A stellar line-up of sector leaders are confirmed to discover the latest trends moving the events industry at the inaugural gathering of The Incentive Conference & Event Society – The ICE Conference – to be held in Bali, November 12-14, 2014.

The event has been designed to ensure engagement between the different levels of the industry, keeping the corporate clients’ feedback and input at the very center, while building an opportunity to learn the latest trends and tools to help streamline MICE business. With an ever increasing focus on key negotiation processes in the meetings and event sector being made from offices in Asia, who, in turn, are dealing directly with local vendors and service providers, managing so many events and requirements in the region is becoming a challenging balancing act for those responsible.

With a stellar line up of senior industry speakers, the two-day conference will be made up of keynote presentations and industry panels covering topics such as the latest trends in the MICE industry, the corporate buyers’ outlook for 2015, effective negotiation for MICE group contracting and crisis management strategies amongst others.

Among the speakers confirmed to participate are Simon Cooper, President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Marriott International; Herve Joseph-Antoine, CEO, Pacific World; Bert Li, Associate Director of AV and Events Production, Amway; David Litteken, Managing Director, APJ, BI Worldwide; Robin Lokerman, Group President, MCI; James Reed, CEO, Destination Asia; Fon Sia, General Manager, Singapore, Grass Roots Group; and John Toomey, Vice President Global Sales Asia Pacific, Marriott International.

The Inaugural ICE Conference will take place at The Stones, Bali. The conference opens with a welcoming cocktail reception on Wednesday November 12 at a sunset venue following a full day of networking and informative industry discussions. On Thursday, the second day of meetings and discussions will end with dinner and entertainment. The conference closes on Friday. November 14 with a half-day of  content sessions.

Registration remains open to meeting and conference planners, event organizers and suppliers to the incentive, conference and exhibition industry

ICE Website and On-line Registration

The White Dove, a Wedding Chapel  that opened in the Summer of 2014, is the latest addition to Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali and another exciting option for those planning a wedding on the Island. With three hundred ornamental white doves placed on the side of the chapel and a position offering romantic vistas of the Indian Ocean, the venue is proving a popular venue for those with matrimonial romance on their minds.
by Sardjono Sani, The White Dove is a breathtakingly sanctuary to host nuptials and special events. White doves were incorporated into the design to represent peace, love, harmony and purity. The architecturally stunning pyramid-like structure features elegant glass doors, and seamless windows. At 700 square meters, it offers seating for 30 guests.
 
“The White Dove at Banyan Tree Ungasan is a contemporary and ultra-luxurious setting for couples seeking a romantic and unforgettable wedding experience”, commented Francisca Thorogood, Director of Sales & Marketing. “We are thrilled that the bride and groom will be able to seal their love against one of the most gorgeous cliff side views that one can find in Bali.”
 
The White Dove is part of Banyan Tree Ungasan's portfolio of beautiful wedding venues and services catering to intimate weddings and large-scale events. This includes resort buy-out packages.
 
Banyan Tree Ungasan offers 73 stunning pool nearby the Uluwatu Temple and beaches of Nusa Dua.

Weddings by Bali Discovery

Book the Banyan Tree Ungasan 

Hard Rock Hotel Bali has appointed Shane Coates as general manager of its 418-room and suite property in Kuta, Bali.

An HPL Hotels and Resorts veteran of four year, Coates served as Executive Assistant Manager at the Hard Rock Hotel Penang, and assisted the group in various management assignments.

Originally from New Zealand, Coates has 20 years of international hospitality experience in Malaysia and Australia where he was the general manager at Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne, and various other TFE Hotels in Perth and Sydney.  He has also worked at the Sir Stamford Circular Quay in Singapore.

Best Rates for Hard Rock Hotel

As the CEO of Garuda Indonesia, Emirsyah Star approaches the end of his ten-year term at the helm of the national flag carrier, he has been named “APAC Airline Executive of the Year” the CAPA Center for Aviation.

CAPA Center for Aviation is an independent organization for the analysis of the airline industry based in Sydney, Australia.

The award to Satar was made at the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence Ceremony held in Singapore on Tuesday, October 14, 2014.

The “APAC Airline Executive of the Year” Award is the highest honor bestowed each year by CAPA to the CEO of an Asia-Pacific air carrier in recognition of dedication and contributions made in the face of intense competition.

