Well coordinated police work in the wake of the October 1, 2005 Bali bombing yielded a number of significant advances last week in Indonesia's continuing war on international terrorism.

Catching the Bad Guys Off Guard

While Indonesian police continued to publicly maintain a dead end in their efforts to identify the 3 decapitated heads of the October 1st Bali bombing attacks, it is now apparent that a nationwide campaign to trace the identities of the bombers had, in fact, yielded positive results allowing police to trace the bombers, their families, and, most importantly, their known associates in the period just prior to their deaths.

Working the evidence chain in reverse, police from Indonesia's elite anti-terror squad placed a rented villa in the cool hills of East Java at Batu, near Malang, under discrete surveillance. A man leaving the villa last Wednesday morning was tailed across Java to an address in Semarang, Central Java. There, police arrested the man while at the same time failing to capture another man, later-identified as master-terrorist Malaysian Noordin M. Top, who made good his escape on a motorbike while engaging police in a dangerous street gun battle.

Meanwhile, the man who traveled from Batu to Semarang was placed under arrest by police who confiscated a bomb and extracted valuable information confirming that one of the most-wanted-terrorists in Southeast Asia, Malaysian Dr. Azahari, was hiding in the Batu residence, already under tight police surveillance.

With Noordin M. Top on the run, police wasted no time and launched a massive police raid on the Batu villa on Wednesday afternoon, November 9, 2005. Following an intense two hour armed siege in which a police officer was wounded, and with the corner fugitives refusing demands to surrender, a bomb wast detonated from inside the structure that virtually destroyed the rented residence and effectively put an end to the stand off. Inside, police later identified the remains of Dr. Azahari and an accomplice, Arman, a known bomb-maker also wanted by police.

Thus ended the final chapter in the life of Dr, Azahari, a man linked by police in a serial killing spree that included bombing raids at churches in 2001, the Bali bombings of 2002 and 2005, the Australian Embassy bombing, and the bombing of the Jakarta Marriott Hotel.

Untangling the Web of Terror

When police took control of the villa they removed the bodies of the two men, the components of 30 bombs, computers, detailed plans for future bombing attacks and firearms. Police also made the macabre discovery at the villa of video tapes containing the final testaments from the three Bali suicide bombers, therewith definitely linking Dr. Azahari and his organization with those attacks in Bali.

The successful raids and related arrests have provided police with numerous leads that will assist authorities in flushing out other terrorist from their strongholds. On Saturday, November 12, police working on new leads now in hand uncovered a store of firearms and bombs buried on agricultural lands near Madium, East Java.

High Praise from the President

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono praised the police for their success in capturing Azahari while calling on the authorities to redouble their effort to capture Noordin M. Top who shared leadership with Dr. Azahari of the terrorist network.

Dr. Azahari's Family Arrives in Jakarta

On Sunday, November 13, members of Dr. Azahari's family arrived at Jakarta to meet with Malaysian Embassy officials and begin the process that will eventually surrender the master-terrorist's remains to his family for final burial in Malaysia.

Ironically, in releasing Dr. Azahari's mortal remains to his family for a proper burial, Indonesia will be extending to the criminal's family a humane courtesy cruelly denied the families of the scores of victims he mutilated beyond recognition in his callous bombing attacks.

A Hostile Reception for 3 Bali Bombers at Nusa Kamabangan

Meanwhile, the three convicted Bali bombers - Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Ali Ghufron - all sentenced to death before a firing squad have reportedly received less than a cordial reception from other prisoners on Indonesia's notorious penal colony of Nusa Kambangan Island. Evacuated from Bali's jail to the high security prison following the October 1st bombing when authorities feared for their safety, local press report that the three were greeted by jeers and screamed death threats from other prisoners when they arrived at the facility. As a result, all three are being held in separate confinement away from the other prisoners at a facility often compared to France's Devil's Island.

