The Maya Ubud Resort and Spa was recently voted the most highly recommended hotel in the 2013 Zoover Awards based on surveys and feedback.

The Zoover Awards, established in 2009, only sees properties in any given destination given “Zoover Highly Recommended” status if customer reviews provide an average rating of 8.5 or higher.

In all, 16 Bali hotels were “highly recommended” in the 2013 survey. In the order of their relative ranking, the favorites were:

•  Maya Ubud Resort and Spa
• Ayodya Resort Bali
• Discovery Kartika Plaza
• Grand Hyatt Resort Bali
• Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Bali
• Bali Hyatt, Sanur
• Melia Benoa
• Parigatta Villas Resorts
• Alila Manggis Resort
• Alila Ubud Resort
• Griya Santrian, Sanur
• Saren Indah, Ubud
• Puri Santrian, Sanur
• Taman Sari, Pemuteran, Bali
• Sanur Saradise Plaza, Bali
• Adi Asari Resort, Pemuteran

Maya Ubud Resort and Spa as the most highly rated hotel on the Zoover list, marked its fifth year on the list and its second year as the highest rated property in the survey.
 

A 2-year-old French boy from La Réunion, was the victim of brief kidnapping that occurred in Bali on Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The toddler – Logan Bertrand Nicholas Mattei was apparently kidnapped by a 33-year-old-women Joaninha Sonia Gonzales, also known as Grandong, from Timor Leste.

The boy’s father, Christoper Charles Jean Mattei (44), met the woman at the Bounty Discotheque and invited her back to his accommodations at the Three Brothers Bungalows in Legian.

Mattei had left his son in the case of a babysitter while visiting local nightspots.

When Mattei woke on Wednesday morning he discovered both Grandong and his Son missing.

The man reported the kidnapping to the police who identified the woman via tapes of the hotels CCTV camera. The woman was known to police as a recidivist imprisoned 3 times on theft convictions.

Police then quickly tracked the woman down at her accommodations in the Iman Bonjol area of Denpasar. She was apprehended in the company of a man, Manuel Henriques Suarez (45), also from Dili.

When she was arrested the child was no longer in her possession, but had been left in an orphanage in North Bali.

The boy was safely returned to his Father on Thursday evening.

The woman and her male companion remain in police custody. Police suspect the woman intended to sell the child.
 

Back for its third year, The Bali Ball 2013 will bring together the best businesses, brands and talent on the island in a gala evening to raise funds for three exemplary Island charities.

This year’s Ball Ball will take place on Friday, August 16, 2013 on the eve of Independence Day.

Raising US$ 136,000 for the Bali Kids Charity last year, The Bali Ball 2013: The Best of Bali aims to raise even more funds during this years party.

In attendance at the W Spa & Resort Bali-Seminyak this year will be the doyens of Island fashion, leading artists, designers, representatives of leading hotels and other top brands from across the island.

This year’s Bali is organized and hosted by Bali’s Jemme Jewellery and W Spa & Retreat Bali – Seminyak.

The venue is the Great Room of the W Spa & Resort.

Lavish food and drink will be complemented by a keynote address by CNN Hero of the Year 2011, Robin Lim and a memorable fireworks display.

Also not to be missed is a specially panned five-course meal with paired wines, a live auction, exclusive ‘Best of Bali’ prizes and entertainment by cabaret singer Kitty La Roar.

Commenting on the event, W Spa & Retreat Bali’s general manager, Craig Seaward, said: “This year feels more exciting than ever. By working with the best on the island we want to develop The Bali Ball into a non-profit brand, which will not only be active for one annual event a year, but will be involved in raising funds and building a network of supporters always.”

Jemme Jewellery’s head designer, Luke Stockley, added: ‘There’s so much talent in Bali and also a lot of success, so it feels right to give back by bringing together the finest that this beautiful island has to offer in a celebration of ‘The Best of Bali’.”

This year’s Bali Ball will be raising funds for three worthy charities:

• Bali Kids- offering a special place for disadvantaged children. In addition to providing short, medium and long term shelter in their orphanage for up to 30 children, the Bali Kids facility is also open to sick Indonesian children of all religions living in Bali. Parents from poor or economically challenged communities bring their children to Bali Kids for medical attention and treatment. Last year almost 6000 children received assistance from [Bali Kids Website]. 
• Bumi Sehat - runs two community health centers in Bali and Aceh, Indonesia providing 17,000 health consultations for both children and adults each year. Midwifery services to ensure gentle births are at the heart of Bumi Sehat and their clinics welcome approximately 600 new babies into the world each year. Bumi Sehat is dedicated to reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality and supporting community health.[Bumi Sehat Website] 
• Yayasan Samaritiania - was founded in 2004 by Eko Iswanto to assist street children who were sheltering on a rubbish tip in Sanur. Today this charity provides schooling, health services and nutritious staples for 192 children ranging from 4 to 16 years of age.

