On Monday, October 17, 2011, many sections of southern and eastern Bali lost electrical service for 30 minutes, starting from 9:30 a.m..

The general manager of The State Electricity Board for Bali (PLN-Bali), Danan Koerniadioera, blamed the outage on broken isolation switches on transformers damaged in the island’s earthquake the previous Thursday.

Said Koerniadipoera: “After we checked, apparently the isolators on transformer had cracked during the earthquake. Why this was only discovered now (Monday) is because the normally static isolators cracked when they were powered up this morning. We had earlier indications that these units were cracked.”

The 30 minute power outage cost PLN-Bali an estimated Rp.51 million (US$5,667) in lost bilings.

Mari Elka Pangestu, Indonesia’s former Trade Minister, has been reassigned in the recent cabinet reshuffle to the new post of Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy.

The new posting effectively replaces the role played by outgoing Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, who has been reassigned to the job of Energy and Mineral Resources Minister.

In making the announcement, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the responsibilities of both culture and tourism were “very wide” and under the new ministerial scheme the responsibility for safeguarding national culture will be “returned” to the National Ministry of Education.

Jero Wacik, in his new capacity as the Minister for Energy and Mineral Resource, will work closely with state-owned enterprises involved in the energy fields, including the state oil company Pertamina.

In naming the new tourism boss, President Yudhoyono said Pangestu was well equipped to lead Indonesia to greater economic progress based on the nation’s creative enterprises. The president said he sees a huge untapped economic potential in exports generated by the nation’s handicraft industries.

Yudhoyono also emphasized that tourism and the creative economic sector enjoy a close synergy capable of being mutually supportive. Continuing, the Indonesian President asked if anyone could imagine taking a holiday in Bali without buying small gifts and souvenirs made by handicraft producers?

The regional administration of Badung in Bali is threatening to withdraw the permits for the Hotel Mulia project if it can be demonstrated that the fugitive Djoko S. Tjandra had violated any existing regulations. To that end, officials are reviewing to see if the construction now underway at the project conforms to its building permit (IMB) and the environmental impact study (Amdal).

Beritabali.com reports that the vice-regent of Badung, Ketut Sudikerta, said on October 17, 2011, that a technical team has been appointed to supervise the project and determine if there is any substance to reports of zoning and environmental violations. The team is specifically checking to see if the buildings at the project meets setback rules from seashores and ravines.

“We have ordered our technical team to observe and make field checks so this problem can be finally resolved. If he (Tjandra) is wrong we’ll stop him, to prevent mistakes occurring in the construction. If he has made mistakes that violate permits, we will automatically take firm action,” explained Sudikerta.

Sudikerta assured that public that the regency of Badung will bow to law enforcement if it can be shown that the Hotel Mulia has been breaking the law. However, speaking generally, Sudikerta insists that the Hotel Mulia is generally following all the rules.

Related Articles

[Rising Indignation Over Mulia Hotel Project]
 
[Brouhaha at the Mulia] 

[The Mulia Comes to Bali] 

Tens of students from non-governmental agency calling itself the Gumi Bali Care Foundation (FPGB) held a “movement for a moratorium rally” on Sunday, October 16, 2011, on Renon square in downtown Denpasar, the capital of Bali.

Traveling on bicycles, the protestors carried posters proclaiming “Save Bali.”

“This action is intended to underline the need for Bali to introduce a moratorium on new tourism development which is beginning to pile up,” explained I Putu Hery Indrawan who coordinated the demonstration.

According to Indrawan, tourism accommodation supply undertaken by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in cooperation with Udayana University showed that as of December 2010, Bali had an over-capacity of rooms totaling 9,800 rooms.

The development of more facilities (hotels) will cause both social and ecological losses for Bali as such new building pay no attention to carrying capacity of Bali’s environment, explained Indrawan.

Indrawan said new projects must be stopped to prevent a severe over-supply problem in Bali.

Despite a declared moratorium on new hotel projects by Bali’s governor Made Mangku Pastika, regional administrations continue to issue new projects and permission has been given to new and massive Bali International Park Project in South Bali.

Related Article

[Sky High Objections]

[Acting Up to Save Bali’s Environment]
 
[BIP-A-Dee-Doo-Dah]
 
[Editorial: Much More than a Moratorium]

[Bali: A Roomy Destination]

[Can’t We Just Talk About It?]
 
