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19 April 1771 - 19 April 2005. East Bali Regional Capital Hosts Events in Bali and Jakarta to Mark its Founding.
The regional government of Gianyar has set a schedule of special events for the last half of April 2005 to celebrate the 234 years since its founding.
The schedule of events, set in both Gianyar Bali and Jakarta, include:
* Sunday, April 17, 2005 7:00 p.m. Gong Kebyar Festival for children and adults at the Balai Budaya in Gianyar.
* Monday, April 18, 2005 3:00 p.m. Cultural Parade at Lapangan Astina in Gianyar.
8:00 p.m. A Wayang Kulit Comblong Performance at Lapangan Astina in Gianyar.
* Tuesday, April 19, 2005 10:00 a.m. Belaganjur traditional orchestra parade and a competition for Balinese cookery and traditional ceremonial decorations.
8:00 p.m. A Drama Gong musical theatre presentation.
* Tuesday, April 26 - 30, 2005 Painting exhibition at the YDBA Gallery on Jalan Kemang 1/ No. 1A, Jakarta Selatan - open daily 10:00 a.m. Until 9:00 p.m..
* Thursday, April 28, 2005 7:00 p.m. YDBA Gallery on Jalan Kemang 1/ No. 1A, Jakarta Selatan - Sekar Semara Ratih dance presentation.
* Friday, April 29, 2005 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.an exhibition of Silver Jewelry and accessories by Suarti and Balinese dance presentation at YDBA Gallery on Jalan Kemang 1/ No. 1A, Jakarta Selatan.
Refocus, Rebalance and Realign Your Life
Executive Balance Lifestyle Retreat in Bali May 12 14, 2005, Led by Andrew and Gaia Grant from Tirian International.
Bali is home to one of Asia's leading corporate management consultancies - TIRIAN International, headed by the dynamic husband and wife team of Andrew and Gaia Grant.
Trainers, authors, corporate motivators and much-sought-after public speakers Gaia and Andrew have managed to create a lifestyle in Bali that reflects their personal priorities while at the same time maintaining a corporate presence in an intensively competitive field.
In a special TIRIAN workshop to be held in Bali May 12-14, 2005, Andrew and Gaia will help a limited number of participants learn how to retake control of their lives through refocusing, rebalancing and realigning life values.
Sharing insights gained from the latest psychological and physiological research in a relaxed luxury villa setting, Gaia and Andrew will share important master tools intended to help you tune up and get yourself into shape mentally, physically and psychologically. Using the flow and ebb of life in Bali as a framework, they will share exciting new insights on how to approach the challenges of a contemporary lifestyle
Again, space is limited and early registration is recommended.
Bali Hilton Explores The Wonders of India Culture and Cuisine May 1-15, 2005.
Bali Hilton International will bring visitors and guests on a romantic journey to India during the first half of May 2005.
Special Opening Dinner May 1, 2005
With Chefs flown in from Jakarta's leading Indian restaurant - Kirana the Hotel will kick off their Indian celebration with a buffet dinner and cultural performance in the Balinese Theatre on Sunday, May 1, 2005. Indian culinary delicacies will be served while an Indian cultural performance, complete with Tanpura and Sarod players, will provide musical accompaniment.
Cost for the gala opening evening's buffet is Rp. 295,000, plus 21% tax and service per person (approximately US$38 per person).
Two Weeks of Indian Food at Lagoona
A-la-carte selections of Indian food will be available each day from May 2 14, 2005, at the Bali Hilton's beachfront Lagoona Restaurant.
Additional Indian Buffet Nights
For those who missed the gala opening evening on May 1 or decide "once is not enough," the Indian buffet will be repeated on the next two Sundays, May 8 and 15, at the hotel's Waterfall Restaurant. Cost of the buffet is Rp. 225,0000, plus 21% tax and service (approximately USD$29).
