The Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak will host another annual Bike-A-Fund 25 kilometer bicycle journey from the caldera of Bali’s Mount Batur to Ubud on Sunday, October 16, 2011.

Downhill all the way with frequent stops to enjoy cultural highlights along the route, the trip will be easily manageable even for those whose last bike ride was years ago.

Operated by SOBEK Bali Utama – a leading Adventure Specialist company in Bali – the Bali Bike-A-Fund experience has been designed to be suitable for participants aged 12 years and above.

Funds raised will be use to dun Rotary Club Bali Seminyak’s Elementary Scholl Classroom Libraries Project.

Bike rental is available for Rp. 500,000 (US$55) per person with bike reservations required before Wednesday, October 12, 2011. A minimum donation of Rp. 250,000 (US$28) is requested over and above any bike rental cost from each participant.

Reservations can be made by [Email Bike-A-Fund]  and should be completed before October 12th in order that equipment, guides and catering arrangements can be put in place.

Transportation will be available on the morning of Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. from the Sobek Bali Utama office at Simpang Siur (Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai 100x – former BIMC office).

Parking is available at the embarkation point.

The Bike-A-Fund experience includes:

• Morning Tea in Kintamani
• Complimentary Riding Gloves
• Drinking Water and Cold Towels
• Late lunch at Nyuh Kuning in Ubud.
• Approximate 4:00 p.m. return to Sobek Office in Kuta, Simpang Siur.

Related Site 

[Rotary Club Bali Seminyak Website]

 

The Bali Pink Ribbon Walk returns for a third triumphant time on Saturday, October 22, 2011, to raise funds and awareness about breast cancer.

Part of a world-wide movement, the Pink Ribbon Walk in Nusa Dua aims for 500 walkers to join the march in support of women who have battled breast cancer and those determined to once-and-for-all deny future deaths among the victims of the dreaded disease.

The first Bali Pink Ribbon Walk was held in 2009, organized by a committee of local woman, some who had been afflicted by breast cancer. Supported by the Bali International Women’s Association, the Pink Ribbon Walk aims to improve awareness about breast cancer, as well as raise funds towards education and patient support programs in Bali.

The 2011 Walk will start and finish in the grounds of Nusa Dua. Participants may choose to run or walk the five-kilometer route through the beautiful gardens and along the beach paths of the Nusa Dua Peninsula.

The Walk also includes an exciting program of live music, spa cabins, crafts bazaar, fabulous raffle prizes and international food stalls sponsored by leading hotels of Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa.

By purchasing a ticket and joining in the walk and the accompanying events planned or by making a donation, individuals will be empowered to become more aware about breast cancer in Indonesian.

Ticket prices: Adults Rp 250.000 (US$28), Children (6 to 12) Rp 100.000 (US$11)

For more information telephone ++62-(0)361-286564 or visit [www.BaliPinkRibbon.com]  

The Jakarta Globe report that Jakarta police and customs officials have arrested an Iranian national attempting to smuggle US$2 million worth of methamphetamine concealed inside diving tanks via the Jakarta International Airport.

Rosul Solihikan, 30, was taken into custody on Monday, September 19, 2011, when the man tried to take delivery of two diving tanks with 18 kilograms of methamphetamines concealed within.

Gatot Sugeng Wibowo of the Jakarta Custom office told Agence France Presse (AFP) ,

“he and the package arrived on the same day last week on different flights from Iran.”

The Iranian had used Qatar Airway flights for both his own ticket and his separate cargo shipment of illicit drugs.

According to the Jakarta Globe, Iranian drug cartels are among the main suppliers of heroin and crystal methamphetamines to Indonesia, displacing West Africans who once held that dubious distinction.

The Iranian is still being interrogated by police who have the option of charging the man with crimes carrying a penalty of life imprisonment or death before a firing squad.

In the past year alone, eight Iranian have been sentenced to life in prison for trying to smuggle drugs into Bali.

Related Article

[Bali’s a Gateway for the Narcotics Trade]
 
 

A team of lawyers representing Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika have presented a subpoena (somasi) to Bali’s leading daily newspaper  Bali Post for publishing information they alleged to be false. The legal team considers that Bali Post has fabricated news intended to be provocative in order to agitate public sentiment.

