The Polish government, via their Ambassador to Jakarta, has appointed local tourism figure Ida Bagus Surakusuma as the Honorary Consul for Bali.

The formal appointment took place on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at the Wantilan Room of the Sanur Beach Hotel in Bali.

Surakusuma, more generally known in local business circles as “Lolec,” told Bisnis Bali that Poland and Indonesia share national logos and flag designs that bear a close resemblance to each other.

The Office of the Honorary Consulate for Poland in Bali is now located at Jalan Sekar Waru in Sanur, Denpasar, Bali.

Lolec, who operates Pacific World Travel and is the chairman of the Bali chapter of The Indonesia Congress and Convention Association (INCCA-Bali), said he hope his appointment as honorary consul would make relations between Indonesia and Poland even closer in the future. Bali is in the position to increase both trade and tourism between the two countries.

The State News Agency Antara reports that the average length of stay for both domestic and foreign tourists visitors to Bali during the month of October 2012 equaled 3.21 days, increasing slightly from the 3.19 day recorded in September.

The head of the Central Statistic Bureau in Bali (BPS-Bali), Gede Suarsa, said, “On the whole, the average length of stay for foreign tourists in October averaged 3.38 days, compared the average length of stay for domestic tourists that stood at 2.74 days.”

Foreign tourists length of stay varied further, depending on which region of Bali they visited. The length of stay for foreign tourists at starred hotels in October was Tabanan (2.43 days), Badung (3.49 days), Gianyar (3.32 days), Karangasem (3.06 days), Buleleng (2.4 days) and Denpasar 3.14 days.

Gede Suarsa added that the average length of stay for domestic tourists coming to Bali and staying in starred hotels was Tabanan (2.75 days), Badung (2.80 days), Gianyar (3.01 days), Karangasem (2.60 days), Buleleng (2.52 days) and Denpasar (2.67 days).

Meanwhile the BPS reports that the occupancy levels for starred hotels in Bali for October was 65.80%. This is an increase from the average occupancy reported in September of 63.22%.

While protestors from JAAN recently visited Bali calling on the Governor to close all businesses using live dolphin shows as tourist draws [See: Protesting for a Higher Porpoise],  the regent of Bali’s northern region of Buleleng has adopted a radically different view on how the highly intelligent swimming mammals should be protected in his province.

As reported by Beritabali.com, the regent of Buleleng, Putu Agus Suradnyana, is asking Bali’s governor to withhold permits for captive populations of dolphins from all areas of Bali except his own. In Suradnyana’s view, which is at odds with defenders of animal rights, captive dolphins as tourist attractions should be the exclusive right of his coastal region of Buleleng in order to compel more tourist visitors to come to the North.

Suradnyana’s statement was made at a meeting on the environment held in Denpasar at the local Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) office on December 8, 2012.

According to Agus Suradnyana, if permission to hold captive dolphins is given to areas outside of Buleleng this will reduce the number of people wanting to visit his region. Dolphin shows, despite their disfavor with environmental and animal right groups, are he believes a mainstay of several Buleleng businesses.

“We truly understand that the dolphins have become an icon for Buleleng. Sometimes people will want to emulate our region, (holding their own shows and) persuading people not to come to Buleleng, but to instead see a dolphin show in Denpasar. I have written to the Governor. I have signed and sent him letter on Monday asking that no one be allowed to hold captive dolphins outside of Buleleng,” said Suradnyana.

Agus Suradnyana also said that the policy he is recommending is also intended to help achieve a more equitable spread of tourists in Bali from the island’s north to south, claiming that in the past tourists have tended to congregate in the South.

After being quarantined with other finalists from December 5-7, 2012, Cok Istri Krisnanda Widani has been crowned Miss Bali (Puteri Bali) in a contest held at the Pan Pacific Nirwana Resort.

The advanced accounting student at Bali’s Udayana University, Krisnanda Defeated 9 other contestants for the right to serve as Bali’s ambassador at official functions over the coming year.

According to The Bali Post, the first runner-up was Visca Zerlinda and second runner-up went to Sang Ayu Chandra Kasih.

The final selection of Miss Bali followed a rigorous selection process before a panel of judges and film tests before the final selection was made on Saturday, December 8, 2012.

The crowning ceremony was attended by the head of the provincial tourism office for Bali, Ida Bagus Subhisku - who represented the Governor at the event, the wife of the Governor, and the vice-chairman of the Miss Indonesia Foundation Arman S. Tjitrosoebono.

The Governor’s remarks read to the audience and contestants said: “I hope the younger generation, as those who will carry the nation forward, become those who will preserve our sacred religion and culture in Bali. In addition, this same concept should guide Bali’s development and keep it sustainable by creating a Bali that is both clean and green.”

The chairman of the Puteri Bali 2012 committee, Wiwien Gunawasika, who also holds the franchise for the contest, said this year’s contest represents the 11th year for the event which has adopted as its current theme “Go Green and Love Indonesia.”

Gunawasika said she was confident that the selection of Cok Istri Krisnanda W as Miss Bali 2012 would pave the way for Bali to win the Miss Indonesia crown in 2013.

The 17th Miss Indonesia Finals will take place in Jakarta on February 1, 2013.