Last week one of the convicted three bombers, Ali Gufron , sudddenly cut rank with his two fellow compatriots by declaring his intent to seek a final judicial review of his death sentence. Both Amrozi and Iman Samudra remain adamant in refusing to seek a legal review or request a pardon from the President, removing, at least for the pair, any final legal and procedural impediments before their final reckoning before an Indonesian firing squad.

With nation-wide tourism totals down 5.22% at 3.23 million at the end of Q3, combined with the added complication of the October 1, 2005 bombing attacks in Bali – official government tourist targets of 6 million foreign tourists to Indonesia for the year have become virtually impossible to achieve.

Admitting current target were unattainable, Minister of Tourism and Culture Jero Wacik told the Jakarta Post that the Government was now aiming for only 5 million visitors for all of 2005 and had revised its target of 7 million visitors in 2006 down to 6 million.

Assuming Indonesia manages to hit the lower target of 5 million visitors, that total would represent 5.6% decrease from the 5.3 million visitors achieved in 2004.

Using statistical indices favored by the Government, Indonesia's failure to hit its established target of foreign visitors in 2005 translates into a loss of US$1 billion in foreign exchange earnings.

As reported in late October on balidiscovery.com [Garuda to Give Away 10,000 Tickets], Indonesia's National Airline has declared its intention to give away 5,000 international tickets to winner drawn from people who registered on their web site between November 10 and December 31, 2005. With winners to be drawn at a at a special event to be organized by Garuda in early January 2006, five-thousand free tickets would be given away to foreign nationals and valid for travel from anywhere on the Airline's international route network - except from Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh – for travel between January 8 – May 31, 2006.

As reported on balidiscovery.com, a separate 5,000 domestic tickets will be distributed via on-board raffles condusted on Garuda's domestic flight network.

Register On-Line

On-Line Registration is available for residents of the following six nations: Vietnam, Singapore, China, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia at [Garuda on Line Give Away Registration].

Australia a Special Case?

Those visiting the link will discover that Australian and New Zealand residents are unable to register for the ticket give-away, with the airline announcing on the site that "for residents of Australia and New Zealand, 1900 free return tickets will be distributed through another program that will be announced very soon."

This statement echoes a separate press announcement from Garuda's Sydney office seeking to "clarify" the earlier free ticket offer. That press statement suggests that some method other than a lottery will be used to give away tickets in Australia blaming "complications of running a foreign lottery within the constraints of the Australian regulations."

While the mechanism of free tickets for Australian and News Zealand passengers is still being finalized, the Garuda press announcement said that the final program will be based on customer loyalty and "linked to a purchase of tickets, thereby rewarding people who continue to support both the airline and the destination."

Stay Tuned

balidiscovery.com will carry details of the free-ticket loyalty-based give away from Garuda Indonesia in Australia and New Zealand as soon as the final details are announced.

More information: Keep Informed - Subscribe to Bali Update

Tirian - a leading training and consulting company specialising in leadership and team development with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, the Middle East and Australia will be conducting a four-phase synchronized leadership development program in Bali between the months of November 2005 and January 2006. Known and respected for their ability to transform theory into practice, Tirian provides its clients with a competitive edge way by combining a contemporary global perspective with a unique personal approach. Tirian works closely with organisations in a broad range of industries and has built up a strong reputation with an exclusive selection of top clientele.

Synchronized Leadership Development Program

Each phase is an independent module of two-day’s duration. Participants can choose any individual module without obligation to complete an earlier or subsequent module. Programs have been designed to benefit managers, team leaders and potential leaders.

• Phase I: Developing the Leaders' Mindset – November 24-25, 2005

The first day addresses dynamic interaction and identifying individual leadership strengths and weaknesses through behavioral profiling assessments. The second day helps participants to use their leadership skills to inspire and motivate others; learning to "guide" rather than "direct."

• Phase II: Practicing Advanced Task Performance Skills – December 1 -2, 2005

Focusing on helping participants take responsibility for organizing both themselves and others, day one seeks to ensure that leadership style and outcomes are aligned, to maximize personal organizational skills, and help create opportunities for the development of the individual. Day two looks at innovative thinking and decision making as well as fostering individual and group creativity. The goals of this module are to help participants develop a creative mindset, unlock individual and group creative potential, and approach issues and problem solving creatively.

