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Bali to Host 2nd Global Healing Conference with Desmond Tutu and Walter Cronkite Among Speakers Confirmed to Appear in Ubud May 3-8, 2006.
Following the remarkable success of the First Conference for Global Healing held in Bali in December 2004, a 2nd Quest for Global Healing Conference is set for the ARMA Museum Resort for May 3-8, 2006.
Focused on "inspiring actions for world renewal" the conference is co-sponsored by the United Nations, the Institute of Noetic Science, Tjokorda Gde Putra Sukawati of the Ubud Palace, Singapore Airlines, Agung Rai of ARMA Museum and a number of other organizations a world figures.
The 2004 conference drew more than 425 participants from around the world with the 2006 conference expected to attract over 600 people.
Destined to be an extraordinary gathering of concerned global citizens and innovative thinkers in a common quest for a more collaborative, peaceful and sustainable future - a number of outstanding speakers are already scheduled to address the gathering. Confirmed to appear at the Bali Conference are Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Walter Cronkite; women on the frontlines from Afghanistan, Iraq and Indonesia; Lynne Twist; James O'Dea; Barry Lopez; global youth leaders and other activists from around the world.
Register On-Line
The 5-day conference set in Ubud - the cultural and artistic heart of Bali will include:
Spectacular welcoming reception by the Ubud Palace.
Dinner with local community banjar groups.
Afternoon meeting sessions at various unique locations throughout Ubud.
Evening "living exhibitions" set in the open market of Ubud, open to the local Balinese living in the area.
Special Balinese and Indonesian cultural performances unseen by regular tourist visitors to Bali.
A Global art and photography exhibition.
Interactive sessions with local and global leaders.
Early bird discounts are available for those who register on-line for the conference via the link provided.
Indonesia Digest: Bali to Experience Power Crisis in 2007?
balidiscovery.com wishes to thank Ibu Wuryastuti Sunaryo for allowing us to share the following report, originally carried in the May 26, 2005, edition of her prestigious newsletter Indonesia Digest.
Although everyone agrees that Bali needs more power, the question that remains is where will the island get its power from? Or, where, indeed, can a designated Bali power plant be built, if at all? At the moment, Bali receives power from Java on the Java-Madura-Bali power grid. The projection that the island must be provided with an increase of 60 megawatt (MW) per year, has so far not been met, while demand for power is constantly rising.
Today Bali receives 535.12 MW, whereas, it is projected that the need for power in 2007 will rise to 700 MW. Yet, a solution as to how this will materialize is nowhere in sight, reports the Kompas daily of 20/7.
A number of attempts and studies have been made for the purpose. A study made by the University of Udayana on currents and waves of Balis surrounding seas as potential to generate electricity has been disappointing, as these can provide a maximum of 1 MW only. Further, a plant to be built near the Lovina Beach near Buleleng in north Bali, has been protested by the local population. Similarly wells drilled at the Bedugul forest reserve to seek electricity generating heat, has been questioned by the community.
Meanwhile, PT PLN (Editor's note: State Electricity Board) calculates that during peak periods, and including reserve margins, Bali's needs for power already nears 700 MW, whereas present supply is only 535.12 MW. The company further calculates that each year until 2015 Bali needs an additional 60 MW.
Asked on the subject, recently re-elected Bali Governor, Dewa Made Beratha, told reporters that no decision has yet been made. Bali has stringent environmental regulations in place, where the supply of power must take into consideration spatial planning and the environment. While, Culture and Tourism Minister, Jero Wacik, when asked, said that he was not too concerned that this will impact on tourism in Bali (Kompas 21/7), since, the Minister said, all hotels and entertainment establishments already have their own gensets and have been asked to save energy.
Tourism observer, Dyak Mulahela, on the other hand, asked that the government not disregard the problem since, although large hotels do have gensets, not so the many smaller hotels dotting the island.
Bali is 563.286 sq. km. large, and has a population of 3,351 million people. In 2005 Bali expects to receive more than 1.5 million tourists. Until 2004, an approximate 96 villages have yet to receive electricity supply. Tourism is still the mainstay of Bali, as well as the driving force for most of its economic activities. Although numbers have increased dramatically during the past months, however, tourism activities and receipts have not yet succeeded in raising Balis economy out of the slump experienced post-Bali bombing in 2002, said Governor Dewa Beratha, at a recent tourism conference.
Dress Up and Go Troppo Every Wednesday And Saturday Evening With Special Themed Dinner Cruises Aboard the MV Bounty.