As reported by Beritabali.com, at stake are reports in Bali Post quoting the governor as calling for the dismantling of all traditional villages (desa pakraman) in Bali in connection with the recent violent clashes between the villages of in the Klungkung regency that left one dead, 28 injured and a group of villagers in police detention.

The Chairman of the governor’s team of lawyers, Nyoman Sumantha, said he and his colleagues have looked into the governor’s visit to the scene of the battle between the two groups and concluded that no reporter from Bali Post was present and covering the governor’s visit.

Said Sumantha: “(The Bali Post) did not directly hear, know, write down or record the governor’s statements. Based on our research, we strongly suspect that the report compiled by the Bali Post reported was gathered for other media in attendance at that time. Moreover, the news gleaned from other media has no words or statement saying "just dismantle the traditional villages.”

Sumantha contends that the Bali Post failed to verify their report through checks and rechecks as required by the journalistic code of ethics and made the atmosphere more acute by interviewing community religious and culture leaders for the reaction to their misrepresentation of the governor’s words.

The lawyers are said to be seeking damages from the Bali Post in the amount of Rp. 100 billion (US$11.1 million) for misreporting a call by the governor to disbanding of traditional villages, a statement the governor insists he never made.

If successful in his legal case against the paper, the legal damages and compensation sought from the Bali Post will be donated by the governor to all desa pakraman units in Bali.

Sumantha depicted the false report by The Bali Post as an effort to create conflict between the governor and Bali’s traditional villages. Adding,“(this act) has tended towards the assasination of the character of Made Mangku Pastika via a deliberate spreading of slander against Made Mangku Pastika - both as an individual and in his capacity as Governor of Bali, and attempting to pit the governor and the people of Bali’s traditional villages against each other.”

The governor’s lawyers have called on Bali Post to stop its lying and tendentious reporting about the dismantling of Bali’s traditional villages.

The Bali Post is also being asked to publish a retraction and apologized in the Bali Post and other print media in Bali via full-page advertisements running 7 days starting from September 24, 2011.

The Bali Post acknowledged the lawsuit via an article in its September 24th edition in connection with their article published on Monday, September 19, 2011 entitled “Governor: Just Dismantle the Desa Pakraman”.

The Chief Editor of the Bali Post, I Nyoman Wirata, said that while he valued the governor’s statement in the case, he insists his newspaper had not lied and had simply presented the results of its coverage from the field when governor Pastika met with the assistant regent of Klungkung, Tjokorda Gede Agung.

Wirata apologized if the news published by his newspaper is considered by the governor to be at odds with his statements. He said the case would be forwarded to the Press Council for resolution, the government agency empowered to consider and adjudicate complaints from the public about the press.

Wirata also rebutted claims made by Pastika lawyers that the Bali Post was alone in reporting the governor’s statements, citing similar reports in another newspaper Radar Bali on 19 and 20, 2011.

Related Article

[Villagers Clash in Klungkung]

Hope is fading for finding any more survivors from the sinking of a traditional sampan that went down on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, carrying a group of 36 traditional musicians between Lembongan and Nusa Penida Islands.

The orchestra members had just finished performing at a funeral ceremony when they left Nusa Lembongan late Tuesday night for the short cruise home to Nusa Penida.

After the sinking, 11 passengers on the boats were plucked live from the ocean. Of the remaining 25 people aboard the boat, 11 drowned whose bodies were recovered from the seas while search efforts continue for 14 musicians still missing at sea.

In the days following the mishap a helicopter, up to 7 large search vessels and teams of trained divers were dispatched to look for remaining missing  musicians. Heavy seas and strong current have complicated search efforts.

Meanwhile, local marine police are concluding the accident was due in part to severe overloading of the boat and a lack of life-saving equipment carried on the boat.

Frustrated at the inability to find the bodies of the still-missing passengers on the ill-fated boat, search patterns have been expanded to include waters surrounding Nusa Pendia and Benoa.

Search efforts for missing boating accident victims traditionally end seven days after an initial disappearance. According to Beritabali.com, search and rescue officer are turning to supernatural elements in now frantic efforts to recover the remains of the missing musicians.