[Problematic: Bali International Park Project]
 
[The Zone Defense]
 

The national news agency Antara reports that Bali’s newly installed Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, has promised that she will continue to programs and policies established by her predecessor Jero Wacik.

“I promise to continue the programs of ‘Pak’ Jero Wacik,” Pengestu proclaimed at the ceremony handing over the reins of tourism from Wacik to herself on Wednesday, October 19, 2011.

On a personal level, Pangestu said she highly prized the many achievements of Jero Wacik during his tenure as Indonesia’s Minister of Culture and Tourism.

In the future, Pangestu, who come to her new post after serving as Indonesia’s Minister of Trade, said she felt there is a need for discussions to be held on the structure and organization of the ministry she will lead. Referring to the new responsibility for the “creative economy” contained in the portfolio of her restructured ministry, Pangestu said, "I think we need to discuss what part (of the ministry) will handle the creative economy.”

The newly appointed minister has already suggested that there may be a need for a Director General of the Economy in the revamped structure of her Ministry.

Pangestu has already underlined her intention to make tourism and the creative economy sectors an important source of revenues for the national economy.

Rotating blackouts in Bali’s power supply are predicted to reoccur in February 2012. The power interruptions will take place during scheduled, routine repairs on the Gas Generating Power Station (PLTG) in Gilimanuk, West Bali, that, during periods of the planned repairs causing the plant to go off-line Bali will lose 130 megawatts of power generation capability.

Beritabali.com quotes the general manager of Bali’s State Power Board (PT-PLN-Bali), Dadan Koerniadipoera, as calling on Bali’s hotels to maximize the use of internal power generating systems to reduce the load on the Bali power grid.

‘We have asked the hotels that during the month of February, if hotel occupancies are high with a resulting high demand on electrical power, to assist by turning on the their gensets so the system load requirement doesn’t rise. We hope the current load demands can be maintained in order to avoid potential blackouts,” explained Koerniadipoera.

Dadan Koerniadipoera went on to explain that PLN-Bali provides some 680 megawatts of power, enough to meet peak demand periods consuming 540 megawatts.

Against the background of intensive press coverage regarding the alleged ownership of the Hotel Mulia project in Bali by fugitive Djoko S. Tjandra, the State News Agency Antara, reports that M. Nazaruddin, the national legislator awaiting trial on charges that he corrupted funds designated for the construction of facilities to serve the SEA Games, is also believed to own one of Bali’s leading starred hotels.

Gede Pasek Suardika, the chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee of Democratic Party, speaking of the Bali hotel property, said, “the hotel was auctioned by a bank and, as far as I know, the hotel is owned by an Indonesian corporation connected to Nazaruddin.”

Pasek Suardika claims to have obtained the information in a discussion with Nazaruddin.

He went on to say the Bali hotel owned by Nazaruddin enjoys a high occupancy. He added that it remains a mystery why the hotel was unable to make its loan payments to a major bank in Bali, necessitating the auction of the hotel by the government. “The hotel was auctioned and the company that won the bid is owned by Nazruddin," explained Suardika.

Pasek Suardika declined to name the hotel owned by the disgraced legislator, but would only say the location of the property was in the southern regions of the Badung regency.

Related Article

[Brouhaha at the Mulia]
 

Umar Patek, the terror suspect arrested in Pakistan in January 2011and returned to Indonesia, was brought to Bali by Indonesian police to Bali on Thursday, October 20, 2011, to visit five locations linked with the 2002 Bali bombing.

Patek, labeled by police as mastermind behind the bombing, was brought to Bali to participate in reconstructions of the events surrounding the October 12, 2002 bombing that claimed 202 lives. Also brought to Bali for the reconstructions were five fellow-terrorists linked to the bombing: Ali Imron, Abdul Ghani, Mubarok, Sawad and Idris – all serving life sentences for their crimes.

Under heavy guard, the reconstructions took places on:

• Jalan Pulau Menjangan in Denpasar where the bombs were assembled and stored.
• The Consulate of the U.S.A. in Denpasar where a bomb was exploded in 2002, without casualties, in an area adjacent to the consulate.
• The Ubung bus station in Denpasar where Idris and Sawad picked up Umar Patek, delivering him to a rented set of rooms on Jalan Gatot Subroto.
• The rented rooms on Jalan Gatot Subroto.
• Ground Zero in Kuta where the bombs killing 202 people were detonated at the Sari Club and Paddy’s Pub.