Bounty Cruises' popular evening dinner cruises have just added another dimension of fun and enjoyment with the introduction of themed dinner parties every Wednesday and Saturday nights on board the luxurious 400 passenger day-cruiser - M.V. Bounty.
Wednesday Night is Caribbean Pirates Night
A special Caribbean buffet prepared by Mauritian Chef Don S. Bassant sets the focus for a night of Latin and Caribbean live music, dance and comedy shows. Also on offer are special games and contests, including beer drinking competitions, limbo contests, and prizes for the best pirate's costume. Be sure to bring a hollow leg and comee prepared to dance with a drunken sailor as there's free flow Foster's Beer available throughout the cruise around the quiet waters surrounding Benoa's harbor.
Come as you are or dress in black and red to add to the evening's merriment.
Don't forget: Everyone dressed like a pirate wins a t-shirt.
Boarding at 5:30 with picks up from local hotels provided.
Saturday Night is Hawaiian Tropical Night
Hawaii's native son Chef Keith Steele will cook a special Hawaiian buffet for a luau afloat the "big-yellow" M.V. Bounty every Saturday night. Get set for an evening of Hawaiian tropical entertainment including a comedy show, hula lessons and a lucky draw - all combining to make for a memorable evening liberally aided by free-flow Foster's Beer through the evening's cruise.
Go Hawaiian and dress in all white or bold floral prints, or wear your grass skirt if you have one!
Again, boarding at 5:30 p.m. with transfers between port and local hotels provided.
Special discounted balidiscovery.com prices of US$36 for adults and US$19.00 for kids under 14 years cover dinner, cruise and transfers!
Top Vietnamese Travel Officials Spend 5 Day in Bali on Study Tour and Working Sessions with Indonesian Counterparts.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) recently visited Bali in order to observe first-hand the development of tourism in Bali and bring home lessons and examples of potential value to their Country's fast growing tourism sector.
In Bali for 5 days from July 25-29, 2005, the Vietnamese delegation was led by Dr. Nguyen Phu Duc, Vice-Chairman of VNAT and hosted by Mr. Dananjaya Axioma, Deputy Director for Regional Cooperation, from Indonesia's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
During the course of visiting local hotels and tourism attractions, the VNIT also held meetings with their Indonesian counterparts as a practical follow-up to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's visit to Vietnam in April 2005.
During their busy schedule in Bali, the VNAT met with the Bali Tourism Authority, Bali Government, Udayana University, Bali Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (STP), and the Bali Tourism Development Cooperation (BTDC) Nusa Dua.
The Vietnamese officials also met with representatives of Bali's various tourism stakeholder organizations: Bali Tourism Board (BTB), Bali Hotel & Restaurant Association (PHRI-Bali), Bali Travel Agent Association (ASITA-Bali), Bali Tour Guide Association (HPI), Bali Tourist Transport Association (PAWIBA), and Bali Marine Sport Company Associations (GAHAWISTRI).
9th Bali Nusa Dua Festival
Organizers Promise Bigger than Ever Nusa Dua Festival September 9-17, 2005.
Organizers of the 9th Annual Nusa Dua Festival are promising "bigger and better" celebration than ever before of art, culture, sports and popular entertainment for this year's running of the 9-day event centered at Bali's Nusa Dua Complex.
As in the past, the Festival will commence with a massive traditional parade, or Peed Agung, on September 9, 2005, involving cultural and performance groups from across the island. Organizers have also extended and invitation to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to be on hand for the grand opening parade and to officially open the event underwritten by the Bali Tourism Development Corporation and supported by the many hotels and businesses in the Nusa Dua Complex.
Some of the planned events for this year's festival targeting to attract 10,000 visitors every day include:
A trade exhibition of products from across Indonesia.
Booths sponsored by various provinces across the Country, providing information on resources and investment opportunities.
A world record kecak dance involving more than 1,500 performers.
A competition among valuable kicaubirds, with expected participation by more than 10,000 champion birds and their owners from across Indonesia.
A 10 kilometer road race.
Regular series of performances by leading Indonesian artists.
A "battle of the drums" between national percussion groups.
Food stalls supported by Nusa Dua Hotels.
Admission to all events are free with the Festival open daily between 09:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m..
Stinging Jellyfish Making a Rare and Hopefully Short Appearance Along Bali's Sanur Beach.
The Indonesian-language Bali Post reported that a passing infestation of jellyfish have began detracting from the enjoyment of swimmers on Bali's Sanur Beach.
A species of small finger-sized, blue jellyfish occasionally appear on beaches in Bali following unseasonably strong winds and rain, such as those experienced by Bali in the week preceding the current jellyfish invasion. According to the Bali Post, a large number of the unwelcome urchins begin appearing on Sanur beach around July 27, 2005.