Cooking Lessons
For individuals wishing to learn some of the secrets of the Indian kitchen, special cooking classes with Kirana's chefs have been set for Thursday, May 5,and Wednesday, May 11, 2005. Rp. 250,000, plus 21% tax and service (approximately USD$32) covers the cost of the course, refreshments, lunch and an Indian recipe book.
And There's More
Special Indian Yoga demonstrations are planned at the hotel on Saturday, May 7, 2005, while an Indian carpet and gem exhibition will be ongoing throughout the promotion from May 1-15, 2005.
Diners during the special promotion will also have the chance to win complimentary stays at Hilton Hotels in Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali as well as free flights to Kuala Lumpur.
Bookings and Information
For bookings or more information follow the e-mail link provided or telephone ++62-(0)361-771102 extension #3172.
An Introduction to Internet Technology an E-Commerce for Small and Medium Hotels in Bali and Lombok.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC-PENSA) in cooperation with the Bali Recovery Fund, the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) and the Bali Tourism Board is hosting a series of one-day seminars aimed at small and medium sized hotel enterprises in Lombok and Bali between April 25 April 29, 2005.
E-Commerce Awareness for the Tourism Industry
Each seminar will provide insights and case studies from successful e-commerce travel operators and practical advice for hotels seeking to establish interactive comercial websites. Among the speakers and companies slated to appear at each event are Mr. Al Purwa, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); Mr. Len Cordiner of WorldHotel-Link; indo.com, balidiscovery.com; and baliwww.com.
Schedule
The series of 4 individual seminars in separate locations to facilitate participation by small and medium size hotels in Bali and Lombok will be held each scheduled day starting at 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and will include a table-top e-commerce expo to facilitate partnering between established travel portals and hotel operators. The schedule for the workshops:
Lombok Monday, April 25, 2005. Lombok Palace Hotel - Jalan Panca Usaha 11, Mataram, Telephone ++62-(0)370-632305
Sanur, Bali Wednesday, April 27, 2005.Mercure Sanur Hotel - Jalan Mertasari, Sanur, Telephone ++62-(0)361-287773
Ubud, Bali Thursday, April 28, 2005.ARMA Ubud - Jalan Bima, Pengosekan, Ubud, Telephone ++62-(0)361-976659
Singaraja, North Bali Friday, April 29, 2005. Bali Taman Hotel - Jalan Raya Lovina Km. 6, Singaraja. Telephone ++62-(0)362-41126.
Cost and Registration
Cost of participating in each workshop for hotels is Rp. 20,000 per participant (approximately US$2.20).
Registration or requests for more information can made by calling IFC-PENSA/Bali Tourism Board at ++62-(0)361-265350 or be addressed via the e-mail link provided.
Indonesian Travel and Tourism Fair to be Held in Yogyakarta September 23-26, 2005.
Indonesia will once again host TIME - the annual international tourism travel fare in Yogyakarta September 23-26, 2005.
TIME 2005 - Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo is targeting to bring in at least 150 buyers from around the world to meet with key suppliers of Indonesian travel products. The Expo is slated to be held at the Jogja Expo Center and will be organized around a series of lavish hosted social events and an exciting range of pre and post tours for buyers.
Sponsored accommodation packages in combination with AD75 discount tickets for buyers are expected to attract top buyers to fill the 32 pre-scheduled appointments to be set between buyers and sellers. Last year's event, also held in Yogyakarta, attracted top buyers comprised of 60% wholesale travel agents and 33% retail agent representatives.
TIME is Indonesia's premier tourism event and promoted as a cost effective way for buyers and sellers of Indonesian travel to meet each other in a common location in a Country spread across 3 time zones and more than 17,000 islands.
Bali Tourism Chief Not in Favor of Combining Kuta Karnival with Bali Arts Festival.
Speaking at a meeting formalizing the appointment of the organizing committee for Kuta Karnival III held at the Hotel Bali Garden on Friday, April 15, 2005, Drs. I Gede Nurjaya the Chief of the Bali Tourism Authority said he was not in favor of moves to combine the popular festival with the Bali Arts Festival held every June on the island.