According to The Bali Post, Umar Patek garnered the lion’s share of public attention during the reenactments. Dressed in a traditional Arabic style and sporting a long beard, crowds jostled for position to see and photograph the Indonesian sought for a decade by international anti-terrorist agencies who had placed a US$1 million price on his head leading to his capture.

The reconstruction, considered intrinsic to every Indonesian criminal prosecution, was guarded by armed police officers and member of the elite Densus 88 anti-terrorist of the national police. Also in attendance was Bali’s chief of police, Inspector General Totoy Herawan Indra.

The grand tour of reconstruction sites commenced at 5:00 a.m. on Jalan Pulau Menjangan in Denpasar at the rooms rented by the men who constructed the bombs and held planning meetings with the now-deceased Amrozy, Iman Samudera and Dr. Azahari. The entourage then moved to the area near the U.S. Consulate on Jalan Hayum Wuruk where Ali Imron furtively exploded a bomb under a roadside tree tossed in haste from his motorcycle. The next stop was the Ubung Bus terminal in Denpasar where Umar Patek was met by the terrorist cell when he first arrived by bus from Java on the island. From the bus station, Patek was escorted to a boarding house on Jalan Gatot Subroto II, Number 11 in Denpasar, which was reportedly rented by the Malaysian terrorist Dr. Azahari - the fourth stop on the journey of reconstruction. In 2001, Pasek eventually shifted to the Jalan Pulau Menjangan location where he set about constructing the bombs.

The last stop on the reconstruction exercise was in the area surrounding “Ground Zero” where the Sari Club and Paddy’s Pub were leveled by a series of suicide bombs exploded in quick succession, killing 202 people. The reenactment focused on the surveillance trips conducted by Ali Imron and Iman Samudera in preparation of the attack by the suicide bombers who, necessarily, were unable to participate in the reconstruction scenes.

After the Bali reconstruction, police brought Patek to Solo, Central Java to re-enact his movements prior to the Bali bombing of 2002.

The Trial Ahead

Speculation is now rife on where exactly Umar Petek will stand trial for his involvement in the Bali bombing of 2002. Conventional legal wisdom suggests that the trial should take place in Bali, the jurisdiction where the actual crime was committed. Other considerations, however, may prompt the government to move the trial to Jakarta.

Bali famous Jari Menari Spa – with outlets in Seminyak and Tanjung Benoa – is one of Bali’s most highly regarded independent spa operations, winning accolades that includes recognition at the ASIA Spa Awards as home to the “Asia Spa Personality of the Year in 2010” to its technical advisor Susan Stein and as home to the “Spa Therapist Team of the Year.”

“Jari Menari” translates from Indonesian to “Dancing Fingers,” which perhaps best describes the soothing techniques of the professionally trained, all-male staff that specializes in strong, firm and consistent pressure.

Susan Stein, the technical advisor of Jari Menari, will travel to Singapore between November 1-20, 2011 to conduct a series of training workshops and a limited number of massage therapy sessions at Aramsa ~ The Garden Spa in Bishan Park II in the company of three senior therapists – Wayan, Oka and Danu.

In Singapore from November 1-20, 2011, the team will be offering workshop is for anyone who is interested in broadening and enriching their base of professional knowledge and skill. Two full-day training sessions will be conducted on consecutive Saturdays, November 12 or 19, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Institution of Technical Education (ITE) College East, 10 Simei Avenue Singapore 486047.

Cost of the course is S$350+ per person including a 90 minute Jari Menari Signature Massage at Aramsa ~ The Garden Spa that can be redeemed between November 1-20, 2011. The course without the additional massage costs only S$210+.

The workshop includes an introduction to massage and the art of touch. Students watch demonstrations, give and receive techniques taught throughout the morning. The class teaches 9-steps of oil-free massage techniques. Attention is focused on the back of the body, especially the head, hands, lower back and feet.

For more information or to book [email Arasma – The Garden Spa] 
 

National carrier Garuda Indonesia has taken delivery of its 48th B737-800 NG (Next Generation) from the Boeing delivery facility in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A..