In presenting the award to Satar, CAPA praised Garuda’s CEO for his influence on the development of the regional airline industry. Under Satar’s leadership at Garuda starting in 2005, the Indonesian national airline introduced the “Quantum Leap Program” that has successfully repositioned the Airline as a leading air carrier of the Asia Pacific region.

When Emirsyah Satar took control of Garuda the airline had only 48 aircraft and operated 150 flights. Over his decade of leadership, those numbers have increased fivefold with the Airline now operating 600 flights each day and its subsidiary Citilink 140 daily flights.

During the same period, Garuda has joined the Skyteam Alliance making it a global player in the international aviation industry.

From 2007 until 2013 Garuda booked an operating profit and launched an IPO in 2011, laying a strong groundwork for the future viability of the National Airline.

In receiving the award, Satar gave credit to the entire team at Garuda who have embraced the “One Team, One Spirit, One Goal” mantra.

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A man described as a porter working at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport was rushed the Kasih Ibu Hospital near the airport on Tuesday, October 14, 2014, after he was struck by the rotating propeller blades of an aircraft preparing to depart the ramp area.

The State News Agency Antara said that M. Musinin (18) from Lombok suffered a 10 x 3 centimeter cut to the back of his head, a wound listed as serious by a spokesman for the airport.

Doctors say the limited depth of the wound of 1 centimeter means the wound will most probably not prove fatal.

The porter was apparently helping to load luggage on a Wings Airline preparing to fly to an eastern Indonesia destination.

The young man had been working at the airport for only one month prior to the accident.

Just days before ends her term of office as Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, has reaffirmed that she will remain committed to developing Indonesia’s creative economy once she returns to the private sector.

Suggesting a future role in academia and quoted by Bisnis.com, Pangestu said on Tuesday, October 14, 2104, “After I return to the Campus I will continue to support the development of the creative economy.”

Pangestu said she was interested in assisting young entrepreneurs in local start-ups in the textile, information technology and other business sectors.

Pangestu told the press that she has no interest in a ministerial post, suggesting that 10 years as a cabinet minister was enough and that it was time for a new generation to assume leadership. “I have worked 10 years as a minister. Now is the time for me to be replaced by the younger generation,” said Pangestu.

Mari Elka Pangestu will relinquished her ministerial post on October 20, 2014 with the inauguration of Joko Widodo as Indonesia’s next president and the creation of a new national cabinet.

A panel of judges in the Denpasar District Court has punished a Bali taxi driver, Budiyanto, to six months in jail for a physical assault on a Russian tourist, Ponomarenko Oksana.

The driver struck the Russian in the face following an early morning argument on the preferred route back to Nusa Dua that occurred on July 11, 2014.

According to the State News Agency Antara, the six-month sentence was less than the eight months sought by State prosecutors.

Both State Prosecutors and the Defendant told the court they would receive the judgment of the court and not lodge an appeal.

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Taking it on the Nose

The St. Regis Bali Resort will present a premier night of outstanding food and wine featuring the exclusive wines of Château Angélus on Tuesday, November  11, 2014.
 
This is the resort’s second collaboration with Château Angélus, following a successful first collaboration in 2010.

At an event in which seating is strictly limited and early reservations a must, discerning diners will be greeted with what is arguably one of the finest Champagnes, Comtes de Champagne, Taittinger Blanc de Blanc 2000. Unprecedented in exclusivity and elegance, this gastronomic experience will pave the way for the three premier vintages that will grace the evening: Château Angélus Premier Grand Cru Classé A from 2006, 2007 and 2011.  Château Angélus Premier Grand Cru Classé A is often celebrated in equal stature among connoisseurs of fine as prestigious wines from world renowned Châteaux including Cheval Blanc, Lafite, Latour, Margaux, or Mouton Rothschild.

These outstanding wines will be savored in the company of Château Angélus’ co-owner, Jean-Bernard Grenie and the St. Regis’ multi-award winning Chief Sommelier, Harald Wiesmann. In total, eight extraordinary wines from Château Angelus, including Le Carillion and its two sister estates, Château Bellevue and Château La Fleur Saint Georges will be presented.

