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More than 2,000 Runner Expected to Join Vitazone Bali TV 10-K Race on Sunday, July 16, 2006.
More than 1,500 runner have already registered to participate in the 10 Kilometer Vitazone Bali TV 10-K set to be held on Sunday, July 16, 2003.
More than Rp. 500 millions (approximately US$53,200) in merchandise, including vehicles and television sets, will be awarded across 10 separate divisions of male and female runners. The race is open to the public and will be run along a route starting from the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Monument - near Bali's airport, and ending at the Hotel Peninsula in Nusa Dua.
Although promoted as a "fun run," a number of leading national athletes are nevertheless expected to participate in the race.
Registration
Those wishing to participate in the Vitazone Bali TV 10-K may register at the Race Secretariat at the Bali Post at Jalan Kepundung 67 in Denpasar; Bali TV at Jalan Kebo Iwa 63 in Denpasar; or by calling ++62-(0)361-225764.
Bali Festival of Kites July 20-23, 2006
Popular Kite Flying Event Expected to Draw Thousand of Participants and Spectators to Padang Galak Beach.
Organizers of the annual Bali Festival of Kites have announced the official dates of July 20-23, 2006, for this year's competition. On each day of the event, large teams of young men from local villages - all dressed in traditional Balinese costumes, will launch kites of every shape and description over Padang Galak's beach front in an effort to win honors for their home community.
Organizers are targeting for an increase from the 800 kites that were flown in 2005 to 10,000 kites at this year's Festival. Held at Padang Galak Beach, near Sanur, last year's event attracted hundreds of local kite enthusiasts from villages across Bali, together with international teams from Japan, Australia, the United States, and Denmark.
In an effort to expand participation this year, the organizers have publicized the event nationality hoping to attract kite teams from Jakarta and other cities in Indonesia.
All participants at the year's Bali Festival of Kites are expected to attend a technical meeting on July 16 to be briefed on the various rules governing the competition, including the requirement for each team to compete while wearing traditional dress. The briefing will also set out guidelines intended to avoid disturbing local communities or civil aviation on the Island.
Kites, entered in the Bali Festival of Kites, are often larger than a truck causing traffic in the Sanur area to come to a complete standstill as groups crowd local roads while bringing their kites to the competition area.
Presenting Miss Bali 2006
Astri Prima Devi of Tabanan Selected to Represent Bali in Miss Indonesia Pageant in Jakarta in August.
12 beautiful and talented young women from across Bali competed for the privilege to represent the island of Bali at "Miss Bali 2006" (Puteri Bali 2006) at a televised final selection process held at the Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua on Saturday, June 25, 2006.
In 3 hour-long program, that concluded a week of seminars and intensive deportment training, the 12 contestants vying for the crown answered questions on current events and political topics.
While the judges pondered the individual merits of each of the young ladies, top local musical talent entertained the audience - including world-renowned dancer-chorographer Nyoman Sura; Bali Pop sensations Sutha and Agung Wirasutha; and the multi-talented guitarist Wayan Belawan.
Introducing Miss Bali 2006
As the evening drew to a close, Astri Prima Devi of Tabanan was crowned by the outgoing Miss Bali 2005 I Gusti Ayu Prandnyandari.
The newly crowned Miss Bali 2006 is an Honor's graduate of the University of Indonesia. Who works as an accountant with Pricewaterhouse Coopers. The just elected Miss Bali will now travel to Jakarta as Bali's contestant at the Miss Indonesia 2006 competition to be held in the Capital on August 25, 2006.
Shown on balidiscovery.com, left to right, is the outgoing Miss Bali 2005 Gusti Ayu Prandnyandari standing next to Miss Bali 2006 Astri Prima Devi.
Bali's Unchained Melody of Care and Giving
Bali's Seminyak Rotary Club Launches a Designer Bracelet and Key Chain to Promote Compassion, Joy, Love and Equanimity through Charity.
Bali-based jewellery designers, Myrtha and Silvie - who are both members of The Rotary Club Bali Seminyak, recently created an extraordinary bracelet and key-chain ring set to help the Club raise funds to help people in need.
The attractive jewellery accessories feature the words "Compassion, Joy, Love and Equanimity" translated and written in Balinese script. The message, chosen because the Rotarian designers felt they epitomized the essential objective of Rotary and also reflect what The Dalai Lama has described as the "Divine States of Dwelling, The Four Gates" to establish a happier, healthier living and enlightened society.
Asked to explore the meaning between the message contained on each bracelet and key chain, the designers explained:
Compassion is a sense of shared suffering, most often combined with a desire to alleviate or reduce such suffering; to show special kindness to those who suffer.
