Selasa, 23 Desember 2008

Pranalicious Chocolate Treatment-at Prana Spa

Crossing the terracotta-hued threshold of Prana (Jl Kunti 118X Seminyak, T: 0361 730840) feels like penetrating an ancient Eastern realm, such is the impact of the opulent architecture. Lotus-filled ponds and, above, a sweeping balustrade dominate a central courtyard in which the smell of cinnamon and the shadowy figures of belly dancers that are almost palpable. Upstairs, the balcony gives way to the spa; a warren of dimly lit but lavishly decorated passageways drawing you past sumptuously furnished treatment rooms and into the boudoir marking the beginning of our spa experience.

This December, Prana has just added the 'Hens Day Party' to their already eloquent spa menu of spa treatments– a delicious chocolate therapy at around two and half hours long for those ladies desiring gourmet chocolate skin care indulgence at its' finest. With the standard sea-salt foot scrub as prelude, the treatment begins with a relaxing one-hour massage delivered with grace and expertise continuing with an intense chocolate body scrub that releases its scent to stimulate the body and increase your sense of well-being before culminating in an invigorating cream bath with fruit platter and ice lemon tea. Undoubtedly, the highlight of this particular treatment, the rich chocolate scrub and subsequent body lotion leaves your skin silky soft and chocolaty smooth.

A spa treatment with a festively decadent twist the 'Hens Day Party' is priced at US$120 with 30% off during the months of December and January.

Bali Safari Star

For the first time since its official opening by the Minister of Tourism in the year 2000, the Park will exclusively open to the public at night for the thrilling new adventure, launching yet another world first for Bali's pioneering adventure tour company, Bali Adventure Tours. Park owner and operator Nigel Mason, who especially carved out and designed the night trail to offer a different course than the Elephant Safari Parks' day-time rides, says he did so to make a completely new enchanted elephant experience which visitors to Bali have never before experienced. "The Park transforms at night into a truly magical setting providing an ambience that is incredibly exotic and romantic. 'Safari Under the Stars' really adds another dimension to the Park and adventure tours that has never been seen or done before. We are proud to be the first to deliver such a world-class unique experience to Bali. We have enhanced many of our Park facilities for 'Safari Under the Stars', including special lighting throughout the Parklands and surrounding national forest to heighten the experience and captivate our guests. We have also transplanted numerous large trees and added stone statues that are subtlety lit up at night", adds Nigel.

Guests who book Safari Under the Stars will enjoy meeting petting and hand feeding the elephants upon arrival as well as exploring the Parks' acclaimed Elephant Museum, Information Gallery and botanical parklands. A pre-dinner Elephant Talent Show with dazzling lighting and special effects is performed at the Discovery Show Arena each evening at 6.45pm before guests embark on a moonlit night safari through Taro forest and the Park. After the night safari, guests are seated to a special four-course dinner prepared by the Parks' executive chef in the newly designed Pachyderm Palm Grove. The outdoor dining venue located beside the elephants' bathing lake provides a mesmerizing setting to observe the grazing giants at rest on their elephant pads. 'Safari Under the Stars… an Evening with the Elephants' is available nightly by advance bookings only. Price includes Park Entrance, Elephant Talent Show, Night Safari and four-course Dinner plus air-conditioned return transfers and insurance. US$99 Adult, $69 Child, $27 Infant, $302 Family. Reservations can be made through Bali Adventure Tours or directly to the Elephant Safari Park & Lodge, Taro on 0361 721 480. A trip to Taro to the lodge is a thoroughly memorable and highly unique Bali experience not to be missed!

Indonesian Surfing Comes of Age in 2008

the awards night party at the Sector Bar in Sanur on Saturday the 8th of November officially closed the 2008 Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship season, a landmark year for both the ISC and for surfing in Indonesia. what started off as a great year for the ISC, with a record setting schedule of 25 events at the beginning of the season in February, became a stellar year with the ICS's involvement in several unexpected and significant international events, namely the Rip Curl Pro Search, the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge, and the first ever Asian Beach Games. 2008, it turned out, was to be the year Indonesian surfing established itself in the professional arena and attracted the support of major national and international sponsorship. It proved to be a ripper of a year

As the ASP World Championship Tour events returned to the shores of Indonesia after a ten year hiatus the Rip Curl Pro Search held in July/August, had the eyes of the worldwide surfing community focused on Bali for well over two weeks. The ISC was involved from the start, first in the planning stages and then assisting throughout the event. The international media as well as the world's best surfers declared the event, ‘the best ever'. After the Rip Curl event Bali was host to the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge, a first time event where only sixteen of the world's top junior (under 21) surfers came to Bali to compete for record-breaking prize money of US $20,000 for first place. Press from Australia, South America, Europe, and America covered the event, and again the ISC was there to set up and coordinate the event with Oakley and Surfing Queensland.

Then in arguably the most significant event to occur on Bali shores, for surfing in Asia and in the world, Indonesia had the tremendous honor of becoming the first country ever to have surfing as an Olympic event and the first country to win a gold medal for surfing at the first Asian Beach Games in Bali this last October. ISC CEO Tipi Jabrik and PSOI (Persatuan Selancar Ombak Indonesia/Indonesian Surfing Organization) Vice President Arya Subyakto coordinated and ran all the surfing events during the week event, which garnered worldwide press.