To complement these exquisite and wine seldom encountered min Bali, the St. Regis’ Kayuputi Chef de Cuisine Agung Gede has hand-crafted a superlative six-course degustation menu that highlights premium ingredients, including wild venison, fresh lobster, succulent duck and foie gras, tender Toriyama Umami Wagyu beef, French cheeses, and Valrhona chocolate. 
MENU

An Extraordinary Evening With Château Angélus
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Kayuputi Restaurant – St. Regis Resort Bali

 
Amuse-bouche
***
Iberico ham - blackfin tuna belly
dollops of black garlic cream
Le Carillon de Château l’Angélus Grand Cru, Hubert deBoüard de Laforest, St. Emilion, Bordeaux 2011
***
Carpaccio of wild venison
multi-flavors of unfiltered olive oil, mustard coulis, new cress salad
Château Bellevue Grand Cru, Hubert deBoüard de Laforest, Pradel de Lavaux, St. Émilion 2009
***
Butter-poached medallion of Canadian lobster
served with oxtail dumplings, shaved black truffles and Pomerol – oxtail jus
La Fleur de Boüard, Château La Fleur St. Georges, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, Lalande de Pomerol 2010
***
Pan-roasted duck breast
composition of duck foie gras, griottes, cocoa nibs soil,
Araguani chocolate infused duck jus
Château Angélus Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Hubert de Boüard de La forest, St. Émilion 2011
***
Toriyama Umami Wagyu beef striploin – prepared medium rare
wild mushroom, red wine-shallot meat reduction
Château Angélus Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, St. Émilion 2007
***
Texture of French cheese
served with wine fig compote, dates and walnut bread Melba
Château Angélus Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, St. Émilion 2006
***
Quenelle of Valrhona manjari ice cream
caramelized poached pear, cinnamon brioche perdue, chestnut soup
Château Monteils, Preignac, Sauternes, Graves 2010
***
Tea or coffee
Praline


Very limited seating is available for this exclusive event. The six-course degustation menu including eight wine pairing is priced at Rp. 3.600.000 net per person. (US$300).

Reservations can be made by calling Kayuputi Restaurant by [Email]

A small and dignified group comprised of visiting tourists and the surviving family members of the tragic terrorist bombing of October 12, 2002 that killed 202 people from 20 countries gathered at “ground zero” in downtown Denpasar on Sunday, October 12, 2014.

Marking the approximate location of that blast, the Bali bombing monument records the names of those who died 12 years ago and was where those attending the twelfth anniversary scattered flowers in solemn remembrance.

Also in attendance were Governor Made Mangku Pastika, the Consul General of Australia Majell Hind, the deputy-regent of Badung I Made Sudiana and the much-loved volunteer-hero of the Bali bombing recovery Haji Bambang Priyanto.

As reported by the State News Agency Antara, the Kuta-Legian area normally busy with passing traffic paused for a moment’s silence to remember those who died from bombs places at the Sari Club and Paddy’s Club on the evening of October 12, 2002.

The chair of the Ni Luh Erniati, said at the simple remembrance that the group had gathered at the monument not remember, but to remind the public, government and the world at large that on that day, 12 years ago, had occurred a heartbreaking tragedy with repercussions still felt a dozen years later.
 
The Governor of Bali and the man who, at the time of the bombing, served as Chief of Police in Bali and brought the Bali bombers to justice, invited all parties, including the families of the victims, to forgive the perpetrators of the tragedy and let go of any lingering feelings of anger and revenge.
 
“Whatever your religion, your color of skin or your profession – let is seek peace together,” said Pastika.
 
Haji Bambang Priyanto, the celebrated volunteer who worked tirelessly in the Kuta community in the days following the bombing, told the press he understood the difficulties of forgetting the bombing of 12 years ago, even though those responsible have now been punished in accordance with the law. Priyanto added: “Not just the bombing in Bali 12 years ago, but even World War I that was centered in Europe and began on July 28, 1914 and ended on November 11, 1918, is still difficult to forget due to its many victims.”
 
Now a retired civil servant who donates his time to the Indonesian Red Cross, said he found it difficult to forget the Bali bombing. Each year on October 12th Haji Bambang visits “ground zero” to pray and spread flower petals before the monument on which the names of the 202 who died are forever etched.

Metrobali.com quotes the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, complaining that many professional tourism practitioners in Indonesia have little understanding or concern of the need for disabled and handicap facilities in serving the public.

“Internationally there exists a code of ethics for tourism that includes the need to respect all consumers. This includes the disabled,” said Pangestu at a public discussion on the implementation of rules for handicapped access on public buildings held in Jakarta on Saturday, October 11, 2014.