The supernatural or “niskala” supplemental efforts include religious rituals performed at the location of the accident and consulting paranormals.

Search and rescues workers are further perplexed by the fact that the missing bodies have not emerged on the sea’s surface, an occurrence that officials claim typically occurs three days after drowning.
 

Ayu Trisnadewi, an employee of The Legian Bali, Seminyak, has been crowned the best “front liner” by the Bali Hotel Front Liners Association (Bali-HFLA). Her designation as “Indonesian Receptionist of the Year 2011” now qualifies her to represent her country internationally, vying to be named “International Receptionist of the Year” at a competition to be held in Prague, Czech Republic in January 2012.

The international award of Chef de Reception – The David Campbell Trophy – recognizes the International Receptionist of the Year and is named in honor of the legendary man who once served at The Ritz Hotel, Paris.

The “International Receptionist of The Year Competition” is conducted every year by the The International Association of Deputy Managers and Front Office Managers of Luxury Hotels.

As part of Ayu Trisnadewi's winning honors she is now undergoing additional training supervised by John Robert Powers to ensure a winning performance in Prague next year.

The Bali competition that secured top honors for Ayu saw A. A. Bagus
Prasastha of Grand Hyatt Bali win First Runner Up and Ni Luh Dian Damayani of Anantara Seminyak as Second Runner up in a competition conducted at the Banyan Tree Ungasan. The competition in Bali included 26 contestants from across Indonesia and was comprised of interviews, role playing situations and written tests.

A native of Gianyar, Bali, Trisna has worked abroad for 1.5 year at
The Setai, Miami, Florida (USA) and was recently elected as the Best Employee Of Q2 at The Legian Bali, Seminyak.

The National Commission for the Supervision of Competitiveness (KPPU) sees the taxi operation at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport as a monopoly, a form of business not permitted under Indonesia’s anti-monopoly law.

As reported by the Bali Post, the KPPU sees the monopolistic pitfalls of the monopolistic taxi system operating at Bali’s airport evidenced in the zone-based tariff system instead of charges based on metered time and distance.

The vice-chairman of the KPPU, Sukarmi, said on Monday, September 12,2011,  the monopoly at the airport has many forms under the management of a cooperative controlled by the airport.

Sukarmi told the press that the job of the KPPU is to battle for the rights of the consumers.

The KPPU supports an open market system that ensures competitivenes and consumer choices, both in price and quality of service, beneficial to the public. This, in the view of the KPPU, also applies to Bali’s airport. “Since the establishment of the KPPU, we first intervened at Cengkareng (Jakarta’s airport). Using the authority invested in the KPPU, we used a persuasive approach,” explained Sukarmi, who said Jakarta’s airport now offers a wide range of consumer choices when it comes to land transportation.

She continued, saying that as a world tourism gateway, Bali needs a taxi service which is safe, comfortable and with as many choices as possible for the public. “If there’s only one (choice), that’s not a problem. But is there’s only one service that’s a shamble with high tariffs and catch-as-catch-can facilities, this will be disadvantage to the consumer,” said Sukarmi.

According to the vice-chairman of KPPU, Ngurah Rai Cooperative Taxi Service is unique with an armada of 1,200 vehicles operating from the airport and various hotels with some vehicle capable of handling 9 passengers. The tariff offered from the Bali airport is a “specialized tariff” using flat rates instead of meters.

The “flat fees” charged are higher than the fares that would be charged if metered taxis were allowed to operate from the airport. The higher fee is justified by the cooperative because of a “waiting surcharge.”

The zone system used by the cooperative also appear on some levels to be arbitrary with, for instance, the charge for traveling from the airport to the popular domestic destination of the Ubung Bus Station lower than to Sanur, despite the fact that Ubung is much further removed physically from the airport than Sanur.

The 1999 Anti-Monopoly Law specifically outlaws the operation of monopolies that inhibit competition as unbeneficial to the general public.

Related Article

[Is Bali's Airport Taxi Operation Illegal?]

 

German national Peter Achim Franz Grobmann (52), serving a five year prison sentence in Bali after being caught with 2.2 grams of marijuana in his suitcase upon arrival at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Ariport on March 10, 2010, is seeking clemency from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

After his arrest in 2010, the German readily admitted ownership of the envelop of marijuana, telling officers that the drugs were for his own use during a holiday in Bali and Papua Nuigini.