DenPost has provided a glimpse at the lives of the woman who work along Bali’s Kuta Beach offering manicures and hair braiding to island visitors.

Unlike drink sales people who adopt individual sales areas - each removed in distance from other drink sellers, the women proving hair braiding and manicures tend to congregate with other women working in the same field. Typically attired in shirts and long trousers, the women wear large hats to shield them from the intense tropical sun.

On of the manicurists cum hair braiders is Suyasih (43) who says her income has declined when compared to one decade ago. In fact, when interviewed she has not had not a single customer in the past three days. “It’s different from 2008 when in a single day I could get 5 to 10 clients, each paying between Rp. 25,000 to Rp. 50,000 (US$2.60 to US$5.40),” explained the woman, who originally hails from the village of Kaba-Kaba near Tabanan.

But there are still a number of tourists who come to Kuta beach seeking Suyasih’s services in providing a manicure or braiding hair. Customers with long hair are, according to the woman, a major source of business.

Still, those providing such services say that since the Bali Bombing of 2003 and the global financial crisis, those visiting the beach have diminished. As a result, Suyasih spends many days only staring at the surf and the tourists who come to the beach. From time to time, she assists friends selling trinkets and accessories. The mother of three adds, “If I’m tired or lazy, I just sit under a tree talking to my friends.”

A similar story is told by Artini form Singaraja in North Bali who also does nails and braids hair on Kuta beach. She, too, says the number of people coming to the beach seeking her services is on the decline, causing her to shift her market focus to domestic tourists. In a single day she will serve one or two domestic tourists with her hair braiding skills. During holiday periods or on weekends she will receive about four customers each day. “Now foreign tourists – mainly from Europe, are less interested in hair braiding. She explained that hair braiding is also subject to trends and tastes.

When asked about her tariff, Artini admitted that her price varies depending on whether the customer is a foreign or domestic tourist. Her normal price is from Rp. 25,000 to Rp. 50,000, but local customers generally insist on paying no more than Rp. 20,000 (US$2). “Rather than have no work at all, I am forced to accept the lower price,” said Artini.

Meanwhile, a tourist from Jakarta, Rita, said a manicure and hair braiding session on the beach serve to complement a short Bali holiday. Saying, “The price is not very expensive when compared to that charged by salons.”

Yet, there are other tourists who disagree. They complain that the women promoting their “beach salon” services are overbearing and aggressive, diminishing the enjoyment of a visit to the beachside.

One tourist complained: “I come her to have a holiday, I want to enjoy the beach and rest with my wife and children. But (these woman) force their services on you. If you say ‘no’ they should understand, but they continue to harass and chase you.”
 

The Bali Police have announced that the roadside sale of fireworks will not be allowed in the period leading up to the Christmas and New Years period.

Beritabali.com reports that police plan to prosecute anyone caught selling fireworks for misuse of such materials, insisting that the importation and distribution of fireworks in Indonesia can only be done with formal permission from the police.

Sindar Sinaga of the Bali Police told the press on December 10, 2012, that stores selling fireworks must have a letter of appointment from an approved distributor and must also be in possession of a business operating license (SIUP).

The public is also being reminded to ask for a formal receipt when buying fireworks in order that police can determine that personal caches of pyrotechnics are legally held.

Sindar Sinaga also emphasized that fireworks for sales to the public must be shorter than 2 inches.

Every change of year sees horrific injuries treated at area hospitals caused by the illegal or imprudent use of fireworks.

As reported by The Jakarta Post, Bali is targeting 3.1 million foreign tourist visitors in 2013, based on the belief that improvements in the island’s infrastructure will add to the island’s appeal.

Bali is in the process of completing a toll road connecting Benoa – Ngurah Rai Airport – Nusa Dua, a traffic underpass at Simpang Siur and an extensive renovation of Bali’s airport facility.

Ida Bagus Subhisku, the chief of provincial tourism for Bali, is projecting a 10% increase in foreign arrivals in 2013.

2012 arrivals are expected to total near 2.8 million by year’s end. The Bali Central Statistic Bureau says 2.4 million overseas tourists have visited Bali through the end of October.

2103 arrivals will be bolstered by a number of important meetings planned for Bali next year, including the APEC Summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in the latter part of the year. 

In addition to a flourishing meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition sector (MICE), Bali is also focusing on developing spiritual, agricultural, water and retirement tourism. 

The chairman of the Indonesia Tourism Association (GIPI), Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, says that growth in tourism number would not exceed 10% in 2013. “We haven’t set a high target because there are still a lot of things that need to be improved,” he admitted.

Whether or not Bali will be filled to overflowing with tourists over the Christmas – New Years holiday period 2012-2013 remains to be seen and could depend, in large part, on whether or not Bali welcomes a bumper crop of domestic travelers.

Internationally, Bali will end the year with a record number of foreign tourists. An estimated 2.8 million foreign tourists will have visited Bali in 2012. At the same time, the growth in foreign tourists to Bali is slowing with single digit monthly growth recorded where once double-digit development was the norm.

With the U.S. economy, teetering at the edge of a fiscal cliff, and European economies generally in to doldrums, the flood of European arrivals over the holidays may be post-diluvium in proportions.