• Phase III: Managing a Team – December 15-16, 2005

Day one looks at how to promote collaboration within teams in order to achieve group success. Participants will examine how to identify and share a vision, transform individual into group success, and develop the skills needed to communicate for team success. Day two explores how to manage conflict and create harmony in the work environment. Active listening, understanding the dynamics of conflict, and learning how to deal with conflict constructively will all form part of the day's module.

• Phase IV: Relating to Clients – January 12-13, 2006

The first day will help participants master the art of presenting by examining how to make clear and well-organized presentations. Good communication techniques, how to know and understand your audience, and methods to develop engaging methods of presentation will be among the subjects reviewed. Day two concentrates on maintaining positive client contact. Participants will learn how to present their product to others, match communication styles to client's needs, and evaluate the client contact experience for ongoing success.

Yoke Darmawan

All four phases will be led by one of Tirian's most respected presenters, Yoke Darmawan. A graduate of Swinburne University in Australia, Yoke has lectured internationally for Tirian over the past five years. Prior to working with Tirian, Yoke had many years experience working with a wide range of industries in Indonesia and internationally. She started her career in a prestigious international advertising agency in Jakarta, before moving to Bali where she served as a public relations and marketing consultant for leading hotels and whereshe also launched an international tourism magazine.

While working with Tirian, Yoke has been exposed to trainings, workshops and seminars for multinational companies in Asia Pacific. Yoke's significant industry experience, across-culture knowledge and charismatic delivery style makes her a gifted presenter in both English and Indonesian. Along with presenting and coordinating programs internationally, Yoke is responsible for program development and delivery in Indonesia.

Program Details

The cost of each 2-day module is Rp. 1,700,000 (approximately US$168) and covers all program costs, two lunches, 4 coffee breaks, program materials and a certificate. Each phase is an independent module with participants able to choose any phase without obligation to complete an earlier or subsequent phase.

All training sessions will be conducted at the Harris Hotel in Kuta. Out of town participants can contact balidiscovery.com for attractive accommodation packages.

These programs have been designed with managers, team leaders and those considered potential future leaders within your organization in mind.

For more information or to reserve a space, contact Tirian at telephone ++62-(0)361-702180 or via the e-mail link provided.

More information: Tirian Synchronized Leadership Development E-mail

Following their highly acclaimed appearance in Bali in May of 2005, a small group of Indonesia's finest classical voices will return to the island for a special one-night charity encore performance on Saturday, December 3, 2005.

Bali for Peace – Classical Concert

Three talented singers will perform a varied program of classical and Neapolitan favorites featuring, among others, the compositions of Alberto Pestalozza ( Ciribiribin); Eduardo di Caupua (O Sole Mio); Jacques Offenbach (Barcarolle from the 'Tales of Hoffman'); Ruggero Leoncavallo (Vesti la giubba from 'Pagliacci'); Giovanni Battista Martini (Piacer D’Amor); Ernesto de Curtis (Torna a Surriento); Gaetano Donizetti ( Una Furtiva Lagima from 'L'elisir d'Amore'); Johann Strauss (Blue Danube); Giuseppe Verdi (Questa o quella and La Donna E Mobile from 'Rigoletto', and Sempre Libera from 'La Traviata'); and Edvard Grieg (Ich Liebe Dich).

The talented performers presenting the evening's entertainment are:

• Johnson Hutagalung – Tenor. A native of Jakarta, Johnson studied under Anette Frambach and Lee Allison Sibley. In 1988, 1990 and 1992 he was named the national TV and Radio singing champion. He has distinguished himself in a number of starring opera roles including, Opera Roro Jonggrang (Trisutji Kamal); The Creation (Haydn); Requiem (Mozart); Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart); and The Messiah (Handel) directed by Andre Quedros. An active teacher of voice and a regular performer, Johnson has a number of recordings to his credit.