Each year’s Bali Ball is traditionally a sell-out and tickets are available on a first-come-first-serve basis at Rp. 2,500,000 (US$250) each or Rp. 25 million (US$2,500) for a table of ten.

100% of the ticket proceeds from ticket sales will go to the three charities listed above.

Tickets are on sale at Jemme Jewellery’s or W Spa and Resort Bali.

[Best of Bali – Bali Ball Website] 

Bali police have arrested a man who has confessed to a series of robberies in North Kuta, including the rape of 27-year-old Australian woman in late April 2013.

The 39-year-old man, Junaedi, told police that when he entered the villa bedroom of the Perth, Western Australian woman at Villa Damai on April 27, 2013, he became confused when seeing the scantilly clad woman and committed the rape.

Quoted in Kompas.com, Junaedi, who comes from Lombok, said: “In the beginning I jumped the wall and entered by victim’s room, telling to be quiet. Using a knife and a flashlight, the woman remained quiet and I proceeded to rape her.”

The men told police that he regretted his actions and asked forgiveness from the victim.

The main remains in police custody and under investigation.

After seeking the man for almost two months, police from the North Kuta precinct managed to take Junaedi into custody on Monday, June 10, 2013. Police said the man resisted arrest and tried to escape causing them to shoot him twice, once in each leg.

Another man, Mari’ah alias Restu (31) was also arrested by police, believed to have driven the motorcycle used by Juanaedi in the rape and robbery.

The two men confessed to committing robberies at 15 separate locales in North Kuta, targeting villas occupied by foreign visitors.

At the time of Junaedi’s arrest police confiscated an Apple hand phone, and IPad, Rp. 2 million in cash and other electronic items.

Police say Junaedi was previously arrested for robbing a villa in Gianyar, a crime for which he served 10 months behind bars.

Related Articles

[Crime in Need of Arrest]

[Crime Crackdown Underway in Bali]

[The Night is a Lonely Hunter]

[Bali Manhunt Underway]

Tollbooths are in place, lighting is being installed and finishing touches applied preparatory for a trial operation of the new Benoa-Ngurah Rai-Nusa Dua toll road on its way to a formal inauguration by the Indonesian president in July 2013.

A suspended bridge traveling 12.7 kilometer over a tidal basin, Bali is touting the new road a “the most beautiful in Indonesia.”

The Bali Hai Way?

As reported by The Jakarta Post, Bali is still unsure how to officially name the new road. Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika is in favor of the Soekarno-Hatta toll road in honor of Indonesia’s first president and vice-president. Said Pastika: “In my opinion, Soekarno-Hatta is the best name for the toll road. However, we need to discuss it as many other names have been proposed. We should respect our founding fathers. Without their struggles, we would not be able to enjoy our life as it is nowadays. We already have roads named I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Ir. Soekarno, and many others. But we are yet to have Soekarno-Hatta.”

Meanwhile, others are lobbying in Bali to name the road after influential Balinese. Among the names proposed are Wayan Lotring who was a legendary musician and dancer and Prof. Ida Bagus Mantra – a former governor of Bali who already has a major road way named after him;

Prior to the former inauguration of the road a formal Balinese religious blessing will be carried out on July 10, 2013.

The new road cost US$243.6 million and stands on 34,000 concrete pillars.

The toll road is part of an infrastructure renewal program for Bali that also includes a massive renovation of the Bali Ngurah Rai Airport and the recently opened underpass at the Dewa Ruci Monument at Simpang Siur. The projects have been undertaken in anticipation of the APEC Summit to be held in Bali in October.

The director of PT Jasa Marga Bali, the owning company of the road, Akmad Tito Karim, told the press: “Not one foreigner was involved in the project, from its planning to its supervision. It is totally designed by Indonesian people.”

Related Articles

[Working on the Road]

[A Road by Any Other Name is Still a Road]

[Editorial: Keeping Promises Made to Bali]

BeritaBali.com and Bali Post  both report that a 30-year-old Melbourne, Australian tourist, Frew Dunlop, has been apprehended by police from the Kuta police precinct for shoplifting at the Food Mart at Matahari Square.

The tourist, who police says has a listed address of Tasman Road, Greensborough, Melbourne, Victoria, was apprehended by a store employee with a bottle of locally produce wine costing Rp. 46,450 (US$4.65) concealed in a pocket.

Store employees say Dunlop acting suspiciously at around 1:00 pm on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, while shopping at the food center.

Placing the Australian under surveillance, the customer was seen to place some items in a shopping basket and a bottle of local wine in a trouser pocket.