The Tourism Minister pointed to the failure to build hotel rooms with doors wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs as just one example where Indonesian hotel operators fail in their legal responsibilities to the disabled.
 
“Sometime our disabled friends complain of the difficulties of gaining access to their bathrooms when they are staying at a hotel,” said Pangestu.
 
The outgoing Minister for Tourism and the Creative Economy said that current building codes contains sufficient requirements on accessibility for the disabled with the problem being implementation and enforcement of the rules.
 
At the same meeting, Sri Lestari, a paraplegic woman from Klaten, Central Java, who recently drove a specially modified motorcycle from Aceh to Jakarta, confirmed the Minister’s statement, saying it was difficult during her journey to find gas stations with bathrooms suitable for people in wheelchairs. Similar barriers to the handicapped, she said, are found at hotels and other tourism facilities she encountered in her epic overland journey.

The Jakarta Globe reports that the widely unpopular and controversial reclamation of Bali’s Benoa Bay will proceed with Tirta Wahana Bali International announcing it now holds the necessary permits to commence its Rp. 30 trillion (US$2.5 billion) project that will dramatically transform the geography of South Bali.
 
Winata, who heads the Tirta Wahana Bali International project, initially orchestrated a high-profile environmental push by bringing soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo to Bali to be dubbed a 'Mangrove Ambassador" and plant trees in the Island’s southern mangrove accompanied by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. At the same time he was orchestrating this public display of environmental-mindedness, Winata was spearheading an investment that will eventually eliminate 700 hectares of the once-protected mangrove wetlands.

Shortly after the tree-planting press conference, Tirta Wahana Bali International announced plans for the reclamation project while, a short time later, President Yudhoyono accommodated the project by signing a decree changing the mangrove forest’s designation from a protected "no build" proetcted wetland to commercial use.
 
The project, the object of an unprecedented level of public protest by members of the Balinese community, will build hotels, a convention center and entertainment complex on reclaimed lands in Benoa Bay.
 
Leemarvin Lieana, a commissioner of Tirta Wahana, has defended the project by offering the defeatist argument that if the company fails to develop the land, it would be destroyed in any case by illegal logging for firewood, littering and the sedimentation caused by rivers that discharge into the Bay.
 
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Plans to build a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage facility within Bali’s southernmost port of Benoa is becoming the subject of both growing interest and controversy.

As reported by Beritabali.com, Denpasar’s Mayor Ida Bagus Dharmawijaya Mantra on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, called for the entire project to reconsidered, particularly as regards its planned location in a port designated for tourism purposes. “What needs to be reconsidered,” said Dharmawijaya, ”is that the Port of Benoa must be dedicated for activities in support of tourism.”

The mayor of Bali’s capital reminded that Benoa is known internationally as a tourism port, receiving the growing number of cruise passengers visiting the Island.

Dharmawijaya explained that he had recently met with the deputy-minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) who outlined plans for the LNG depot at Benoa. However, the Mayor has yet to receive a formal letter from the investors needed to build the storage facility. The proposed usage of the LNG depot is to provide fuel need to power the gas turbines at the nearby (PLTG) electrical generating pant operated by the State Power Board (PLN).

In any case, insists Dharmawijaya, the project must be reviewed because it proposes to be built in a port designated for tourism.

Regarding recommendations being circulated to move the location of the LNG Depot from Benoa to the north coast Port of Celukan Bawang, the mayor said he would leave that decision entirely to the ESDM Minister. “Let the ESDM Ministry suggest a better location,” he said.

The Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, who has publicly urged that the LNG Depot not be located at Benoa, expressed a similar sentiment. The outgoing minister for matters related to tourism said the fuel depot would run against the very grain of a joint decision made by the government to make Benoa as a center for cruise tourism.

Said Pangestu: “This needs to be realized by all parties. If the Port of Benoa becomes a cruise port then many large cruise ships (will visit). What are the safety and security aspects? Will these aspects be disturbed by the planned LNG project?”

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika, speaking through the provincial spokesman on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, said he had yet to receive an environmental impact study for the LNG storage depot. The Governor restated his commitment to abide by the 2009 Provincial Zoning Plan (RTRW) that designates Benoa’s use as a center for sea transportation, cruise tourism, container shipping, garment exports, handicraft exports, the transit of essential food items and the export of fish.