Surfing in Indonesia took another leap in popularity this year, as the eyes of the international surfing world focused on this archipelago that boasts arguably the most consistently high quality waves on the planet earth. But let's not forget what was done at the local and national level as well, through the efforts of the ISC, Coca-Cola Bottling Indonesia, and event sponsors Billabong, Quiksilver, Oakley, Rusty, Rip Curl, Surfer Girl, and Villa Mana. Starting with the Junior surfers, aged sixteen and under, Quiksilver, Rip Curl and Rusty each staged a contest series (a total of thirteen events) to give these young surfers a chance to learn how to surf and compete with good sportsmanship, with the series champion getting the chance to travel internationally to compete in each of the series grand finals. Quiksilver King of the Grom winner fifteen year old Putu Anggara from Nusa Lembongan, went to France, Rusty GromFest winner Gazali Hamzah to Australia, and as the Rip Curl GromSearch winner Gazali will again visit Australia next March to compete in the GromSearch Grand Final. Gazali, from the Dompu Regency in Sumbawa, was also crowned the Coca-Cola ISC Junior Champion of 2008.

Next up was the Pro Junior division, consisting of the under twenty-one year old surfers. Billabong's Pro Junior series of three events attracted some of the best young talent from Australia, South Africa, and America to Bali's shores to compete with our local boys at Keramas, Kuta Reef, and Canggu. Made Raditya Rondi was the highest placing Indonesian in the series, getting him the Pro Junior Division Championship

New for the 2008 season was the Women's Division. Oakley, Quiksilver, Rip Curl and Villa Mana all held women's competitions within their Pro Division contests, and Surfer Girl stepped up and created the first all-girls surfing competition ever held in Indonesia. The ISC has twelve full time women members, and at each competition more and more girls were showing up to join in the fun. This year's champion is Yasnyiar Gea (Bonne) from Nias, who won two of the six events. In the Masters Division, where the over thirty-five year old legends of Bali surfing all still compete like they are twenty years younger, the champion this year was Made Artha, who won three of the six events while also competing in the Pro Division. Completing the lineup is the Pro Division, where Indonesia's best surfers compete for money, points and the prestige of being crowned Coca-Cola ISC Champion. This year's champion is Dede Suryana from West Java, who won three of the eight events on the tour, as well as two gold medals in the Asian Beach Games (Aerial and Team Divisions). Suryana is a fully sponsored professional surfer who has, at age twenty-three, has already travelled the world to surf and been photographed in far flung destinations like Alaska, California, Mexico, Hawaii, and Ireland. He has appeared in numerous local and international surf magazines and surfing movies, and also has the bragging rights to having competed against nine time world champion Kelly Slater, and won, in the final of the Todd Chesser Memorial Surf Contest in Hawaii in 2003!

So ends the fifth year of our professional surfing tour in Indonesia, with the ISC well on its way to achieving its goals of both developing the sport of surfing in Indonesia and providing a pathway for Indonesia's talented surfing athletes to have a professional career and the means to one day become a world champion, thanks to the tremendous support the national and international sponsors and the people of Bali and Indonesia.

Whereas Bali has been the centre of surfing in South East Asia for many years now, and known worldwide for it rich surfing resources, its has historically been recognized only as a holiday tourist destination by the national government with little or no acknowledgement of the actual sport of surfing itself. We hope that through the efforts of the ISC and the PSOI, more support will be coming from the government to help Indonesia's surfing athletes realize their potential and become great role models and examples to others.

We look forward to 2009 as the year surfing really comes of age in Indonesia, we're riding a wave of change here in Bali at the moment and for sure it will be incredible to see how surfing develops throughout the Asian region in the forthcoming months. For more images and information on the activities of the Coca-Cola ISC Tour throughout 2008 visit isctour

Bali Safari and Marine Park a Truly Experince

Now on the island of gods island, has attended three safari park in Indonesia. Taman Safari is a name of international Bali Safari and Marine Park. Gres parks that are still located in The Village, Gianyar regency. Gianyar is a city that became the center of Balinese arts and culture, is only 30km from the most popular tourist place in Bali, Kuta Beach. Located in the strategic island of Bali route, which is precisely in the way Prof. bypass. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra Km 19.8.

This safari park are presented by Taman Safari Indonesia and was inaugurated by Bali Governor Dewa Beratha on 9 October 2007 ago.

Bali Safari park will provide a truly different experience to anyone who presents a mengunjunginya because of the unique combination of wildlife with a strong culture of Bali. Gardens that have a total area of 40 hectares is equipped with a special vehicle that is ready to deliver visitors to interact with more than 400 animals of 80 species from 3 different areas, namely from Indonesia, India and Africa.

The concept bersafari offered very different, where all visitors can enjoy a life of animals and nature with a car that has been specially prepared. As the beginning of this exciting journey, visitors will be greeted with a collection of Java and Kerbau White tiger who came from the fort Ranthambore, India.

Bali Safari park is of course equipped with some interesting features that can make a stand in the visitors there. The main course is a collection of animals liarnya all of which are placed in a natural habitat. Besides there are also some other supporting facilities such as a recreational arena, Fun Zone, a marvelous theater Bali, cottages and bungalows are ready to be used for visitors who want to stay there and of course there are also several restaurants offering a variety of food.

