Over 650 Attend Opening Ceremony of Quest for Global Healing Conference II in Ubud.
At the opening session of the Quest for Global Healing Conference II on Thursday, May 4, 2006, two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates - Desmond Tutu and Betty Williams, delivered the opening words of welcome and inspiration to over 650 participants who had gathered in Bali's hillside community of Ubud to seek to build a better, safer, more peaceful future.
Quoted in the English-language Jakarta Post, former South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu opened the conference saying: "we are he to make a change in our world. We try to find solutions together."
Tutu won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 in recognition of "the courage and heroism shown by black South Africans in their use of peaceful methods in the struggle against apartheid." Betty Williams, who joined Tutu in opening the Bali Conference, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976, shared with Mairead Maquire, for their work in bringing peace to Northern Ireland.
Both Tutu and Williams enthralled their listeners in Ubud with tales of the personal struggles for peace and global understanding.
The Bali conference from May 3-9, 2006, adopted as its theme "Inspiring Actions for World Renewal" convening community and youth leaders from across Indonesia and around the world to address issues such as poverty, human rights, social justice and the environment.
The product of a bold vision of healing a wounded world, two Sausalito, California residents - Marcia Jaffe and Wilford Welch organized the Quest for Global Healing Conference (QGH) and invited an impressive cast of speakers including Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; former President of Indonesia - KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) who heads an organization of 40 million Muslims; Nobel Peace Laureates Rev. Desmond Tutu and Betty Williams; and a host of both prominent and ordinary citizens from around the world.
President Yudhoyono was scheduled to open the event but prevented from opening the conference due to an overseas trip in the Middle East. Marcia Jaffe, speaking to the Jakarta Post, was obviously disappointed at the President's failure to attend, saying: "The President should be here to convince all distinguished scholars and innovators here, who come mostly from the United States and other Western countries, that Indonesia is a safe and beautiful country."
Jafee, however, was still hopeful that the President would be on hand for the closing ceremony on May 8th.
Dinners with Friends in Ubud on Saturday, May 20th
Ubud's Amandari Resort Holds Another in Series of Memorable Dinners in its Upstairs' Restaurant on Saturday, May 20, 2006.
Bali's internationally renowned boutique resort in Ubud - Amandari will host another memorable five-course seasonal dinner on Saturday evening, May 30, 2006.
For a cost of only Rp. 375,000 plus 21% tax and service (approximately US$50.40) per person, a limited number of guests will enjoy the following specially prepared menu:
The Menu
Crab Meat & Golden Trout Caviar
pomegranate, vincotto & micro greens
Involtini of Eggplant
buffalo mozzarella & peperoncini
Brodo of Wagu Beef Cheek
bone marrow dumplings
Slow Braised Kurobuto "Black Pig"
mustard greens, white polenta, mustard fruits
Zuppa Inglese
pineapple & star anise
Coffee or Tea
handmade chocolates
Vegetarian Options Available
While the Amandari will have it standard selection of fine wines available from their wine list, as a special accommodation on this evening guests are welcome to bring their own wine with no corkage charge.
Dinner commences at 7:30 p.m. and reservations are essential as seating is strictly limited.
For more information or to book call Putu at ++62-(0)361-975333 or use the email link provided.
Contiki Resort Bali Holiday Contest Ends with Announcement of Final 3 Winners of a Bali Holiday.
Over the past 3 months Contiki Resort Bali has given away Bali holidays in conjunction with Bali's leading tourist attractions and operators. In all, 7 packages for two people have were given away with the final 3 sets of winners drawn on May 1, 2006.
The Latest Winners
Drawn from our among all entries last week were:
Rebecca Kersten of Glenelg, South Australia
Anabelle Rodriguez of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Eko Rianto Herlambang from Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia.
They Join our 4 winners drawn in March and April:
IGN Ngurah Made Susilayasa of Jakarta Selatan in Indonesia
Melissa Baker of Chittaway Bay, NSW, Australia
Fransisca Mugnier from France
Verawaty Katrina from Indonesia
All winners will receive:
5 nights at Contiki Resort Bali for 2 people (double or twin sharing) including brunch and dinner.
Round-trip transfers between airport and Contiki Resort Bali.
Half-day rafting adventure for two from Sobek Adventures.
Free full day admission to Waterbom Bali.
Free Bungy Jump Tickets for two from A.J. Hackett.