A flood of another kind, however, will affect occupancy rates at major hotels and villas: the torrent on new hotel rooms from new hotels and villas who have rushed to open in time for the holiday rush. Reflecting this trend is that rooms appear to be generally still available at many hotels; the readiness of many hotels to drop the mandatory Christmas and New Year’s dinner;  and daily torrent of email reminders of special rates available over the holidays.

A Domestic Situation

Whether or not Bali booms with tourists over the 2012-2013 holiday period will depend largely on the number of domestic tourists that flock for a year-end retreat on the island.

Airport authorities are expecting a 30% increase in domestic arrivals with domestic carriers expected to lay on additional flights to meet demand. The number of daily flights landing at Ngurah Rai Airport will increase to 305 per day, up from 298 during “normal” flight periods. This translates to an average of 13 flights every hour handling 35,000 domestic and foreign passengers every day.

Concerning, however, is the fact that Ngurah Rai Airport authorities say they have yet to received any formal requests for additional flights from the domestic carriers serving Bali.

On the plus side for those hoping domestic tourism will buoy a holiday rush is the general strength of the Indonesian economy, among the most robust in the region. But, at the same time, changes in tax laws that have removed a burdensome “fiscal exit tax” that now means that other international destinations in the region offer less expensive holiday options than Bali to the large Indonesian domestic market.

Will Bali have a busy holiday period? Stay tuned, this may prove to be interesting.

The Bali Livestock and Animal Health Department is recommending that zoos in Bali intensify artificial insemination programs in order to increase the size of their animal collections.

The recommendation from officials has been put forth to help zoos deal with the absolute prohibition against animal import and export of pets and other animals put in place several years ago to help Bali deal with the ongoing rabies epidemic.

The chief of the Animal Health Department, Putu Sumantra, confirmed the prohibition on importing or exporting any animals into or out of Bali while the threat from rabies remains. Meanwhile, no Bali department is prepared to confirm any animal is free of rabies.

Quoted by Beritabali.com, Sumantra said: “Because Bali is under an animal quarantine animal imports are forbidden. According to provincial rules, until Bali is free of rabies no animal can be imported to Bali or exported from the island.”

Putu Sumantra said the one solution to the current blockade is artificial insemination as a means to develop the animal collections at the several zoos and animal parks operating in Bali. This allows the importation of new stock from zoos outside Bali, thereby ensuring a healthy genetic diversification is maintained.
 

The Bali Water Police (Polair) prevented the illegal trade in 33 protected turtles on December 10, 2012. According to Beritabali.com, the turtles found on board a vessel off Bali’s Tanjung Benoa peninsula were all older than 20 years old.

Most of the 33 turtles confiscated by police weighed more than 60 kilograms, with only a few of the reptiles weighing around 4 kilograms.

Hariadi, spokesman for the Bali police, said: “We suspect these turtles were being imported to Bali. The crew was waiting for high tide in order to land the turtles at Tanjung Benoa. Before they could do this, our officers were able to intercept and confiscate the turtles.”

Water police were observing the boat after receiving reports from the public of a suspicious ship without identifying numbers anchored off Tajung Benoa.

When police raided the ship all they found were turtles. The crew has already left the small ship and was nowhere to be found.

The raid, directly led by Police Commissioner (Kompol Polisi) Putu Suardinata, approached the ship thinking it was carrying smuggled fuel, but instead discovered the horde of illegal turtles.

When no crew returned to the ship, police towed the vessel to Benoa harbor where the turtles were landed for eventual return to the sea.

On Thursday, December 13, 2012 officers from the Bali Conservation Department (BKSDA) and the Water Police released 24 of the turtles back into the sea at Mertasari Beach in Sanur. Of the remaining nine turtles six are considered too ill to be returned to nature at this time and three retained as evidence in a coming trial. The nine remaining turtles are being warded at the Turtle Conservation Center on Serangan Island.

Darori Wonodiputro, the Director General of Forest and Nature Conservation (PHKA), who accompanied police during the turtle release said it was time for tougher penalties to be applied against people caught smuggling protected species. Darori said: “The laws are being revised by the House of Representatives (DPR).” I hope the possible penalties for those convicted of such crimes will be for a minimum 5 years and maximum 20 years.”

Police have identified an individual sought in connection with the case via information provided by the captain of the ship. He has reportedly fled to the island of Sumbawa.

The province of Bali is projected to be free of rabies by 2015, according to the spokesman for National Zoonosis Commission, Arief Rukmantara in Denpasar on Monday, December 10, 2012.

As reported by the National News Agency Antara, Rukmantara said: “We are optimistic at this projection (rabies free by 2015) because of the efforts undertaken by the provincial government and the strong support of the central government.”

The latest data from 2012 show that Bali has detected 90 rabies cases thus far in the year. This figure, however, does not mean that Bali is not optimistic in ridding the island of rabies by 2015.

“What needs to be done is to compare the case which have occurred at the end of 2012 with the downward trend from cases over the past few years, especially the year 2009 when the number of cases of rabies in Bali were high and were occurring sporadically,” he explained.

Still, with 90 cases in 2012, many are expressing doubts as to whether or not Bali can be truly rabies free by 2012.