At check out, the item concealed in the pocket was not presented for payment.

Confronted after the cashier counter, the hapless Australian was turned over to Kuta police for processing.

The head of the Kuta Police Precinct, Agus Tri Waluyo, said that because of the small value of the items stolen the case would be processed as a misdemeanor crime.

Customs officials at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport prevented a Frenchman from smuggling a small quantity of marijuana into Indonesia on Thursday, June 13, 2013.

David Alexandre Guigues (30) was arrested after disembarking Air Asia QZ8396 from Kuala Lumpur at 15 minutes past midnight.

A strip search of the man revealed 0.79 grams of marijuana and a container with 40 cc of methadone.

Guigues was able to produce a medical certificate for the methadone which is a synthetic opiod used as a pain reliever as part of drug addiction detoxification.

The Frenchman has been places under arrest pending processing by State Prosecutors who will charge him with drug possession.

The Jakarta Post reports that the village of Ubud in Bali’s Gianyar regency may be becoming a victim of its own charms.

In a rush to own their own corner of Ubud, investors are constructing luxury villas that they rent out as tourist accommodation, often doing so without the needed construction and operating permits.

According to the head of the Ubudi Hotels Association, Heri Sumawan, most of the newly built commercial villas in Ubud are constructed with permits for applicable only for private residences, with some structures even using forged permits. Other villas are being built with no building permit at all.

Sumawan estimates some 300 new villas in Ubud without any permit or license, adding, “These are just rough numbers, there are so many more.” He says the illegally built and unlicensed commercial villas are affecting the local hotel industry in Ubud and causing a loss in tax revenues to the regency.

Local hoteliers in Ubud are concerned and becoming increasingly irritated at the presence of “unfair competition” as hotels report decreases in average occupancy rates of between 20 and 40 percent. Hoteliers blame the downturn in business on world economic conditions and the dramatic price discounting practiced by unregistered and illegal villas and hotels in Ubud.

Official data from the Gianyar regency reveal 911 accommodation providers comprised of 27 star-rated hotels, 353 hostels, and 398 villas and rented houses. According to The Jakarta Post, 881 of the hotels and villas are unlicensed.

Indonesia’s second largest Islamic organization Muhammadiyah has declared that the first day of the Moslem fasting month of Ramadan begins on July 9, 2013.

Muhammadiyah have their own time-honored means of calculating the phases of the moon that fixed the start of the fasting month for Tuesday, July 9, 2013. Accordingly, according to Muhammadiyah calculations, Idul Fitri which ends the fasting month will fall on August 9, 2013.

This is one day later than the date formally declared by the Indonesian Ministry of Religion.

Muhammadiyah relies on modern astronomical calculations while other, more traditional, Islamist groups use visual alignments of the horizon and certain astrological bodies to determine the start and end of the fasting period.

Due to differences in astronomical calculations Muhammadiyah adherents often celebrates religious date at a different time from their other Moslem brethren in Indonesia

In an effort to seek a consensus, the Religious Affairs Ministry have called a meeting to seek a common date. Certain that they're right, Muhammadiyah representatives won’t be attending that consultative meeting.

Expensive and sophisticated X-ray machines intended for installation at the Bali seaports of Gilimanuk and Padang Bai in order to thwart terrorist and inter-island movement of contraband goods sit in their shippingcrates unused, six months after delivery to the Bali Police.

The non-deployment by the Bali police of equipment seen as essential to Bali’s security is drawing strong criticism from members of the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali).

The equipment was purchased with Rp. 58 billion (US$5.8 million) in funds from the 2012 Provincial Budget. 

The inaction of the police and their seeming reluctance to put the equipment in operation is fueling suspicions that the province overpaid for the equipment and concerns in some quarters that certain partty prefer, for whatever reasons,  the X-ray equipment remain in shipping crates.

The chairman of the PDI-P faction of the DPRD-Bali, Ketut Tama Tenaya, is leading criticism focused towards the police, saying: “We regret the X-ray machines have arrived but are not being installed. If the X-rays are left in their shipping crates or in warehouses they may suffer damage.”

Speaking to The Bali Post, Tenaya said the security of Bali remains a matter of vital life-and-death urgency for the people of the Island. He is urging the police not to be negligent in carrying out their assigned duties to safeguard the island’s seaport by failing to quickly install the X-ray units.

Tama Tenaya says he plans for his office to undertake coordination with the Bali police headquarters to discover why the expensive and essential equipment remains idle several months after being formally handed to the police by the governor. He is also asking the DPRD-Bali to formally summon the Chief of Police for Bali to seek a formal explanation in the case.