Joy, happiness or pleasure is the emotional state of being happy. The definition of happiness is one of the greatest philosophical quandaries. Proposed definitions include freedom from want and distress, consciousness of the good order of things, assurance of one's place in the universe or society, inner peace, and so forth.
Love is the most profoundly integrated state in the universe. It is simultaneously the highest, deepest and most powerful state of consciousness.
Equanimity is essentially a calmness of mind or temper; composure. In equanimity one still notices and cares about what is going on but has the capacity to be active rather than merely reactive.
40% of the proceeds from the sales of the special key chains and braceletes will support the many community projects of [Rotary Club Seminyak Website].
The bracelet and sets and key chain sets are made from 925 sterling silver and Balinese beads.
Prices are:
Bracelet Sets US$135.00 each
Key Chain Sets US$125.00 each
Orders and additional information via the email link provided.
Bali by the Numbers: Closer Look at May 2006 Arrivals Paint Fuller Picture of State of Current Recovery.
As reported on balidiscovery.com in the last installment of "Bali by the Numbers" [See: A May Pause on Road to Arrival Totals' Recovery]: "total foreign arrivals to Bali in May 2006 totaled 101,776, a figure that lagged -12.72% behind 116,615 near-record number of arrivals in the same month one year before. Those hoping to see arrival numbers notch another month of improving totals in May were no doubt disappointed; May arrivals slipped statistically as compared to April when month-on-month arrivals were down only -10.65%."
Whether or not this statistical plateau is a momentary pause on the way to better numbers or a prolonged relapse in the Island's recovery efforts will only be borne out by arrival figures over the coming months.
In this installment of "Bali by the Numbers", we take a cursory look at May 2006's arrival performance by major markets.
Japan
Traditionally, Bali's largest inbound market, Japan's arrival continue to look promising with May 2006 arrivals only down -21.54% from the same month one year before. The gap in Japanese arrivals continues to narrow with each passing month (down -25.57% in April 2006), fueling hope that Japanese visitors will be back to 2005 levels by July or August when Japan Airlines have promised to resume the full schedule of flights connecting Indonesian and Japan.
Australia
The current poor state of Australian-Indonesian relations is reflected in Bali's arrival figures form what is the second-largest inbound market to the Island. After an April 2006 decline of -45.73% for Australian arrivals as compared to April 2005, things got worse in May when arrivals slumped further, down month-on-month to -58.40%.
Current political imbroglios over Papuan refugees and the disaffection by Australian over the handling of Muslim Cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir and the future execution in Bali of two Australian drug smugglers are just some of the tough obstacles in the road ahead to a revival of tourism levels to Bali.
Taiwan
And now, for some good news. Taiwan arrivals are up +45.87% for May 2006 as compared to May 2005. In fact, Taiwanese arrivals began to surpass 2005 levels in April, when arrivals from the Island Nation were up +51.42%.
South Korea
South Korea also managed to make May 2006 a "crossover month" in which arrivals began to surpass arrivals from just one year before. May arrivals from South Korea improved +11.31%.
ASEAN
Indonesia's near neighbors in ASEAN lagged -19.67% in May 2006 as compared to May 2005. This is a worsening performance, widening a gap of only -8.12% measured in April 2006.
The Americas
The Americas comprising all source markets in North and South America, continued its improvement path in May. May 2006 arrivals from 'The Americas' were down -19.04%, a substantial narrowing from just one month before in April when month-on-month arrivals were down -39.78%.
Europe
The picture from Europe remains essentially encouraging with May arrivals down a scant -3.61%, slightly off against April's month-on-month performance which was +1.92% better than the same month one year before. Within Europe, France is emerging as a star in terms of Bali arrivals, improving a massive +20.24 for May 2006 as compared to just one year before.
Aston Inn Tuban Opens
Affordable Three-Star Luxury Property Opens in Tuban Business District.
Members of the local travel industry were treated to a cocktail reception and tour of the recently opened Aston Inn Tuban on Friday, June 23, 2006.
A three-star property tucked away behind local row shops on Jalan Kediri, in Kutas subdistrict of Tuban, the 76 room Aston Inn Tuban is only 5 minutes from Kuta Beach or Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Functional and affordable, the property comes equipped with a cafι, bar, spa, meeting facilities, outdoor pool & Jacuzzi, business center, Indoor tennis court, and high-speed Internet access from every room.
Opening prices at the property begin from US$54 per night, including 21% tax and service and buffet breakfast for two.
Speaking at the reception, Pungky Kusuma, General Manager of the property said, "We are confident that Bali is bullish on bouncing back. Business will be stronger in up coming months, especially on the corporate market side, coming from Indonesias major cities."
Pungky told balidiscovery.com that since commencing to receive guests from its soft-opening on April 21, 2006, the hotel and its service have earned enthusiastic endorsements from its guests.