Opposing this viewpoint, Rukmantara said such mindsets must be abandoned for they threaten to reduce the public's desire to work together to eliminate the disease.

Admitting there are many cases in Bali present in almost all villages, he points out that when compared with two or three years before, the number of cases has reduced dramatically.

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[Pet Peeves]

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[A Hair from the Dog]

Although suffering some ill effects from the continuing economic crisis in Europe, Bali’s economy is expected to grow in 2013. 

As reported by Bisnis Bali, the Island’s economy is expected grow by 6.6 to 7.1 percent next year. Experts anticipate inflation for the year will stand at 5.5 percent, plus or minus 1 percent.

The head of the Bali branch of Bank Indonesia, Dwi Pranoto, urged optimism, saying the positive projections are not without foundation. Indonesia’s growing middle class, policy steps underway to reduce global threats to the nation’s economy, and the relative stability of Bali’s tourism-drive economy will all boost growth, he explained.

Tourist arrivals to Bali are expected to suffer minimum impact from Europe’s economic woes, insulated in part by the island’s MICE industry (meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition) and several major events planned for Bali in 2013.

Through the end of Q3 2012 Bali’s economy grew 6.79 percent year-on-year and is expected to end the year at a 6.6 percent level. Bali’s growth continues to outpace Indonesia’s growth rate of 6.3 percent.

Meanwhile, inflation in Bali hovers at around 4.6 percent for the current year.

Tucked away in a remote corner of the crater lake of Batur at Kintamani, is the ancient village of Kuban where local residents do not bury or cremate their dead, but, instead, leave them to decompose on the open ground.

The burial ground at Trunyan reflects the beliefs of the Bali Aga people of this area, the aboriginal people whose occupation predates the 15th century Hindu-Javanese migration to Bali.

The small cemetery has been the open-air repository of the dead at Trunyan. The skulls of long-departed local residents sit in silent witness on shelves carved into stone cliffs, moved over time to make way for fresh cadavers. Local guides even urge visitors to pose, skull in hand, in a macabre reenactment of the graveyard scene from Hamlet.

The recently deceased are laid out on stones, covered only in cloth, under simple bamboo fencing used to ward off scavengers. Surprisingly, the stench of decomposing bodies is largely absent from the graveyard. Locals credit a nearby ancient banyan tree as magically deodorizing the graveyard, while the more scientifically inclined suggest the carpet of leaves from the tree serve as a natural deodorizer.

Getting There

Access to Kuban and Turnyan is by small boats from the village of Kedisan at Kintamani. Depending on the speed of the boat employed, the trip can take from 15 to 30 minutes and can cost from Rp. 280,000 (US$29) for a canoe to Rp. 480,000 (US$50) for a powerboat.

The walk from the boat dock at village of Kuban to the cemetery takes around 7 minutes.

Alternatively, there is an unimproved twisting road traversing the foothills, passable by car or motorcycle.

Local residents entitled to be buried at the cemetery must meet three criteria. The deceased must meet be "pure," meaning they died due to old age or illness and were married at the time of their death. Others, including children, are disposed of in a separate cemetery.

In the past, visitors wishing to visit Trunyan were victimized and abused by local boat operators, guides and villages who targeted them for extortion. In recent months, however, efforts by local leaders to post the official price for boat and guide services and take action against overly aggressive touts have dramatically improved the tourist experience at Trunyan.

Related Article

[Trunyan Tour by Bali Discovery]

[Make No Bones About It]

Product Update

The Ayung Resort Ubud Bali celebrates Bali through a luxurious blend of natural surroundings, an eclectic art collection and the Balinese hospitality that is a long-standing tradition in the cosmopolitan hillside arts community.

Nestled in the lush tropical rain forest along the banks of The Ayung River, The Ayung Resort Ubud occupies an eight-hectare private estate that hosts romantic holidays, special occasions or highly memorable corporate events.

Home to happy guests and a remarkable private collection of art and artifacts, accumulated over a lifetime spent by its owner in Southeast Asia, are presented in a lush setting carved out of the jungle by talented local stone masons drawing their inspiration from Indonesia’s most important Buddhist monuments – The Borobudur Temple in Central Java.

ART Christmas Delight Package US$475

A warm Balinese welcome awaits at The Ayung Resort Ubud this holiday season with a 2 night/3 day stay is available for US$475 per person, including tax and service.

This is an exclusive offer for guests checking in on December 24, 2012 with a late checkout on the 26th of December 2012.

The Art Christmas Delight Package Includes:

• 2 nights/3 days stay twin -sharing basis in a Laksmana or Sita Wing Room.
• A lavish buffet breakfast each morning.
• Christmas Eve Dinner that starts at 6.30 pm at the Wijaya Kusuma Lounge with eggnog, canapés and “Gluehwein” followed by a 6-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings  and live entertainment at the Wijaya Kusuma Restaurant.
• A Christmas Day lunch of tropical peace marked by a 3-course Table d’hôte menu.
• Boxing Day (December 26th) enjoy a sumptuous buffet brunch with Bloody Mary’s and sparkling wine

Menu Christmas Eve Dinner
December 24, 2012

Summer roll
Smoked marlin, mango, lime

Tiger prawns
Trout roe, coconut, passion fruit, avocado, soy

White cooked chicken, slipper lobster
Watermelon, mushrooms, sesame soy

Roast turkey
Christmas trimmings

or

Spiced yellow fin tuna
Corn fritters, avocado, peanuts, lime

Traditional plum pudding, brandy custard
Redcurrants, vanilla bean ice cream

Christmas treats
Ginger bread, mint chocolate, fudge,
Almond cookies, pan forte

++ + +

ART New Year’s Debut Party US$375

Welcome in 2013 in the topical splendor of Ubud and party to your heart’s content without any concerns of driving home after the celebration at a cost of US$375 per person, including tax and service.