Reacting to proposals from the Kuta Karnival organizers who moved this year's celebration to June 25-July 3, 2005, in order to coincide with the long-standing Bali Arts Festival, Nurjaya suggested the Kuta celebration should be held in months lacking major events in order to even-out the island's promotional calendar.
Insisting that the aims and content of the two events (Kuta Karnival and Bali Arts Festival) were essentially different in character, Nurjaya said each event should be allowed to develop independently.
During the inaugural year, the Kuta Karnival ran for an entire month during September-October. During its second year the event was shortened to two weeks and moved to October, before a decision was made to make the Kuta Karnival a one week event running from June 25-July 3 in the current year.
This year's celebration is timed to also coincide with Indonesian school holidays and has adopted as its theme A Celebration of Life with the sub-theme of Tat Twan Asi - a Balinese-Hindu belief that I am You and You are me.
Garuda Hikes Domestic Tariff Between $1.00-2.15 to Compensate Higher Fuel Costs.
Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) has approved an increase to a maximum of Rp. 75,000 (approximately US$.8.00) per flight hour on all domestic flights.
Despite the higher permissible increase, Garuda Indonesia has announced that they will only be increasing domestic economy air fares from between Rp. 10,000 - 20,000 (between US$1.00-2.15) per hour flown, depending on the actual flight's duration.
Business class tickets on domestic sectors will increase Rp. 100,000 per hour (approximately US$10.75).
The increase in domestic tickets - reflecting practice on most international flights, was made necessary by recent increase in the price of aviation fuel from Rp. 3,765 to Rp. 4,565 per liter (approximately US$0.40 to US$0.48).
Ubud's Pertiwi Resort & Spa Opens the Greenhouse
A New Approach to Dining and Entertainment on Jalan Monkey Forest in Ubud.
Ubud's Pertiwi Resort & Spa have just launched their new concept in dining at the entrance to their popular resort on Jalan Monkey Forest, in the very heart of Ubud. Dubbed The GreenHouse - a name reflecting its architectural inspiration, the venue is designed to serve Resort guests and the general public for dining, drinks, light entertainment as well as small meetings.
Prominent by both design and position, The Greenhouse has quickly established itself as an Ubud landmark, a natural extension of the lush, tropical Balinese garden complex of the Pertiwi Resort & Spa.
The Greenhouse's design incorporates the pristine lines of the clear glass panes of an arboretum, abundant tropical plants decorating the buildings interior, carved sculptured cacti, and lush orchid wall installations adorning both levels of the restaurant - all combining to suggest the verdant exotica found in any well-ordered greenhouse.
With a first floor offering a choice between indoor and outdoor dining, a nearby fully-stocked bar faces out on an open lawn suitable for picnics and evening hours movies presentations under the stars.
Inside, a winding stairway leads to an air-conditioned second-level party lounge complete with large day-beds and plush ottomans leisurely relaxation.
Also on the second level, a wide terrace adjoins a meeting/convention room able to comfortably handle 60 people in a theatre setting configured to meet the needs of mid-sized meetings, wedding parties or life-style classes.
Open for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner, The Greenhouse offers a menu selection highlighting Pan-Asian dishes created with organic, locally sourced fresh produce. Preparation and cooking methods are light and unadulterated - striving to present fresh and healthy cuisine.
Minister Wacik Says Fiscal Tax Here to Stay for at Least Next 10 Years.
In an apparent about-face on the government's pledge to fall in line with inter-ASEAN initiatives and eliminate the Rp. 1 million (approximately US$ 107) fiscal tax charged to Indonesian nationals and resident every time they travel abroad, Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik has announced that it will be at least 10 years before Indonesia will be able to eliminate the tax.
Acknowledging that Indonesia's ASEAN partners are eager that the tax be eliminated in order to facilitate inter-regional travel, the Minister said the tax must remain in place in Indonesia out of fear of the "trillions" of Rupiahs that would be lost in foreign exchange if Indonesians suddenly started traveling abroad.