Aston Growing in Indonesia
Aston, originally from Hawaii, entered the Indonesian market in the late nineties and is now among the fastest developing hospitality management companies in Indonesia.
Currently managing 12 hotels, resorts and villa properties in Indonesia, Aston will be opening a further 5 properties across the archipelago in 2006 and 8 more in 2007. Its current properties include Aston Hotel Sudirman-Jakarta, Aston Atrium Hotel Senen -Jakarta, Aston Bali Resort & Spa in Tanjung Benoa-Bali, Aston Nandini, Ubud-Bali, Aston Palembang Hotel & Convention Center, Aston Bandung Hotel & Residence and the just-opened Aston Inn Tuban, Kuta-Bali.
Recent Management Appointments at Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel and Risata Bali Resort and Spa.
Two recent management appointments of note among Bali hotels have been announced by the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel and Risata Bali Resort and Spa.
Windari Santi Dewi Public Relations at Sanur Paradise
Windari Santi Dewi, more generally known as Wiwien, has been appointed as Public Relations and Guest Activity Manager of Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel & Suites Bali.
A graduate from Melbourne tertiary system and an 8 year veteran of hotel industry, Wiwien began her carrier at the Bali InterContinental Resort. From an entry position as a guest relations officer she later moved to the Sales & Marketing Department of The Villas Bali, before joining the pre-opening team at the Harris Resort Kuta. Her most recent appointment before joining the Sanur Paradise was as an Operations Manager for 2 Aston International Resorts in Bali.
Firdaus Widya Putra Sales & Marketing Manager at Risata Bali
Firdaus Widya Putra - "Firdaus" is now serving as Sales & Marketing Manager of the Risata Bali Resort & Spa in Bali.
Raised in Pontianak (West Kalimantan), Firdaus is a graduate of the Akademi Management Informatika Komputer Pontianak.
After graduation, he began his hotel career as a Sales Executive at the Kapuas Palace Hotel in Pontianak before moving to Bali in 2000. Since moving to Bali he has held posts in the sales department at the Bali Garden Hotel, Club Bali, Saphir Bali, Saphir Mabisa Hotel and, most recently, at the Rama Beach Resorts & Villas.
Visa Facility Expanded to 52 Nations
Government Expands List of Countries Eligible for Visa-On-Arrival Facility.
The authoritative e-newsletter Indonesia Digest, edited by Ibu Wuryastuti Sunario, reports that from June 6, 2006, the Indonesian Government increased to 52 the number of countries whose nationals can enjoy the Visa on Arrival Facility (VOA) upon landing at an Indonesian international gateway.
Meant to boost international tourism to Indonesia, the VOA is intended attract investments and business, as well as improve relations between Indonesia and these countries. Therefore, the VOA may also be given to those who come to visit for social or business purposes, as well as for those on official duty, according to a press release from the office of the Directorate General of Immigration.
VOA Eligible Countries
The 52 nations now on the VOA list whose citizens can purchase a seven-day visa for US$10 or a thirty-day visa for US$25 are:
Bali International Women's Association Annual June Fair Raises Critical Funds for Community Projects.
One of the highlights of the local community calendar in Bali each year, the Bali International Women's Association (BIWA) Annual June Fair was held at the Discovery Plaza Shopping Mall on Sunday, June 11, 2006.
In all, some 200 booths, including 30 booths donated by BIWA to local charities, presented information and merchandise to more than 3,700 visitors who attended the day-long event.
Local handicraft makers, leading Bali shops and merchandisers, and tempting local food specialties were among just some of the items available for purchase at the Fair with proceeds for stall rentals and drawings going to support local community projects.
A total of Rp. 45,203,700 (approximately US$4,800) was raised at the BIWA event with funds earmarked to support the following projects:
Children's & Education Programs: Nutrition, and Scholarships for underprivileged children
Women's Programs:: Domestic Violence Prevention, Training & Skill Building
Health Programs: Pap Smear Pre-treatment and Mobile Dental Clinic
HIV/AIDS and Drug Education Programs
Environmental Programs
Yogya Relief Programs
In announcing the total funds raised by this year's event, Mayke Boestami, BIWA President acknowledged the many members of the local community who supported the Fair saying, "on behalf of the Board and all of the members of BIWA, we would like to thank everyone for generously supporting BIWA in a fight against poverty and ignorance."
Grand Hyatt Bali Employees Celebrate the 'Birthday' of the Resort's Temple with Music, Dance and Prayer.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006, marked the birthday or "Odalan" of one of the 3 temples the Pura Segara Natha, at the Grand Hyatt Resort located in the East Village of the 40-acre 648-room property.