The Art New Year’s Debut Party US$375 includes:

• 1 night/2 days on a twin sharing basis in a Laksmana or Sita Wing Room
• ART New Year’s Debut Party that starts at the Wijaya Kusuma Lounge with cocktails and canapés .
• Then choose from a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka, Tanquary Gin or Chivas Regal -inclusive of mixers mixers. 
• A dinner buffet served from 8:00 pm transforming into a late-night supper buffet.
• Live entertainment – a Cabaret Show and DJ to rock you through the night.
• Just before midnight a bottle of Louis Roederer Champagne will be served. 
• Sleep-in and start the New Year with a "Recovery Brunch" including Bloody Mary’s and Sparking wine until 4:00 pm

This package is exclusive to guests checking in on December 31, 2012 and checkingout late on January 1, 2013.

Menu New Years Eve Buffet
December 31, 2012

canapés
Prawn summer roll, mini Wagyu burger,
chicken and pork spring roll, tuna tartar

Dinner
Foie gras with apple chutney , Scallop-with curry glaze
Carving- Roasted lamb - Babi guling -

Grilled meats sate – Sirloin - BBQ pork ribs
Grilled seafood

Homemade desserts

Late Night Supper

Bubur ayam - Mie pangsit –Bakso - Sop buntut

Breakfast

smoked salmon - selection of cheeses - cold cut selection - egg dishes
homemade jams - tropical honey - Indonesian corner
fresh baked breads - pancakes

Brunch

salmon - pizza’s - cold cut’s – pâtés - quiches
seasonal greens - Balinese sweets


NOTE: Terms & Conditions apply.

Subject to availability at time of request.
Packages are on full prepaid basis and are non refundable.

Children up to 6 years are free, Children from 6 to 12 years pay half the adult price.

More Information and Bookings

Space is strictly limited and early booking is essential.

Telephone +62 361 9001333 -  ask for Liza at ext. 841 or Eka at ext. 804

[Email] 

[Ayung Resort Ubud Website] 


Product Update

A mid-day fire on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 destroyed a food and beverage showroom and Demo Kitchen at The Gourmet Garage on Jalan Ngurah Rai Bypass in Jimbaran.

Six fire trucks were on scene during the height of the fire responding from fire brigades stationed at South Kuta, Badung and Denpasar.

The Chief of the South Kuta Police precinct, Police Commissioner Gede Ganefo, said it was too early to determine the exact cause of the fire, believed to have started mid-morning at the rear area of the complex.

Henny Santoso a principal of Lotus Food Services is working non-stop with her team to ensure orders of Food and Beverage continues without interruption during the busy period leading up to the Christmas and New Years Holidays.

The popular Gourmet Garage Showroom and Demo Kitchen facilities were damaged in the blaze.

In the days immediately following the fire plans began being formulated that will lead to the reopening of The Gourmet Garage in a new, expanded and improved format.

Henny Santoso, her husband Bill Busch and the entire Lotus Food Services team, while momentarily overwhelmed by the magnitude of the fire damage, have expressed their sincere thanks for the many calls, SMS’s and emails received from their friends and colleagues in Bali’s food and hospitality industry, including offers of kind assistance during a difficult period.

Pledging to quickly re-emerge better than ever, Lotus Food Services wishes to remind everyone that their the sales and administrative offices continue to operate, contactable through their established telephone, facsimile and email connections.

Meanwhile, plans are moving ahead for the 2nd Bali Wine Auction initiated by Lotus Food Services in collaboration with Bali Hotel Association to be held at The St. Regis Hotel at Nusa Dua on Sunday, January 20, 2013.

The popular auction is conducted to provide funds for the Bali Hotels Association (BHA) to fund a wine education programs for Balinese hospitality workers.

The Jakarta Post says a foreign investment company PT Enviro Pallets will establish a factory in Tabanan, West Bali that will daily turn 30 tons of plastic waste into ship pallets that be sold both in Indonesia and abroad.

J. Roger Harkin, president director of PT Enviro Pallets, told The Jakarta Post that the company would be able to recycle plastic bags, food wrappings, old noodle packages and other plastic wastes.

Harkin added: “We know some companies already process plastic bottles, so we will process other plastic waste that has badly polluted Balinese rivers, beaches and soil alike.”

The 30 tons of plastic waste needed as raw material for the plan represents an estimated 30% of the total plastic wastes generated by Bali each day.

“The beaches, rivers and the ground are expected to be free from the mountains of plastic waste,” said Harkin.