Delivered on Monday, October 17, 2011, the new aircraft was received by the airline’s CEO, Emirsyah Satar, and witnessed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Washington, D.C., Dino Pati Djalal,  together with a visiting delegation from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN).

In addition to being the 48th Boeing 737-800NG delivered to Garuda Indonesia, the new aircraft is the 123rd Boeing 737 purchased by the national carrier.

Boeing Sky Interior

The Boeing 737-800 New Generation aircraft ordered by Garuda Indonesia will all be equipped with unique ceiling color and lighting arrangements dubbed by the aircraft maker as “Boeing Sky Interior.”

The interior feature allows the pilot to control the cabin lighting to provide a range of striking sky effects reflecting different moments in the cycle of a single day. The effects are driven with energy efficient LED lighting.

The new Boeing 737-800NGs also have advance audio and visual on-demand entertainment systems installed on each chair.

A More Modern Fleet

The new aircraft is part of an overall plan for fleet modernization that include orders for 50 Boeing 737-800NG, 10 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) and Airbus A330-200.

The revitalization program, labeled “Quantum Leap” by Garuda’s management seeks to increase the airline’s armada from 84 to 154 by 2015 that will reduce the average age of any aircraft in the fleet to just 5 years.

The new Boeing 737-800NGs will be dedicated to service on domestic and regional routes, Airbus A330-300/200 for routes of intermediate length and the new Boeing 777-300ER for intercontinental services.

Garuda is also securing aircraft with seating of less than 100 for service between remote regions of Indonesia without the need for intermediate stops in Jakarta.

On Thursday, October 20, 2011, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially inaugurated the new Lombok International Airport (BIL), located in the village of Tanak Awu, Central Lombok.

Kompas.com reports that President Yudhoyono issued commands at the opening ceremony for the urgent completion of a Bypass highways leading to the airport and for the runway to be lengthened from its current 2,750 meters to 3,000 meters.

The new airport, on Bali’s near neighbor of Lombok, was built with funding from national, provincial and regional budgets. To improve the “greenness” of new airport, the President has donated 10,000 seedling trees to be planted at the facility, which covers a total area of 551 hectares.

The President reminded the Minister of Transportation, EE Mangindaan, and the Minister of Public Works, Joko Kirmanto - both of who attended the opening, to urgently complete a 21 kilometer road leading to the BIL and the lighting that will illuminate the roadway.

No Impediment to Lengthening Runway

When reporters asked the Minister of Transportation how long it would take to lengthen the runway, he confirmed that the governor of West Nusa Tenggara province, Zainul Majdi, has confirmed the availability of the land needed for the runway extension.

Tucked away in the northwestern corner of Italy is the province of Piedmont, renowned the world over for its range of Piemonte wines. Using Nebbiolo grapes this region produces Barolo and Barbaresco wines, which have been described by it fans as “drinking velvet.” Other varietals from this region include are Barbera and Dolcetto. Moscato grapes grown in this region produce the sparkling Asti, while Brachetto grapes are employed to make sparkling and sweet wines.

Nestled in this region, the Pio Cesare winery, was founded in 1881 by Cesare Pio. A pioneering wine producer in an area synonymous with the art of making fine wine, Cesare Pio was an adamant proponent of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera and in the other great wines of Piemonte.
Centered near the city of Alba, the Pio Cesare winery owns more than 50 hectares of vineyards, located in the most highly rated and better-exposed areas. 

On Friday, October 28, 2011, AYANA Resort and Spa Bali will host another memorable wine evening featuring the wines of the historic Pio Cesare winery. Limited seats are available for a sumptuous five-course menu prepared by Dava’s new Chef de Cuisine, Jusman So.

MENU

Sformato ai porcini con porri e crema di Taleggio
Aromatic herbs and porcini timbale, braised leek, Taleggio cheese fondue

Gavi DOCG 2009

Tasting Notes: Ripe fruit with freshness and a clean spicy fragrance, good complex flavour, smooth, silky, rich and slightly aromatic, meant to be consumed young but it can age in the bottle up to 3 years.

+ + + + + +

Zuppa di ceci con pancetta fresca e fegato d’oca
Chickpeas soup, sweet bacon and pan roasted foie gras

Dolcetto D’Alba DOC 2009

Tasting Notes: Fresh, fruity, fragrant with body and structure, spicy, ripe fruit and roundness.

