Beritabali.com reports that just prior to the recent Lebaran holidays the government for the regency of Tabanan installed 4 additional closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras bringing the total number of camera in operation to 12.
The increase in the number of CCTV Cameras was confirmed by the manager of the Tanah Lot tourism object, I Made Sujana, who also told the press that he has increased the complement of guards working at the popular tourism site.
Sujana explained, "we have installed CCTV surveillance cameras at critical spots that will allow us to observe all the activities of visitors as part of our overall plan to safeguard the security of tourists."
This year, as in the past, the number of foreign and domestic tourists traveling to Tanah Lot increased significantly with the explosion of domestic tourists celebrating the Islamic New Year on the island.
Preliminary figures show that on Sunday, September 20, 2009, a total of 13,037 people visited the Tanah Lot site, an increase of 16.12% over the previous year. On Monday, September 21, 2009, the total number of visitors to Tanah Lot equaled 15,418 – an increase of 9.36 over the same day last year.

As reported previously on balidiscovery.com, another hotel in Bali has commenced operations without first obtaining the required zoning permits and operating licenses. [See: Sara Residence in Bali - Where Rules Don't Apply]
In a follow up report in Radar Bali, the owner of the Sara Residence, located on Jalan Nakula in the Legian area of Bali, is alleged to be ignoring warnings from local officials to halt all operations until such a time as all necessary licenses and permits are in hand. The luxury hotel whose license positions itself as a "homestay" (kelas melati) is apparently in possession of only a "principle permit" (izin prinsip) and does not hold any of the other required permits and licenses, including a building permit (IMB).
Radar Bali reporters who have been observing the operation of the 11 rooms property says that occupancy has been high over the Lebaran Holiday period. In the building's parking lot a number of luxury vehicles from Jakarta and Surabaya have been parked with guests seen regularly coming and going from the property.
Hotel operations continue despite recent warnings from Badung Regency officials who are coordinating with local enforcement officials for more punitive action. The Badung official, Nyoman Suardana, said: "After we checked, the hotel's owner claimed he was only conducting training for his staff and that the property was not formally opened for operations."
Officials found this explanation from the owner peculiar and difficult to comprehend. The Chief tourism official for the regency of Badung, Made Subawa, said all new hotels are given a period of three months during which they can train their staff. In the case of the Sara Residence, however, the hotel has been operating on a training basis for almost an entire year. Parwata, the owner of the hotel does not deny this, explaining that while waiting for permits and licenses to be processed the hotel is receiving guests in order to make some return on investment.
Suardana told the press that requests to the owner to cease operations until the necessary permits are in hand, have been met with unfulfilled promises from the owner. At the end of his patience in the case, Suardana told Radar Bali, "just wait and see, we will be taking action against them."
Another owner of the Sara Residence Project, I.B. Suryahadi has purportedly provided false explanations to officials. Acknowledging warning letters from the regency asking that operations be suspended during the licensing period, Suryahadi told Radar Bali: "We are not operating. We are still waiting for our licenses to be issued."
Despite Suryahadi's explanations, reporters told of a number of vehicles in the hotel's parking lot with license plates origination form Jakarta and Surabaya. Meanwhile, laundry was hanging from the upper floor of one of the units.

Bali's ongoing struggle to fight the current rabies epidemic is being complicated by the lack of rabies vaccine at Bali's Sanglah General Hospital. As reported by Berita Bali.com, the drug store on the hospital's premises has posted a sign in its window announcing that rabies vaccine are "out of stock" .
The head of the rabies prevention team at the hospital, Dr. IGB Ken Wirasandhi, is blaming the lack of rabies vaccine on the long holiday period surrounding the Idul Fitri. As a result, a number of dog-bite victims, sometimes numbering as many as 50 in a single day, are not being supplied with the life-saving vaccine.
According to Wirasandhi, "We only have one supplier (of vaccine) from Jakarta and, because of the long holiday, perhaps we will only have shots available again on September 29, 2009.
The doctor said that in the current shortage of vaccine his team was trying to optimize the situation by giving the small amount of remaining vaccine to people bitten by dogs in areas know go be heavily infected with rabies.
"The remaining vaccine we will use for patients bitten in the hand or shoulder. For this alone we have given out 30 dosages of vaccine," explained Dr. Wirasandhi.
Adding the public's concern over the continuing rabies epidemic in Bali, Radar Bali confirms the fourth rabies-related death in Tabanan regency with the death of a 78 year-old-man on Wednesday, September 23, 2009. The elderly farmer presented himself with all the clinical signs of rabies, expiring 18 hours after his admission to the Sanglah General Hospital.
A doctor at the hospital explained that once clinical symptoms of the disease have manifested themselves there is little that doctors can do to forestall death.
Among the clinical symptoms are nervousness; a fear of water, light and open spaces; and foaming at the mouth.
Of the four suspected victims of rabies hailing from Tabanan the Sanglah General Hospital has taken brain-fluid samples from three victims in order to verify the illness.
The 78-year-old Tabanan man is the 11th person to die of rabies in Bali since November 2008.
The son of the man said his father was bitten by a dog on July 18, 2009, while sleeping in an open outer pavilion of the family compound. When the old man was taken to a local community health center but was not administered vaccine.