The formal please for leniency from the President was submitted via the Denpasar District Court on Monday, September 19, 2011.

Grobmann was originally convicted of illegal narcotics use and sentenced to 1.5 years in prison. Prosecutors, who had demanded an 8 year sentence for the German, were unhappy with the leniency of the sentence and appealed the decision winning, on a appeal, a tougher sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of Rp. 800 million (US$89,000).

In the past, President Yudhoyono has publicly stated that he is principally opposed to leniency in any form for those charged with narcotic violations.

The Seventh Annual Yak Awards 2011, with a "Bali Bohemia" theme, will feature 14 chefs and mixologist and culinary contributions from some of Bali’s leading hotels and restaurants during an evening dedicated to honoring leaders in Bali's business and private sectors.

More than 600 industry and community guests, nominees, advertisers and sponsors are expected to attend the yearly society event on Bali’s calendar set for Friday, September 30, 2011, starting at 6pm at the Tugu Hotel, Canggu.

Guests and invitees are urged to be “quirky,” dressing in a “Nouveau Trad” style that presents new slants on traditional Indonesian fashion and textiles.

The evening will also mark the debut of Bali’s new champenoise label Carat 22 served with wines sponsored by Indowines and beer from Heineken.

As in past years, music and dance will mark the Yak Award celebration with performances by “Sonic Soul,” dance and music by Mekar Buana Conservatory and Nyoman Sura, Jegog Siwentra, Suarmantra, Vocal performances by Yasmin Suteja and Yuki, and a range of top local DJ talent.

The gala evening will be hosted at Bali’s Tugu Hotel, Canggu.

The raison d'être for the evening is recognition of achievement in a number of industry categories awarded by The Yak Magazine's directors, to outstanding individuals and companies in Bali.

Voting through [The Yak Magazine’s website] , closes on September 28, 2011, and will be tabulated on-line by web provider, Island Communications. 

The categories for awards in 2011 are: Best Chef, Best Sunset Venue, Best Restaurant, Best Wine List, Best DJ, Yak Woman of the Year, Yak Man of the Year, Best Community Services Award, Best Bar, Best Villa, Best Spa, Best Fashion Label, Best Jewelers, Best Resort, Best Ad Campaign, Best Event and Outstanding Achievement Award.

Pre-Event Tickets are Rp. 350,000 (US$39) with pre-sale tickets available until September 29, 2011. On the door ticket price is Rp. 450,000 (US$50)

For more information please contact” [Email]  or telephone ++62-(0)361-8446341.

In order to enhance the security of its physical facility and guests, Melia Bali Villa & Spa Resort recently conducted special security training sessions at the hotel attended by members of management and the resort’s security team.

Taught by Colin Anderson and Verdo Boestami from Bali Classic Security Consulting, the training included routine security measures, security audit methods, principles of security, bomb awareness, vehicle search techniques, baggage search techniques, personnel search techniques, mail bomb detection, procedures for handling bomb threats, and the observation and surveillance techniques.

[Melia Bali Villa & Spa Resort]

Grand plans to establish World Peace Gong Monument at Taman Shanti Buana, at Kertalangu, East Denpasar, have run afoul for failing to qualify for the necessary licenses and permits.

The ambitious monument that was inaugurated on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, is an extremely large gong suspended from a larger Balinese-style superstructure sitting on a large pedestal. The center of the gong is painted to resemble the planet earth as seen from space. The national symbols of 220 countries and life-sized statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Mikhail Gorbachev, Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela have also been incorporated into the final design.

Built and funded with a desires to create a worldwide gathering point for people dedicated to peace, the monument's future now sits in limbo with Denpasar and Jakarta officials calling for the monument's destruction.

Official irritation is linked to the monument’s developer’s failure to obtain the required construction permits and the structure's violation of “green zone” regulations that expressly prohibit the establishment of any permanent structures in the area occupied by the World Peace Gong Monument.

Local zoning official, as reported by NusaBali, had visited the site in August during its construction phase, formally advising the monuments developers that the monument was in absolute violation of the prohibition against permanent structures in a green zone area.

