Janet De Neefe – the director and founder of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Ubud restaurant proprietress extraordinaire and cookbook author is in Melbourne Australia, participating at Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
making a brief appearance at the Wantilan Restaurant in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn March 15-17, 2012, where she is preparing authentic Bali cuisine from her cookbook Bali – The Food of My Island

Determined to demonstrate the wide range of Indonesian culinary delights goes well beyond nasi goreng and gado-gado, Janet will reacquaint old hands with the delights of Indonesian cookery and initiate newcomers in the spice-full food of the archipelago.

“I want to highlight the majesty of Indonesian food in all its glory. I will be featuring dishes from all over the archipelago, spotlighting elegant curries, golden seafood broths, wok-tossed greens, banana-leaf specials, sambals and an array of traditional and contemporary desserts”, said Janet DeNeefe.

DeNeefe is the founder and director of the International Ubud Writers & Readers Festival which has been named by Harper’s Bazaar, UK, as “one of the top six Festivals in the world”.

Having travelled to Bali first in 1974, Janet fell in love with the people, culture and most importantly the food. She began teaching Balinese cooking at the Council of Adult Education in Melbourne in 1987 and later created the Casa Luna Restaurant and Cooking School where guests are educated about Balinese food, cooking and culinary lore. Janet now teaches cooking all over Australia and has held classes in Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. Her school was named as “one of the top cooking schools in the world” by The Australian.

DeNeefe’s cookbook Bali – The Food of my Island Home was released last year and explores the every- day lives, culture and the colorful cuisine of the beautiful island paradise.

Over the three nights, March 15-17, 2012, Janet DeNeefe will offer an incredible food journey and stories of Bali’s lush island, culture and the people.

Bali – The Food of my Island Home
Indonesian Cuisine Presented by Janet De Neefe

March 15 – 17, 2012
7:30 pm each evening
AU$75.00 for 9 dishes

Wantilan Restaurant
571 Burwood Road
Hawthorn 3122
Melbourne, Victoria,
Australia
Telephone +61-(0)3-98199280

[Wantilan Bali Restaurant] 

Beritabali.com reports that Bali is experiencing a population explosion that is among the highest in Indonesia. Data from the Population and National Family Planning Agency (BKKPN) measures the annual rate of Bali's growth in population between 2000 and 2010 at 2.51% - a figure well above the national average rate of 1.49%.

The Deputy of Training and Development for BKKBN, Kasmiyati, said at a planning meeting in Bali that if seen from the average rate of births in Bali at a relatively modest 2.14%, the additional impetus in population growth on the Island is linked to migration from other parts of the Country.

Kasmiyati said that family planning programs in Bali are very successful, proven by the fact that birth rates are well below the national average. Moreover, the rate of contraceptive use in Bali is also above the national average of 61.4%.

Data collected by the Bali Villa Association (BVA) suggests that commercial villas are using operational permits intended for hotel operations. As reported by Beritabali.com, many villas operate under permits reserved for tourist inns (pondok wisata) or Condotels.

In the view of the BVA, this situation has arisen due to the government’s failure to regulate the villa accommodation sector. 

The chairman of the BVA, Mangku Wayan Sutedja, cited the lack of management standards for villa management as a root cause of the boom in illegal villa operations. He said private home are being increasingly commercialized merely by changing their designation to villas.

“The simple fact is that there are many accommodation providers who call themselves ‘villas’ which are, in fact, only normal homes with a swimming pools and other facilities, “ explained Sutedja.

Sutedja continued saying Bali now has thousands of villas, most of which are owned by foreigners. Based on data from the BVA there are only 73 villas from among the thousands of villas in commercial operation who have proper operating permits permitting them to become members of the Bali Villa Association.

The National News Agency Antara quoted the chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI-Bali), Tjokorda Oka Arta Ardhana Sukawati, as recommending that the total number of tourists visiting Bali should be controlled and based on the actual carrying capacity of the island.

“Controlling does not mean forbidding people to come, but to recruit tourist visitors based on the cost of accommodation offered to them. If we sell accommodation in our region at low prices, it's clear who will be visiting us, making the island only more crowded,” explained Tjokorda who also serves as the regent of the Gianyar regency of Bali.

Tjokorda did not deny that the current development of tourism in Bali is more focused on quantity of tourists over the quality of those visitors.

