Personalized Tours Our island tours are organized for individuals. Unless otherwise specified, you'll be travelling in private vehicles with your own guide.
Spend the Next Full Moon Night Dining in Style Over a Balinese River Valley in Ubud.
The full moon each month is a special and very spiritual time in Bali. Traditionally dressed Balinese fill village streets as they carry colorful offerings to local temple ceremonies and the ubiquitous odalan birthday celebrations cum-night-markets at nearby temples.
Situated on the steep banks of the Bali's sacred Petanu River, The Viceroy Bali's is world-renowned for its luxurious accommodation and the outstanding dining experience on offer at its Cascades restaurant, operated under the meticulous supervision of master-chef Belgian Jean-Francois Brouck and sommelier Harald Wiesmann.
Cascades' Chef, Jean-Francois has his own take on how to create a new level of "perfect dining." According to the talented Chef: "I intend to keep the French base but add a small Asian twist to the menu. I love the idea of adding influences from Japanese, Thai and Balinese cooking."
A man who keeps his word, Chef Brouck is managing to earn lavish praise for his culinary skill, including an award for excellence from the Wine Spectator Magazine (U.S.A.).
Click Images to Enlarge
Full Moon Nights at Cascades
To share the magical and very spiritual ambience of Bulan Purnama or full moon in Bali, The Viceroy is opening its doors for a special dinner and dance each month on the rising of the full moon. The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with a 2-hour dance performance by a troupe of outstanding Balinese dancers in combination with an outstanding A La Carte Menu or a Balinese Set Menu priced at Rp. 360,000 ++ (approximately US$49).
Limited seating is also available at The Viceroy Bar for those who want to merely enjoy drinks, watch the dances and contemplate the full moon suspended over the Petanut river valley.
Full Moon Dates
Full Moon nights in Bali will be celebrated through the end of 2007 on the following dates:
. June 29. 2007
. July 29, 2007
. August 27, 2007
. September 26, 2007
. October 25, 2007
. November 24, 2007
. December 24, 2007.
Reservations and More Information
To avoid disappointment, reservations in the popular dining area or at the bar are highly recommended. For reservations call ++62-(0)361-972111.
Bali Comes Clean
Bali's Badung Regency Wins Presidential Award for Municipal Cleanliness.
Bali's most populace regency of Badung has won for the fifth year in a road the coveted Adipura Award for municipal cleanliness and environmental excellence.
The trophy, presented by President Yudhoyono to the Regent (Bupati) of Badung A.A. Gede Agung in Jakarta, arrived in Bali on Thursday, June 7, 2007 where it was escorted by a motorcade of well-wishers from Bali's airport to the nearby district (Camat) office in Kuta. Upon arrival at the Kuta District Office, the corps of the Badung Cleaning Brigade (Pasukan Sapu Jagat) gathered to hear Agung expressed his appreciation for their hard work and dedication which made the award possible.
Badung Regency has received the top award for cleanliness for five consecutive years dating from 2003. Agung told the celebratory crowd in Kuta, "this not the first time or the last time we will receive this award."
In the scoring for the cleanliness award Badung achieved a score of 74.9 points in the latest year, up slightly from the 72 points earned in 2006. Points are awarded for community participation in community cleanliness programs and active participation in recycling efforts.
The Adipura award was given this year to 82 recipients nation-wide with categories divided into metropolitan cities, large cities, medium-sized cities and towns. Badung's - the administrative district encompassing Bali's capital of Denpasar and Nusa Dua was honored for achievement within the large city category.
Can You Tell a Mythical Bird Where to Fly?
Vice President Kall Tells Garuda Indonesia to Start Flying Between Bali and Kunming, China.
The Jakarta Post quotes Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla as calling on Garuda Indonesia to offer direct flight services between Kunming, the capital of Yunan province in China, to Bali.
The Vice-President's comments were made during a visit to Kunming where Indonesia's second-in-command saw great potential for enhance tourism and trade between China and Indonesia.
"As Yunan and Bali are sister provinces, I would ask Garuda to open a direct flight between Kunming and Bali, so that tourism as well as trade links between the two will improve further," Kalla stated.