+ + + + + +

Agnolotti di formaggio e tartufo d’inverno
Cheese agnolotti and butter-winter truffle sauce

Barbaresco DOCG 2004

Tasting Notes: A very classic Barbaresco, elegant with ripe and spicy fruit, great depth and complexity. The mild and ripe tannins provide this wine with gentleness and finesse, but also strength and opulence. Very long ageing potential

+ + + + + +

Lombo di cervo al forno con polenta e sugo di cottura
Slow roasted venison loin, corn polenta and natural jus

Barolo Ornato DOCG 2005

Tasting Notes: A classic Barolo. Excellent structure and harmony, mild tannins and balanced fruit. It is immediately approachable, but it has a very long ageing potential.

+ + + + + +

Crostata di cioccolato e Nutella con zabaione
Chocolate and hazelnut Nutella tart with sabayon

Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2009

Tasting Notes: A semi-sweet wine, with flavors of honey, rich ripe fruit, aromatic on the palate, along with a frizzante finish. The nose is fresh. This wine is produced in very limited production.

The evening gets underway at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2011 at the Dava Restaurant of the AYANA Resort and Spa Bali.

The cost for the five-course menu and wine pairing is Rp. 1.4 million (US$155) per person.

Reservations are a must. For more information or bookings [email AYANA Pio Cesare Wine Night] 
 

The State-owned oil company Pertamina has recommenced aviation fuel supply to the State-owned airline Merpati Nusantara, effective Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Fuel supplies were cut off to the airline at selected airport due to more than US$62 million in unpaid fuel bills owed Pertamina. [See: Running on Empty?] 

Pertamina spokesman, M. Harun, quoted by Bisnis Bali, confirmed that fuel supplies for Merpati which had been momentarily stopped at the airports of Surabaya and Makassar, have now been resumed after a deal was struck between the government, Merpati and Pertamina.

On a visit to Bali to attend meetings with regents from across Indonesia and attend a political meeting of his party, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and “Ibu” Ani Yudhoyono, paid a surprise visit to the hillside community of Ubud on Friday, October 21, 2011.

The presidential entourage stopped by at 4:00 p.m. at the main market in Ubud, accompanied by the regent of Gianyar, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati – more popularly known as “Cok Ace.” Joining the informal tour of Ubud were also the Coordinating Minister for the People’s Welfare Laksono, Sports Minister Andi Mallaranggeng and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Radjasa.

The high level “walk-about” at Ubud’s central market caused a 3 kilometer traffic jam stretching from the market to the village of Kedewatan as traffic came to a standstill. Later, the President party enjoyed a late a late afternoon repast of Balinese roast duck at the Tepi Sawah Restaurant adjacent to the Nyoman Sumertha Art Gallery in Peliatan. After the Ubud stop, the group headed for the Presidential Palace in nearby Tampaksiring where the Yudhoyono spent the night.

While in Ubud, the President visited a number of local stalls. He purchased a Balinese painting for Rp. 500,000 (US$55) from stall owner, I Gusti Ketut Kiana. The abstract painting, using the number “9” as its theme, was  purchased by the President, purportedly for the good fortune portended by that number.

Delighted with the sale, Kiana told NusaBali, he would have gladly given the painting as a gift to the President. But, instead, he will now keep the actual money handed to him by the national leader as a cherished family heirloom.

The President also visited a stall operated by Made Budana where he purchased two items made of mosaic. Budana was momentarily speechless when the President suddenly appeared, but was soon put at ease by Yudhoyono’s easy manner.

Yudhoyono also chatted with a young American tourist, identified as Michael. After posing for a picture with Indonesia’s Head of State, an excited Michael used his cell phone to phone home and share his delight at the presidential meeting with his family who immediately declared their intention to frame the photo of their Son with the Indonesian President and give it pride of place in their American living room.

Bisnis.com reports that members of Bali’s tourism industry are expressing the hope that the newly appointed Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, to waste no time in becoming acclimated with her new working environment and immediately implement positive and concrete steps in the tourism sector.

Industry leaders have called on Pangestu to “step on the gas” and get on with her new job. Rudiana, vice-chairman of the Bali Chapter of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASITA), told the press that in terms of synergy and leadership he gave Pangestu an edge over her predecessor Jero Wacik.