The PHRI official pointed to the extreme traffic congestion increasingly encountered in Kuta, Simpang Siur, Sanur and Tanah Lot. He also bemoaned that Bali’s electrical and water supply is not commensurate with the number of island visitors.

“As a result, supply and demand are not in balance. This situation must be controlled. If we continue to offer the same product to the same market segments this will result in the systematic destruction of Bali’s tourism industry,” warned the Gianyar leader.

He added that the booming tourist numbers also brings with it the threat that Bali’s culture and traditions may be degraded over time. Tjokorda said there are indications that sacred ceremonies are becoming increasingly defamed for commercial purposes.

“This condition, if allowed to continue, will reduce the price of tourism services in Bali. At this time, for the Asia region Bali is still relatively inexpensive,” Tjokorda said. He added that traditional values in Bali are being marginalized by the rapid develop of tourism.

“Taking Ubud as an example of an arts and cultural center in Gianyar, roads that once were dedicated to serve traditional requirements have now been made subservient to economic priorities,” he said. Tjokorda mentioned how villagers who once paraded en masse in ritual mapeed parades, must now walk in single file to allow public transport and private vehicles to travel down roads.

“This is the consequence of tourism development in that area,” Tjokorda concluded.

Related Article

[Aces are Wild]

 

Garuda Indonesia has been named “Best International Airline” in an independent survey of all major international airlines performed by Roy Morgan.

The Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Survey ranked the Indonesian flag carrier ahead of other leading regional full-service carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Air New Zealand when 91% of 3,943 respondents checked “very satisfied” when quizzed on Garuda’s products and services.

Quoted in The Jakarta Post, Bagus Y. Siregar, Garuda Indonesia’s senior general manager for Australia and the South West Pacific said: “We are thrilled to receive this award, as it endorses Garuda Indonesia’s transformation and progress toward becoming one of Asia’s leading airlines. This valuable recognition by our Australian customers motivates us even further to deliver the highest standards of service on the ground and in the air."

Garuda was also recently cited at the “World’s Most Improved Airline” in the Skytrax World Airline Awards in Hamburg, Germany.

In January Garuda Indonesia won the “Indonesia Most Admired Companies”Award" from Fortune Indonesia Magazine, recognizing the airline’s success in its transformational program.

The “Indonesia Most Admired Companies” award is based on surveys and researches as well as the public’s assessment of companies in Indonesia, which covers a number of aspects, including leadership, management system, innovation, financial performance, corporate social responsibilities (CSR), human resources development, the company’s readiness in “going global” and development of managerial team.

Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika is urging the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Guide Association (HPI) to immediately arrest and imprison tourist guides operating without permits in Bali. The governor said the illegal guides are destroying the image of Bali due to frequent incidents of coercion and intimidation practiced by unlicensed guides against tourist visitors.

Beritabali.com quotes Pastika as saying the time has arrived for firm action against unlicensed tour guides, especially those freelance guides who give misinformation to their clients. The governor said the time for “upgrading” and "gentle reminders" has passed; now is time for firm action to be taken.

The situation has reached such a state, that the governor wants illegal guides put behind bard, threatening to handle the situation directly if HPI and enforcement agencies fail to act.

Pastika concluded by saying that if firm and urgent action is not taken he fears the practice of illegal tour guiding will become more prevalent. He sees such a situation of destroying Bali Image, which, according to the governor, is already suffering.

Banyan Tree Ungasan Bali has recently announced a bevy of key appointments at their luxury boutique property on Bali’s southernmost peninsula.

Jamal Hussain – General Manager
g to Bali is Jamal Hussain as general manager. Joining Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts in June 2007 as the area general manager for the Maldives and Sri Lanka, where he oversaw four premier island resorts, in 2010 he was assigned to Indonesia as area general manager for the Laguna Bintan, which comprised the Banyan Tree Bintan, Angsana Bintan and Laguna Bintan Golf Club.

His previous Bali assignment was as general manger of Hard Rock Hotel, Bali.

A veteran hotelier with assignments the Maldives, Europe and Asia to his credit, Hussain brings 30 years experience in the hospitality.

A graduate in Tourism & Hotel Management - Schloss Klesheim, Salzburg, Austria, Hussain started his career in the hospitality industry with Hilton Vienna, Austria.

A Malaysian national and married with two teenage daughters, Jamal Hussain is an avid sportsman, recently earning a PADI certified open water diver.