Officials are also accusing the management of the park of failing to socialize the project to surrounding residents, creating disaffection among villagers who claim they have not been consulted about the monument’s construction on village lands.

The Deputy for Coordination for Environment Social Vulnerability of the Ministry for the People’s Welfare, Willem Rampingilei, has asked the World Peace Gong Monument (MGPD) in Kertalangu, East Denpasar be dismantled due to its violation of environment and zoning rules.
Explained Rampinhilei: “We have decided that the MGPD should not be built in the Cultural Village of Kertalangu. We are still seeking another location. In any case, Bali is still our first priority to build the subject monument.”

While many Denpasar official applaud the initiative to build an international peace monument in Bali, they bemoan the fact that those behind the project has failed to follow correct procedures and established zoning rules.

Grand plans to establish World Peace Gong Monument at Taman Shanti Buana, at Kertalangu, East Denpasar, have run afoul for failing to obtain the necessary licenses and permits.

The ambitious monument that was inaugurated on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, is an extremely large gong suspended from a Balinese-style superstructure sitting on a large pedestal. The center of the gong is painted to resemble the planet earth as seen from space. The national symbols of 220 countries and life-sized statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Mikhail Gorbachev, Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela have also been incorporated into the final design.

Built and funded with a desires to create a worldwide gathering point for people dedicated to peace, the monument's future now sits in limbo with Denpasar and Jakarta officials calling for the monument's destruction.

Official irritation is linked to the monument’s developer’s failure to obtain the required construction permits and the structure's violation of “green zone” regulations that expressly prohibit the establishment of any permanent structures in the area occupied by the World Peace Gong Monument.

Local zoning official, as reported by NusaBali, had visited the site in August during its construction phase when they formally advised the monument's developers of an absolute violation of the prohibition against permanent structures in a green zone area.

Officials are also saying the management of the park failed to socialize the project to surrounding residents, creating disaffection among villagers who claim they have not been consulted about the monument’s construction on communal village lands.

The Deputy for Coordination for Environment Social Vulnerability of the Ministry for the People’s Welfare, Willem Rampingilei, has asked the World Peace Gong Monument (MGPD) in Kertalangu, East Denpasar be dismantled due to its violation of environment and zoning rules.
Explained Rampinhilei: “We have decided that the MGPD should not be built in the Cultural Village of Kertalangu. We are still seeking another location. In any case, Bali is still our first priority to build the subject monument.”

While many Denpasar official applaud the initiative to build an international peace monument in Bali, they bemoan the fact that those behind the project has failed to follow correct procedures and established zoning rules.

The St. Regis Bali Resort will once again present one of its outstanding wine nights in the Astor Ballroom on Saturday, October 8, 2011, co-hosted by Count Francesco Marone Cinzano and the Wines of Montalcino and Maule Valley.

With a tradition of 250 years of wine excellence, it was the father of Francesco Marone Cinzano, Enrico Marone Cinzano, who bought Col d’Orcia, the celebrated Brunello Estate that is located on the southern slope of the Montalchine territory in 1973.

Born in Lausanne, Francesco Marone Cinzano inherited from his father the Col d’Orcia Estate in 1992. The estate extends over 540 hectares and Count Francesco defined the terrior of Col d’Orcia as a land gifted in the production of great red wines. Col d’Orcia produces 800,000 bottles of both red and white wine in a year that is sold in over 70 countries.

His most famous wine is Brunello Di Montalcino - a selection included among the wine pairings for dinner on October 8th.

Exporting their wine-making knowledge to the New World, the Maule Valley venture in Chile was started in 1995 with the Count’s vision to produce a world class wine combining the extraordinary climate and the family wine making tradition in the Caliboro Estate.

With the aim of producing quality wines through research and experimentation, the first wine produced was Erasmo.

A memorable evening awaits at the St. Regis Bali Resort with wines from Count Francesco Marone Cinzano, carefully selected by the Chief Sommelier Harald Wiesmann and paired with culinary selections created by Executive Sous Chef Agung Ardiawan and Chef de Cuisine - Kayuputi, Agung Gede.

This exceptional dining experience commences at 7.00 p.m. with cocktails and canapés at King Cole Bar, followed by the Wine Dinner at 7.30pm in the Astor Ballroom.