Free Beach Club Cruise from Bali Hai Cruises.
Half Day Surf Lesson from Rip Curl School of Surf
Free admission to Bali Bird Park.
All winners have been notified by e-mail of their prize and how to collect their 5 day holiday in paradise.
Congratulations to the lucky winners! We look forward to welcoming them to Bali.
So many readers visited amd viewed the topographical images of Bali created by NASA in [He is Watching Us, From a Distance] that we thought you might also enjoy another satellite-inspired image of Bali.
Using the same visualisation methods as the earlier image, this new view provides a bird's eye perspective of Bali when seen from a vantage point just beyond Bali's northwest shoreline providing a view of Mt. Agung's 3.148 meter peak on the left and the complex structure of the "volcano within a volcano" of Mt. Batur to the right.
Little is known of the explosion that created Batur some 30,000 years ago, but based on its massive dimensions alone scientist estimate 140 cubic kilometers exploded into the atmosphere, making it one of the largest known volcanic events in the earth's history.
Once again, our special thanks to the folks at NASA, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) of the U.S. Department of Defense, and the German and Italian Space Agencies who cooperated in making these amazing images possible.
Depth of the Soul
An Exhibition of Paintings by Heri Siauw at Ganesha Gallery May 16 June 9, 2006.
Although demonstrating prodigious talent at a young age, the south Sumatran painter Heri Siauw only surrendered to his calling as a painter later in his career, after working for several years as an interior designer.
The catalyst for this career change was the fall of President Suharto in 1998 when Indonesia's capital Jakarta was wracked by riots, some of which victimized the Chinese community there.
Shocked and dismayed, Siauw searched deep within himself to understand these events discovering a creative source that liberated him from his fear and eventually propelled him into stardom on the Indonesian art scene.
His canvasses show explosive force using bright colors and bold strokes. Often fiery and always full of emotion, they mirror a deeply contemplative soul trained in meditation.
Spontaneous and expressive, the power of Siauw's paintings is not accidental. Like the seemingly effortless strokes of a Zen painter they are the product of long experience. Siauw is a student of the ancient wisdom of his own Chinese ancestry and the Chan Buddhist sect from which Zen is descended.
While acknowledging his Sinologic roots, Siauw is also a quintessential product of Indonesia, the vibrant multiethnic society that nurtured him. His art, like the country of his birth, demonstrates an ability to transform pain and suffering into joy and beauty.
Depth of the Soul
Depth of the Soul - an exhibition of art by Heri Siauw (Heriawan) at the Ganesha Gallery Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. May 17 June 9, 2006.
Operation Jumbo
Bali Audiences Treated to World Premiere of 'Operation Jumbo' a Documentary of a Bali-based Rescue Mission for 10 Sumatran Elephants Headed by Bali Adventure's Nigel Mason.
The World Premiere of the documentary "Operation Jumbo" took place on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at Bali's Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel before an appreciative audience of 300 local residents and VIPs, including Pamela Stephenson - the wife of actor/comedian Billy Connelly, currently in Bali on a cruise in her private yacht.
The 55 minute film, made by Threefold Films and directed by Sydney filmmaker Brad Cone, tells a moving story of the struggle to rescue 10 Sumatran elephants and bring them to their new home an idyllic sanctuary near Taro, in Bali. "Operation Jumbo" follows the story of Australian Nigel Mason's struggle with bureaucracy against a background of Bali's ongoing post-bombing problems and the resulting downturn in tourism.
The ten elephants were rescued from various areas of Sumatra where they had been driven out of their traditional jungle homes by the pressures of illegal logging and irate village people trying to protect their crops. Eventually captured by the forestry department, the elephants became refugees in "camps" indefinitely held with no hope of ever returning to their forest habitats. Lacking the funds to properly care and feed for the animals, without outside intervention the small herd faced a bleak and, in all probability, brutally truncated future.
The film relates the story of the 3,000 kilometer journey of the elephants on a convoy of trucks and support vehicles from Riau Province in Central Sumatra, across three islands, and the numerous dramas that threatened the endeavor along the way including, water and food shortages, mechanical breakdowns, internal conflicts, and stabilizing the condition of ten extremely unhealthy elephants. However, Nigel Mason and his dedicated team eventually manage to overcome all adversities making a triumphal homecoming arrival at Mason's Elephant Safari Park, set in peaceful hills north of Ubud, in Bali.