The PDI-P politician from Nusa Dua told the press that if there is a technical, manpower or operational impediment in installing the X-rays this should be coordinated with the DPRD-Bali. Adding: “We are asking if these machines are completely ready or if there is some deficiency? If there is a deficiency let’s look for a solution together.”

He called on the police to take all steps necesary to commence operation of the X-ray machines, including allocation space for their placement, staff to operate the equipment and funds to sustain their operation.

A Need for Due Process?

The spokesman for the Bali police, Drs. Hariadi, admitted the X-ray machines have remained unused six months after their delivery to the Bali police. Said Hariadi: “Indeed the equipment is not yet operating. In other words, they have not been put in place at Bali’s gateways. The reason is that the installation of the X-rays must follow a certain process.”

Urging that the matter be left for the police to resolve, when pressed on the continuing delays, Hariadi said there were technical issues. “The responsibility for their installation rests with the police precincts in which they will eventually operate. The installation and operation of the X-rays must follow a process and in order to fit into their new environment, an appropriate place for the machines installation must be found,” said Hariadi.

Hariadi claimed the X-rays were still undergoing trials to find the best location for their permanent installation.

Incredulous at the police response, one tourism observer suggested the arrival halls at both of the ports might represent the "best" location for the X-ray machines.

The 35th Bali Arts Festival was opened with a gala parade in front of the Monument of the People's Struggle in Renon, downtown Denpasar on Saturday, June 16, 2013.

The parade featuring floats and 15 colossal cultural acts from across Indonesia paraded past a reviewing stand containg Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Madame Yudhoyono as rains fell throughout the afternoon.

As reported by The Bali Post, the President struck a giant gong to signal the start of he parade and the opening of the Bali Arts Festival. The first to perform before the reviewing stand was the Adhi Merdangga Gambelan Group, appearing with dancers from Denpasar’s SMKN 5 (junior high), who presented the Siwa Nataraja Dance. Second to appear was a cultural group from the province of Papua who performed ethnic dances from their region while holding six large red and white Indonesian flags aloft. Also appearing where performers from Karangasem, Gianyar, Denpasar, Sumenep, Bangli, Klungkung, West Lampung, Badung, Tabanan, Timor Leste and the marching band from Udayana University.

Both the President and First Lady attended the parade adorned in traditional Balinese garb.

As with past parades, foreign consuls based in Denpasar were in attendance.

Some quarters complained that this year’s parade route was too short and was overly focused only on performing before the presidential reviewing stand, rather than in providing access and entertainment to the general public.

Bali museum curator and cultural icon, Nyoman Gunarsa, blamed a lack of proper regulation by the organizers for the poor public access to the opening parade. Gunarsa said: “The parade should circle to Bajra Sandhi Monument and the attractions should not only just be staged before the VIP reviewing stand. Moreover, the roadsides should be free of parked vehicles in order to maximize space for spectators.”

On the evening following the parade, the formal opening ceremony of the 35th Bali Arts Festival was held at the Bali Arts Center.

A 70-year-old Australian, Don Brian James, has died near Lovina Beach in North Bali.

The State News Agency Antara quotes the chief of the Banjar Police Precinct, Nyoman Supardi, as saying: “The victim (James) is suspected to have suffered from epilepsy and that he failed to receive assistance during a seizure, causing him to die at his residence in the Lebah community at Kaliasem villagem Lovina on Thursday, June 13, 2013."

Police say there were no indications of foul play surrounding the man’s death, which remains under police investigation.

Kompas.com reports that the deputy governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, is urging all restaurants in the Indonesian capital to stop including shark’s fin on their menus.

Basuki, an Ambassador of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia’s SOSharks (Save our Sharks) Campaign, said that the municipal government was in the process of preparing a local regulation that will outlaw the sale of shark’s fin products.

Basuki’s comments were shared with the press via a press release issued by WWF on June 15, 2013.

In supporting a campaign against the consumption and sales of shark products, Jakarta is joining a worldwide movement to save shark populations that are increasingly under threat of extinction. The People’s Republic of China recently outlawed the inclusion of shark’s fin soup on menus served at State functions. Australia, meanwhile, has outlawed “finning” – the cruel means by which shark fins are harvested.

The WWF reports that no less than 8,000 tons of shark’s fins are sold globally each year, a level that threaten the future sustainability of a number of shark species. The UN Food and Agricultural Association (UN-FAO) has places Indonesia among the top 20 nations involved in the capture and harvest of sharks.

The SOSharks Campaign by WWF-Indonesia invited the public to stop consuming sharks and also calls for a halt in the commercial trade of shark products by restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and on-line distributors.

Many shops in Bali sell shark fin products to visiting tourists, primarily from Taiwan and Mainland China, while many Chinese Restaurants on the Island offer shark products on their menu.