He is fluent in English, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu and German.

Melinda Taylor – Director of Sales and Marketing
as Director, Sales and Marketing at the Bali property since October 2011, Melinda Taylor’s professional portfolio has been expanded to include responsibility for leading, coordinating and supervising the Sales, Marketing, MICE Departments and Public Relations at Banyan Tree Ungasan. She is responsible for all strategies relating to “top line” revenues and the positioning of the resort.

Prior to joining Banyan Tree Ungasan, she served as Director of Business Travel at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore.

A graduate from Management Development Institute of Singapore, she also holds a Diploma in Marketing Management (Oklahoma City University). With 22 years experience in the hospitality industry, she began her career as tour desk Officer for World Express Ltd, becoming a hotelier when she joined Royal Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Singapore in 1993.

A Singapore national, she speaks English and Mandarin,

Melinda Taylor enjoys wake boarding during her leisure hours.

Made Darmawan – Direct, Sales
e of leading, coordinating and supervising the Banyan Tree Ungasan’s Sales Department, Made Darmawan’s comes to the hotel from his previous post as Director of Sales at Conrad Bali.

Previous hotel experience includes assignments in Bali and the U.S.A.

A graduate in Hospitality Management from College of the Canyons, California, U.S.A., Darmawan has 15 years experience in both operation, and sales and marketing. Beginning his career as a guest relations officer at Hilton Garden Inn Valencia, California, he broadened his hospitality experiencing by moving to food & beverages and night audit positions

An Indonesian national who is married with one daughter, Made Darmawan enjoys exploring his island birthplace. He speaks fluent English and Bahasa Indonesia

Nicolas Belzic – Director of Food and Beverage
ble for the overall food & beverage operations at the resort, Belzic first joined Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts in 2008 as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Banyan Tree Madivaru, Angsana Ihuru and Banyan Velaa in Maldives. Later he was promoted to area food & beverage manager in Maldives (north properties).

A seasoned food & beverage professional with over ten years experience, his resume includes stints with prestigious properties in New Caledonia, U.S.A., Monte Carlo and Australia.

A graduate in Hospitality Management from Lycée Hotelier St Ivy, France, Belzic is a French national.

Single, Belzic enjoys water activities such as surfing, diving and snorkeling.

He speaks French and English, as well as basic Spanish.

[Banyan Tree Ungasan Bali] 
 

Speaking in Bisnis Bali, the Dean of the Tourism Faculty at Udayana University in Bali, Putu Anom, said the 3 million foreign tourists targeted for Bali in 2012 is logical, but at the same time he urged that Bali seek quality tourist visitors from Europe.

He said the condition of the European economy is gradually making a comeback from the global economic crisis. Because he views an improving economy across Europe, Anom thinks now is the time to start promoting Bali in those markets that traditionally produce tourists who spend more and stay longer in Bali. He also said that American tourists should also be actively sought by Bali’s travel industry for the same reason.

Elaborating further Anom said that in order to capture quality tourists from these markets the government, investors and tourism operators have to prepare products and an infrastructure capable of attracting these visitors. He also said that “quality” tourist visitors to Bali must, by definition, care for the island’s natural and physical environment, culture and its people. In all, he said, tourism development must provide a positive impact across the entire Balinese economy.

Putu Anom added that the development of Bali’s tourism market in the future must remain tired to the concept of cultural tourism. He insists that Bali’s tourism has its roots in the Bali-Hindu culture and its respect for balance and moderation as embodied in Tri Hita Karana and Tri Mandala.

Related Article

[Quality Over Quantity]



 

Speaking at a ceremony to bid farewell to Bali’s outgoing Chief of Police General Totoy Herawan Indra and welcome his replacement General Budi Gunawan, Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika declared that Bali needs a figure to lead its police force who is able to guarantee peace and security in the province.

Quoted in the National News Agency Antara, Pastika said, “Bali not only needs safety, but also the guarantee of peace and security.”

To illustrate the close connection between peace and security, Pastika pointed to the ASEAN Summit held in Bali in November of 2011. “Security in Bali doesn’t appear 'over the top.' Moreover, President Obama was able to safely walk around while the conference was underway,” explained the governor.

Pastika, who once served as Chief of Police for Bali, said the system of security in place in Bali contrasts strongly with what he saw in place during high-level visits to South Korea and Honolulu. “Actually when I arrived at those two summits, (I saw) the security was carried out in a number of layers and levels, like a fortress under siege,” he explained.

