serving, a range of beers, draught Guinness, lunch and dinner.
•Where is it?
South of the Bypass in Sanur, on Jl. Camara.
•What makes this place unique?
Cat & Fiddle pub offers an English / Irish atmosphere, English and Irish food, and Irish Music night.
•Admission:
Irish Music night is free.
•Dress code:
Informal
•Who would the Cat & Fiddle Pub be good for?
People who like the pub culture. People who enjoy an Anglo / Irish scene. People who are looking for a friendly place, where you can talk to the boss, and enjoy some live music. Older couples looking for a fun night out.
•Who would the Cat & Fiddle Pub not be good for?
People who want a nightclub scene. People looking for a more trendy scene.
•Driving time from Kuta?
20 minutes
source : www.baliblog.com
November 30th, 2006
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