Related Links

[WWF On-Line Petition to Save Our Sharks]

[Hark! Save the Sharks]

[Before the Fins are Finished]

[Ending the Senseless Slaughter]

[The Shark You Bite May Kill You]

[Jaws: The Revenge]
 

The decision to include free condoms in the “goody bags” given to a meeting of Chief Editors held in Nusa Dua, Bali is causing uproar in some quarters.

A member of the National House of Representatives (DPR-RI), Mahfudz Siddiq, said on Friday, June 14, 2013, “That (the distribution of condoms) is a smear against the journalistic profession and the role of Chief Editors.”

What’s more, according to Siddiq, the distribution of free condoms to delegates attending a conference in Bali could cause “suspicion” among the families of the chief editors “back home. Quoted by Seputarbali.com, the legislator asked: “Is this an early indication of sexual gratification? The organizers have committed a serious insult against the journalistic profession.”

More than 100 chief editors from a range of mass media in Indonesia gathered in Nusa Dua, Bali to a Chief Editors Forum held June 13-14, 2013. The event saw the bosses in charge of Indonesian major news publications and broadcast news organizations exchange ideas and debate the role of the press, media owners and chief editors in the news gathering process in Indonesia.

One of the sponsors of the event was PT Mitra Rajawali - the producers of the Meoong (Meow) Brand of condoms, included a box sample of their prophylactic in each participant's “goody bag.”

in defense of their "gift" the producers of the brand of condoms claim they only wished to introduce their product to a wider audience. Meanwhile, other cheekishly suggest the gift was a symbolic vote of approval for the role of chief editors in Indonesia,  sometimes seen as "impotent" in the face of over-demanding media owners.

A quick survey conducted by the Gaya Dewata Foundation among 400 gay and transvestite individuals in 3 separate regencies of Bali reveals that 85% of those interviewed are aware of the need to undergo voluntary HIV/AIDS screening.

The three regencies surveyed during May-June 2013 were Denpasar, Badung and Gianyar where 85% of the respondents admitted to knowing of the need to undergo HIV/AIDS testing.

Founded in 1992, the Gaya Dewata Foundation is a non-governmental organization focused on reducing the risk of sexually transmitted disease among gays, transvestites and men-who-have-sex-with-men.

As reported by Beritabali.com, the director of the Gaya Dewata, Christian Supriyadinata told the press on June 15, 2013 that increased awareness of the need for HV/AIDS testing is due to the prevalence of clinics and hospitals in Bali offering voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). VCT is now offered at all major hospitals, several community health centers (puskesmas) and a special VCT clinic.

Supriyadinata added that the use of condoms among gay, transvestites and men-who-have-sex-with-men is also on the increase. In past years, the awareness of the need to use condoms stood at only 20%, a number that has now increased to 68%.

The chairman of Gaya Dewata estimates that the total number of gay, transvestites and men-who-have-sex-with-men in Bali is 25,000.

[Gaya Dewata Foundation Website]

PT Jasa Marga has  announced that Bali, as Indonesia’s main tourism destination, will soon be home to the longest toll bridge in Indonesia measuring 12.7 kilometers long.

The Commissioner of the operators of the new road Jasa Marga, Ibnu Purna Muchtar, quoted by the State News Agency Antara, said, “The toll bridge built by a consortium of State-Owned Companies measures some 10 kilometers over an ocean way.”

He went on to explain that the length of the Bali toll bridge is almost the same as the Penang Bridge in Malaysia that measures 13.5 kilometers or the Union Bridge in Canada that is 12.9 kilometers in length.

Continuing, Muchtar added, “It could be that this toll bridge is the most beautiful in the world and will connect Nusa Dua, the Ngurah Rai Airport and Benoa. “

At present, people in Denpasar, Kuta and at the Bali airport wanting to travel to Nusa Dua can only do so by traveling on the Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai. That road, built in the 1960s, is currently overburdened with traffic.

Said Muchtar, “Every morning and every afternoon, the congestion of this roadway will be encountered near the Ngurah Rai Airport or at the Simpang Siur intersections heading towards Denpasar.

Surveys show that the number of vehicles with four or more wheels that pass over the Ngurah Rai Bypass road each day exceed 40,000, supplemented by a further 56,000 motorcycles.

The commissioner of the new toll bridge went on to describe how a single traffic accident can completely close traffic flows in South Bali, persuading the government of the absolute need to build an alternative road.

With the new toll bridge the traveling time from Benoa to Nusa Dua of one hour will not be reduced to only 10-15 minutes.

Rapid Construction

The director of development for PT Jasa Marga, Abdul Hadi, told the press that the new toll bridge was the fastest road construction project ever completed in Indonesia.