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When staff and friends of eight leading resorts in Bali and Lombok join forces good things start to happen.
 
That was certainly the case on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Bali International Sports Week and the “Together as One” Charity Fun Run held within the Indonesian Tourism Development Complex (ITDC) at Nusa Dua.
ity Run was organized by a group of eight resorts from Bali and Lombok including Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort; Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort; The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali; The Westin Ubud Resort & Spa; Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran; The St. Regis Bali Resort; W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak; and The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali.
t attracted more than 1,350 enthusiastic runners from all over Bali and raised more than  Rp. 95 million  (US$7,900) for a worthy charity of improving housing quality for Bali’s poor in Mengwi, Badung regency.

Shown on Balidiscovery.com are snapshots from the “Together as One” Charity Fun Run.

The world’s attention is increasingly turned to the developing story of the Ebola crisis - a contagious disease originating in West Africa with a mortality rate of greater than 50%. And, while there is yet no known cure for this form of hemorrhagic fever, modern science does know how the disease is spread and what precautions and protocols must be put in place to prevent its spread and protect those caring for those afflicted with the disease.

While the disease is highly contagious for those in direct contact with the bodily fluids of an Ebola patient - living or dead, there is no risk of contamination from someone infected with Ebola before they begin exhibiting the initial symptoms of the disease.

Beginning with a fever and symptoms resembling influenza, the period between exposure and the onset symptoms and the contagious phase of the illness can be between an average of 7 and 21 days.

You simply can’t catch Ebola by sitting on an airplane, working with or going to school with someone in the pre-symptomatic phase of the disease. It’s not an airborne disease and won’t spread by people sneezing and coughing in a shared space.

But, sadly, the world suffers form deeply ingrained fears of pandemics – born of memories and oral histories handed down over the generations detailing the devastation visited by the bubonic plague, Spanish flu and cholera outbreaks.

Such primal fears breeds irrationality as evidenced in the current closure of schools in the U.S.A., the euthanisation of the pets of those infected with Ebola in Spain and the prolonged isolation of airplanes and residences used by those later confirmed with the disease.

Some contend that Ebola is a West African disease meaning the proper response is to close air, sea and land borders of countries where the disease is prevalently found. Such proposal are as naïve as they are dangerous.  It has been proven that Ebola has been best contained in those West African nations with active and functioning governments, able to mount a coordinated public and private response.

If the West’s response is to isolate those counties where Ebola cases are detected, this could economically and politically destabilize already precarious regimes, limiting the ability of those nations to battle Ebola and, the the end, result in a rapid spread of the disease both in the country affected and beyond.

We agree with those arguing that the world’s failure to confront and conquer Ebola in Africa now, will mean a larger, more potentially devastating, battle must be waged later on the very doorsteps of those who initially ignored the call the battle. It has been conclusively demonstrated that Ebola is no match for a well-coordinated modern medical response. Because of this, the world’s governments can spare no expense in deploying medical personnel, equipment and medicines to West Africa where Ebola can still be stopped and contained in its seminal stages.

Fail to mount such a response now and in the affected African countries and the entire world will suffer the consequences. Even before the actual disease manifests in every corner for the world due to our failure to take the battle to West Africa, a growing fear and panic will throw the highly interdependent world economy into a tailspin as trade and travel gradually grinds to a crippling halt.

Those who think such prognostications too dire, should carefully note a Reuter’s report published on October 16, 2014 estimating that nearly half of American surveyed said they are avoiding international air travel for fear of catching the Ebola virus. That poll of 1,577 American showed 45% were avoiding international flights for fear of catching Ebola.

Underlining the need to take the battle against Ebola to West Africa, that same survey showed that 79% of the respondent said they would avoid international travel if an Ebola epidemic was confirmed in the U.S.A.

The Monaco-based United Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTA) will hold its 47th Congress and General Assembly in Bali November 16-19, 2014.

The Congress had adopted the theme “The Way Ahead” and will beheld in conjunction with UFTA’s General Assembly and a UFTA Forum for the exchange of questions and ideas.

The congress has selected the new Aston Ungasan as its venue.

While in Bali a UFTAA Travel Mart 2014 will be held to allow delegates to meet with tourism service operators and hotels.

UFTAA’s President, Joe Borg Olivier explained that the B2B session represent an innovation by combining business meetings with educational and informative sessions. The organization hopes to not only the usual UFTAA delegates but also all travel agents/tour operators, whether they are UFTAA members or not.