The Secretary-General of the Yunan Province Communist Party Committee, Bai Enpei, endorsed Kalla's comments pointing out that the value of trade between Indonesian and Yunan totaled US$230 million in 2006 and was increasing at a rate of 140% in 2007.
The Vice-Presidents comments were made during a 6-day official visit to China.
Kalla's call for Garuda to add a new route to China comes amidst a down-sizing of the Airline's route network, including the recent withdrawal of service from Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland.
We Must Go Down to the Sea Again
Balinese Gather on West Bali's Shoreline to Pray for Cleaner Oceans and Healthier Coral Reefs.
Bali found its own unique way of joining the rest of mankind in celebrating World Environment Day 2007 on June 5th. Tempo Interaktif reports that the residents of West Bali gathered on the beaches near Menjangan Island to participate in a ritualized cleaning of the sea. The devotees, members of the Communication Forum for People Concerned with Coastal Areas (FKMPP), gathered to pray at the shore and toss floral offerings into the surf.
"This was a spiritual complement to efforts to clean our shores and coral reefs, especially from the threat posed by Crown of Thorn Starfish (Acanthaster plancii)," explained the Chairman of FKMPP, Misnawiyanto.
According to members of the Forum, Bali's protective reefs are being damaged by coral bleaching and the over-population of Crown of Thorn Starfish. The FKMPP blames the rapid rise in the destructive Crown of Thorn Starfish population on climate change which has created conditions favorable to the species' proliferation.
The ceremony in West Bali on June 5th was a joint effort of the FKMPP, the West Bali National Park and area dive operators.
World Environment Day
Celebrated every June 5th, World Environment Day is a major vehicle used by the United Nations to raise awareness on environmental issues and galvanize political attention.
The theme for 2007 World Environment Day adopted by the United Nations was "Melting Ice - a Hot Topic?"
Spending Less and Leaving Sooner
New Figures Confirm that the Length of Stay in Bali is Less than 4 Days.
Tempo Interaktif reports that length of stay (LOS) and average spending levels are on the decline for foreign visitors to Bali.
Data analyzed from Bali's Central Statistics Board (BPS) for the months of March-April 2007 also showed an increase in tourists staying in non-starred hotels. Reflecting the larger role of regional visitors from Asia in the overall market mix, the BPS reported that the LOS for foreign visitors in non-starred hotels was only 3.96 days as opposed to 3.92 days in starred properties.
This short length of stay is in stark contrast to contrasting reports from official sources suggesting a length of stay in excess of 9 days.
The top five foreign markets producing travelers to Bali in April 2007 were all from the Asia-Pacific region in close relative proximity to Bali. The top market share was held by Japan (19.03%) followed by Australia (12.02%), Taiwan (8.86%), South Korea (8.18%) and Malaysia (6.34%).
Worthy of further study is a finding by the BPS suggesting that domestic tourists visiting Bali are spending more and staying longer. Special offers from Bali hotels offering lower rates to Indonesian residents are contributing to an estimated 5% increase in the number of domestic tourist staying in star-rated hotels in April 2007, as compared to one month before.
Keeping the Locals in Stitches
Bali's Garment Sector Has Shrunk Dramatically Since 2005 Terrorist Attack.
The Indonesian-language BisnisBali reports that around 70% of the companies involved in Bali's off-the-rack garment trade have ceased operations in the aftermath of the second terrorist attack of October 2005.
From an original 175 registered Bali members of the Indonesian Textile Association (API), only 40 companies remain in operation as members of the professional grouping. Yunasril Anga, a Directors of API, confirmed that there have been "tens" of garment companies who have gone bankrupt over the past two years resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs among people living in Bali.
Speaking from personal experience as the operator of Orient Bali Garments, Anga related how prior to the October 2005 bombing his Company had employed 200 workers and another 300 contracted outside piece workers. Current employments levels are down to just 60 workers at his factory with no outside piece workers currently employed. Anga said the end of outside work, normally placed with work circles at villages across Bali, has had a devastating effect on local communities.