Bali governor Pastika who has launched a “Bali Clean and Green” program has welcomed news of the investment as a means of reducing plastic waste on the Island.“ The company will process 30 tons of plastic waste into plastic pallets. This may solve our burgeoning problem of dealing with plastic waste. I look forward to seeing the progress,” said Pastika.

The provincial environmental agency estimates 10,000 cubic meters of trash is produced in Bali every day, 1,500 cubic meters of which are plastics. By recycling the plastic, the new company will make heavy-duty plastic pallets that will eliminate the need for wooden pallets used in the shipping and storage industries.

The plastic recycling technology was invented in New Zealand and the Bali plant will be the first of its kind with the pioneering technology.

People bringing plastic waste to the company will be paid Rp. 500 (US$ 0.05) per kilogram of waste plastic.

Bali police have told DenPost that a special team from their criminal division led by Harry Haryadi is poised to make arrest in the brutal attack on Bali environmentalist Wayan “Gendo” Suardana.

Gendo heads the Bali Chapter of the Friends of the Earth (WALHI) who has taken a lead role in protests calling for a halt in the Bali toll way project and the rejection of a recent contract given by governor Pastika allowing a provide firm to assume management of South Bali’s mangrove forest.

Gendo was attacked an beaten by thugs while visiting a lawyer’s office in downtown Denpasar on November 5, 2012.

Police say they have the names and identities of Gendo’s assailants who are currently on the run, changing addresses to seemingly avoid capture by the police.

Haryadi told the press: “Relax. All that remains is for us to make an arrest. How far can they run and where can they hide?”

While police would not elaborate, speculation is that the men sought in the attack have left the Island.

Meanwhile, Gendo has confirmed that a photograph shown him by the police is the man who attacked him.

Environmental circles are eager that the suspect is arrested in order that more information might be forthcoming on those behind the scene engineering the attack on Gendo.

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[A Gangnam Style Protest]

The Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Association of Veterinarians (PDHI) is complaining about the growing number of foreign vets practicing on the Island.

PHDI claims the foreign doctors are working illegally and, in fact, bring no special additional skill in caring for Bali’s animal population.

As reported by NusaBali, PHDI’s director for Bali, Doctor Ni Made Restiati, says the illegal foreign veterinarians are operating in the Gianyar, Kuta and Sanur areas.

Restiati, who is also a local veterinarian, insists Indonesian vets are not afraid of foreign competition. But, at the same time, she says the foreign doctors setting up shop in Bali are not specialists, insisting foreign doctors should only be allowed to practice when they bring a new skill or medical specialty not possessed by local veterinarians.

She went on to describe how foreign doctors initially visit the island as volunteers, see opportunities for setting up a profitable veterinarian practice and then open a business. The 600 Indonesian veterinarians working in Bali are reportedly made uneasy by the establishment of animal hospitals that threaten the future existence of smaller, locally owned, veterinarian practices.

One business mentioned by Restiati is a new animal clinic opened in Kuta employing foreign doctors and performing operations without the required permission of PDHI Bali.

PHDI Bali has not issued a single recommendation for a veterinarian practice on the Island.

The PHDI is calling on the government to enforce the law on the employment of foreign nationals in Bali and take steps against illegal animal hospital and foreigner working in such establishments.

Vet International Shut Down

DenPost reports that in response to complaints from the PHDI, authorities have close Vet International – an animal hospital operating in the Badung Regency. Vet International has received a formal warning from the Livestock, Fisheries and Seas Department (Disnakanlut) to stop receiving patients until they hold all the legal permits needed to operate a veterinarian clinic.

Made Badra of Disnakanlut has warned that is Vet International continues to illegally accept patients his office will prosecute the company to a maximum extent of the law.

DenPost says Vet International has been in operation for the past two months. Complaints by PHDI members prompted officials to check the company’s licenses and permits. That inspection, according to Badra, discovered that the company held none of the permits and licenses required under law.

Badra also called on immigration authorities to investigate the legal standing of the two foreign doctors reported by PHDI and presumed to be employed by Vet International.

The Waka Group’s Resorts, Cruises & Beach Clubs have been re-grouped under the new corporate brand Waka Hotels & Resorts, effective immediately.

d pioneer in eco-tourism, Waka Hotels & Resorts now plans to refurbish, upgrade and add new projects to its existing portfolio of properties - low-rise Balinese-style developments in panoramic beachside locations.

The Waka Brand owners and PT K2 Consulting– a Hotel Management & Consultancy company established by veteran hotelier Kamal K. Kaul, have jointly incorporated PT WHM Indonesia, to manage all Waka Hotels & Resorts.

Guided by the vision of the patriarch of a Balinese business family in Denpasar, The Waka Group has been involved in pioneering the tourism on the island of Bali since the early 1970s.

“Our father always sought environmentally sensitive development opportunities on unique beachfront sites in Bali, to showcase the best of the island’s architecture and the natural beauty of its tropical landscape. This vision will remain the core strength of The Waka Group’s hospitality division, which is now being consolidated under Waka Hotels & Resorts. After repositioning the existing units in 2013, we are considering various proposals to expand beyond our home in Bali to other exotic locales in the Indonesian archipelago”, explained I Made Sutarjana, group managing director.