Pre and post conference tours are also planned including a pre-conference visit to Makassar for hosted buyer, November 14-16, 2014.
 
For more information contact the UFTAA Team

The next monthly gathering of the Bali Culinary Professionals will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 12:00 pm in the Al fresco Swiss-Café of the Swiss-Belresort Watu Jimbar on Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 99A in Sanur.
ing of chefs and food and beverage professionals dedicate to advancing professional practice in Bali’s kitchens, the luncheon is open to both members at Rp. 250,000 (US$21) and guests at Rp. 350,000 (US$29).

Swiss-Belresort Watu Jimbar’s Executive Chef Joko Tri Asmoro has planned a special menu of exceptional value to welcome his culinary colleagues.

Musical entertainment and a beachwear fashion show by C&C models are also planned.

Bali Culinary Professions
Luncheon Menu
 
October, 25th 2014
Swiss Café, Swissbel-resort, Watu Jimbar, Sanur

Octopus Salad
Crispy Quail Egg | Vanilla Dressing
***
Duck Confit Ravioli
Mushroom Sauce | Thyme Foam
***
Blood Orange Sorbet
***
Black Cod
Beetroot Sauce | Spinach Pocket | Braised Fennel | Pom Fondant | Avruga caviar
***
Decadent Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Tuile | Chantilly | Raspberry Jelly


Advance bookings are required by emailing or telephoning Katrin at ++62-(0)361-286283 (extension 101).

The Bali Post reports that a team of champion lifesavers from Bali (Balawista) has brought the Island honors at an international life saving championship held in France in September 2014.

Badung regency lifesavers traveled to Lifesaving World Championships: "Rescue the 2104 Montpelier-La Grand Motte France” conducted September 22-28, 2014.

The event drew participation from 40 countries and 85 lifesaving clubs.

The Bali lifesavers saw one of their members ranked among the top-five in the world at the event from among 98 teams competing.

The Bali Badung team was comprised of 5 lifesavers and two officials.

In the "Beach Relay" event saw Robin Hermanto, Alit Swabawa, Agus Wiranata and Marsello came in as the fifth best team.

In the “Beach Flag” competition involving 320 athletes, Alit Swabawa ranked at number 11.

Badung officials say the participation of Bali lifesavers in international events not only hones the skills of Bali’s beach patrols, but also promotes Bali as a beach destination to the world.

Ignoring religious prohibitions about climbing Bali’s sacred Mt. Agung for two months ending November 21, 2014, a French tourist Gael Gingnls (28) slipped and was injured at an altitude of 2,700 meters on Thursday, October 16, 2014.

As the result of the accident, the Frenchman suffered a sprained knee requiring a rescue mission be mounted to bring the climber off the Mountain.

As reported by Balidiscovery.com Climb Every Other Mountain local religious authorities requested that no climbing take place on Mt. Agung for approximately two months starting on September 9, 2014 until November 21, 2014. The embargo on climbing was requested in deference to a prolonged Pancawali Krama Wana Kertih Ceremony underway at Pura Pasar Agung in the village of Sogra in Karangasem, East Bali. Hindus performing mendak tirta or ngaturang pekelem rituals at Mount Agung had asked tourists not to climb the mountain during the specified period out of respect for local religious mores.

In flagrant disregard of these requests, Gael Gingnls, accompanied by a Balinese guide I Made Murka (also known as Laba), commenced a climb of Mt. Agung at 1:00 a.m. on October 16th. Reaching the mountaintop at 7:00 a.m. the French tourist and his guide began their descent when the accident occurred.

With a tourist no longer able to walk, the guide contacted the Rendang Police Precinct who coordinate the rescue from the National Search and Rescue Agency.

The challenges of the mountain path meant that rescuers were only able to emerge with the Frenchman at 8:00 pm at the village of Banjar Temukus.

The French climber was transported to a medical facility in Denpasar for treatment.

Radar Bali reports that past and current government funding of the Balinese cultural icon of Taman Ayun is being called into question by Commission III of the Badung House of Representatives (DPRD-Badung).

Taman Ayun in Mengwi is visited each year by thousands of Bali visitors. Graced with a massive foreground, the Mengwi Water Temple forms part of the Royal Household of the Mengwi Palace (Puri Mengwi). Originally built in 1634 by the King of Mengwi, man-made waterways surround an island of multi-tiered temples.