Bali tourism stakeholders are awaiting Pangestu to announce the 100-day program of her new administration to advance tourism and the creative economy. “We hope Ibu Mari will meet soon with stakeholders to decide what problems must be resolved in order to achieve the 7.7 million foreign tourists targeted to visit Indonesian in 2011,” said Iqbal Allan Abdulla, the chairman of the Indonesian Conference and Convention Association (INCCA).

Both Rudiana and Iqbal said the appointment of Pangestu and Sapta Nirwandar as her vice-minister promises a “fresh breeze” for the development of national tourism.

Said Rudiana: 
"Pak Sapta is a bureaucrat who clearly understands the business environment and entrepreneurship demanded by his ministry. Because of this, we hope Mari Pangestu will take immediate action, in other words, ‘step on the gas.’”

Iqbal declared that the new area of responsibility of the creative economy within the new ministry must also include the meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) sector which includes the transaction of a variety of events. “If we share the same understanding of the creative economy, all that remains is for us to do is establish targets for MICE visitors,” explained Rudiana.

Rudiana said there’s a need to improve the infrastructure to create a nurturing environment for the MICE market sector.

Hard Rock Hotel Bali will host a 5 kilometer fun run in support of the Bali Smiles Foundation (Yayasan Senyum Bali) on Sunday, November 27, 2011.

race starts at 6:30 a.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel Bali in Kuta with on-site registration from 5:30 a.m..

Pre-registration is available from October 26 – November 26, 2011 at the Hard Rock Hotel Bali each day from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. in front of the Giant Surfboard.

Related Site

[Bali Smiles Foundation]

The government is considering delaying the introduction of new regulations providing mandatory compensations Indonesian airlines must pay passengers when flights are delayed or canceled, baggage or cargo lost or damaged, or passengers are injured or killed.

According to Bisnis Indonesia, the Ministry of Transportation is planning on delaying the new compensation scheme set for introduction in mid-November 2011 [See: The Compensations of Air Travel]  due to various objections from Indonesian air carriers.

The director of air transport at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Edward A. Silooy, said: “many (airlines) are rejecting the implementation (of the new rules) because of practical difficulties. Because of this, the rules may be revised.”

Among the airlines’ chief complaints cited in calling for the revision and delaying the introduction of the new rules are limitations by existing insurance policies that cannot be changed until the current policies expire and practical difficulties of compensating passengers in remote regions of the country where electronic bank services are limited.

The Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) has also filed letters of protests with the government, objecting to the introduction of the new compensation levels. Tengku Burhanuddin, the secretary general of INACA, argues that Indonesian airlines already pay compensation when flights are delayed and the new higher  level of compensation are not contemplated by existing levels of insurance coverage.

The appointment of Maria Elka Pangestu as Indonesia’s new Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy gives new hope that Indonesia may, at long last, gets its house in order by adopting modern methods of tourism promotion.

Pangestu’s past experience and reputation for effectiveness as Minister of Trade bolsters hopes that a new “no nonsense” approach to how Indonesia promotes its tourism products is on the way, sweeping away antiquated concepts and self-imposed limitations that continue to deny the Country its fair share of the growing market of tourism arrivals in the region.

To achieve this, Maria Pangestu will first need to clear away the smokescreen of past ineptitude that insisted “positive thinking” was all that was really needed in promoting national tourism and that the issuance of repeated and inane proclamations that Indonesia magically enjoyed immunity from every inimical global political and economic development somehow represented a wise response to every crisis.

Not only wrong minded, this approach has also proven destructive to national development; blind to the evidence that, within the competitive circle of all ASEAN tourism arrivals, Indonesia’s market share is among the worst performing.

Surrounded by competing tourism destinations with well-financed and professionally-managed tourism promotion boards, Indonesia’s tourism promotion remains underfunded, poorly managed and burdened by antiquated rules and procedures that condemn the Country to less-than-its-fair-share of the tourism pie. Tourism officials are well aware of the many failings of how tourism is promoted, but wring their hands in despair and blame long-standing rules that prohibit public funding of private sector initiatives and bar  private setor direct participation in how government funds are allocated.

As result, Indonesia is unable to compete for visitors and execute meaningful programs for national tourism promotion.

This sad state of affairs is perhaps no where more evident than the disconnect between a stated desires to grow the meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) markets and the lack of a dedicated national conference and convention bureau. While other destinations, such as Singapore, actively court organizers of major international conferences up to 8-10 years in advance of an event and offer financial incentives and subsidies, Indonesia has no comparable agency charged with the solicitation of international conferences and conventions.