An emotional journey, the film portrays the lives of Nigel Mason and his Park Manager, Dedi Ramlan, showing the determination of the two men to turn disaster into triumph.
At the end of the film, when the crew and elephants finally arrive at the Park, the joy of both the people and animals in the epic journey is movingly palpable.
Recently shown at the Cannes Film Festival the documentary was very well received with more than 20 networks from more than a dozen countries expressing an interest in showing the film. The film has also been nominated for a PANDA award.
The film will soon be available on DVD for the general public. For more information contact Rick Bolt at Bali Adventure Tours at telephone ++62-(0)361-721480.
Photographic Coverage of 'Bali & Beyond' Recharge Party on May 4, 2006.
Like clockwork, on the first Thursday of each month, the hard-working team from Bali & Beyond magazine organize a "recharge party" - a gathering for drinks and entertainment for hundreds of members of Balis tourism industry.
May's recharge party was a typically convivial event with drinks sponsored by Hatten Wines, Vodka Vibe, and Howling Wolf Wines from Margaret River.
Always held at a rotating venue, Mays party was at Kerobokan's Aurora Restaurant on Balis fabled "Eat Street." Enlivening the atmosphere was a fashion show by Bali-based designer Rico Anantha,, a percussion band by Bambang cs, models from C&C Models, belly dancers, and music from DJ Joni.
For those not able to attend the party, weve included some thumbnail shots from the Bali & Beyond Recharge Night.
Fuel Surcharge Set to be Introduced on May 10th
INACA Approves Fuel Surcharge on Domestic and International Flights.
The Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) have applied to the Government for permission to apply fuel charges on domestic and international flights operated by their member airlines.
The increase, scheduled to come into effect on May 10, 2006, will be Rp. 20,000 (approximately US$2.30) on domestic flight sectors and between US$5 and US$20 on international flights.
In announcing the fuel surcharge, Tengku Burhanuddin, Secretary-General of INACA cited fuels costs of Rp. 5,600 per liter (approximately US$0.62). According to Burhanuddin, fuel costs for Indonesian carriers have increased from 35 to 40% of its member's operational costs.
While it is expected that the planned surcharge will be introduced on all domestic flights on May 10, 2006, the additional charge for international flights will most likely be introduced over time, as competitive conditions permit.
Government Grounds all Boeing 737-200s
Following Batavia Air Mishap on Friday, May 5th, Government Orders Review of Aircraft's Hydraulic Systems.
The Indonesian language website tempointeraktif.com reported on Friday, May 5, 2006, that the Government has issued a grounding order for all Boeing 737-200 aircraft, effective immediately.
The order, issued by the Transportation Ministry's Directorate of Airworthiness, will affect an estimated 50 Boeing 737-200 currently operated by Indonesian air carriers.
The order preventing the aircraft from flying was issued just hours after a Boeing 737-200 owned by Batavia Air skidded off the runway at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport early on Friday morning. No fatalities resulted to the 121 people on board although 3 passengers sustained injuries in the incident.
The order requires all Boeing 737-200 to remain on the ground until checks can be carried out on the aircrafts hydraulic systems.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Visits Bali
Founder of Art of Living Foundation Makes Brief Bali Visit.
Grand Hyatt Bali played host in mid-April to a visit from internationally renowned spiritual guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation - the world's largest volunteer-based educational and humanitarian organization.
Born in India in 1956, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a spiritual scholar and student of Vedic literature who, by the age of 17 years, had already earned an advanced degree in Modern Physics. His Art of Living Foundation which he founded in 1982 and the International Association for Human Values, established 15 years later, have developed 25,300 village-based programs bringing self-reliance and sustainability to millions of people.
Determined to rejuvenate human values by fostering a violence-free society in which people may lead happier, healthier and stress-free lives, His Holiness travels to more than 35 countries each year to share his message that all religions and spiritual traditions share common goals and values.
On Tuesday, April 18, 2006, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conducted a Pranayama session at Grand Garden, Grand Hyatt Bali where his message of "love, practical wisdom and service encourages harmony and teaches everyone to follow their chosen path while honoring the path of others" found a most receptive audience among the Balinese who hold these sentiments in the highest regard.
Bali Tourism Summit 2007 to restore Image and Boost Investments.