To enter, visitors are charged Rp75.000, - per person for domestic tourists while foreign tourists to get a different rate, of U.S. $ 25 per person. Fun Zone area is provided for children aged up to 10 years in which they can try to play some arena bertarif Rp10 thousand once play like Mery Go Round, Clumbing Car and Go Go Bouncer. Visitors can also try to ride a horse or a camel with bangs tariff Rp20 thousand, while to get around the elephant ride for 30 minutes at the rate Rp100 thousand. As in other safari park, visitors can berfoto with some of the animals with adequate pay Rp20 thousand. For those who want to swim also provided the arena with the Water Park entrance ticket Rp20 thousand per person.

Places to eat here have privileges withdrawn because all the direct background safari park is the location of restaurants and beautiful. Of course the most special restaurant Tsavo Lion nuances of Africa. Restaurants located in the Mara River Safari Lodge, which also is home of the lion. With a glass wall around the outside of the restaurant so visitors the opportunity to enjoy their dish, accompanied with seringaian animals karnivora right beside it.

In addition to the place a fun tour, safari park is also a breeding place for animals, endangered animals in which the term is known as the ex-situ conservation. Now this Safari Park Bali will try to expand the white tiger-culture of India which is very rare. Tourism in the area are also many cultural nuances Bali, Sulawesi and India.

For more info please visit:balisafarimarinepark

Selasa, 02 Desember 2008

Some Consulate in Bali

Some of the foreign countries maintaining consulates and representatives in Bali are as follows.

AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE (includes: Canada,N.Zealand)
Jl.Prof.Moh.Yamin No.4 Renon PO. BOX 234 Denpasar - Bali
Phone : 235092, 235093 Fax : 231990

CONSULAR AGENT OF FRANCE
Jl.By Pass Ngurah Rai No.35 SANUR - Bali
Phone : 285485 Fax : 285485

CONSULAR AGENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Jl.Werkudara, Legian Kaja - Kuta PO.BOX 2035, Bali 80361
Phone : 751735 Fax : 754457

CONSULAR AGENT OF THE NETHERLANDS
Jl.Raya Kuta No.127 Denpasar - Bali
Phone : 751735 Fax : 752777

CONSULAR AGENT OF SWITZERLAND & AUSTRIA
Jl.Werkudara, Legian Kaja - Kuta PO.BOX 2035, Bali 80361
Phone : 751735 Fax : 754457

HONORARY CONSUL OF FINLAND & SWEDEN
Jl.Segara Ayu - Sanur Bali ( Segara Village Hotel )
Phone : 288407, 288408 Fax : 288021

HONORARY CONSUL OF GERMANY
Jl.Pantai Karang No.17 - Sanur PO.BOX 158 Bali
Phone : 288535, 288826 Fax : 288826

ITALIAN CONSULATE
Lotus Enterprise Building, Jl.Ngurah Rai, Jimbaran - Bali
Phone : 701005 Fax : 701005

HONORARY CONSUL OF NORWAY & DENMARK
Mimpi Resort Jimbaran, Kuta - Denpasar, Bali 80361
Phone : 701070 Fax : 701072

JAPANESE CONSULATE
Jl.Raya Puputan No.170 Renon, Denpasar - Bali
Phone : 227628 Fax : 231308

MEXICAN CONSULATE
Jl. Prof. Moh. Yamin No. 1A Denpasar - Bali
Phone : 223266 Fax : 244568

CHILEAN CONSULATE
Jl. Pengembak Gg. 1 Nr. 3 Sanur 80827, Bali
Indonesia
Tel: 62-361-281503 Fax: 62-361-285216

CZECH REPUBLIC
Consulate of the Czech Republic
Jl.Pengembak 17, Sanur
Tel : 62-361-286465, Fax : 62-361-286408

Spas in Bali

Spa in Bali give the great sensation.Here is list of spas in Bali:
BALIHAI SPA AT BALIHAI RESORT
This charming spa is an oasis of relaxation in the heart of Tuban, right on the beach. Pamper yourself with all the fasvourites, such as massages, scrubs, facials Jl. Wana Segara 33, Tuban, Bali. Phone: 62-361 753035

HENNA SPA AT VILLA BALQUISSE
Henna Spa is set in the timeless charm of Villa Balquisse, Jimbaran, and comprises a double treatment room, an enormous Romanesque style, sunken, flower petal bath for two, as well as a beauty salon for those who may wish cream baths (head massages w. conditioner), manicures, pedicures and the such. The 'Majapahit' four-hand-massage will carry you off into the realms of total bliss. There is even a thoughtful massage for children, so the whole family can enjoy Henna Spa together. Villa Balquisse and Henna Spa are certainly one of a kind in Bali, exclusive but reasonable, and a definite must to get the true feel of what ageless, tropical style can be when mixed with the natural surroundings that unique Jimbaran offers.Open daily 9am – 9pm.Jalan Uluwatu 18X, Jimbaran, Bali.Phone: 62-361 701695.