Cost for cocktails, dinner and wine pairing is Rp. 1,350,000 (US$150) inclusive 21% tax and service.

For Reservations telephone ++62-(0)361-3006112 or [email] 


                                               The Menu

                                          Amuse Bouche

           Lobster and foie gras carpaccio with lime peach espuma,
                                 micro cress and balsamic foam

Sant’Antimo DOC, Col D’Orcia, Sant Angelo, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy 2009, Pinot Grigio

Tasting Notes: Full Flavor, fruity and almost sweet on the tongue, more balanced on the palate with a slight acidity that accompanies until a soft and persistent finish where we find some of the fruits already discovered by smell.

                                                  ≈≈≈≈≈≈

         Yellow-fin tuna tataki in wine and mushroom consommé,
          grilled shiitake mushroom salad, drizzled with onion oil.

Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Col D’Orcia, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy 2008, Brunello (Sangiovese family)

Tasting Notes:  Intense, ample bouquet with hints of ripe fruit: berries and raspberries well balanced with the typical scents of the wood. Full and structured flavor. Supple and wrapping tannins. The spicy hints originating from the oak are perfectly balanced with the Sangiovese varietal fruit.

                                                  ≈≈≈≈≈≈

    Roast-cured pigeon breast with pigeon ravioli, caramelized fig,
                             and berries, Sangiovese reduction.

Gineprone, Chianti D.O.C.G., Col D’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy 2008, Sangiovese & Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes: Intense and persistent bouquet with strong hints of ripe plum and spices from the oak. Full and pleasant flavor with fruity notes integrated with a good tannic structure. Warm and long aftertaste.

                                                 ≈≈≈≈≈≈

   Herbs-crushed Wagyu beef sirloin carpaccio of veal tongue,butter
           sautéed green asparagus, Kintamani green pepper corn.

Brunello meat jus Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Col D’Orcia, Montalcino, Tuskany, Italy 2005, Brunello

Tasting Notes: Typical of Sangiovese,the bouquet has marked hints of plum. Intense and ample. The long ageing in the barriques oak leads to a very elegant nuance of spices and vanilla. The taste has a giood structure, delicate and nature tannins. Lasting aftertaste. Excellent balance between fruit and oak scent.

                                                 ≈≈≈≈≈≈

                             Texture of Italian cheeses
      Red wine poached pear tart, dried grapes and apricot jam


Erasmo, Vina Réserva de Caliboro Estate, Maule Valley, Chile 2006, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

Tasting Notes. The bouquet has a harmony of wildflowers, cherry, blueberry and blackberry preserves on a background of licorice. The taste starts with a warm sensation that develops into a long and persistent flavor of cherries and blackberries; a velvety and elegant blend of tannins integrated into a full-bodied, long, lingering finish,

                                                ≈≈≈≈≈≈

                                               Tiramisu
     Coffee ice cream, hazelnut dacquoise, mascarpone cream
              with liquid coffee silver sugar cage, Amaretto jelly

Erasmo, Vina Réserva de Caliboro Estate, Maule Valley, Chile 2006, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

Tasting Notes:  See above

                                                ≈≈≈≈≈≈

                                              Petit fours

                                                ≈≈≈≈≈≈

                                            Coffee or tea

[St. Regis Bali Resort]

Festival Danau Batur or the Lake Batur Festival will be held in Kintamani October 10-11, 2011 – the first time this event has been held at the volcano-based community in central Bali.

Envisioned in order to promote Kintamani and the surrounding areas as a tourist destination, the two-day festival will feature boat races, musical concerts by Koes Plus and Ebiet G. Ade, and a number of tourism workshops and seminars.

Quoted by the State News Agency Antara, Muhammad Faried, the Director for Domestic Tourism Destination from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said, “we hope that the hosting of the Lake Batur Festival will promote more tourists to north Bali.”

Citing the over-crowded conditions in Bali’s south, Faried emphasized that Bali’s north has many destinations for tourism, such as the beauty of Lake Batur at Kintamani.