“This project with a value of Rp. 2.4 trillion (US$240 million) uses a design and build concept undertaken by Jasa Marga and a group of State-Owned companies,” explained Hadi.

Building over water relieved the project from the need to acquire land for the project, giving the contractors freedom to creatively and efficiently complete the roadway 4 months ahead of schedule.

Motorcycles Welcome

The new toll bridge will have separate lanes for motorcycles.

Hadi was confident that the new toll bridge would quickly become a tourist icon for Bali, recognized around the world.

He said the road would help Bali develop further economically.

Toll Bridge Fares

Abdul Hadi said that the tariff for the new toll bridge would be Rp. 10,000 (US$1) for cars and Rp. 4,000 (US$0.40) for motorcycles.

Feasibility studies for the new toll bridge estimates that 38,000 vehicles will use the bridge each day with the bridge expected to have an operation life span of 50 years.

Jasa Marga Toll has an operating concession of 45 years on the new toll bridge.

Related Links

[Waste Deep in the Bid Muddy]

[Editorial: Keeping Promises Made to Bali]

The Jakarta Globe reports that State Prosecutors in Bali are seeking a 17 year prison sentence and a fine of Rp.850 million (US$85,000) for a Malaysian man arrested with 372 grams of heroin hidden in his underpants.

Sargunan M. Suppiah, 27, appearing before the Denpasar District Court, heard prosecutors describe how Customs officials arrested him on January 5, 2013 with the stash of heroin.

The sentence demanded by prosecutors is less than the death penalty the Courts could impose in the case.

The trial continues before the Denpasar District Court

Related Article

[Is that a Banana in Your Pocket?]

The focus of criticism from many quarters regarding the poor quality of the final workmanship on Bali’s new Dewa Ruci Underpass at Simpang Siur, the developer of the expensive road project remains oblivious to such verbal assaults.

Ignoring complaints that the project remains undone in terms of final handover quality, the Department of Public Works for Badung Regency has pushed ahead by holding a ritual pamelaspasan ceremony.

The Chief of the National Road Department for Denpasar, H. Juni Wahjudiono, excused the rush to hold a ritual blessing for the road, saying plans to hold the ceremony had been planned a long time ago.

The ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 13, 2013.

In response to those criticizing the quality of Balinese ornamentation used on the walls of the underpass, Wahjudiono and the project manager, Hendro Satrio, emphasized the ornaments on the underpass were not “cheap.”

Wahjudiono explained: “The ornamentation duplicates those installed at Bali’s renovated airport. The materials are the same. These are not cheap. Moreover, the cost of the ornamentation alone is around Rp. 500 million (US$500,000).”

He did not address complaints that the cement pavement at the bottom of the underpass was unevenly and inexpertly installed, requiring the roadway be broken up and a new cement base installed,

Related Article

[Bumpy Road Ahead]

Amanusa’s Italian Restaurant has a special evening of outstanding cuisine and premier wines planned for Friday, June 21, 2013, when wines from Australia’s Howard Park and Mad Fish Wineries will complement the kitchen artistry of the resort’s Eexecutive chef Chau Doan

The fun begins at 7:00 on at the Amanusa Bar where canapés will be served accompanied by Mad Fish Unwooded Chardonnay.

A six-course degustation menu follows.

Howard Park and Mad Fish Wineries are owned by the Burch Family is Western Australia's representing the largest family-owned and operated winery with an international reputation for crafting balanced and elegant wines of distinct regional character. Since its inception in 1986, Howard Park’s philosophy has been to craft outstanding boutique Australian wines of great subtlety, character, balance and elegance with an uncompromising commitment to quality.

Menu
Amanusa Resort – Italian Restaurant
Friday, June 21, 2013

Howard Park and Mad Fish Wine Evening
Degustation menu by Executive Chef Chau Doan


CANAPE’S
Mad Fish Unwooded Chardonnay 2010

++++

AMUSE BOUCHE
Crispy lavosh with quail egg, truffle oil, baby tomato and sea salt
Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc 2011

++++

STARTER
Beetroot cannelloni with whipped goat cheese, carrot puree,
Pine nuts and biscuit crumbs
Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc 2011

++++

MAIN COURSE
Chicken croquette, seared king prawns, bianco gazpacho,
Pickled cucumber
Mad Fish Pinot Noir 2010

++++
CHEESE COURSE
House made duck sausage, toasted brioche,
Smokeds camorza cheese and mushroom pate
Mad Fish Shiraz 2008

+++++
MAIN COURSE
Lamb fillets wrap with pancetta, fried pastry cream,
Pumpkin caponata
Howard Park Scottsdale Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

++++

DESSERT
Dark rich chocolate cake, honeycomb white chocolate praline,
Coffee anglaise and almond bread


Seating is strictly limited and reservations are essential. The cost for the cocktail, six-course menu and paired wines is only Rp. 800,000 plus tax and service (US$97)

For more information or bookings call Juliana at ++62-(0)361-772333 or [Email] 

AYANA Resort and Spa Bali returns as a proud sponsor of the seventh annual BIZNET Bali International Triathlon, which takes place on June 23, 2013, with a new course and a record number of participants.