• Diani Rinarti Sitompul – Soprano. A graduate of Yogyakarta Arts Institute (ISI) in 1994, Diani coaches voice in a number of schools, churches and private institutions. A former teacher at the Teachers Training Institute in Jakarta (IKIP), she has also coached Indonesia's famous Twilite Chorus and has served as a judge in leading vocal competitions. She is also the founder and conductor of the Diani Children's Choir. which recently held a very successful performance tour to Singapore. Also well known as a musical composer and arranger, Diani is much in demand for her skills as a solo and ensemble performer.

• Margarisje Lucij Elisabeth Makikui – Soprano. Also a graduate in voice from the Yogyakarta Arts Institute (ISI), Margarisje also holds a post-graduate degree in performance arts from the University of Gadjah Mada. The winner of championships in regional and national radio and television singing championships, she is both a private teacher of voice and employed as an instructor at various schools, churches and institutes. Since 1992, Margarisje has been an active performer, much in demand for her sole and group appearances.

• Christina Sidjabat – Piano. The student of leading piano teachers in Palembang, Jakarta, Surabaya and Semarang – Christina has actively taught piano since 1981. In demand as an accompanist for singers and orchestra, she has served as pianist for the appearance of the Indonesian Children Chorus in their tours of the U.S.A., Germany, and Poland (1994-2000) and the Diani Children's Choir tour to Singapore. Christina now resides in Bali.

Tickets and Reservations

The concert commences at 7:30 p.m.at the Mercure Resort Sanur – Bali preceeded by a welcoming cocktail reception. Tickets for this rare and very special evening of music in Bali are only Rp. 200,000 each (approximately US$19.80) per person and includes a pre-show cocktail.

Order tickets on line click here

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has restructured the way it issues travel advisories opting for a system that is aimed at providing easier understanding and be more useful for their nationals traveling abroad.

Perhaps in partial reaction to strong criticism from the travel industry and the public who thought the former system too laden with non-useful bureaucratic gobbledygook, the new system operates on a five-level advisory system graphically presented on DFAT's constantly updated web site.

Under the new system, every country in the word frequented by Australian travelers will get at least one rating, with multiple ratings in countries where specific levels of threats are deemed to vary.

Five Levels of Warning

The 5 levels, starting from the least severe to a no go ranking are:

1. Be alert to your own security

2. Exercise Caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety

3. Exercise a high degree of caution

4. Reconsider your need to travel

5. Advised not to travel

Emphasizing that DFAT only issues advice and not warnings to travelers, the expanded information also address issues such as health, visas, and local law information.

How Goes the World?

A quick check of several destinations gives some clues to how DFAT viewed the world in early November 2005.

• Indonesia - Travelers to most places in Indonesia got an advice level of "4" urging they reconsider their need to travel, while those considering a trip to Aceh or Maluku were given a level "5" and advised not to travel. .

• Thailand - Most destinations in Thailand rated a "3" suggesting Australian "exercise a high degree of caution." However, visitors to Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla were given a level "4" advice recommending a reconsideration of their trip.

• USA - The U.S.A., despite having suffered the world's greatest single terrorist attack in 2001 and having held Australian nationals for extended periods of detention without trial, got a sterling advisory level rating of "1" under the new system.

• United Kingdom - the U.K. earned a level "2" rating, just one level off the safest rating possible, despite the multiple bombing attacks resulting in numerous death that have only recently occurred in London.

• Israel - As a whole, Israel was put on the same level as Indonesia and given a "4" while the Gaza Strip and West Bank merited a dire "5" rating.

• India - India received three different ratings: On an overall basis India earned a "2," putting it on a par with the U.K.; the strife-torn areas of Jammu and Kashmir warranted a "5" no go advice; and the north-eastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur were rated with a "4."

• France - Despite being wracked by nearly 10-days of uninterrupted civil unrest in its capital Paris, France continued to merit DFAT's best rating of "1."