Because of this, the governor told Bali’s new police chief, General Budi Gunawan, to safeguard the close linkage between safety and security, especially as that applies to foreign tourists.

“We must remember that Bali has given birth to many high ranking police officers. A number of men who went on to head the national police force once served in Bali, including Kunarto, Bimantoro, Dai Bachtiar and Timur Pradopo,” explained Pastika, while alluding to forme Bali police chiefs who later went on to serve as Indonesia's top cop.

Bali’s new chief of police, General Budi Gunawan, formerly worked as provincial chief in Jambi after serving for several years as the personal adjutant to Megawati Sukarnoputri, during her tenure as vice-president and president.

Antara News Agency admitted that, despite official denials, many members of the public are linking the replacement of Bali’s top cop with the prison riots at Bali’s Kerobokan prison that injured four people and caused widespread damage to the prison’s buildings.

Bali is again renewing long-standing demands to gain a greater say in the operation of the Ngurah Rai Bali international Airport and a share of the profits generated by the island’s main air gateway.

Radar Bali reports that the provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali), via the work of a special committee, has issued a recommendation to the governor to request PT Angkasa Pura II, the managers of the Bali airport, share its profits with the province.

The Bali legislators have proposed four separate scenarios in order to eventually win a share of the airport’s revenue for Bali.

First, as a short-term strategy, the lawmakers are asking that US$1 be levied on every foreign tourist landing in Bali, which they calculate would generate Rp. 27 billion (US$3 million) in 2011. The secretary of the DPRD-Bali special committee, Ngaka Samudra, said, “this approach is the easiest one for which to battle.”

A second approach would levy a higher single-door charge for those arriving at the tourist destination, removing the need to later pay admission charges at each tourist object across the island. This approach, however, is thought likely to become a potential point of contention between the province and the regencies who now charge admission to tourist locales.

A third option reflects another long-term approach and would require a change to the current national law that divides revenues between the central government and the provinces. This approach would require a prolonged lobbying effort with Jakarta.

The fourth and final option proposes that investigations be carried out to determine if, in fact, the province of Bali owns the land occupied by Bali’s airport. Such a discovery would automatically provide the province with an ownership share in the airport and entitle Bali to rents from the airport’s operation.

Samudra told the press that prior to making their recommendations, the special committee of the DPRD-Bali undertook extensive consultation and research.

In 2003 PT Angkasa Pura II allocated Rp. 10 billion to the provincial government of Bali in response to strong protests from the DPRD-Bali and the people of Bali, who complained at that time that the airport made no financial contribution to the betterment of the Island.

Samudra said that it was his perceptions that efforts to obtain funds from Bali’s airport operations were supported by the Ministry of Tourism. When pressed on that point, Samudra could not specifically name which ranking official in the Ministry had voiced support for the plan.

The Ministries most closely connected with the financial management of the Bali Airport is the Ministry for State-owned Enterprises (BUMN) and the Ministry of Finance.

The offical letter and committee report delivered to Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika calls on the Island’s chief executive to take up the cause and do battle with the central government to eventually secure a revenue share for the province from Bali’s airport.

The chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI-Bali), Tjokorda Oka Artha Arhana Sukawati, has admitted that price wars among Bali hotels are becoming increasing commonplace.

As reported by Radar Bali, the emerging rate war has been fueled by uncontrolled construction of new hotels. This worst overbuilding is taking place in areas already densely populated with hotels, adding even more pressure to sell at unsustainably low prices.

“The PHRI does not agree with the many new hotels popping up in Bali. These will only create a price war,” explained Tjokorda while speaking at a seminar with the theme of “Development without Control will Result in Price Wars” held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012.

Tjokorda, who is also the regent of the Gianyar regency of Bali, is hoping that all the stakeholders will unite and understand the dangers of the coming rate wars. He went on to warn that unless the government takes strong remedial action the unhealthy price wars will continue ad infinitum.

In addition to discussing the related risks of hotel rate wars, the seminar also discussed the problems brought to Bali tourism by the large number of illegal villas and unlicensed tour guides operating on the island. [See: See Villas of Villainy]  

The Bali Villa Association only has 73 licensed, legal villas in Bali against an estimated  thousands of unregistered illegally operating villas.