KOMANEKA
Komaneka is a small, intimate, hotel, centrally located in Monkey Forest Road and is a newer, trendier property close to shops and restaurants. The Spa is beautifully designed and located but is definitely for a younger clientele than many of the spas mentioned in this article with upbeat piped music was played throughout the spa. Our researcher chose to have reflexology, cream-bath and a pedicure and she was given a very thorough treatment for three hours. She commented that the rice-field view while having her cream-bath was an added bonus! The spa houses 3 treatment rooms and welcomes non hotel guests. Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud. Phone: 62-361 976 090

M'SPA AT PAUL'S PLACE
This all male therapist spa is found on centrally located Jalan Laksmana behind Paul's Place restaurant and boutique. This is a small but charming spa, with several treatment rooms, complete with either shower or bath. You can choose from several treatments; a long, languid traditional massage, or an invigorating 'Meng Massage' with four hands! There is also reflexology, body masks and scrubs, as well as skin and nail care. Open daily 10am – midnight. Jl. Laksmana 4A, Seminyak. Phone: 62-361 736 715

THE MAYA RESORT
The Maya Resort is to the eastern side of Ubud and has stunning views over the Petanu River gorge. The excellently designed buildings echo the luxurious residential accommodation for which The Maya is famous and a variety of exotic treatments are on offer.One of the most amazing features is the Spa Pool, built on the steep slopes. No piped music is necessary here as the birds and other wildlife provide some wonderfully relaxing sounds. Jl. Gunung Sari, Peliatan, Ubud. Phone: 62-361 977 888

THE NUSA DUA SPA
The tranquility of the award winning Nusa Dua Spa spreads over 5,000 square meters of lush gardens and rejuvenating pools that guarantee a natural experience to increase healthy well being for modern day living. For couples, the Spa Villa offers a perfect hideaway to enjoy an outdoor pool with sun lounges, sauna, whirlpool, or Swiss shower with steam bath. Couples can also take a massage or body treatment in total privacy, together.At Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa Phone: 62-361 771210

THE RITZ-CARLTON, BALI THALASSO & SPA
This extensive spa found in the stunning resort of The Ritz-Carlton, Bali in Jimbaran, looks out across the Indian Ocean and offers its guests a multitude of treatments and sensations.The latest addition to this already complete spa is the 'Spa on the Rocks' that offers an exclusive alternative of treatments right in the midst of the refreshing Indian Ocean to the sounds and sights of nature at its purest. Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Bali 80364. Phone: 62-361 702222

WAKA DI UME
This gorgeous resort now has Waka di Ume - Spa, heaven in the rice fields.A luxury three level ultra modern spa incorporates the famous Waka style. Featuring a whirlpool, a jacuzzi for four, a steam room, a beauty centre and two private massage rooms. Open to the guests of Waka di Ume as well as guests of the other Waka Resorts and to the general public.Opens pre-Christmas. Jl. Suweta, Ubud. Phone: 62-361 973178

THE LEMBAH SPA
The Lembah Spa is located in Bali's newest, exclusive hotel, The Viceroy Bali. This spa is perched over dramatic views of the Petanu River Gorge just outside Ubud, designed by Swiss spa experts, The Lembah offers guests a full range of spa services from French and traditional Balinese massages, to reflexology and beauty treatments. The Viceroy Bali, Ubud. Phone: 62-361 971 777.

Surfing in Nusa Dua-Sunset Beach

The tourism enclave of Nusa Dua on the south-east corner of Bali simply oozes with five star luxury, and conjures up visions of umbrella-adorned tropical drinks being carried to you by elegant men or exotic women in ceremonial Balinese costumes, while you brown yourself poolside under the blazing sun with no more a care for anything but pure hedonism in the form of food, drink, and then a long, sensuous massage.

However for others, surfers in particular, hedonistic fulfilment takes a different form, and this five star Eden is home to Bali's most eminent big wave surf spot, simply known as "Nusa Dua". The name doesn't make a lot of sense logically, as the words "Nusa Dua " essentially mean "Two Islands", which aren't really islands but two rocky outcroppings that serve as the base for two Balinese temples….the closest maybe a kilometre or more to the north of where the actual Nusa Dua surfing break is located.

Regardless of semantics, Nusa Dua is, in the minds of most of the old time surf crew anyways, the Balinese version of Hawaii's famed Sunset Beach. According to long-time Bali resident Steve Palmer, who remembers surfing Nusa Dua for the first time with Kim "the Fly" Bradley back in 1974, Nusa Dua was like Sunset, Hawaii. "I surfed Sunset Beach at about 5 foot one time, and that was about the heaviest wave I have ever experienced. So when I had Dick Brewer (legendary Hawaiian board maker) shape me a board especially for Nusa Dua, I told him to make it like a Sunset board but pull it back about twenty percent. It worked perfectly," said Steve.

The picture of serenity with long blue peeling lines topped in bright white foam, Nusa Dua at three to four foot looks like mellow perfection to the average surfer, but a word of warning; never count out that sleeper set that will come from out of nowhere to pound you and wash you all the way down to the golf course! And turning it up a notch, the exhilarating elevator drop and race with that intimidating mountain of water that's intent upon catching up to you and giving you the beating of your life on a solid six to eight foot day is what Steve calls an "elemental experience". An experience that will have your head buzzing at 100 plus decibels and drowning out everything but your very basic survival instincts - but therein lies the attraction.