More information: Go Figure – Visit the DFAT Smart Traveler Web Site

Statistics and graphics tracking daily foreign arrivals through Balis Ngurah Rai International Airport covering the months of October 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005 provide bold testament to the effect of terrorism on the island’s tourism and a much less drastic downturn in business following the most recent bombing of October 1, 2005.

While business nosedived in the days immediately following both the 2002 and 2005 attacks, the graphic presented by balidiscovery.com shows that the trough sustained a "plateau" at a substantially higher level following the most recent attacks. In 2002 daily foreign arrivals sank after that attack and then hovered at something near an average 860 people per day through the end of October. Meanwhile, post-bombing daily arrivals for October of this year fluctuated between 2,000 to as high 3,566 passengers per day achieving an average of approximately 2,400 foreign arrivals per day. In other words, while business is down following the latest bombing, arrival numbers are operating at levels almost 180% better those in the post-bombing period of October 2002.



Perhaps most heartening and worthy of tracking in the weeks ahead are indications shown on the graphic suggesting a increasing narrowing of the gap between the post-bombing October 2005 daily arrivals and daily arrivals recorded for the record month of October 2004.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) have announced the launch of a network of Internet accommodation sites aimed at boosting the regional tourist industry, while supporting smaller hotel and guesthouse operators in Bali, Beijing, Fiji and Vanuatu.

The web site package includes a highly sophisticated booking system and a benchmarking function that enables operators across the world to measure their performance against each other and maintain high standards. Worldhotel-links.com (WHL), the company hosting and operating the international network of hotel and guesthouse web sites, also has other sites under construction to expand its network beyond those in the 13 countries already created.


In Indonesia the WHL development program encompasses the launch of two sites – one site already in operation focusing on smaller hotels and guest houses in Bali [Balihotel-link.com] and another "Bali & Beyond" site to be launched shortly dedicated to promoting hotels in Central Java, Makassar, Toraja, Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo, Sumba and Flores.

The online accommodation booking network is based on a model initially developed in the Mekong region with support from IFC's Mekong Private Sector Development Facility, and now operating as a private company—Worldhotel-link.com.

Each booking business is developed under [Worldhotel-link.com] but locally owned and operated. All sites operating in East Asia and the Pacific are supported by IFC technical assistance facilities—the IFC China Project Development Facility, the IFC Pacific Enterprise Development Facility, and the IFC Program for Eastern Indonesia SME Assistance (IFC-PENSA).

“The expansion of the Worldhotel-link network helps local businesses reach international travelers through the Internet. By promoting tourism, these sites will generate jobs, new business opportunities, and foreign exchange," said IFC Director for East Asia and the Pacific Javed Hamid. "IFC's technical assistance in East Asia and the Pacific has the capacity to serve local businesses and expand successful models to other markets in the region."

"This Internet-based tourist booking model combines local content collection, maintenance, and knowledge with global marketing and economies of scale to serve both local businesses and their customers" said John McKenzie, the IFCCapacity Building Fund task manager. "The model allows for much greater participation by small local accommodation providers than has been achieved previously by offshore service providers"

About IFC

IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing and transition countries, helping to reduce poverty and improve people's lives. IFC finances private sector investments, mobilizes capital in the international financial markets, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to governments and businesses. Its 178 member countries provide its share capital and collectively determine its policies.

IFC's Project Development Facility in China is jointly funded by IFC and the governments of Australia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Pacific Facility is funded by IFC, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. IFC-PENSA is funded by IFC, Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the Asian Development Bank.

IFC and its donor partners fund technical assistance programs and facilities around world, with combined annual budgets exceeding $50 million and more than 900 people on the ground. These facilities design and implement assistance programs that meet key needs of private sector development.

About Worldhotel-link.com Limited (WHL)

[Worldhotel-link.com] is a private company based in Hong Kong, providing a packaged accommodation e-marketplace service to local operators. The service was developed from extensive experience with accommodation providers in the Mekong region. The WHL package comprises a template for e-commerce enabled websites with built-in content management facilities; web hosting; web marketing; and a full featured online booking administration system which each operator uses to manage bookings. The package also comes with a complete suite of manuals and user guides.