The juxtaposition of the respective work of an artist couple is a map of both their individual and shared aesthetics, set against the subtlebackground of their interpersonal relationship. The remarkable journey of Runi and Adrian Palar began at the Indonesian Pavilion at the New York World's Fair of 1964 when the young designer from Bandung met a beautiful young dancer from Yogyakarta.
Adrian, a graduate of the arts faculty at Bandung's prestigious Institute of technology (ITB) had begun his studies as a modern painter with two of today's most famous Indonesian artists, Srihadi Sudarsono and But Mochtar before switching to a new course in design and interior architecture. Influenced by post-modern Cubism, his transition was virtually seamless because of Adrian's self-declared "fascination with the horizontal and vertical lines."
In 1970, Adrian would urge Runi to experiment in designing silver jewelry to channel her creative energy, a radical idea because silverwork had previously been the exclusive domain of men. Within a period of less than a decade, Runi's startling modern designs made her one of Indonesia's top young jewelry designers. In 1976 she would brand her own line of jewelry under the company name of RUNA Jewelry managed by Adrian.
During this same period, Adrian ran an independent design firm, a feat he accomplished without any interruption in his painting output. In 1970, along with noted fellow artists A.D. Pirous, Gregorius Sidharta and Sunaryo – Adrian founded and exhibited with DECENTA (Design Centre Association) Despite a busy schedule, Adrian explained that painting remained for "the best exercise to sharpen the eye and visual intuition. Through it I kept alive a visceral connection with my innate sense of aesthetics."
In 1986 the couple moved to Bali. On the island, Runi continued to win both domestic and international awards and in 2001 set up a small but excellent museum documenting her works just south of Ubud. Among other honors she was prominently featured in a 2005 exhibition held in Amsterdam's Tropical Museum.
During this same period Adrian began increasingly serious about his painting. Inspired by the vertical and horizontal, he produced a series of colorful gem-like contemplative canvasses entitled "Timeless Change."
Alone and apart, Adrian and Runi mirror the essence of a mature master not seeking glory or fame but a pure expression of personal joy. Adrian's painting are complemented by a new collection of jewelry by "the other master," Runi Palar, creating a full circle of creativity.
Timeless Change
An Exhibition of Paintings and Jewelry by Adrian and Runi Pala
The Ganesha Gallery at The Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay
Open Daily – November 5 – December 7, 2009.

In keeping with its reputation as a Bali center for outstanding cuisine and wine, Ubud's Mozaic Restaurant is organizing another much-awaited culinary evening organized around the exclusive Billecart Salmon Champagnes of France on Friday, October 2, 2009.
Billecart Salmon Champagnes
With an uncompromising commitment to superior quality, the Billecart-Salmon Champagnes are produced only in years that present a harvest of outstanding premium quality grapes that are the foundation of their product. Produced and owned by the same family since 1818, the House of Billecart Salmon is now in the hands of the seventh generation of a family that involves itself in every step of the vinification process, starting from the growing of their grapes up until the final bottling process.
Such dedication bears results. In 1999 an international blind tasting of the world's champagnes conducted by world-famous champagne connoisseur Richard Juhlin named the Billecart-Salmon's Cuvées Billecart 1956 and Cuvées Billecart 1961 as, respectively, Champagne of the Millennium and first runner up.
Billecart Salmon Champagnes Come to Bali
On Friday, October 2, 2009, the Asian Ambassador for Billecart Salmon Champagnes, Sebastian Papin, will preside over an exclusive evening at Mozaic.
A group limited to only 60 diners will enjoy an entire evening of champagne, food, wines, special decorations and entertainment. The evening begins with a welcome drink of champagne served at the Mozaic Lounge followed later in the restaurant by a specially designed tasting of premium champagnes and red wines paired with a signature Mozaic six-course tasting menu.
Reservations are essential and available on a first-come-first-served basis at Rp. 1.5 million (US$150) per person, plus 21% tax and service. The price covers of pre dinner canapés and champagne, dinner tasting menu and pairing and after dinner entertainment by a jazz trio in the lounge.
The wines on offer on October 2, 2009 are:
• Billecart Salmon Brut - NV
• Billecart Salmon Brut Rose NV
• Billecart Salmon Blanc de Blanc NV
• Paul Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Les Jales 2006
• Paul Jaboulet CDP Les Cedres 2006
• Billecart Salmon Nicolas Francois Billecart 2000
For more information or bookings telephone Mozaic at ++62-(0)361-975768.