In comments made at the opening of the Surabaya Orchid Show 2005, the Minister said his office wished to discourage foreign travel by Indonesians in favor of domestic holidays.
Confident that Indonesia's neighbor will not take retaliatory steps to dissuade the nationals from visiting Indonesia, the Minister said that his office now has a budget of US$18 million to promote inbound tourism into Indonesia with the Middle East, India, China and Australia among the main source markets being targeted for visitors to Indonesia.
Lonely Planet Recommends balidiscovery.com
World's Most Respected Travel Guide Lauds balidiscovery.com in its 10th Edition Bali & Lombok Travel Guide.
The 10th Edition of what is arguably Bali's most popular travel guide Lonely Planets Bali & Lombok has just been released. The guide - an essential piece of packing found in both backpacks and designer-brand luggage bound for Bali, the Lonely Planet Guide offers page after page of practical advice on how to maximize your enjoyment of a Bali holiday.
A Piece of Advice Worth Heeding
The latest edition, expertly compiled by veteran sojourners Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Lisa Steer-Guιrard and Jocelyn Harewood - contains the following recommendation under the heading "Bali Internet Resources" regarding balidiscovery.com:
". . .this site is easily the best source for Bali news and features week in and week out. Excellent."
Hear. Hear. Who are we to argue with the recommendation of the world's premier handbook for travelers?
Arie Sukirno, Managing Director of Bali Discovery Tours, and balidiscovery.com commenting on Lonely Planet's kind accolade said, "Everyone at Bali Discovery is genuinely thrilled by this strong vote of support by such a prestigious publication. Knowing that out efforts to spread the good word about Bali, via our website and our weekly newsletter Bali Update, is recognized in such important circles, such a Lonely Planet, is a special thrill for us and an incentive for all of us to strive harder in our mission in the months and years ahead."
In closing, Sukirno added, "We genuinely love Bali and want the world to know all about our paradise island. Apparently, Lonely Planet has taken notice of that fact."
Bungaard Heads Bali's Westin Resort
Jan Bungaard Returns to Bali for Second Assignment at Helm of Westin's 355-room Resort and Convention Facility.
After a 2 year absence, Jan Bungaard has returned to Bali and assumed the General Manager's role at The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali.
Bundgaard first joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts as a Financial Controller at The Westin Resort Macau in 1996.
In 2002 and 2003, Bundgaard was Hotel Manager of Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua, Bali.
Before coming to Bali on his first assignment, he was the Director of Finance Asia Pacific - Starwood Hotels and Resorts and was also responsible as the Regional Controller for China, which includes 12 properties. During the interim between his two Bali assignments, Bundgaard served as General Manager of Westin's property in Kuala Lumpur.
Starting his hotel career in 1991, Bundgaard worked at the Forte Beach Plaza Hotel -Monaco at the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, and the Sandy Lane Hotel & Golf Club in Barbados, West Indies.
"I am very excited to return to Bali after being away the past two years," said Bundgaard. Looking forward to his new assignment in Bali he continued, "It feels like returning home, fitting right in with the culture of this creative property and this well-loved island destination."
ATM Machines in Bali
Wherever You Find Yourself in Bali, There's Sure to be an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Not Far Away.
A report in the newspaper BaliBusiness on Saturday, April 16, 2005, reports there are at least 512 Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) in operation across the island- each providing fast and efficient access for bank card and credit card holders in need of quick cash.
The overwhelming majority of ATMs 466, in fact, are to be found in the business center of the island, in Denpasar and Badung. The remaining machines are scattered across the rest of the island with 18 ATMs located on Bali's north shore at Buleleng. Other locations, such as Bangli and Jimbrana, have only one machine each suggesting tourist visitors might want to "top up" their cash reserves before leaving Bali's southern sector and embarking on an exploration of the island's more remote regions.
Most ATMs on the island operate with inter-bank agreements allowing foreign visitors the opportunity to draw down cash advances on most major international credit cards.
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