One of Bali's first surfers, Gede Narmada, made the trek from Kuta to Nusa Dua with Mike Boyum in 1973 to have his first "elemental experience." The path to the beach led through some cornfields, which is now the Nusa Dua Golf and Country Club, and there were no boats to take you out to the lineup in those days. Just your arms and a long paddle! The boats started taking surfers out to the lineup in the early 80's, and nobody paddled out from the south by the Nusa Dua Beach Grille and the temple until several years after that. The early Nusa Dua crew consisted of Narmada, Boyum, Bobby Radiasa of G-Land fame and several others, but nobody had the place wired like Kim Bradley according to Narmada. "Kim studied the place and knew where to line up in all the various conditions. He showed me the big tree and where to be in relation to it. That tree is still there and I still use it today as my reference," he said.
Knowing the line up doesn't mean you won't have a hairy experience or two. Narmada said his worst experience was when he lost his board on a sizeable day back in ‘83-‘84. It was big, high tide, and very strong current. "I was swimming and swimming and thought I would end up in Lombok! Then I met another guy who had lost his board and we started swimming together, heading out of the channel to the north. Finally, after about an hour we crawled up onto the beach. I'm telling you, if it's big you better bring a friend along…don't surf there alone!"

All things considered it's the danger factor that is the big draw after all, isn't it? If you want to cover your bases and balance adrenaline with preservation of life, don't go much shorter than a 6'6", and preferably a 6'10" to 7'2" with a bit of thickness to get in early and avoid those nasty elevator drops. Perfect conditions? In Narmada's opinion, Nusa Dua needs a solid 6-10 foot west swell and a medium tide (1.6-2.0) coming up to produce those big picture-perfect thigh-muscle-burning walls that peel down the reef for 200 metres or so. And if you don't want to fight the speedway current that allows you tantalizingly close but never lets you get to the peak, check the moon and make sure its neither full moon nor new moon but somewhere close to the middle.

Oh, one last thing…you should probably save your strength for paddling and pay the IDR 30,000 for the one-way boat trip out to the lineup. You'll need every bit of help you can get… But it'll be worth every stroke.

The Secret of Wayang Kulit

A fire burns behind a see-through screen as the melodic music of gamelan is played. The light dims but the small fire continues to burn, a loud clanking of wood signals the start of the show. Something flutters against the screen – a blurred image moving in time to the music. The image suddenly becomes clear as all the other puppets appear. This is Wayang Kulit. 'Wayang' means shadow and 'Kulit' means leather. There are 140 characters in 'Mahabarata,' which is one of the Hindu epics and is the most popular story portrayed with Wayang Kulit. There are four types of Wayang shows: 1.Wayang Calonarang, which tells the story about the witch and the queen of witches.

The Balinese believe that when the Dalang (puppet master) calls the Leyak which is like an evil spirit or demon that he must be mentally and spiritually strong enough to confront the spirit or it may harm him: 2. Tantri uses animal characters that act like humans and deal with political or moral issues: 3. Gambuh is about the ancient kingdom of Java around the 11th century: 4. Cupak, who was the son of Brahma.

I watched a retelling of the popular show, "The Sacrifice of Bima" and afterwards sought out Mr. Wayan Deres, who is the puppet master or Dalang. In addition to being the performer, Wayan also makes puppets and is a wood carver; a true artist. He is quite humble, as in truth it is very difficult to be a Dalang, because a Dalang must be able to do many voices. He is the only person who controls the puppets' actions. He must also remember the story and be able to play the music. Before every show, they are required to carry out a ceremony to ask permission from God who will guide them so they can do things in the right way; blessings are also made for the puppets.
'Wayang Kulit' puppets are made by scraping the hide until it is thin and even, and then it is cured so it won't warp. The puppet maker uses a template or guide and scratches the outline and details into the hide. He cuts the body out along with separate pieces for the arms. The details are then punched with a wooden mallet and sets of metal punches and chisels. In a fine puppet this can take weeks.

Of course Wayang Kulit is not complete without Gamelan music. In Balinese Gamelan there are mostly metallophones and gongs. The sound is very bright. They also use cymbals, which create fast, rattling sounds that are not typical in Javanese Gamelan. It is believed that each instrument is guided by spirits. Thus, musicians must remove their shoes when they play Gamelan. It is also forbidden to step over any Gamelan instrument, because it may offend the spirits. In Indonesian traditional thinking, Gamelan is sacred and is believed to have super-natural powers. Incense and flowers are usually offered to the Gamelan. Some Gamelan instruments are believed to have so much power that playing them may exert power over nature. It is the blending of Wayang Kulit, which dates back to 1019 and Gamelan that creates a rich cultural experience that is truly unforgettable.

Learning to Dive in Gili's-Lombok


Learning to dive has been near the top of my 'to do' list for a while. Fuelled by diving specials on The Discovery Channel, it was time for action. Options included Amed and the PADI Openwater Course or Gili Trawangan, off Lombok. Lombok won and it was off to Poppies Lane One to see Phil at The Gili's Islands Shop, rumoured to send guests to the islands, with a minimum of fuss and a good price.

"Gilis" is the Lombok word for the small islands off the coast but the three famous Gilis sit to the North West, about ten minutes away by boat. Gili Trawangan is the most popular with the best tourist infrastructure. The other two islands (Gili Air and Meno) provide more of a Robinson Crusoe feel for the adventurous traveller.
Two days later I was on a twin prop aircraft heading east. As the pilot revved the lawnmower engine we sputtered upwards, off to Mataram, Lombok's capital, a slow moving and peaceful place. Ways to access the Gilis are numerous, starting with a helicopter. A popular cheaper method is
the slow ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar - take the 8.00 am ferry and you may be accompanied by dolphins!