Behind the veneer of happy holidaymakers Bali is also the home to more than 100 orphanages providing nurturing care to an estimated 1,500 parentless or abandoned children.
In an effort to help ease the plight of some of these children Melia Bali Resort has taken the Krisna Rajasa orphanage in Tabanan, West Bali, under its wing. The support provided by Melia Bali contributes towards the education and care of the 35 children living at the facility. Coordinated by the Hotel's pianist, Willy, Sustainable assistance by Melia Bali includes meeting the children's basic needs, and additional funding for scholarships, stationery, medicine, shoes and clothing.
Hotel guests are also invited to participate in this very worthwhile program. On the morning of September 15, 2009, the Resort's community service team along with hotel guests, the Fleming Russell family from Scotland, journeyed to the orphanage. Part of a regular program of visits, the visit allows the opportunity to monitor and consult with the head of the orphanage regarding the children's needs.
In the words of Fleming Russell: "I come from very humble beginnings myself. My desire to do a little to help, together with the resort's community involvement team and guest participation program, made it possible to actually help a lot. At the same time we've had a holiday experience that, for very different reasons, we will never forget."
Shown on balidiscovery.com are photos taken during the recent visit by the Russell family and employees of Melia Bali to the Krisna Rajasa orphanage.

Diving education professionals from across the region who are members of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) gathered in Bali and nearby Gili Trawangan September 14-18, 2009.
The world's leading scuba diving training organization, PADI has been existence for more than 40 years and operates an established network connecting 5,300 dive shops and resorts worldwide.
The Bali regional managers meeting welcomed 9 regional managers from Malaysia, Australia, Philippines, Thailand, China, Korea and Indonesia who represent PADI to 42 Countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The meeting also welcomed PADI's newest regional manager, Tony Andrew, based in Bali.
According to the meeting's organizers, when faced with the dilemma of choosing between Bali and the nearby diving Mecca of Gili Trawangan they took the easy way out and decided to hold the meeting in both locales.
The recent meeting reviewed the current state of the dive industry and explored way that PADI can assist its membership in developing their businesses. Two social events held at the Villa Ombak Resort at Gili Trawangan and the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel in Bali allowed the PADI managers the opportunity to meet with over 150 local PADI members.

Bali's governor Made Mangku Pastika has taken concrete steps to deliver on his campaign pledge to improve the education of the island's children by allocating Rp. 250 billion (US$2.5 million) that will pave the way for his desire to put in place free education for all by 2010. That allocation will be in the form of two separate allocations of Rp. 125 billion (US$1.25 million) in both the 2009 and 2010 budgets.
Quoted in the Jakarta Post, Pastika said, "that amount will ensure the public real free-of-charge education, instead of the fake one," he said recently. The governor was apparently alluding to current programs that promise a "free" education for children, yet still burden parents with an assortment of fees and donations.
The governor is calling on all of Bali regencies to match provincial funding for free education by coming up with a further Rp. 125 billion (US$1.25 million) in each annual budget. The governor added, "the amount each regency must set aside will be calculated based on the number of students in that regency and the regency's locally generated revenue." Bali has nine regencies and one municipal government.
The combined funding from both the provinces and regencies in Bali is intended to be sufficient to provide 12 years of free education through high school at state-run schools.