Schedule for Lake Batur Festival

Monday, October 10, 2011
10:00 Opening Ceremony for the Festival Danau Batur 2011
10:05 Report on the Festival by the Director General of Marketing – Sapta            Nirwandar
10:15 Welcoming remarks from the Regent of Bangli
10:25 Speech from the Governor of Bali
10:40 Speech and official opening by the Minister of Culture and Tourism,           Jero Wacik
11:00 Performance by legendary musical group Koes Plus
11:30 Food Festival and Fruit Carving
13:30 Tourism Workshop at the Batur Volcanic Museum
15:30 Race Announcements
16:00 Koes Plus Performance

Tuesday, October 11, 2011
04:00 Hiking at Mount Batur
10:00 Opening of the second day of the Danau Batur Festival
10:10 Canoe Race on Lake Batur
13:00 Welcoming of participants in the “Tour D’Indonesia” by the Minister            of Culture and Tourism
13:30 Performance by Ebiet G. Ade
14:40 Announcement of Quiz and Race Winners
15:10 Local Cultural Performance
 

“Ibu” Robin Lim, a Bali-based midwife who in 2003 founded the Bumi Sehat Foundation (Yayasan Bumi Sehat) – a birthing center in Ubud, has been nominated as a “World Hero” - one of the ten finalists in the annual CNN’s Hero Awards.

Dedicated to reducing maternal and child morbidity, the foundation provides general health services, emergency care, prenatal and postpartum birth services, breastfeeding support and community health education.

Working to assist pregnant women and children in Bali since 1994, “Ibu" Robin Lim established the Yayasan Bumi Sehat in 2006 in response to rising maternal mortality rates in Indonesia, that were the highest in the region. Working with local business and member of the community, Lim works tirelessly to provide social services, health education and essential health services to women and children.

Through their Bali and Aceh (North Sumatra) clinic, over 5,000 babies have been welcomed into the word via the Yayasan’s birthing services.

As a top 10 finalist in CNN Heroes “Ibu” Robin Lim will receive US$50,000 and invitation to the attend in person CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute to be telecast on December 11, 2011. The winner – to be announced live on CNN – will win an additional US$250,000 that - if  "Ibu" Robin wins will use to for her important work on behalf of the woman and children of Indonesia. Use the link below to cast a vote for Robin.

Check your local listing for time for the CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute on December 11, 2011

[To vote for Robin Lim as a CNN Hero] 

[Bumi Sehat Foundation] 
 

A team from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is expected in Bali October 12-17, 2011 to review three locations nominated for World Heritage Status.

The World Heritage List is comprised of 936 sites around the world considered as having outstanding universal value.

During their 5-day visit the UNESCO team will visit and review three sites in Bali for possible elevation as UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• The Pakerisan water catchment area of Gianyar
• The rice-field terraces of Jatiluwih in Tabanan
• Taman Ayung Tempe in Badung

The final determination by UNESCO will depend on the intrinsic quality of each site, the level of care and maintenance in place and the surrounding community’s commitment to support the assessment process.

The findings of the survey team will be discussed at the UNESCO assembly to be held in June 2012.

[List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites] 

Related Article

[Bali Cites Sites for UNESCO Citation]

Coinciding the 18th Annual ASEAN Summit taking place in Bali in November 2011, the BALINALE 2011 will return for the fifth year to Bali November 15-20, 2011.

Via their special ASEAN Film Focus in 2011 the BALINALE seeks to promote the production of films in the region and promote networking among members of the region’s film industry.

Included in the festival program will be a workshop conducted by Gabrielle Kelly, Associate Arts Professor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts - Asia. Ms Kelly produced an omnibus of narrative shorts from ASEAN country filmmakers.

Highlights from the Program of BALINALE 2011

• Thursday, 20 October – Pre-Festival Launch & Press Gathering (Jakarta)
• Monday, 14 November - Welcome Dinner (Bali) for Filmmakers and            Sponsors
• Tuesday, 15 November - Opening Night Premiere and After- Party               Dinner at W Retreat and Spa
• Wednesday – Sunday, 16-18 November - Award winning films with daily    screenings Short Film Competition
• Saturday & Sunday, 19-20 November - Free Children’s Program of Films     Film Industry Forum
• Sunday, 20 November - Press Conference (Bali) ASEAN Film Festival           Gala Dinner
• Monday, 21 November - Film Industry Seminars hosted by ASEAN

[BALINALE 2011 Website]
 

Internationally renowned Yoga Master – Duncan Wong will lead a 5 day Bali Yoga Retreat centered on Sanur Beach October 18-23, 2011.