“Waka Hotels & Resorts will strive to achieve consistency in product design and service delivery amongst all its units. We will stay focused on developing low density eco-friendly hotels & resorts in great locations, in the mid price range, where our guests will enjoy invigorating and rejuvenating lifestyle vacations to balance their 24x7 wired hectic lives”, added Kamal K. Kaul, president & chief executive officer.

Waka Hotels & Resorts will be operating and managing hotels, resorts & cruises under two separate brands. “Waka” branded units will focus on the mid-to-higher price range market segment and “By WHM” will focus on mid-to-lower priced markets.

Waka Hotels & Resorts will manage all Resorts, Ocean Cruises and future Hotels and there are no plans to extend franchise arrangements that have existed previously.

Consolidating its operations during the year 2012, Waka Hotels & Resorts is now operating the following business entities:

Resort: WakaGangga, Gangga Beach, Tabanan, Bali
Now undergoing a complete renovation and redevelopment, WakaGangga will harness the beauty of the oceanfront site on a black sand surf beach surrounded by the thriving rice terraces. After 10 years operation, the resort was closed in May 2012 and it is scheduled to reopen in mid 2013.

Ocean Cruiser Waka Sailing Catamaran
The 30-seater twin hull sailing Catamaran operates round day trips between Bali and the nearby Nusa Lembongan Island, famous for snorkeling and scuba diving, every Monday, Wednesday & Saturday. During high season months of July, August, November & December, an additional departure is available on Thursdays.

Beach Club: Waka Beach Club, Tanjung Sanghyang, Nusa Lembongan, Bali
A new Waka Beach Club is in advanced stage of development set for opening in mid 2013. Located on Tanjung Sanghyang Bay, famous renowned for its soft white sand beach and blue ocean at Nusa Lembongan

The Waka Beach Club will offer ocean front recreation and dining in comfortable surroundings to all day visitors arriving from Bali on Waka Sailing Catamaran, private yachts and the residents on the island.

Land Cruise: Waka Land Cruise
Adventure day trips by legendary Land Rovers are operated daily on tiny country roads and tracks, through the Jatiluwih terraced rice fields designated as a heritage site by UNESCO and the nearby primary rainforest.

NusaBay, Lembongan Island, Bali – By WHM
Located on Lembongan Island’s Tanjung Sanghyang Bay, 12 kilometers east of Bali. The Resort is accessible from both Sanur beach and Benoa harbor by boat with the Waka Sailing Catamaran provides comfortable departures, three to four times per week from Benoa harbor in the morning and from Tanjung Sanghang Bay in the afternoon.

The owners of the following four Resorts operating in the past under the Waka name will be operating their respective Resorts independently and discontinue use of the Waka Brand effective April 1, 2013:

• Waka Maya Resort
• Waka Namya Resort
• Waka Di Ume
• Waka Shorea

The above resorts will be announcing their new branding in due course.

A German national, Peter Hasslinger (45), has been sentenced by the Denpasar District Court to one year in prison for possession of 159.84 grams of marijuana.

Detik.com reports that the presiding judge, Sugeng Riyono, handed down the sentence while declaring his actions damaged the image of Bali when he was caught in Sanur in August of 2012 with the drugs stored at his residence in Bali.

The sentence handed down by the judge matched the one-year penalty demanded by prosecutors.

Related Article

[Crime and Punishment in Bali]

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have announced plans for a new development in Bali, Indonesia scheduled to open in 2016.

Located on the southern peninsula of Bali, on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, the hotel will offer unobstructed views for its 170 guest rooms, suites and branded residences.

Denniston International, a leading hospitality design and planning firms, will oversee the project.

The resort will offer a range of dining facilities, a spa and access to the nearby 18-hole golf course, and meeting and event venues.

"Our entry into Bali marks the company's first resort in South East Asia and will provide our guests with a rich and beautiful holiday destination in the region," said Jennifer Fox, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. "Expanding our global footprint is a key brand strategy and this resort will complement our existing hotels such as the recently opened Fairmont Makati in Manila and Fairmont Jaipur as well as the luxurious Fairmont Jakarta which will open in 2015."

The resort will also be home to the 80-room Raffles Bali, featuring one, two or three bedroom villas and branded residences with private plunge pools, outdoor dining and relaxation areas. Raffles is a sister brand under the parent company Fairmont Raffles Hotels International.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts operates more than 60 luxury properties around the globe, including Shanghai's Fairmont Peace Hotel, The Plaza in New York and Makkah Clock Royal Tower in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
 

The Indonesian Travel and Tourism Awards (ITTA) were recently handed out to Indonesian hotels, resorts, villas, serviced apartments, travel agents, tour operators, amusement parks, airlines, airports, tourism boards, destinations judged to be leaders in their respective industries.

ards for  Travel Personality and Life Time Achievement Awards are also presented.