Signs of Gradual Improvements in the Garment Sector
There are encouraging signs that the garment industry in Bali is gradually on the mend. Garment exports from Bali during the first four months of 2007 achieved 13.4 million pieces with a value of US$52.4 million - a 13% improvement over the same period just one year ago.
Indonesia's Department of Trade and Industry is supporting programs for participation by Bali's garment producers at overseas trade shows in the hope of accelerating the recovery in the textile and garment sector.
Langhorne Creek Wine Dinner in Bali
South Australian Premium Wines and Outstanding Cuisine Cobine Forces at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel on June 16th.
The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa in collaboration with Oddfellow Wines of South Australia and Lotus distribution are joining forces to present an indulgent evening of sumptuous foods and premium wines in a Langhorne Creek Wine Dinner on Saturday, 16 June 2007 starting from 7:00 p.m..
David Knight and Mark Lawrie are majority owners of Oddfellows at Langhorne Creek, a premium cool climate wine Region, 55 kilometers southeast of Adelaide, South Australia. In addition to producing award winning premium wines for Oddfellows, Knight has also completed vintages in three other wineries: Bremerton (Langhorne Creek), J Lohr (Paso Robles, California) and Boars Rock.
Much in demand for his wine-making expertise, Knight recently commenced a project for "Winners Tank" in collaboration with Epicurean Wines, an importer based in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A..
The Menu and The Wines
Langhorne Creek Wine Dinner - Hosted by David Knight
Cocktails and Bleasdale Sparkling Shiraz
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Goose liver, ox tongue and artichoke terrine with sweetbread beignets and an avocado walnut ice-cream
KI False Cape Sauvignon Blanc 05
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Nutmeg pumpkin soup with blood sausage ravioli and ginger foam
Bremerton Rose 04
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Alaskan black cod with parmesan crust, Caviar, sea urchin and champagne nage
Oddfellows Chardonnay 04
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Tuak Sorbet, Palm beer with black pepper and lime leaf
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Glazed short ribs wrapped in a wild mushroom parcel on truffle whipped potatoes and sauce "Perigeaux"
Oddfellows Shiraz 01 and Winner Tank Shiraz 05
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Goats cheese with basil and pine nuts on watermelon carpaccio and red onion compote
Oddfellows Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 03
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Jasmine tea custard with saffron sesame biscuit and hot basil sauce
Bleasdale Fortified Verdellho
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Coffee and Tea selection
Cost and Bookings
Beginning with cocktails at 7:00 p.m. at the Lagoon Pool, the evening's centerpiece will be a 7-course gourmet dinner paired with a selection of 7 premium wines. Dinner is priced at Rp 850,000 ++ per person (approximately US$114.00)
Seating is limited and reservations are essential. For bookings or more information contact Mrs. Dwi at +62-(0)361-771210 ext. 621 or use the e-mail link provided.
Bali's Best Massage Practitioners to Provide Complimentary Massages at Finish Line of Bali International Triathlon.
The participants traveling from around the world to participate in the inaugural Bali International Triathlon 2007 have a special treat in store for them when they cross the finish line on Jimbaran beach on June 24, 2007.
Talented masseurs from Bali's internationally renowned massage centers - Jari Menari will be on duty providing brief revitalizing massages at a special pavilion near the finish line. "Jari Menari" translates from the Indonesian to "Dancing Fingers," an apt name for the wonderful range of therapies offered by this leading Bali company. Practitioners from "Jari Menari" are trained to let rhythm, flow, and long connective strokes guide the inspiring sessions The mostly male staff is known for massage sessions that offer strong, firm, consistent pressure - and their Guests become instant converts to the many therapeutic benefits of massage and frequent visitors.
Harper's Bazaar has labeled Jari Menarihome of Bali's Best Male Massage while Vogue place a visit there as one of the things to be included on a "must do" list during a visit to Bali.
Soothing to tired bones and muscle, Jari Menari is also calming to the mind and eye. The Spa on the main road in Seminyak has a zen-like Japanese design engineered by Guy Morgan of GKA Associates which emphasizes simple lines, clean uncluttered spaces, natural light and the sound of falling water.