While causing nasty stings to those who encounter the jellyfish, locally known as ubur-ubur, the species now visiting the Sanur Beach area are considered to carry a toxin that is relatively benign and rarely fatal to humans.
Local water sports operators contacted by balidiscovery.com advise that the current visit of the jellyfish to a local beach is rare; with the invasions, when they do occur, generally lasting only a few days. For added protection, swimmers should swim in areas being frequented by other swimmers. And, when in doubt as to the safety of local waters, seek the advice of local residents before swimming in unknown waters.
Where the Palette Meets the Palate
Art Culinaire - Artists and Artisan Combine Talents in A Composition of Art and Food August 11 September 11, 2005 at Conrad Bali Resort and Spa.
Feast your eyes while you indulge your taste buds during a month-long celebration of the visual and kitchen arts at Art Culinaire at Conrad Bali's Resort & Spa's premier restaurant - Spice.
Spice. - one of the island's leading dining venues will play host to a celebration of the finer things of life via an innovative meeting between Food and Art. One of Bali's leading resident artists, Isabel Schiffmacker, has joined efforts with the Resort's head culinary artisan, Executive Chef Gary Rosen, to create an experience designed to both enrich and satiate the senses.
The unique experience begins with champagne and canapés, served in the Resort's Lobby Lounge while enjoying a painting exhibition by internationally-renowned artist Isabel Schiffmacker. Her paintings, like her life, reflect Schiffmacker's unique personal odyssey - a universe created during an intriguing personal journey traversing the worlds of the cinema to her current destination acyrlic paints on canvas.
Inspired by the richness of the artist's vision, each evening's participants will adjourn to Spicefor a special menu inspired by Isabel's artistic vision and prepared by Chef Gary Rosen. Chef Rosen is adamant that a true chef is more artisan than artist; a master craftsman creating beautiful items of beauty and use to our everyday existence. By combining forces with an artist of Schiffmacker's caliber, Chef Rosen aspires to transcend the transitory beauty of a meticulously prepared dinner by adding the ingredient of art. The result: an evening that nourishes both the body and the soul.
As a special memento of the evening, diners will bring home a souvenir menu, personally autographed by the Artist.
The price for the Art Culinaire is only Rp. 600,000 (approximately US$61) plus 21% tax and service. Reservations are a must and can be made by calling the Resort at ++62-(0)361-778788 or via the e-mail link provided.
Art Culinaire is availably nightly August 11 through September 11, 2005.
Heather Cornish Joins InterContinental Resort Bali
Veteran Marketer and Tourism Guru Heads Sales and Marketing Effort for InterContinetal 425 Room Bali Property.
InterContinental Resort Bali have announced the appointment of Ms. Heather Cornish as Director of Sales and Marketing.
A New Zealander by birth, Ms. Cornish brings a wealth of experience in the areas of marketing, product development and communications to her Bali posting. Prior to arriving in Bali, she has held various positions around the Asia-Pacific region where she held senior roles in the fast moving consumer goods sector as well as consulting to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
One of the key strengths that Ms. Cornish brings to InterContinental Resort Bali is an extensive understanding of the tourism industry. Having spent 7 years with Tourism New Zealand, she was responsible for instigating an award-winning innovative marketing campaign that spearheaded a successful growth rate of visitor arrivals to the country.
In addition to her Bali role, Ms. Cornish takes on a dual role within the Hotel Group as Director of Marketing InterContinental Resorts in Southern Asia. This specifically involves initiating the branding and positioning of new resorts as they establish their prospective marketing strategies.
A passionate polyglot, Ms Cornish is fluent in German and currently developing her skills in Spanish. She is also enthusiastic about the arts and delighted with Bali's vibrant culture and inspiring traditional lifestyle. Ms. Cornish is looking forward to the challenges that her new role in Bali will bring.
Voulez-vous Coucher Avec Moi?
Oh My! Those Heavenly Beds! Pacific World Team Test Westin's New Heavenly Beds.
During a visit to Bali by the senior management of Pacific World - a leading private conference and incentive organizer with offices across Asia, the group was shown around the Westin Resort, Nusa Dua and hosted to lunch by the Resort's General Manager, Jan Bundgaard.
Heavenly Beds
During his welcoming remarks to the hard-working travel executives, Bundgaard provided background information on Westin's signature products, facilities, service and, his pride and joy - the Resort's much touted "heavenly beds".
Voulez-vous Coucher Avec moi?