Another company, Perama collects guests from their hotels, brings them to Padang Bai, where a fifty pax traditional phinisi sails direct to Trawangan for rp 245,000. It takes approximately eight hours but what a good day! It is also possible to sail in a jukung from Amed in three hours. So many options! Fastest is the speedboat service that powers across the Lombok Strait and in good conditions, takes just under two hours from Benoa Harbour to the Gilis at 690.000 each way.

The day starts early in Trawangan and it's a pleasure to stroll the empty lanes to the beach without a motorbike in earshot. Stopping in at Cocos coffee shop for a world class latte and bacon baguette is a treat and, if you're lucky Cocos proprietor Gaby will have a batch of denture pulling brownies on the go, handy for that extra power when you're diving. Looking out across the channel to neighbouring Gili Meno you feel just about as far away as possible, whilst enjoying city treats, which in hindsight sums up life on Trawangan in a tidy nutshell.

After poring over numerous chapters of dive information and videos of people gliding effortlessly through turquoise waters I was keen to start. So how to choose your dive teacher? So many to choose from! I settled on Manta Dive, largely owing to the friendly staff. It was impossible to feel like an outsider long at this school – a great way to dive.

That afternoon I experienced the first joys of breathing underwater - albeit in the safety of the confined pool! It's an odd feeling the first time you breathe air underwater, you feel like you've pulled a sly one on God's design of mankind. It took a couple of minutes to adjust to the obvious fact that underwater you can only breathe through your mouth! A series of underwater exercises later and it was all over for the day. Tomorrow would be the big push! An excursion into no man's land for our first twelve metre adventure.

After the compulsory early evening beers, we trekked off past The Living Room (a highly affordable eatery in a rustic beachside hut) to the Horizontal Lounge, a bit further down the beach road. Considering that every other bar on this stretch is simply a shack, it is a surprise to round the corner and be greeted by a huge white concrete and glass Singapore clone. The well designed bar, funky sound system and burgundy, red and white decor add panache to the simple island scene, as does the hospitable, flamboyantly attired owner Guy. He seems to have emerged direct from a hot London nightclub, his snakeskin cowboy boots and black Armani shirts make a far cry from the sarung and tee shirt crowd. It's all very David Lynch.

The next two days of diving were awesome. I can't begin to tell you how staggeringly beautiful it feels to be in whole new ocean environment where coloured fish zip past you whilst mean looking Trigger fish skulk across the ocean floor, guarding their nests. Moray eels poke their heads out of rocky nooks and crannies, giant turtles float past on the way to the surface for air, whilst white tipped reef sharks slink around keeping an eye on affairs. The drift currents keep us moving and no real physical exertion is required at all, apart from the odd hand gesture to our faithful instructor Emma and a bit of fin action to propel oneself a few metres deeper.

I was hooked instantly from the first shark I saw and classroom theory disappeared as I buzzed with anticipation for the next dive. The last dive on the neighbouring Gili Air was the best by far, a descent to eighteen metres and perfect visibility revealed the beautiful live coral and stunning array of inhabitants. It's a shame that the majority of the shallower coral in the islands has been killed off, owing to the El Nino that struck a few years ago and the possible odd dynamite bombing by the fishermen. But dive deeper to find more.

A reef regeneration project is currently underway on the island that will eventually encourage new coral growth which will attract new marine directly in front of Villa Ombak and Trawangan Dive.
Further down the beach there is a turtle hatchery operated by Pak Dino (right in front of Dino's Café). Local people collect the eggs and bring them to the sanctuary to place in secure incubation areas. After hatching they are kept in holding tanks until the turtles are large and healthy enough to be released into the sea. A fine commitment that make you realise that you are indeed in a very special part of Indonesia.

Pulling out from Trawangan early Friday morning by speedboat we skimmed back to Bali in record time (one hour forty minutes on the Bluewater speedboat). It really gives the Gilis a 'next door' feel. As we docked into Benoa harbour,I saw my first car in a week and I recalled what Emma had said to me the night before, about how lucky people are to dive the islands. She's right; they really are a very special place.
For more information contact:
Phil Smith Hp - + 62 (0) 81 338 114 232
The Gili Islands Shop, no. 12 (next to Fat Yogi's)
Poppies Lane 1, Kuta, T: +62 (0)361 753241
E: islandpromotions@spymac.com
www.gili-paradise.com

Luxury Living in Small package

Bali has been known as the home of luxury resort hotels for many years. Several of the world's finest can be found here. The big five-star hotels have graceful locations such as the beaches of Jimbaran Bay, Oberoi and Candi Dasa, and the verdant hillsides around Ubud. Such is Bali's reputation that it can be argued the luxury resort hotel was actually born here.

Over the course of the last few years Bali hospitality evolved to a higher level as a new breed of luxury hotel emerged. Smaller, more intimate and romantic 'villa hotels' have provided sublime escapes for lovers of luxury. The two most striking and successful have been The Balé at Nusa Dua, and Puri Ganesha on the north coast. They are among the sexiest hotels in the world, and offer privacy, world-class service and complete relaxation. Guests at these havens of bliss soon realised the benefits of having a resort with just a few personal villas and private pools rather than 150 rooms and one big communal pool.