The inspiration and vision of its founder, Susan Stein, Jari Menari arrived in Bali in 1996 incorporating her professional expertise in a wide range of massage disciplines. Now, nearly 12 years later, Jari Menari consults and trains massage practitioners for a world-wide base of clients.
Jari Menari at the Bali Triathlon
Working from the massage tents at "race central" from early morning on Sunday, June 24th until the close of festivities in the early afternoon, the Jari Menari team will be offering short messages free-of-charge to racers on a space-available basis. Starting from just before 8:00 a.m. - race central will also be home to musical performances, free Häagen-Dazs ice cream, food and beverage tents and tents operated by local companies and organization.
Join the fun on race day Sunday, June 24, 2007 at the Coconut Grove, adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay. Races will begin gathering from 7:00 a.m. for the race's start at 8:00 a.m..
Nationwide Tourism Arrivals are Up; But are They Strong Enough to Reach 6 Million Arrival Target for 2007?
The prestigious Indonesian Digest published by Wuryastuti Sunario from Jakarta reports:
"During the first four months of 2007, from January through April, Indonesia received 1.37 million tourists through 15 gateways, or up a significant 12.78% compared to the same period last year, said Rusman Heriawan, Head of the National Statistical Bureau, reported Bisnis Indonesia.
Best performance was turned in by Bali. The island received a total of 472,082 visitors, up a hefty 38.38% when compared to the first four months last year, reported balidiscovery.com. In April, 131,034 tourists came to Indonesia through Bali, 98,101 through Jakarta, and 85,951 through Batam.
Although arrival figures are on the increase nation-wide, averaging 300,000 visitors per month, this will bring total arrivals this year to around 4.2 million, still far below the national target of 6 million for 2007. To reach the expected target, Indonesia must receive an average 500,000 tourists per month, said Ben Sukma, Chairman of the Association of the Indonesia Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA).
Despite the fact that arrivals from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China are recovering, Indonesia's important markets from Europe and Australia are still lagging behind. The Europe market that used to make Indonesia one of its more popular holiday destinations has dropped after Garuda Indonesia stopped flying to Europe.
The drop in the number of European tourists who used to stay in Indonesia for two months, visiting many off-the-beaten track destinations, have caused tourism in many regions to suffer greatly during the past years. The resort areas include the Toraja highlands of South Sulawesi, North Sumatra's Lake Toba region, Nias Island, Lombok and East Nusatenggara, the Moluccas and Papua. While the trans-Java overland tour, once popular with European tourists, that included visits to Bandung, Wonosobo, Yogyakarta, Solo, Malang and on to Bali have also dropped due to a lack of participants."
'City of Angels, Plains of Dust' an Exhibition by Bali-based Photographer Rio Helmi at Jenggala Gallery June 15 - September 7, 2007.
Bali-based Indonesian photographer Rio Helmi is the son of an Indonesian diplomat and a Turkish mother who, in the course of his Father's various postings abroad, has lived in Switzerland, Australia and Germany. Infected with wanderlust from his earliest years, Rio has traveled extensively across the world, including a year on a religious sojourn in India before returning to Indonesia and embarking on a career as a professional photographer in Bali in 1978.
Thirty years later, Rio Helmi is one of Asia's leading photographers with his work featured in numerous books and publications. His photography has been exhibited in Jakarta, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Sydney and from his own gallery in Bali.
City of Angels, Plains of Dust
From June 15, 2007 through September 7, 2007, Jenggala Gallery at the Jenggala Ceramics Studio will feature a solo exhibition of photos by Rio Helmi - "City of Angels, Plains of Dust."
The images presented were captured while Helmi was on assignment in Thailand for a project dubbed "9 Days in the Kingdom." Organized by Editions Didier Millet, some 50 of the world's leading photographers were brought to the Kingdom to capture nine days in the life of that Country from the perspective of different photographers assigned to different locales.
Helmi's assignment was in Isaan, an extremely poor corner of Thailand. Dry and arid, Isaan is in stark contrast to the Thai nation's vibrant and colorful capital of Bangkok.