Hearings conducted at the DPRD-Badung on Wednesday, October 15, raised the legality of billions of rupiahs  paid from public funds for the care and maintenance of Taman Ayun.

A member of Commission III, Made Sudarta, was quick to point out that he was supportive of the role played by Taman Ayun in the complex's status as a UNESCO World Heritage icon, but feared State auditors would sometime raise issues with the subsidization of Taman Ayun – owned by the Mengwi Royal Household - with public funds.

In response, I.B. Surya Suamba representing the Badung Regency insisted that the preservation of Taman Ayun with regency funds was entirely appropriate given the complexes role in the regions history and its status as a UNESCO Heritage site. Suamba suggest that without the continuing financial support of the regency, Taman Ayun could jeopardize its UNESCO status.

This installment of We Get Mail needs a preface.

It all started with comments from the man in charge of Bali’s remodeled Ngurah Rai International Airport, the braggadocios Tommy Soetomo who proclaimed his airport was among the world’s best.

You can read Soetomo’s comments in Happy Landings Galore.

This resulted in a lambasting of Soetomo and his airport from via the tens of email received at Balidiscovery.com. A cross sampling of that barrage of criticism was published here in We Get Mail!.

Reading these comments, another reader Martyn Smith shared his in-depth view of the airport in a lively commentary published in Terminal Folly.

The dialogue continues. Here are the comments provoke by Smith’s appraisal, including several that demonstrate the disappointing operation of Bali’s airport may indeed is causing people to cancel their trips to Bali.

• Helen Jensen wrote:

"What a fantastic article!! spot on with all points. Hoping notice of this will be taken with some action immediately.”  

• Andreas, writing from a Swedish email added:

“I do wholeheartedly agree.

Both the arrival section and the departure section are an insult to travelers.New visitors to Bali get a very bad first impression of the 'Paradise Island'.

I remember that when the equally bad designed underpass at Simpang Siur had been opened I said: "If the new Airport will be designed by the same team as the underpass it will be better to land in Jakarta and go over land to Bali". I think we are there now.”

• Hendrik succinctly wrote:

“Please give us the old airport back.”

•  Rose wrote to applaud Smith’s commentary:

“Well said Martyn. The mess that is the new airport has meant that I no longer come to Bali for my three monthly trips. I go to Singapore and relax.”
 

• Erin Southee chimed in:

“I totally agree with what has been said and would also like to point out the LACK of moving walk ways to get to your departure gate.  I had to leave from the last gate and it was quite a hike to get to it. Not good for a brand new Airport.”
 

• Michele Walker from Australia added:

“One point missed on your recent article 'Terminal folly' is that if you are catching a flight from the Jet Star departure gates, I'm not sure if they service other airlines, of which there are 3, there are only 4 ladies toilet cubicles to service 3 plane loads of passengers. You either wait in a long queue hoping your flight won't board or you walk miles down to the other gates, which there and back takes 10 to 15 minutes. There rest of the article I couldn't agree with more. The airport is a disorganized mess.”
 

• Mary Neufeld living in Bali said:

“I live in Bali. I arrive and depart often. I agree with the author of this well written article.”
 

• Alley had this to say:

‘Have just read this well written and concise article, and am writing to applaud the author. Nothing more relevant can be said, as he has summarized in a sensible and objective manner, the feelings of most people who have to undergo the rigorous hurdles that this airport presents.

Having to line up for up to 3 hours, particularly if one has children, or is unwell, after a long flight, is totally unacceptable in this “modern” world. Providing people with a stressful experience is no way to start their holiday, and as a well-travelled person, I have never encountered such traumas at any other airport. Hopefully someone will take notice of this feedback, and rectify the situation asap.”
 

• Rick Dunn offered a suggestion:

“Well said Martyn. I agree completely. The one thing they can fix is to add some staff onto the check-in counters, immigration counters and baggage handling”
 

• A New Zealander, David contributed:

“Totally agree. This must be the world's worst designed and managed airport... And the queues! Never mind that at the hate most passengers are forced to sit on floors or stand, witness the queues to just avail of the toilets... Or the queues at arrivals getting through immigration and visa processing. There is never enough staff to handle the volume of visitors to ensure it is a pleasing arrival experience.”
 