Until Indonesia discovers an accommodation that will allows an establishment of an effective and well-funded tourism promotion office that calls on the substantial reservoir of talent and expertise existing within the private sector of Indonesian tourism managers, any efforts to compete effectively for tourism visitors will achieve limited results.

Hopefully, Mari Pangestu’s solid grounding in matters of trade will allow her to examine the sea of “best practice” in tourism promotion that surrounds Indonesia and then create a promotional organization capable of freeing itself from the current quagmire or needless, self-imposed restrictions. 

Whether you reside on the eastern or western side of Bali, there’s now no excuse for not joining in on the festivities celebrating the annual running of Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

Punters and celebrants can take their pick between race parties in Bali being held at the Canggu Club or the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel.

Each event will be celebrated in “Melbourne Race Style” with appropriate dress and hats, liquid libations, food, entertainment, prizes and live coverage of the race at 12 noon from Flemington Racecourse in Victoria.


We’re including the flyers from both events to help race enthusiasts pick their preferred position in a Bali grandstand from which to watch the race action.

Related article
[And They’re Off!]

10 of the world’s noblest souls will be in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11, 2011, for the worldwide broadcast of “CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute.”

Sitting in the audience and dazzled by all the glamour will be Bali’s very own “Ibu Robin Lim” – the founder of the [Bumi Sehat Foundation] who has already been selected as a CNN Hero and is now vying for the coveted “CNN Hero of the Year” award.

Robin is a true Bali hero, saving lives every day from her midwifery and birthing center in Ubud.

In addition to being hosted to Los Angeles for the worldwide broadcast, Robin has already received US$50,000 from “CNN Heroes.” If she wins the “CNN Hero of the Year Award” her foundation will be the recipient of a further US$250,000 – an amount that will allow Robin to take her level of service to the women and children of Bali to a whole new level.

Vote Now and Vote Often!

We’re asking that you vote for Robin Lim now and often now through December 7th when balloting officially closes. Voting is simple and can be done up to 10 times each day.

The “CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute” will be aired on CNN and hosted by Anderson Cooper on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. eastern time (U.S.A.).

[CNN Heroes Voting Link]
 
[Bali Needs Another Hero]

[Bumi Sehat Foundation]
 

The legendary winemaking Henschke family from South Australia’s Barossa Valley trace their Australian roots to 1850 when the family first arrived in the Antipodes. Producing their first commercial wines in 1868, principally Riesling and Shiraz, the Henschke family are now 5th generation Australians.

In 2011 Henschke Winery was names “Winery of the Year” by The Age/Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Wine Award.
and Prue Henschke will be on hand, sharing the wine making heritage associated with their name at The Legian, Bali on Sunday, November 6, 2011 for a five-course degustation menu prepared by Chef Dorin Schuster, carefully paired with exquisite Henschke wines.

The Menu and The Wines

Scallop
Scallop Ceviche with Cauliflower
Couscous, Lime Vinaigrette

Tilly’s Vineyard 2007
(89 Points – Robert Parker)

+ + + + +

Ocean Trout
Slow Cooked Tasmanian Ocean Trout
Sea Kelp, Avruga Caviar, Tarragon Oil

Julius Eden Valley Riesling 2009
(96 Points James Halliday)

+ + + + +

Grain Fed Lamb
Lamb Croquette with Wholegrain Mustard
Shiso, Lemon-Basil Butter Sauce

Henry’s Seven 2007
(91 Points Robert Parker)

+ + + + + +

Duo of Beef
Charcoal-Grilled Wagyu Striploin
Oxtail Crepinette, Celleriac Puree
Anna Potato, Siraz Jus

Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2006
(96 Points Robert Parker)

+ + + + +

Cheese
Selection of Australian Farmhouse Cheese

Johann’s Garden 2007
(91 Points Robert Parker)

+ + + + +

Coffee or Tea
Mignardises

Cocktails commence at 7:00 p.m. with dinner in ‘The Restaurant’ at 8:00 p.m..

Price: Rp. 1.3 million (US$144.50) per person inclusive cocktails, five-course dinner, paired wines and tax/service.

For reservations telephone ++62-(0)361- 730622 or [email The Legian, Bali]