In light of the growing number of fatal accidents by Indonesia's maritime operators, the Director General of Sea Communication published display advertisements in a number of Indonesian newspapers prior to the Lebaran holidays reminding Indonesia's shipping community of the following:
1. Asking that all shipping operators and ships' owners to give full authority to Captains in matters related to the safety of ships and equip all vessels with safety equipment in accordance with current rules and regulations.
2. Asking all Captains to only load passengers and cargo in compliance with the limits of their vessels' certification, stability and capacity.
3. Asking all passengers and agents not to "force" ships to depart that have exceeded their capacity or that do not carry sufficient safely equipment.
4. Ordering all port administrators to increase their vigilance in matters of seaworthiness, loading limits, ships' stability and weather conditions before issuing sailing permits. Particular emphasis in reminding Port Administrators to delay sailings when weather conditions did not permit safe sailing.
Indonesia is traditionally plagued by fatal sea accidents during the heightened sea states found in the archipelago in the last quarter of the calendar year.
Related Article
[Local Bali Ferry Sinks: 9 Dead and 2 Missing]

BisnisBali reports that tax officials are convinced that sorely needed tax revenues are being lost through the underreporting of sale and rental property transaction values subject to taxation.
Alleging collusion between sellers and buyers to understate contract values, Gede Suarta, the Head of the West Denpasar Tax Office said, "we don't know precise figures, but we do all know that many sales and purchase transaction values are under-reported.
He explained that taxes paid in such transactions are typically tied to the official assessed value of a property (Nilai Jual Objek Pajak-NJOP), a figure generally accepted to be well below the actual market value of a property.
The law currently assesses a 10% transactional tax whenever land is sold or rented, with 5% paid by the seller and the remaining 5% paid by the buyer.
Indonesian tax law mandates that every financial transaction be subject to taxation, with purchases or merchandise or services subject to a 10% value-added-tax (VAT). Many small traditional markets and mini markets, according to BisnisBali, still fail to apply the required tax charges.

Bisnis Indonesia reports that PT Suryainti Permata is investing Rp. 1 trillion (US$100 million) to build Bali's "last" mega-resort - The Rich Prada which will include a 5,000 square meter spa.
The President Director of PT Suryainti Permata, Henry Gunawan, said the new 5-star resort will cover a 20-hectare site near Uluwatu in South Bali. The five-story high resort is reportedly in the process of laying its structural foundations with a targeted operational date of 2010. Funding for the project remains unclear with Gunawan telling the press that financing negotiation are ongoing. He went on to explain, "what's clear, we are currently acting as the developer, while other assets are supported by our business partners and subject to discussion in a special shareholders' meeting."
He also explained that Surainti is only involved in building the hotel, while the land for the project is being supplied by PT Pecatu Graha who own the large tourist investment area at Dreamland.
Gunawan revealed that the proposed project will have 900 rooms to be internationally managed by The Rich Prada. He also admitted that the project may represent the last major hotel development in Bali, given the governments efforts to curtail new hotel development in the Island.
Surainti is one of East Java's key property development companies, with extensive investments in luxury commercial and residential projects.
The Secretary of the Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Perry Markus, said his group supports the development of new tourism infrastructure able to serve changing market demand. Markus said his organization had little information on the proposed project because few new projects are coordinated with the local and provincial governments. He also mentioned growing resistance among the people of Bali to new hotel developments, a sentiment supported by both Bali's former and current governor. That resistance is based on a study conducted by a research group from Bali's Udayana University calling for a moratorium on new hotel projects on the island.

Bank Mandiri will soon convert it US$103 million outstanding debt owed by Garuda Indonesia into an 11% share in the national carrier.
As reported by Bisnis Indonesia, the decision to liquidate the bank's debt was arrived at after extended negotiations between the bank and the carrier.
Once the outstanding debt of the airline is converted into an equity share Bank Mandiri will be issued 11% of the airlines stock when the national carrier's initial public offering (IPO) takes place in 2010.
Negotiations between the airline and the bank on how to handle the US$103 million in debt have consumed the past 8 years.
Assuming the debt restructurization with Bank Mandiri is successful, Garuda will still have an outstanding long-term debt of US$370 million due to its European creditors.
Garuda's financial fortunes are on the upswing, recording a profit of Rp. 60 billion (US$600,000) in 2007; Rp. 669 billion (US$6.69 million) in 2008; and Rp, 612 billion (US$6.12 million) through the end of June 2009. The airline is targeting revenues of Rp. 22.31 trillion (22.31 billion) for all of 2009, an increase of 15% compared to the previous year. If current trends continue, Garuda should yield a profit of Rp. 3.7 trillion (US$3.7 billion) in 2014.
Garuda hopes to net US$400 million via an IPO of 44% of its shares to the marketplace in 2010.