• A frequent Bali visitor, Adele Baker, finds the airport problematic for handicapped travelers:

“I read Martyn Smith’s comments on the new airport with much interest and disappointment! Having discovered BALI in 1974, my paradise as a young woman, I returned 27 times over the decades As I'm now disabled and require a wheelchair at various times to travel, I was distressed to read the numerous flaws in this new structure! Can someone please confirm that on landing, a wheelchair would be provided and a fast track exit through formalities would be provided, like other international airports I have travelled though! I want the truth! Words like ramps, overcrowded exits, chaos at the exit sends horror signals for an informed person! Have the designers made concessions for the disabled! We are not dead, just injured!
 

• Finally, should anyone doubt that the shortcomings of Bali’s “new” airport is costing Bali visitors, we share the comments of Peter Decker of Meritus Aviation – an executive jet management company:

“I fully agree with the arguments of Martyn Smith.

Mr. Tommy Soetomo, 'your airport' is a Joke, a very bad joke. I recently had to inspect the DPS facilities and arrived on a Malaysian Airlines flight, which had to park at the outer end of the ramp, in between the all new presidential B737 BBJ and it's accompanying military B737. When the passengers started to disembark via the stairs, there was no bus to transfer them to the terminal; hence approx. 50+ passengers started swirling around at the platform. The flight crew who saw what happened, decided to keep the majority of passengers on board. There was no staff to prevent the passengers from walking around the several parked aircraft and the fuel tanker who came to fill up the Malaysian aircraft did this against the international airport rules, amidst a lot of curious, waiting passengers.

It took 18 minutes before the first bus arrived. Arrival at visa on arrival and immigration counters was a real shocking experience, with the load of approx. 4 flights waiting, (i.e. more than 1200 passengers waiting). It took about 90 minutes before clearing immigration and 15 minutes to find my bag that in the meantime was removed from the Luggage belt. In short: an incredible and amateurish mess at the ‘fantastic airport’ of Mr. Tommy Soetomo. After many more ridiculous adventures at Bali Ngurah Rai Airport (including the executive jet area, my inspection trip has resulted in a ‘big NO!’ for the usage of this airport for our operations. I think that Mr. Soetomo and his incapable staff, need a very big slap on the wrist and should follow a course on International airport Management.”

While Swiss national Heinz von Holzen may not have been “born” to Balinese kitchen, local religious tradition strongly suggest that cosmic forces may have been in play that caused von Holzen to be reincarnated into the Balinese Paon.
 
Arriving in Bali nearly three decades ago as a young, well-trained food and beverage professional, von Holzen commenced on a love affair with Bali, its culture and the culinary traditions of its kitchens. In a sojourn filled with interesting twists and turns, Heinz married a Balinese girl and started a family, established the award-winning Bumbu Bali Restaurant, and published seven cookbooks and two books of photography.

While, to the casual observer, it may seem more than a little incongruous that a man from Switzerland is generally acknowledged as the world’s leading expert on Balinese cuisine, the simple fact of the matter is that Heinz von Holzen’s professional life has served as something of a catalyst for Balinese cooking. During his early years on the Island, Heinz would organize “cooking days” among the Balinese employees of a five star hotel preparing dishes learned in their mothers’ kitchens. An inveterate chronicler, Heinz recorded recipes and photographed the resulting dishes, and in so doing created Bali’s first compendium of Balinese cuisine.
 
A keen traveler, Heinz has explored remote corners of Indonesia, invading local kitchens with the same enthusiasm he brought to climbing its mountains, sailing its seas and exploring its wildernesses.
 
Heinz’s latest book “A New Approach to Indonesian Cooking” explores more than 100 classic recipes from across the archipelago. From savory fried rice, richly indulgent meat stews and tantalizingly sweet desserts – Heinz provides detailed instructions on how to reproduce authentic flavors using traditional cooking methods in combination with modern cooking techniques.
 
Perhaps best of all, he shows short cuts available in a modern kitchen without in any way compromising the delicious and authentic end results.
 
“A New Approach to Indonesian Cooking” champions authentic taste of Indonesian food in concert with modern and comprehensible kitchen techniques.
 
Bali Visitors are also encouraged to join one of Heinz’s popular one-day cooking schools available each week throughout the year - Balinese Cooking School with Market Visit.
 
"A New Approach to Indonesian Cooking" by Heinz von Holzen is available on-line from Marshall Cavendish.
 
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