The creator of Yogic Arts™ System, Duncan Wong synthesizes the stillness and simplicity of Zen philosophy with comprehensive core dynamic flow mechanics, mixed martial arts mudra and stance structure, interdisciplinary bodywork therapy, and a refined approach to assisting and alignment, with the rhythm of modern dance and urban breakbeats.

Yogic Arts is, in essence, a personal investigation led by Duncan Wong of the ways to relate the primal movements of all wisdom cultures, emphasizing contact, connection and alignment of elemental and energetic spiritual forms.

Duncan Wong

The creator of the Yogic Arts ™ Synthesis System, an interactive flow technology, established in San Francisco, California, in 1990, Duncan Wong comes from a yoga background influenced by the intuition of dance, the heart of martial arts, and the therapy of bodywork.

Master Wong is a pioneer of the organic flow movement and is excited to encourage like-minded yogis to inspire peaceful power and passionate purpose, one light warrior at a time. Wong’s gifts as a Yoga master have drawn Madonna, Sting, Bjork and Cliff Richards - who have all booked Duncan for private tuition.

In Bali from the 18th to 22nd of October, Duncan Wong will teach a five-day course in Sanur.

Held at the “Power of Now Oasis” in Sanur the 5-day program includes daily morning and afternoon Yoga sessions including bodywork therapy and massage. 
The 5-Day Package includes:

• Individual air-conditioned room (2 minutes walk from the beach)
• airport transfers

• organic breakfasts each day
• Bokashi organic Massage (full body immersion in organic fermented spices and plants)

• A sunset fun cruise
.

The Cost of the program - including single accommodation and all the program elements, consultations with traditional healer, surf lesson, canoeing, kite/wind surfing, snorkeling and airport transfers is US$1,500.

Non-residential participation is available at Rp. 5 million (US$555)..

To Book the Master Duncan Wong Sunshine Bali Yoga Retreat October 18-22, 2011 [email] 

It will be beer, music and fun at Oktoberfest 2011 from September 30 – October 2, 2011 in a specially constructed party tent located between the Discovery Shopping Mall and the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel.

Om-Pah-Pah Bands, lots of beer, pretzels, beer, wine and more will be on offer at Bali’s rendition of Oktoberfest with the following schedule:

• Friday, September 30, 2011 – 5:00 p.m. until midnight

• Saturday, October 1, 2011 – 10:00 a.m. until midnight

• Sunday, October 2, 2011 – 10:00 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Open to the public without charge, click on the link below to print the admission flyer that can be exchanged for a free drink.

[Print a Free Drink Coupon for Oktoberfest 2011 in Bali]
 

The Bali police have increased surveillance and patrols following the suicide bombing of a Christian Protestant church in Solo, Central Java, on Sunday, September 25, 2011, that has left 2 dead and 28 injured.

Beritabali.com reports that the police in Bali have increased surveillance at all the island’s gateways, public places and churches.

That added security measures are in place was confirmed by the chief spokesman for the Bali police, Hariadi, on Sunday, following the attack in Central Java earlier in the day. Hariadi told the press that Bali’s chief of police, General Totoy Herawan Indra, issued orders to all divisions of the Bali police to increase vigilance at all gateways and at the island’s sole airport.

Explained Hariadi: “Increased routine patrols are also being undertaken. This is the order of Bali’s chief of police.” 

The police spokesman outlined that the heightened state of vigilance, however, did not constitute a “siaga satu” – the highest official state of security alert. Following the Solo bombing Bali’s alert status remains officially unchanged.

He also said that roadside vehicle checks, frequent patrols in high-crime areas and a high level of police presence at tourist sites on the island would continue unabated.

“In addition, we are also optimizing security at all places of worship and tourist objects, “ said Hariadi.

Speaking on behalf of the Bali police, Hariadi called on the public to take an active role in the security of their home districts. If the public sees anything that raises their suspicions or causes concern, they are asked to immediately contact the nearest police precinct.