This year’s winners:

• Leading Luxury Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan
• Leading Local Hotel Chain: PHM Hospitality
• Leading Global Hotel Chain: PT. Swiss-Belhotel International Indonesia
• Leading Green Hotel: Melia Bali
• Hotel of the Year: The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan
• Leading MICE Hotel/Venue: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta 
• Leading City Hotel – Medan: JW Marriott Hotel Medan
• Leading Business Hotel: JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta
• Leading Boutique Hotel: Bali Niksoma Boutique Beach Resort
• Leading City Hotel Yogyakarta: Melia Purosani
• Leading City Hotel – Bandung: The Papandayan Hotel
• Leading City Hotel – Surabaya: Sheraton Surabaya Hotel & Towers
• Leading City Hotel – Jakarta: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta
• City Hotel of the Year: JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta
• Leading Airport Hotel: Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta Resort and Spa
• Leading Independent Spa: Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa
• Leading Spa Resort: The Villas Bali Hotel and Spa
• Leading Luxury Resort: Banyan Tree Ungasan
• Leading Thematic Resort: FuramaXclusive Villas & Spa, Bali
• Leading Family Resort: Bali Dynasty Resort
• Leading Beach Resort: Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel
• Leading Island Resort: Hotel Vila Ombak
• Villa of the Year: Kayumanis Nusa Dua Private Villa & Spa
• Leading Serviced Apartment and Suite: Fraser Residence Sudirman Jakarta
• Resort of the Year: The St. Regis Bali Resort
• Leading Tourism Promotion Board: NTB Tourism Promotion Board
• Responsible Tourism Award: . Lintas Jeram Nusantara
• Leading Theme Park: Bali Safari & Marine Park
• Leading Inbound Travel Agent: PT. Pacific World Nusantara
• Leading Tour Operator: Panorama Tours
• Leading Cruise Operator: Scoot Fast Cruises
• Leading Corporate Travel Operator: Smailing Tour 
• Leading Outbound Travel Agent: PT. Panorama Tours Indonesia
• Leading Airport: Bandara International Sultan Hasanuddin, Makassar
• Leading DMC: Destination Asia Indonesia
• Leading Coach/Bus Company: White Horse Group
• Leading Taxi/Limousine Company: Blue Bird Group 
• Leading ICT: PT Realta Chakradarma
• Leading International Airline: Garuda Indonesia
• Leading Low Cost Airline: Citilink Indonesia
• Leading Consumer Bank: PT. Bank Negara Indonesia
• Tourism Lifetime Contribution Award: Mrs. S.B. Wiryanti Sukamdani
• Tourism Personality of the Year: Mr. Hermawan Kartajaya

Hard Rock Hotel Bali have announced the appointment of Fandy Lo as the new Marketing Communication Assistant Manager.

Fandy is an Indonesian native and a graduate of Universitas Pelita Harapan and also attended Binus Business School in Jakarta. He has 5 years experience in brand strategy consulting and activation department with several leading agencies.

Fandy joins the hotel from DM-IDHolland, South East Asia office where he was the Senior Brand Consultant from 2010 to 2012. He was the Event Manager for RajaMICE, a professional exhibition and conference organizer in Jakarta from 2009 to 2011. At Hard Rock Hotel Bali he will oversee the hotel’s integrated brand communications.

“I am excited to be part of the ever-energized professional team at Hard Rock Hotel Bali. A brand that is uniquely delivering the authentic experience for every guest, in magnificent Bali. I am ready to brand every moment the Hard Rock way.”

Born in North Bali and praised internationally for his culinary skills, Chef Wayan Wicaya has been named executive chef at The Courtyard Marriott Bali Nusa Dua.

Over a career that has seen Chef Wayan prepare meals on land, sea and air while winning international awards, he arrives in Nusa Dua with more than two decades experience in Bali’s finest kitchens, aboard international cruise ships and in premium in-flight catering.

He is also a past winner of the Global Chefs Challenge a contest sponsored by the World Association of Chefs – reigning supreme among contestants from 88 countries.

“Chef Wayan is quite literally a ‘winner,’” says Courtyard by Marriott General Manager, Jeffrey Tyler. “Here’s a fellow who not only brings Balinese grace to the role but also real international cooking accolades. We are absolutely fortunate to have a chef of this caliber heading our kitchens.”

Before joining Marriott, Chef Wayan worked with fellow chef, Andrew Skinner at Bulgari Bali, a 59-villa luxury resort located in the Bukit Peninsula.

Speaking when Chef Wayan won the Global Chef’s Challenge in 2010, Darren Lauder, the Vice-President of Bali Culinary Professionals said: “To win the Global Chef Challenge is amazing and a confirmation of how far Indonesia has come in developing local chefs to international standards."

Six months later, when Chef Wayan was named “Chef of the Year” by The Yak, whose editor, Nigel Simmonds said: Here’s a guy who deserves every morsel of recognition.”

Chef Wayan’s professional resume includes stints as a Sous Chef at Ku De Ta and Chef de Partie at The Balé Resort.

[Book a Stay at The Courtyard Marriott Bali]

Join the Bali Community Choir on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at the Wicked Parrot Restaurant for an evening of Christmas music and sing-a-long.

has become a yuletide tradition in Bali,  director Brendan O'Donnell and his Sanur-based Bali Community Choir will perform a program of Christmas favorites for those dining at The Wicked Parrot – a traditional Irish pub located on Sanur’s main street at Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 47.

The Bali Community Choir will perform two programs at 7:00 and 8:30 pm where a special Christmas buffet is available.

Seating is always at a premium. Gather a table of friend and call The Wicked Parrot for a reservation at ++62-(0)361-281814.