The Governor, who also attended the seminar, complained that weak law enforcement is the major cause of poor regulation of new hotel projects. While steps have been made to limit the number of new hotels in Bali, the governor’s letters urging a moratorium on new hotel projects sent to regents have largely been ignored.

Clearly unhappy with the situation, Pastika said: “The competition is not only tight, it is also vicious. Whoever has much money, he will win. This has happened because we have made money a god. We must unite. But when we unite lets do more than just talk. There must be clear action."

Related Article

[The War of the Melati]

Conrad Bali is celebrating its 8th anniversary via a series of special events and promotions commencing in March – each themed with lucky number eight.

“Heading into our eighth year anniversary festivities Conrad Bali continues to impress with its classic contemporary design, refined hospitality, lush gardens and scenic beachfront,” said General Manager, Michael Burchett. “This year, our guests will have that much more to look forward to with our auspicious number eight promotions.”

Honoring eight years of fine, authentic Balinese and Asian cuisine, Suku toasts the anniversary with complimentary eight distinct “sambals.” Sambals are the traditional Indonesian chili-based sauces, which vary in taste and preparation method depending on its place origin in the archipelago.

Romantic eight-course degustation dinners are also on offer at Conrad Bali’s Eight Degrees South – a seaside bistro offering both with indoor and alfresco seating. Sustaining the theme, RIN, the resort’s Japanese restaurant is showcasing eight kinds of noodle dishes. Known as yi mein and traditionally served on birthdays in Chinese culture, the noodle represents longevity and good fortune.

The Conrad Bali’s event team has also responded to the “eight” theme that will incentivize those spending more when getting married at the Resort architecturally unique seaside chapel. “Our Beyond Infinity wedding program offers the best price points you’ll find anywhere on the island for those tying the knot along with some wonderful gifts,” explained Burchett. “Couples can select from a range of gifts such as a complimentary two-tier wedding cake, dinner in an open beach pavilion or even room upgrades and likely the most popular, the couple massage in a private Spa Garden Pavilion."

At Conrad Bali’s Jiwa Spa anniversary treatments have been redefined extending massage sessions to 88 minutes and with celebration packages that include a glass of wine or, even a coconut and chocolate scrub and martini.

“It’s been a fantastic eight years,” said Burchett. “We have also been blessed with a great location, superb staff and a brand that supports the quality we wish to deliver.”

[Conrad Bali]
 

The administration of Bali’s capital of Denpasar will no longer issue new permits of minimarkets. In the view of the city’s municipal leaders, the 295 minimarkets already in operation in the city are more than enough and threatens the future existence of traditional markets.

Quoted in Kompas.com, the head of Denpasar’s licensing and permit office, AA Gede Rai Soryawan, said, “many minimarkets are located close to traditional markets and are selling basic commodities to the public who prefer the convenience and cleanliness (of the minimarkets).”

There are 59 traditional markets in Denpasar. The sudden surge in minimarkets across the city is impeding efforts by the municipal administration to revitalize traditional markets.

By the beginning of 2012, the Denpasar government had managed to establish 353 traders in a revitalized Pasar Agung.

The municipal government of Denpasar has given a time limit to 295 minimarkets to renew their permits before March 12, 2012. Those markets unable to meet licensing requirements will be given an additional five years to operate after which they must close.

Soryawan explained that the Denpasar government couldn’t immediately close the errant minimarkets because the problematic minimarkets provide employment for their staff.

 

Since prehistoric time, the circle has held a significant meaning that symbolizes the cycle of life and death, and the eternal soul.
Wibawarta is both a talented artist and a noted scholar serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Indonesia.

His is the spontaneous outgrowth of his education that combined the mystical heritage of his place of birth in Java, and that of another great island where he studied for many years, Japan.

Suspended between these two worlds, he realized that visual communication was a perfect non-verbal extension of his mind merging intellect with intuition.

Through his art he seeks a three-way dialogue between his inner self, the greater universe and art lovers.

During the last few years he has become particularly fascinated with celestial orbs, especially the sun that he has refers to as the “Magic Circle.”

In Japan such circles are referred to as “enso” and play an important role in the art of Zen Buddhism.

In “Astral Projections” Bambang juxtaposes celestial orbs with human bodies. The latter are often only outlines of nude figures in dream-like states.

The question that remains is whether the magic circles are astral projections of the dreamer or the figures projections of the orbs?