According to reports on the visit that we've received, Bundgaard, who's been known to stand on one of his "heavenly beds" in his stocking-feet while addressing guests, [ See: To Sleep, Perchance to Dream ], told the managers from Pacific World that "Our aim is to create the best sleeping experience to our customer."
And then, Bundgaard made the fatal mistep of challenging the group to test for themselves one of the famous beds. Without missing a beat, the overworked travel professionals took Bundgaard at his word and dove for the nearest heavenly bed. Apparently, if our photograph is correct, the "heavenly bed" lived up to its reputation by immediately luring the group off to land of Winkin, Blinkin and Nod all occupying a single bed!
We're happy to share this photograph on balidiscovery.com showing our colleagues at Pacific World caught dreaming on the job while, at the same time, wondering exactly what Jan Bundgaard fed that group for lunch on that fateful day.
Taksu Bali : An Exhibition by Ida Bagus Indra
Promising Young Balinese Artist Exhibits in One Month Exhibition at Taksu Jakarta Gallery.
The son of one of Bali's leading cartoonists, Ida Bagus Indra is a self-taught Balinese artist quickly making a name for his ability to create important contemporary paintings that maintian a deeply rooted connection to Balinese culture and religious beliefs.
Reflecting the inherent irony of his island's unique ability always somehow manage to bridge gap separating the sacred from the profane, he combines the sacred aspects of daily life in Bali by using on images of children, women and family to relate the spiritual relationship every Balinese shares with God, nature and his fellow man.
Born in 1974, Ida Bagus Indra held his first exhibition in 1996, quickly establishing himself as an artistic force to be reckoned with. Winning recognition at the 2003 Indonesian Art Awards, Indra has held solo exhibitions at the Lynne Wilton Gallery in Melbourne; the Ganesha Gallery at the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay; and the Four Seasons in Jakarta. He has also joined group exhibition in Germany, Melbourne, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Malang.
His solo exhibition Taksu Bali will be held at Taksu Jakarta Gallery on Jalan Kemang Barat 5-7 in South Jakarta from August 19 through September 17, 2005.
For more information call the gallery at ++62-(0)21-7180456.
33% Increase in Bali's Airport Service Charge - Effective August 15, 2005.
The airport service charge paid by all departing domestic passengers will increase from Rp. 20,000 to Rp. 30,000 (approximately US$3.00), effective August 15, 2005.
The planned increase, authorized by Ministerial decree, was announced by the Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I, Adi Ngadiri, on July 28, 2005, according to the Indonesian-language Bali Post.
Ngadiri cautioned that the August 15th effective date remained a target while waiting for a formal written authorization to introduce the higher charge from the Directors of Angkasa Pura I - the management company for major airports across the Nation.
Ngadiri promised that the additional funds resulting from the increased service charge would be used to upgrade conditions at the airport, including the cleanliness of public toilets and the training of airport staff. The man in charge of Balis airport also told the press that Bali's airport handles an average 3,000 3,500 domestic passengers each day and that the increased service charge at the present level of passenger through-flow will still fall short of the total funds extimated to be needed to sustain the services and facilities provided to the public by the airport. He estimated that due to escalating energy costs a service charge of Rp. 50,000 (approximately US$5.10) would, in fact, be needed to hit an operation break-even point.
The airport service charge for international flights of Rp. 100,000 per person (approximately US$10.20) remains unchanged.
Private Investors Eyeing Merpati
Minister for State-Owned Enterprises Insists 3 Investors Vying to Provide Emergency Funding for Ailing Air Carrier.
If recent statements by Indonesia's Minister for State-Owned Enterprises, Sugiharto, are correct, the financial salvation of Indonesia struggling government-owned Merpati Nusantara Airlines may be at hand.
As reported in the Indonesian-language Bisnis Indonesia, Sugiharto has announced that three private investors are competing against each other to provide the Rp. 75 billion cash injection (approximately US$ 7.65 million) needed to keep the Airline operating for the coming three months. As reported on balidiscovery.com [ Parliament Throws Merpati a Lifeline
], the ailing domestic carrier and former subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia is hemorrhaging cash and in desperate need of funds and a restructuring to re-emerge as a low-cost airline able to compete in the current marketplace.
While Minister Sugiharto remains tight-lipped on the identity of the investors eyeing a stake in Merpati, he publicly asked all three to avoid taking any steps that might disturb current restructuring efforts underway at the Carrier.
As part of that restructuring, the Government and Merpati are working to reschedule the Airline's Rp. 1.6 trillion debt (approximately US$163.2 million), now in serious arrears, as well as modernize its antiquated armada of aircraft.
The Minister has given Merpati until the end of the current month to secure the required cash injection from private sources.
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