The authoritative Indonesian Digest e-newsletter published by Ibu Wuryastuti Sunario reports the Government plans to stage the Tourism Summit in January of 2007 in an effort to boost Indonesia's flagging tourism image and to attract investments, said Coordinating Minister for Welfare, Aburizal Bakrie. Through concerted efforts, Indonesia aims to achieve the 10 million tourism arrival mark by 2009, and double revenue from the tourism sector to US$ 10 billion from US$ 4.6 billion earnings the country received in 2005.
Over 700 international stakeholders are expected to attend the Tourism Summit, which will be held on Bali. The Summit will be followed and enhanced by Sports events and international music concerts.
For 2007, a total budget of US$50 million is earmarked for activities coordinated by the Indonesia Promotion Board, whose duty will be to promote tourism and investments. This budget will be garnered from various budget allocations that are now scattered and with various department agencies. Minister Bakrie hopes that the Summit will also attract investments in tourism and related sectors, especially in those able to open up significant employment opportunities.
Talented Additions Announced to Public Relations, Sales, Spa and Engineering Team for Nusa Dua's Largest Hotel
Detlev Truernit, General Manager of Grand Hyatt Bali recently announced a number of senior management positions at the 750-room hotel in Nusa Dua.
Dewi Karmawan, Assistant Public Relations Manager
- a graduate from the International Hotel and Management Institute, Lucerne, Switzerland, Dewi started her career in the hospitality industry in 1997 at Le Meridien Nirwana as a Guest Relations Officer. Later in November 1998, she joined Hard Rock Hotel Bali as Senior Guest Relations Officer. Also at the Hard Rock she served as Assistant Manager Guest Relations, Marketing Communications Coordinator, and finally as Assistant Marketing Communications Manager before leaving to join Hyatt.
Nominated as "Best Public Relations 2005" by Bali Travel News she has also served briefly as a presenter on Bali TV in 2004.
Dew Mas, Associate Director of Sales
- a graduate from the Hotel and Tourism Institute, Nusa Dua, Bali, Ida Ayu Dewi Brahmanita, more popularly known as "Dewi Mas," started her hospitality career in 1999 in Bali at Vila Lumbung Hotel, as a Sales Executive. Joining the Bali Hyatt in July 2000 as a Sales Executive MICE and Leisure, responsible for the European, Australian and USA markets. In 2002, Dewi was promoted to Sales Manager MICE (meetings, incentive, conferences and exhibitions) and within only ten months was given dual responsibility to also handle the leisure market. Based on her contributions in Sales and Marketing Department, Dewi was finally promoted to Associate Director of Sales at Hyatt's Sanur property.
Her latest promotion from Bali Hyatt to Grand Hyatt Bali to join the sales and marketing team.
Dr. Sanjay Khanzode, Director of Spa and Recreation
- after successfully completing his education with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Nagpur University in India, he joined several Spa professional trainings programs, achieving qualifications in Europe including Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology in Kent, England; Comite International, de'Esthetics and Cosmetology in Zurich, Switzerland; a diploma in Anti Stress Treatment in Kent, England; and a Certificate Course in Dead Sea Mineral Inch wrap and Treatments in Kent. Prior moving to Bali, Dr. Sanjay served as a Spa Director at Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, voted as number one Spa in the World by Conde Nast Traveller Readers Spa Choice Awards for 2005-2006.
During his tenure with Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, Dr. Sanjay had the opportunity to work in support roles with other Hyatt properties including Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Hyatt Regency Kolkatta, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, Hyatt Regency Mumbai and Hyatt Regency New Delhi. Other past positions include Spa Medicine/Wellness services Director at Ananda, The Himalayas Spa Physician/Manager at Mandarin Oriental Ananda, India and Spa Executive at Rajvilas, The Oberoi Group, India .
Edward The, Director of Engineering
- coming to Bali with a solid background in engineering for turbines and materials application, Edward has pursued his career in many international companies including Taprogge GmbH, a power station equipment company. He spent the last 10 years with that company as Managing Director prior to his current assignment as Director of Engineering at Grand Hyatt Bali. Edward has also worked for Boustead Engineering Sdn. Bhd in 1992 as a Sales Engineer, a year later he was promoted to Projects Engineer and finally as New Product Developments Manager.
While with Taprogge GmbH, Edward was credited with the design of four automatic condenser cleaning systems now used as an industry standard in ISO 9001 certification.
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