The dichotomy reminds us of the “Dream of the Butterfly” - a 2400 year-old poem penned by the Chinese Taoist philosopher Zhuangxi. The poem begins with Zhuangxi telling of a dream in which he is a butterfly, only to awaken and question whether or not he is, in fact, a butterfly dreaming he is a man.

To Bambang Wibawarta it is all a matter of perspective.

Astral Projection
An Exhibition of Paintings by Bambang Wibawarta

Ganesha Gallery at Four Seasons Bali Resort at Jimbaran Bay
Open Daily, April 5 – June 4, 2012
 

Bali Hai Cruises – the operator of a range of popular cruise products have announced that cruise programs with their luxury sailing catamaran – Aristocat will be suspended from March 16 – 31, 2012 while the vessel undergoes an annual docking and a renewal of its sailing rig.

The entire range of other cruise products offered by Bali Hai Cruises, including their day cruises and dinner cruises with Bali Hai II and their accommodation and beach club options on Nusa Lembongan continue to operate as normal.

[Lembongan Beach Club Cruise with Bali Hai Cruise] 

Bali Junior Golf Community together with [Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club] is joining a Spanish initiative to raise funds for [The Seve Ballesteros Foundation] in support of cancer research.

On the weekend of April 7-8, 2012, a two-day challenge charity tournament supporting The Seve Ballesteros Foundation will be held at Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club.

Part of a worldwide effort among thousands of golfers raising money to funds research into brain cancer, participant will tee off as they raise money for the battle on cancer while, at the same time, promoting junior golf in Bali, including a mentor team event on April 7th where 2 adults will be paired with 2 juniors players.

Bali Handara Kosaido County Club general manager Mark Isley said: "We are very honored to hold this event and support Bali Junior Golf Community as well as the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, which helps fund Cancer Research UK's world class research into brain cancer. Our members are an exceptional group of people and tremendously generous, so we look forward to a great day."

The two-day event includes a BBQ on April 7 with a bonfire and an outdoor screening of Seve’s greatest golf moments.

About Seve Ballesteros

A former World No.1 and winner of over 80 tournaments, including five major championships, Seve Ballesteros was, for a decade, arguably the greatest golfer in the world.

Seve is remembered for the strength and determination he showed not only on the golf course but also in the last years of his life, as he bravely fought brain cancer.

Approximately 4,000 people a year in Spain and 100,000 in the world are diagnosed with brain tumors for which, at present, no cure is available.

[Registrations Online]   

[More information]

 

Ubud Hotels Association (UHA) held its first table top travel Mart  March 1-3, 2012 at the Museum Puri Lukisan, Ubud, Bali. Selected travel agents specializing in handling the large domestic market based from Jakarta and Surabaya were invited to attend the UHA Table Top Show.
bud is renowned as one of Bali's major arts and culture centers. However the interest to staying Ubud for domestic market is considered small. Currently domestic market contribution for hotels in Ubud in average is 10%. This figure shows that the domestic market has huge potential to be developed,” said UHA Table Top Chief Committee, Komang Kariyana.

It is estimated that 45% of all tourist arrivals to Bali is comprised of domestic travellers.

The UHA Table Top was opened by the Regent of Gianyar, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati (Cok Ace). In a speech to the participants Cok Ace complimented UHA for taking the initiative to organize the Table Top Show for the domestic travel segment in order to further promote Ubud.

During their stay, the travel agents are treated to an Ubud unique experience, including white water rafting.

The number of Egyptian tourists to Indonesia and Bali may increase if Egyptair agree with plans to commence direct flights to Jakarta.

The representative of Egyptair in Jakarta, Malik Aliun, reports that 8,000 Indonesian tourist visited Egypt in 2011 using flights by his airline.

This year the airline estimates 10,000 Indonesian tourists will visit Egypt. He added, “If we are successful in persuading Egyptair to open direct flights to Jakarta, we are optimistic that we will achieve 100,000 tourist visitors.”

Earlier plans to open direct air service between Cairo and Jakarta were delayed in early 2011 due to political unrest in Egypt.

A direct service between the two capitals would almost also certainly increase tourist flows from Egypt to Indonesia.

A connecting flight from the Indonesian capital of Jakarta to Denpasar, Bali would add 1.5 hours flight time to a journeys between Bali and Egypt.