The more than 1,000 participants includes three-time Ironman champion and 2009 World Championship runner-up, Chris Lieto, and Indonesian swimming legend Richard Sam Bera, a three-time Olympian and four-time All-American Championship icon.

This year, there is a new running course that will lead Olympic-distance runners up ‘Heartbreak Hill’ from Jimbaran Beach to AYANA Resort and Spa. The challenging run includes a steep hill that levels out and becomes an undulating path along the main road to the grand entrance of AYANA.

The new run course is a fitting element for “the triathlon for the soul” concept. In Sanskrit, the word “ayana” means a place of refuge; AYANA is perched on limestone cliffs above the Indian Ocean in one of the world’s most exotic resort destinations. Set on 77-hectares of cliff-top tropical gardens perched 35 meters above Jimbaran Bay, the property enjoys majestic views and a secluded location across its 1.3-kilometer coastline.

BIZNET Bali International Triathlon is an annual sporting event held in Jimbaran, Bali. The race that has won ‘Best Triathlon Destination’ (Competitor, USA) and is dubbed as the “Triathlon for the Soul.”
The race combines a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run in Olympic distance and receives a growing number of participants each year.

“AYANA is excited about this opportunity to once again support our Jimbaran community and the triathlon community at large through sponsorship of BIZNET Bali International Triathlon,” said AYANA Executive Assistant Manager Clive Edwards. “We know the organizer puts on an exceptional and safe event and we’re proud to take on an active role for the seventh annual BIZNET Bali International Triathlon.”

In keeping with the BIZNET Bali Triathlon tradition, after the main race on June 23rd, the weekend will conclude with post-race sunset cocktails on AYANA’s Chandra Surya Lawn and the famous Rock Bar, complete with live music, food and camaraderie for both volunteers and athletes.

Links

[BIZNET Bali International Triathlon]

[AYANA Resort and Spa]

The Third Indonesian-Australian Business Council (IABC) Branch Members Gathering on Friday, June 21, 2013 will continue the theme of “Bali - the Gateway of Indonesia.”

The next IABC gathering will be held a the Sentosa Seminyak on Jalan Pura Telaga Waja, Petitenget, Seminyak .

Peter Fanning, of counsel, Hutabarat Halim & Rekan Lawyers will speak on the topic of "Buying Property in Indonesia".

Members of the IABC are urged to attend this business networking event and to bring along colleagues and business associates.

Drinks will be served from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Cost of participation is Rp. 200,000 (US$20) for IABC members and Rp. 380,000 (US$38) for non-members.

RSVP to the IABC Bali Branch Secretariat at telephone ++62-(0)361-755025 or [Email] 

Reservations close at Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 12:00 noon.

235,927 foreign tourists came to Bali in April 2013 reoresenting a 7.24% increase month-on-month when compared to April 2012 when 219,984 foreign visitors came to the Island.

Cumulatively for the first four months of 2013 a total of 962,940 foreigners came to Bali on holiday, a 5.17% increase over the same four months one year before.

Projecting Total Arrivals for 2013

Extrapolating for the entire year of 2013 on the assumption that the 5.17% rate of growth in tourism numbers will hold steady through the remainder of the year, Bali can expect to end the current year with slightly more than 3 million tourist visitor.

Arivals to Bali by Major Markets

Australia - Australian visitors month-on-month for April increased 4.9% with 62,951 Aussie tourists coming to Bali. Overall, Australia remains the top source of foreign visitors to Bali, although totals for the four months ending in April 2013 saw visitors from “down under” decline 1.50% for January-April 2013 (242,326) as compared to the same period in 2013.

Peoples Republic of China – PRC arrivals for April 2013 surged ahead 33.3% over April 2012 with 27,153 Chinese visitors to Bali. Cumulatively, PRC arrivals for January-April 2013 are ahead 2.72% as compared to same period one year before. PRC visitors remain the second largest source of foreign visitors to Bali.

Japan –  The recovery of Japanese tourism Bali continues. Japanese arrivals continued to improve in April 2013, increasing 17.2% over Japanese arrivals for April 2012. Overall for the first four months of 2013 Japanese arrivals, however, are up 17.69%.