Helmi's images from Isaan include throbbing discos in the town's two lonely "high rises," cartloads of fried insects awaiting diners in the night market, lines of begging monks threading their way silently through the local streets, high incidences of foreign men with local wives, new Japanese luxury cars, sprawling garbage recycling dumps - all existing amidst fields of dusty crops, emaciated cows, endless sugarcane fields and poor farmers scratching what they can out of the recalcitrant earth.
During the final days of his Thailand assignment Helmi hopped a flight to neighbor Angkor and Siam Reap in Cambodia where, according to the photographer: "all the glory and bustle of the past lies in dust and ruins, a reminder of our mortality. Being there put my whirlwind trip through Thailand into perspective."
"City of Angels, Plains of Dusts" - an exhibition of photographs by Rio Helmi is open daily from June 15 though September 7, 2007 at the Jenggala Gallery at Jalan Uluwatu in Jimbaran. For more information telephone ++62-(0)361-703311.
More Changes at the Top in Bali Hotels
New Appointments at Hard Rock Hotel Bali and InterContinental Bali Resort.
Hard Rock Hotel Bali
Darryl Marsden has been appointed General Manager of the Hard Rock Hotel Bali effective June 1, 2007. Daryl, who has been with the Hotel and Hard Rock Hotels on a local and regional basis since July 2000, replaces Jamal Hussain who has left Bali and accepted a senior management role Banyan Tree Resorts in the Maldives.
Darryl joined Hard Rock Hotel Bali in July 2000 as Director of Food & Beverage and in November 2001 was appointed as the Regional Director of Food and Beverage for Hard Rock Hotels, Asia. Promoted to Executive Assistant Manager in charge of hotel operations, in February 2003, Daryl brings 26 years of hospitality experience, with previous senior positions as Director of Food & Beverage, Palace of the Golden Horses Malaysia, Director of Food and Beverage Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and Executive Chef of Grand Wailea Resort, Hotel & Spa, Hawaii, USA.
InterContinental Bali Resort Bali
Norbert Vas has been appointed as Director of Operations Club InterContinental Bali Resort.
An Austrian national, Norbert has nearly two decades of hospitality management experience starting as a trainee at the SAS Palai Hotel in Vienna before returning to school to obtain a degree in Hotel and Tourism Management at the Centre International de Glion in Montreux, Switzerland.
In 1994, Norbert was appointed as Senior Sales Manager for Radisson SAS Hotel in Düsseldorf before moving to New York to become Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at the Four Seasons Hotel. Staying in New York, he also served in sales capacities with Ian Schrager Hotels and Omni Hotels.
Moving to Indonesia in 2000, Norbert has held sales and marketing positions with the Shangri-la Surabaya and Mandarin Oriental in Jakarta.
Norbert has also worked at the Imperial Aryaduta Hotel & Country Club in Jakarta as an Assistant General Manager and as General Manager with Swiss-BelHotel in Bali and Vietnam.
Safe and Safer
Local Airport Authority Refukes Any Suggestion that Safety Standards are Lacking at Bali's International Airport.
Recent criticism citing a lack of international safety standards at Bali's Airport by members of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) has brought a strong and resounding rebuttal from the management of the Bali Airport Authority (Angkasa Pura I).
As reported in the Indonesian-language BisnisBali, the spokesman for Angkasa Pura I at the Ngurah Rai Airport, Achmad Munir, insists that his airport is achieving increasingly higher safety standards. Speaking of the Bali airport Munir said: "we are receiving international safety certification. Moreover, a recent reassessment carried out by the Transportation Safety Administration (USA) found that security was good at Ngurah Rai."
He went on to describe the many safety and security improvements that have been introduced at Bali's airport following the initial, negative assessment by the Transportation Safety Administration. To meet tougher security standards, the airport has increased staffing levels by 300% and purchased substantial quantities of safety and security equipment. "What's clear is that any statement suggesting safety at Bali's airport does not meet international standards is simply incorrect," proclaimed Munir.
Moreover, according to the airport spokeman, the current safety standards at Bali's airport have become a positive benchmark for safety at all Indonesian airports.
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