The Ambassador to Indonesia from Egypt, Ahmed El Kewaidny, told the press that conditions were now conducive for international tourism after the political unrest of last year.

In 2011 there were 1,565 Egyptian tourist visitors to Bali.

Bali Post predicts that by 2013 Bali will be facing an electrical crisis made all the more acute by large scale infrastructure projects scheduled to come on line in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) Summit scheduled for late 2013. Among the projects cited as placing an added, and possiblly unsupportable burden, on Bali’s electrical grid are the new toll way, the expansion of Bali’s airport, the Bali International Park Project (BIP) and the opening of a number large hotel projects.

The concerns over insufficient power supply were spoken by the secretary of Commission III of the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali), IGN Suryanta Putra, on Friday, March 9,2012. He estimates by 2013 Bali will be experiencing a shortfall in power supplies amounting to 300 megawatts from the total 600 megawatts now available to the island.

Some members of the DPRD-Bali have expressed the hope that the controversial geothermal electrification project in Bedugul and a steam-generating project powered by coal in Celukan Bawang will be able to come on line in time to meet the looming shortage in electrification. Explained Suryanta, “if the power plant in Celukan Bawang can operate in 2013 it will add 250 megawatts bringing the total available power supply to 850 megawatts.”

Meanwhile, he continued, the shortfall of around 150 megawatt can hopefully be met via submarine power cables running from Java to Bali. At the same time, he warned: “If the submarine cable is broken again, Bali should be ready for a total blackout.”

The Celukan Bawang power project is currently at a standstill due to the inability to come to terms with a final local property owner of 24 hectares of land needed for the power-generating complex. The remaining landowner is seeking a price for his property substantially higher than that paid to surrounding landowners who have alreadt sold their land to the project. PT General Elecktrik Bali (PT GEB), who are developing the project, has already acquired 56 hectares for the power plant, with the remaining 24 hectares in the hands of the single remaining recalcitrant landowner.

The owners who have already relinquished their land received Rp. 20 million (US$2,200) per are (100 square meters).

In a recent sweep by police, 44 vehicles operating in Bali with off-island license plates were detained, ticketed and fined as authorities crack down on “visiting vehicles” permanently based in Bali as a means of increasing revenues from Bali road taxes.

According to NusaBali, the vehicles owners were found guilty of a misdemeanor offense and fined an average Rp. 250,000 (US$28) before the Denpasar District Court.

Provincial rules require vehicles based and operated in Bali for extended periods of time be re-registered and bear police registration plates from a Bali location. Other rules also ban the “importation” of good vehicles from other parts of Indonesia that are more than 5 years old, passenger vehicles more than 7 years old, and busses that are more than 10 years old.

Bisnis Bali reports that Garuda Indonesia is studying the viability of opening direct service connecting Bali and Manado in North Sulawesi.

The General Manager for Garuda Indonesia in Manado, Piktor Sitohang, said that operationally there was no impediment to operating a direct service between the two locales. All that remains is to obtain assurances that the route would be commercially profitable. He went on to say that a minimum average load factor of 70% on such a flight was needed to sustain the service.

The vice-mayor of Manado, Vicky Lumentut, has called on Garuda to open a Manado-Denpasar route in order to develop tourism in North Sulawesi.

In keeping with an expected stricter enforced of building and zoning laws following the ratification and acceptance of Bali’s 2009 Zoning Law (RTRW), the Badung regency government is ordering the demolishment of around 300 villas in the regency erected without proper building permits.

As reported by Beritabali.com, the vice-regent of Badung, Ketut Sudikerta, has told the press that the period of amnesty from a strict application of the zoning rules is now past and the subject villas have been built in areas not zoned for villa usage as stipulated in the RTRW.

Sudikerta explained: “In accordance with the zoning rules and (the fact) that the period for any amnesty is now expired, we ask the owners of the villas to now undertake their demolishment. First, second and third warnings have been issued by the enforcement team.” Alluding to a recent destruction of illegal structures in North Kuta, Sukidkerta suggested that judicial teams would now take similar measures and demolish those villas not dismantled by their owners.

Sudikerta blamed the need to now demolish some 300 villas on the lack of understanding by villa owners on the need to process legal permits for their building structures.

Earlier estimate have placed the number of illegal villas in the Badung regency at around 1,000. Some of those number have managed to secure building permits during the survey and crackdown by regency officials.