Radar Bali reports a brewing controversy between the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) and the Tourism Office for the Regency of Buleleng (Disbudpar) in North Bali over the poor promotion of the recent Sail Indonesia yacht rally visit.
Suardipa, the man in charge of the Rangon Sunset Restaurant, and the Chairman of the Buleleng's chapter of PIHRI has leveled strong criticism of the Buleleng officials in charge of tourism protocol and publicity whom he claim only publish press releases on official visits and the installation of local officials but fail completely in the promotion of international events, such as Sail Indonesia 2009. Saying that the regency's government should play a proactive role in promoting Buleleng's tourism, Suardipa pre-empted officials claiming financial limitations, saying: "whatever the budget (for promotion) this cannot become the reason for failing to promote this event (Sail Indonesia). Even if the budget is reduced to only Rp. 60 million (US$6,000), promotion must carry on. We don't want to hear about (how little) the budget they have."
Suardipa's comments were echoed by Nyoman Priti, a local official of the Democratic Party who expressed his shocked at the lack of synergy in Buleleng's tourism office. He maintains that the promotion of an event like Sail Indonesia should be carried out one month in advance of the event, "not like the current situation, which gives the impression of 'last minute" with no promotion at all."
The Head of the Buleleng Tourism Office, Drs. Putu Tastra Wijaya, reacted to the strong criticism of his office by holding a press conference at a beachside restaurant in Lovina. At that conference, he claimed his office was limited by a lack of budget in support of Sail Indonesian. While the allocation for Sail Indonesia in 2009 was Rp. 60 million (US$6,000), the budget in 2008 was substantially more at Rp. 172 million (US$17,200).
He also told the press that this year's Sail Indonesia event held between September 30 – October 4, 2009, was expected to attract 165 yachts from 20 countries carrying crews totaling 165 people. While the sailing crews are visiting Bali's north shore they will be entertained with cultural performances, local sporting activities, painting and handicraft exhibitions and a colossal dance performance.

Considered the Mt. Everest of solo violin performance, J.S. Bach's magnificent D Minor Partita will be performed in an extraordinary manner at the Ubud Writer and Reader's Festival on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at Ubud's Pura Dalem Royal Palace.
Performed by Bali-based international concert violinist, Robert Brown, the Bali performance will accompany a new dance work created by Bali's internationally acclaimed Nyoman Sura. Inspired by the complexity and majesty of Bach's music, Sura will portray a fanciful story of a visit by the young Bach to Bali where he falls in love with a Balinese princess.
Robert Brown will bring his skill as an international violinist to perform all five movements of Bach's D Minor Partita culminating in the famous chaconne - a 256 measure tour de force of violin virtuosity.
Nyoman Sura's interpretation uses Bach's composition to tell a Balinese tale.
• First movement – Allemande. Free and meditative, the dancing Bach sees a group of Balinese dancers and musicians perform in Germany and is immediately captivated by the beauty and exoticness of both the music and movement. Perplexed as to whether he should undertake such a long trip, in the final moment of the first movement his mind is set when he recalls the beauty of one of the dancers.
• Second movement – a courante. The fast and stormy music of this movement depicts a storm at sea gradually giving way to the calm seas upon Bach's arrival in the port of Bali.
• Third movement. A majestic, ceremonial sarabande, relates how a Balinese king and his court at the beach greet the visitors from Europe. The movement proceeds with great grandeur but at the very end, a coda, there is a whispered conversation between Bach and the Balinese princess, where they agree to meet later.
• Fourth Movement. A gigue is a lovely dance relating the festivities at a gathering hosted by the King.
• Fifth Movement – chaconne. Using the many moods and variation of this remarkable piece of music, the accompanying dance shows how Bach, now totally enamored by the Princes, tries to persuade her to return with him to German. The piece has many special moments, some of which bring to mind organ music in a church where Bach tells the princess of his destiny as a musician at the service of his faith. The piece ends as the princess refuses the young Bach's invitation to live in Europe.
Don't miss the rare and exciting performance! Admission is free of charge.
Bach in Bali – a performance by Robert Brown and Nyoman Sura
J.S. Bach's D Minor Partita Presented with a Contemporary Dance Performance
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 – Pura Dalem Ubud
8:00 p.m.