The temple, used on a daily basis for prayers and offerings made by the more than 1,000 staff working at the Resort. Another of the two remaining temples within the Grand Hyatt Complex is the Pura Taman or Garden Temple, which is located behind the Hotel's Pasar Senggol, pre-dating the building of the Hotel, the temple is thought to be almost 300 years-old by local villagers who also worship there.
The Odalan of Pura Segara Natha
Preparation for the Odalan began at 8:00 a.m. when the Hindu employees of the Hyatt paraded through the hotel grounds dressed in their ritual best and accompanied by a traditional beleganjur orchestra. Later in the day, at 4:00 p.m., a program of sacred dances were performed in the temples foreyard before priests led the devout in prayers to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.
The Odalan of a Balinese temple is held once every 210 days.
Shown on balidiscovery.com are snapshots taken during the Resort's Odalan celebration.
Bali Workshop to Seek Wider Business Ties with European Business Community on Saturday, July 8, 2006.
A global business to business (B2B) workshop co-sponsored by the Global B2B Network, British Chamber of Commerce (BritCham), the Euro Export Network and the Kuta Small Business Association (KSBA) will be held in Bali on Saturday, July 8, 2006.
The session, running all day from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., will be held at the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel. Global B2B is a network of eleven offices across Indonesia dedicated bringing European-based enterprises and Indonesian Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) together through the creation of business linkages between provincial Indonesia and the European Union.
Open to attendance by both European business operators and Bali-based SMEs, the workshop will be a business networking opportunity and an information sessions on major issues affecting the development of trade between Indonesian and Europe. Local business people will be able to participate in a training session providing details on how to gain access to EU business development schemes with valuable tips and insights on B2B training, tuition and mentoring programs.
Free of Charge Attendance is Limited!
Limited to only 100 participants, participation at the Bali Workshop is on a first-come-first-served basis with reservations available via telephone to the Euro Business Center at ++62-(0)361-759282 or the email link provided.
Amandari Resort Staff Give Love, Attention and Support to Bali Orphanage and School for Children with Special Needs.
"Caring" is not merely part of the job description for the staff working at Bali's famous Amandari Resort. As any one who has stayed at the Resort will testify, it comes naturally to the young men and women who attend to the guests at the famous Ubud Resort.
No where was the caring nature of those Ubud hoteliers more in evidence than during a special day-out they organized for the "special" kids of the Kasayang Ikang Papa Orphanage on Thursday, June 15, 2006.
Early on the morning of that special day 20 Amandari staffers arrived at the doorstep of the Gianyar orphanage, home to more than 80 physically and mentally handicapped young children. In total - 84 children, 25 parents, 18 teachers and 3 orphanage staff were treated to a day in Bali that included a tour of the Bali Aga village of Tenganan, a visit to a local basket weaving enterprise, a break for drinks and cakes, and a picnic afternoon at Bali's recently restored Taman Ujung Park.
At the Park, the Resort's staff made sure all their guests participated in a day of songs, dances, and games accompanied by generous quantities of food, drinks and small prizes. Joining in the fun was the Resort's Manager, Liv Gussing, whose white Kintamani dog, Rimba - regular visitor to the kid's at th eorphange, was much in demand among the children enjoying the day's festivities.
As the pictures shown on balidiscovery.com demonstrate, smiles were in ready supply among the kids of the orphanage and their hosts on that special day.
Kasayang Ikang Papa Orphanage
Established in 1983 with only 9 handicapped children, the orphanage has gradually grown over the year due to its almost singular status as a center for poor, disabled children in Bali.
Actually a combination school for kids with special needs and an orphanage, most of the children attending the center are day-students living with their families, while the remaining 20 live with the schoolmaster and his Wife, the remarkable Bapak & Ibu Dewa Berata.
Adopted as a pet project by the Amandari Resort since 1998, the Kasayang Ikang Papa Orphanage has raised funds for mattresses, blankets, bedding, furniture, educational aids, toys, and medicine. The Resort has also undertaken the construction of fish ponds to provide the orphans with much needed supplemental nourishment.
This year's special day out for the kids repeats other trips organized for the children to various locations on the island over the past years.
A special fund raising dinner and auction of paintings done by the children and held in 2005 raised more than Rp. 80 million (approximately US$8,500) for the orphanage. Other paintings by the kids are proudly displayed at the Amandari Resort and sold in a continuing program of support.
Resort Manager Liv Gussing insists that she and her team derive so much happiness from the time they spend with the children of the school and orphanage. Giving full marks to the Mr. and Mrs. Berata who run the Center and consider all their children as their own, Liv said there is no better example that people working in the service industry can see than the loving attention reaped upon the children by Bapak and Ibu Berata.
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