Malaysia – Malaysia arrivals for April 2013 at 14,472 increased 2.23% over April 2012. Overall for the first four months of 2013 Malaysia arrivals are ahead 3.77% remaining the fourth largest source of foreign visitors to Bali.

South Korean – South Korean visitors to Bali in April 2013 declined 3.7%, possibly affected by the unsettled security situation back home caused by a bellicose North Korean regime. For the entire first four months of 2013, South Korean visitor to Bali are up 7.87%.

Russia – Russians are now the sixth largest source of Bali visitors with 7,512 arrivals in April 2013 – a 26.32% increase over Russian arrivals in April 2012. Cumulatively for the first four months of 2013, Russians arrivals are up 3.88%.

Taiwan – Taiwanese visitors in April increased 14.8% totaling 10,776. Cumulatively for January-April 2013, Taiwanese visitors remain the seventh largest source of foreign visitors for Bali improving 5.01% for January-April 2013 over the same period in 2012.

Singapore – April saw 8.52% more Singaporeans (8,965) come to Bali than did in April 2012. Across the first four months of 2013, Singapore tourist arrivals increased 3.88%.

United Kingdom – U.K. visitors at 8,182 in April 2013 suffered a 10.27% decline in U.K. visitors month-on-month as compared to 2012. All is not good from the U.K. market with U.K. arrivals to Bali declining 12.36% during the first four months of 2013.

U.S.A. – U.S. arrivals to Bali increased 1% in April 2013 at 7,738. U.S. arrivals for January-April 2013 have improved 9.84% for 2013.

France – French arrivals declined 2.3% in April 2013 at 10,333. For the first four months of 2013, French arrivals are up a modest 2.14%.

Germany – 8.52% fewer Germans came to Bali in April 2013 (6,252) than in April 2012. Fortunately, German arrivals on a cumulative basis January – April 2013 are up 14.01%.

The Netherlands – Bali no longer appears to be the darling of the Dutch on holiday. Dutch visitors in April declined 3.4% at 4,885. Cumulatively as well, 6.76% fewer Dutch came to Bali during January-April 2013.

India – India is proving a delightful surprise as a new comer to Bali tourism. Month-on-month for April, 18.6% more Indians came to Bali. Demonstrating the dynamic growth now underway from India, 27.10% more Indians visited Bali during January-April 2013 than did during the same period in 2012.

As part of its participation in the BII Maybank Bali Marathon 2013, Bank International Indonesia has given 486 scholarships to students from 27 schools located along the route of the marathon held in Gianyar on Sunday, June 13, 2013.

The top three students from 23 grade schools, 2 junior high schools and 2 senior high schools along the race route were the happy recipients of the Bank’s beneficence, given to thank the public for their continuing support of the race.

The president director of BII Bank, Dato’ Khairussaleh bin Ramli, said he hoped the scholarships would be put to good use for education, health programs, public welfare and protecting the environment.

The race held from a base at the Bali Safari and Marine Park also provided an opportunity for 40 paraplegic athletes to participate in a special 5 kilometer race held as part of the larger marathon.

The scholarships were presented on June 15, 2013 at the Ketayasa Wantilan in the village of Bona, Blahbatu, Gianyar at a ceremony attended by the Regent of Gianyar.

Shown on Balidiscovery.com are students from Gianyar schools together with the president director of Bank International Indonesia Dato Khairussaleh bin Ramli with directors of BII Maybank.

Internationally renowned Ironman Chris Lieto will be in Bali on Sunday, June 23, 2013, to participate at the 7th BIZNET Bali International Triathlon together with some 1,200 other athletes from around the world.

In addition to racing with athletes from around the globe, Lieto will also be raising money through the efforts of [More Than Sports]  to provide much needed support and assistance to [The Bali Sports Foundation].

Many of the athletes traveling to Bal for the BIZNET Bali International Triathalongi have generously contributed to Chris’ effort to make a difference to the kids of Bali through sports. Funds raised will be used to purchase wheelchairs for the Paralympics team at Bali Sports Foundation.

While in Bali, Chris will also be participating in two special fundraising events. On Saturday afternoon, June 22, 2013 contributing athletes will have 'two on one' time sessions with Chris to learn from a champion on how to use transition time, discuss race tactics, transition set up and swim techniques.

The two highest fundraisers will be given this unique time with Chris, one of the fastest triathletes in the world today.

On June 24, the Monday morning following the race, 10 contributing athletes will be join Chris at a special breakfast event hosted by Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay.

This event will feature an intimate setting to talk about the race, the sport of triathlon, Chris's race experiences, and making a global impact with More than Sport. The first 12 athletes to contribute more than $150.00 US will be invited to attend this special breakfast.

[To donate] 

[BIZNET Bali International Triathlon]