Bali and Bali & Beyond Sites

The two Indonesian sites are being developed by Bali Discovery Tours acting as the local partner of WHL in securing accommodation product from small and medium-sized accommodation entrepreneurs in Bali and secondary tourism destinations in Indonesia and in the day-to-day operation of the new sites. As part of the program to assist small and medium size hotel and guest operators, IFC-Pensa and Bali Discovery Tours will be conducting a number of training programs to assist local hotels in developing their Internet business base.

"We're delighted at the prospect of working together with Worldhotel-link.com in developing Bali and 'Beyond Bali' sites. This approach meets a genuine need in the Indonesian travel industry. Working with Worldhotel-link.com and with the support of IFC-PENSA, we hope to have a very positive impact on the economic lives of local business people," said Bali Discovery Tours President Director J.M. Daniels.

hellobali - a leading tourist publication, recently conducted an extensive readership survey to determine the favorite restaurants across the island. Thousands of votes were cast with the final selection of winners announced at a lavish cocktail party held in late October at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa.

To help you plan your dining choices during your next Bali holiday, here's a summary of the winners:

Best Balinese Restaurants

1. Raja's at The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa.

2. Bumbu Bali (Tanjung Benoa)

Best Indonesian Restaurants

1. Kori Restaurant

2. Made's Warung

Best Chinese Restaurants

1. Golden Lotus at the Bali Dynasty Resort

2. Telaga Naga at The Bali Hyatt Sanur

Best Seafood Restaurants

1. Sharkey's

2. Bubba Gump

Best Fine Dining Restaurants

1. Kafe Warisan

2. Mozaic

Best Modern Asian Restaurants

1. Hu’u

2. Lamak

Best Mediterranean Restaurants

1. Khaima

2. Papa's Café

Best Indian Restaurants

1. Queen's Tandoor

2. Gateway of India

Best International Restaurants

1. Ku De Ta

2. di Mare at the Karma Resort

Best Thai Restaurants

1. Padi's at the Ritz Carlton Resort & Spa

2. Lemon Grass

Best Japanese Restaurants

1. Wasabi

2. Kuni’s

Best Café Restaurants

1. Bali Deli

2. Kafe Mocha

Best Warung Restaurants

1. Warung Enak

2. Warung Italia

Best Hotel Restaurants

1. Eight Degrees South at The Conrad Resort & Spa

2. Faces at The Bali

Best Dishes on Bali – Appetizers

Duck Salad with Mango Sauce at Kafe Warisan

Best Dishes on Bali – Main Course

Lamb Skewer at Khaima

Best Dishes on Bali – Desserts

Chocolate Cake at Papa's Cafe

An important change in Balinese painting occurred in the 1960s when the Dutch-Indonesian artist Arie Smit began offering free painting lessons to talented Balinese children.

A Fauvist and committed to more naturalistic forms of expression, Smit purposely limited his tutelage to only showing his pupils how to use the tools of painting and mix colors, carefully avoiding "polluting" their native creativity and child-like perspective. The result was an entire school of Balinese painting, now loosely grouped under the heading "Young Artists of Penestanan." This new style retained traditional subjects naively depicting crowded, helter-skelter scenes from Balinese village life with what was then the innovative use of brilliant coloration.

One artists influenced by Smit's legacy of education was Ngurah KK, an original member of the Penestanan Young Artists group who still refers to Smit as his great teacher or guru besar. Now, some 40 years later, after holding his own successful exhibitions across Europe and Asia, Ngurah KK, together with his protégé and wife – Jro Candra, are recognized as among the leading practitioners of the young artist style.

Balinese Ritual Life

From December 1 through December 31, 2005, Ngurah KK and Jro Candra, will exhibit over 30 original works of art at the Maya Ubud Resort & Spa in an exhibition entitled "Balinese Ritual Life."