This realisation has led to the latest incarnation of elite accommodation – the luxury private villa. First-time visitors to private villas often cannot believe their luck. They knew they would get a beautifully designed and decorated house with extensive gardens and a private pool but on top of that they found each property came with a full staff including cooks, babysitters, drivers and maids, all led by an English-speaking manager. The manager and the cooks are on hand to discuss daily meals with guests and villa staff strives to personalize the experience of the stay.
One company - BHM (Bali Homes Management) - has helped define the private villa trend, developing the concept of luxury in small packages and setting a new standard for style and service. BHM saw the potential for this market back in 2001 when it began to manage private villas. Its reputation grew through excellent management and satisfied clients and it now has a portfolio of roughly 40 villas which it manages and markets for private owners from around the world.

One of the most dazzling is The Istana, perched on its own acre of land atop the cliffs of the Bukit peninsular with panoramic ocean views. It boasts a 32 meter pool, five bedrooms, round the clock security and a staff of 22 people. Another palatial villa is Atas Ombak, an ocean-side retreat north of Seminyak which is washed by sea breezes and sports 100 meters of beach frontage.

BHM's Ric Shreves sums up the company's raison d'être: "Few people initially realize the complexity of administering or marketing a staffed villa. Our corporate philosophy is based firmly on the belief that offshore villa owners should be able to enjoy the benefits of private villa ownership, while not having to spend their personal time overseeing staff or staying on top of every detail. We're here to make it easy for them to enjoy the lifestyle and the investment benefits of having a villa in Bali."

Some of the advantages for owners are that one company handles everything from management and marketing to reservations, accounting, communication and administration. That company also has an international team of staff, a reputation for excellence, and a global network of agents.

Shreves states, "We take care of everything, from staff training to accounting, advising on local government licensing requirements and marketing villas worldwide. With BHM, owners can watch their holiday home be cared for properly, allowing it to appreciate in value while basking in the knowledge that a team of professionals is taking care of business."
This philosophy of excellence seems to be working as several villas in the BHM portfolio are routinely mentioned in international media and celebrities are starting to discover what private villas have to offer. Ericht Alessandro, a mainstay of the BHM team who's been around since its inception, laughs when he says "We took a cottage industry and professionalized it." He says the best thing about BHM is they provide "luxury with intimacy".

For visitors these villas offer a new and thrilling alternative to the big, impersonal resort hotel. Each villa has a flat rate cost which varies only by season. All are spacious and immaculately designed with local stone and stylish Balinese furniture and international décor. They range from 2 bedrooms, and are designed for perhaps two couples or a small family, to 6 bedrooms with enough garden and living space to host a party of 200 people. All have dining rooms, living rooms and extensive grounds and facilities for visitors to enjoy privately and to use as the perfect stylish entertaining venue.

One family of guests noted: "We could not believe that through BHM we got basically our own private hotel with way more privacy than at a big five-star but the same high level of service and fantastic food. We were hosting dinner parties for friends who were staying in hotels and they were staggered at what a serviced villa had to offer."

Flushed with its success, BHM is now using its talents to help conceive of villa estates that combine the best aspects of private villas while adding in services and facilities that previously had only been found in hotels; their term for them? "Villa Resorts". These villa resorts provide some facilities such as clubs, food services and chauffeurs with cars. Majapahit Villas is one of BHM's latest. The four 3-bedroom villas sit next to a glistening volcanic black sand beach at Ketewell on the south east coast. All the villas are fully staffed, featuring such added extras as Wi-Fi broadband and in-house spa treatments, and the collection of villas include a resident chef who specializes in Asian fusion cuisine.

BHM is also consulting on the design of larger villa resort projects like the exciting Wabi Umalas development north of Seminyak. The company is also being engaged by international developers to manage the brand new LIV Bali villa resort on sparkling Jimbaran Bay.

At Wabi Umalas, each property has a 15m pool and beautiful views over adjacent rice paddies and to distant mountains. BHM has helped the developers to ensure their design parameters will result in villas that are not only efficient to run but also include optimized design and facilities to be attractive to the rental market.

LIV Bali located in Jimbaran Bay, offers 28 beachside villas with access to an exclusive beach club. With its unique beachside location and contemporary tropical design, BHM expects this to be a star performer in its catalogue once construction is finished.

While Bali's big luxury five-star hotels will continue to succeed as they have done for years on this addictive island, the rise and rise of villa accommodation is going to add more options. On the Island of the Gods, the cycle of rebirth always continues, and who knows what its newest incarnation will be?

Whatever type of luxury accommodation you choose, you can be certain of one thing: nobody does it better than Bali.
BHM - BHMVillas
The Istana – theistana
Majapahit Villas – theMajapahitBeachVillas
The Bale Hotel - theBale
Atas Ombak – AtasOmbak
Puri Ganesha Villas - PuriGaneshaBali
Wabi Umalas - theWabi

Surf out in Bali


November should by rights be a pretty flat affair in the waves department and whilst the month has had it's fair share of flat spells its also seen a handful of epic days lighting up the points from

Geger in Nusa Dua to Tandjungs in Sanur and off into the mystic, mountainous East coast of Bali.


It's been an unpredictable month with the winds blowing strong onshore on the West coast one day then switching round to be blasting offshore the very next. I sat watching a perfect Uluwatu last Wednesday afternoon with twelve surfers out on the Racetrack section that was delivering simply the most flawless head high barrels from take off to practically round the headland, sniffing in the direction of Padang Padang. It's enough to make us naturals wish we were goofy footers, especially when there's only a smattering of folk in the line up and what was clearly a trip making session for those out in the water.