Mozaic Restaurant – Bali’s world-renowned fine dining destination in the hillside community of Ubud, continues it celebration for the senses on Saturday, March 17, 2012, with an evening of outstanding cuisine, live music and premium vintages from Domaines Schlumberger wines of the Alsace.

The Schlumberger family has been producing wines for over two centuries in the vineyards of south Alsace. Wine crafting undertaken with passion and expertise, the estate is the largest privately owned in Alsace with 350 acres out of which 175 are classified Grand Cru.

Travelling to Bali and on hand for the single night to introduce his wines to a privilege group of diner, the President and CEO of Domaines Schlumberger in Alsace, Alain Beydon-Schlumberger who represents the 6th generation of his wine-making family.

In active personal control of the estate since 2001, Alain Beydon-Schlumberger has made his imprint on the family business though the introduction of organic and biodynamic cultivation of vines to preserve the environment and give to the wines an outstanding quality. A remarkable terroir with very low yields, the vineyard is still worked by 6 horses manoeuvring precariously steep parcels, some located on inclined of 50 degrees.

Mozaic’s Chef Renaud Le Rasle and Chris Salans have prepared a degustation menu of 6 courses carefully paired with the following seven wines from Domaines Schlumberger:

• Gewurztraminer Les Princes Abbés 2006
• Muscat Les Princes Abbés 2009
• Pinot Gris Les Princes Abbés 2006
• Pinot Gris Grand Cru Spiegel 2005
•  Riesling Les Princes Abbés 2006
• Riesling Grand Cru Saering 2007 
• Sylvaner Les Princes Abbés 2007.

A live jazz band will perform in the Mozaic lounge until late for après-dinner entertainment

Cost for dinner, paired-wines and musical entertainment is Rp. 1.3 million plus tax and service (US$175)

Bookings are essential as seating is limited.

Telephone ++62-(0)361-975768 or [email] 


Mozaic Wine Dinner with
Domaines Schlumberger
Saturday, March 17, 2012

Mozaic Restaurant
Jalan Raya Sanggingan
Ubud, Bali

An incident at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport involving a Hollywood leading man has caused a media brouhaha stretching from Indonesia to the Late Night Show with David Letterman on American TV.
year old Hollywood heartthrob Taylor Kitsch shared a story of a run-in with foreign immigration officials, incorrectly portrayed by Letterman as having occurred in the Philippines.

The story, as told by the Friday Night Lights star, related how an immigration officer allegedly requested Kitsch’s hand phone as a bribe when it was discovered the actor had less than the required two empty pages for landing and visa stamps remaining in his passport

Philippine authorities, unhappy with the impression left by Letterman that authorities there had extended a less than totally cordial welcome to Kitsch, quickly checked their computer system that showed no signs of a recent visit by the Canadian actor.

In fact, protest and further enquiries later confirmed that Kitsch had just visited Bali, Indonesia where he had filmed a role in the Oliver Stone “Savages.”

The story told by Kitsch related was that while trying to impress an immigration officer preparing to deport him with film clips from his latest feature film shown on his smart phone, the immigration officer was apparently more impressed with his iPhone and, it is alleged, suggesed the phone would be a nice gift from the actor to give to the civil servant.

To their credit, immigration officers in Bali immediately traced the incident back to the specific officer on duty when Kitsch landed on February 1, 2012. That officer, placed on leave while under administrative review by immigration authorities, apparently bent the rules on empty pages and did allow the actor into the country and did so, it seems, without Kitsch having to surrender his phone.

While the incident has hit a familiar chord with Bali travel operators who have experienced similar-sounding incidents in the past involving passengers who arrive with less than two empty pages; less than 6 months remaining validity on their passport; or are unable to show a return ticket – all requirements for tourism visitors seeking a visa-on-arrival upon landing in Indonesia.

That Kitsch managed to be admitted into Bali despite his lack of empty pages indicates some accommodation was made to a rule that immigration officials generally depict as an absolute point of law for a foreigner wishing to visit Indonesia.

Meanwhile, immigration officials are insisting that their man, identified only by the initials RE, was guilty of little more than a miscommunication with the young actor.

While immigration officers are deliberating whether or not RE should be punished further in the case, senior officials are reminding immigration officials to avoid light-hearted chitchat with arriving tourist, keeping communication strictly business-like to avoid the potential for any  "similar" misunderstandings in the future.