Admission is free an open daily at the Maya Ubud Resort and Spa.

More information: Book a Stay at the Maya Ubud Resort & Spa

Travel industry partners are in for a special treat if they visit Bali and stay at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua between now and March 31, 2006.

Rates Starting from US$49 ++

All The Westin's 5-star luxury - including their trademarked Heavenly Beds, cutting edge exercise facility, Kids Club, high speed broadband Internet connection and island-famous dining venues are on offer to bona fide full-time employees in the travel industry with rates starting from US$49 (plus 21% tax and service).

There's more! Travel industry friends will also be given a US$100 cheque drawn on the Starwood Bank that can be redeemed at any of the Resort’s 5 restaurants, 3 bars or for pampering at the spa.

Conditions Apply

The following terms and condition apply to this very special offer from The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali:

• Offer only available to full-time employees in the Travel Industry. Proof of affiliation required for presentation at check in.

• Advance reservations required and rates subject to change and availability.

• Offer valid through March 31, 2006, with a black-out period from December 27, 2005 through January 10, 2006.

• Minimum length of stay of 3 nights.

• Rate valid for single or double occupancy, per night.

• US$100 voucher can be used at any food and beverage outlet or for spa treatments at The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali or Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua, Baliand will be rebated off guest bill at check out.

• Voucher not applicable against special room charges.

• Offer not combinable with any other special offers.

• Only one US$100 voucher per stay.

• Cash voucher not redeemable for cash and is non-refundable.

For more information or reservations contact The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali via the e-mail link provided.

More information: E-mail Link for Special Travel Industry Offer

Most guests at the award-winning Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay have no idea that the hard-working General Manager of the Resort, John O'Sullivan, is also a man in whose heart beats a long-held Irish tradition - the love of verse and poetry.

Known to close friends as "the poet" or "the Irishman," John reacted on a number of levels to the tragic terrorist bombing of restaurants on the beach not far from his hotel on October 1, 2005. As an hotelier and the employer of hundreds of Balinese working at his Resort, he was immediately aware of the hard task ahead of rebuilding business to his hotel and the island. On another level however, John was moved emotionally by the way the Balinese-Hindus deal with death, tragedy and rebirth in their carefully balanced cosmos.

On November 5, 2005, John joined thousands of Balinese who gathered on Muaya beach in Jimbaran for a traditional Bali-Hindu cleansing ceremonies - Tawar Balik Sumpah. After that experience he sent a note, his latest poem, and some outstanding photos to balidiscovery.com.

In that note John said: "Bali is truly a spiritual place. This evening I strolled on Jimbaran beach and watched the graceful people resplendent in their warmth and somehow oblivious chronologically to the recent tragedy on their island. They and we are a resilient people and I just wanted to share with you that we are all fine; but saddened. I have received hundreds of e-mails from our extended 'Balinese Family' all over the world asking what can they we do to help. The answer is simple; please continue to support Bali and the island of the Gods. Every visitor helps to repair the pains of the past. You can delay paradise but you can never deny it. We look forward to the future in humble anticipation."

balidiscovery.com thanks the "Irishman" for his kind permission to share his poem with our readers.

of offerings cleansing of space absolves the past consecrates hope offerings made neutral energy starts over ...again another cycle auspicious potency a collision of scorched earth fast frozen in time water to beach to sky wind a mood a personality swaying in circular refracted energy procession of smiling cleansers life and soon to be offered merged back to priest to elevate the understanding the squealing animals anticipative of their path round and round they go light replacing dark with grey hues ...blurred cocks fighting to death to protect future life harshness of land to contestants fall ...stunned haemorrhaging the pain of five weeks passed to the day protection is transparent in its turgid judgement the pecalang chess board pieces that can move in any direction spiritually inclined the soul of the balinese is the child, the inner sanctuary of ageless youth not a mythological one but reborn repeatedly until all light and all force unite in cosmic splendor to an atom of one bali november 2005

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