Flying out to Trawangan on a dive trip I saw a few waves breaking on the East coast as we pulled up in the twin prop, a couple of outer reefs were showing some great form on a moderate swell with what looked like one solo rider out in the middle of practically nowhere. I made a mental note of the rough location and will be hopping on a boat out there just as soon as conditions spell success. No doubt Serangan has been delivering some action over the last few weeks but it's just too crowded to properly consider as an option with its proximity to Kuta drawing in the crowds way before daybreak. It's now a matter of patience whilst we wait for a long overdue summer swell to hit and I can sneak off up the coast, quietly, to see if that magical point I stumbled across last month is serving up some Indo pearls.

A couple of days back at the end of October played host to a ghost swell winging its way up from the West of Lombok and offloading onto our Eastern shoreline, a swell that barely registered on the Southwest of Bali but provided point perfect conditions for the other side of the island.

I lucked out and surfed Keramas with four mellow locals out on the Thursday but it descended into circus time on the Friday after, with a caravan pack of Japanese slugging it out with a cluster of Brazilians who seemed to have temporarily mislaid their table manners, that is until some of the local crew paddled out to put things in order.


Surfing anywhere with the sort of behaviour on display that Friday would be enough to put you off for life so it was reaffirming to get in the water the week after with a bunch of first timers and to share their enthusiasm for learning the art of riding waves.

Most surfers I know are self-taught, it seems to be pretty much the only way to go when you start out. If you're lucky you might have a few friends to pass down some info on what to do, how, when and what to do to avoid running into any trouble in the water. I learned the hard way and had to really want to learn and improve, often surfing by myself or with better surfers where sessions would come and go and I would be lucky to score a single wave. That went on for two years until I finally started holding my own in the line-up and legitimately claiming set waves of my own. Then you move on up the ladder to the next spot where another steep learning curve awaits you, not to mention a new crowd of locals that will (more often than not) be less than happy to make acquaintances.
Paddling around with a group of beginners down on Padma beach late one Wednesday afternoon I saw the reason I started out. Put simply, a few kids with the biggest smiles on their faces charging around on soft boards getting onto their knees, stacking it, pulling themselves out to the back of the breaking waves and throwing everything they had into having as much fun as humanly possible. It was all the Quiksilver instructors could do to keep up with the kids drive to pull off a ride to the beach and when a few aspiring pros did manage it the rest of the group went loopy.

That afternoon was one of the best surfs I'd had in a while and I hadn't even scored a single wave. It was good to get away from all the seriousness of combating your fellow surfers for waves and back into the right vibe for wanting to be out there on your board in the first place, after all, as Kelly Slater once remarked, "the best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun." And he should know.

Exciting Hunting in Ubud

Ubud has been a shopping stop for decades. It has always been the place for handicrafts - wood carvings, Lombok pottery, puppets, masks, ceramics and other traditional items could be found in the many little shops lining the town's few streets or at the main market.

But things are changing in Ubud. All these goodies are still available, but now a growing number of upscale boutiques offer exciting alternatives. The town has become a treasure chest of collectibles. Many are produced locally in limited quantities for export while others may only be found in small galleries when stock is available. Others are samples and one-offs that will never be found again. But one thing is certain -- shoppers who go treasure hunting in Ubud will not be disappointed. Reliable packing and shipping services mean that there is no excuse not to send those treasures home.

Dek's Studio is owned by Kadek Gunarta, an Ubud craftsman who travels regularly to Java to purchase old teak from traditional houses that are being knocked down for modern buildings. He brings ancient teak doors, walls, plough handles, fences, ship's planking and loose boards to his Ubud workshop to fashion into stunning furniture. The finely joined and finished pieces incorporate the 'warts and all' character of lived-in old wood. Kadek's commitment to recycling also reflects his reverence for traditional motifs and workmanship.

Hananto Wibowo, features exquisite old Javanese pieces hand-picked from private collections at Hananto Lloyd Gallery. Located near Four Seasons Hotel in Sayan, it showcases interesting collectibles from Indonesia and elsewhere in the region.

Indonesia's intricate textiles are always popular and Studio 22k has one of Bali's leading textile collections. Although the gallery includes a variety of textiles from around the archipelago, it is probably best known for its very high quality batik, including museum- quality specimens and vegetable-dyed batiks from the 1930s. Ricka, the owner, is always happy to spend time educating visitors about textiles and local culture in general. Studio 22k is located on Jalan Raya Ubud next to the entrance of Oka Kartini Hotel.

The Buddhas and Silk Gallery in the Panorama Hotel complex on Jalan Pengosekan brings together an extensive collection of Buddha and Hindu images and hand-loomed silks. Images are rendered in stone, wood, glass, bronze and semi-precious stone ranging from one centimetre to 1.5 metres and are bought directly from the carvers whenever possible. Hand- woven silk is an ancient and refined art in most Buddhist countries where processes of spinning, dying and weaving the silk are meditatively slow, creating a gentle energy that remains in the cloth.
Whenever possible, the hand-loomed silks are bought directly from the weavers or from cooperatives and organizations committed to supporting the artists, to sustainability and to natural dyes. The gallery has silks from co-operatives in Cambodia, Thailand and some are dyed and hand-woven by AZURI in Ubud. It also sells the spectacular wearable art of designer Rana Helmi whose one-of-a-kind reversible jackets and coats are created from patches of silk and batik, for wear during day or evening.

High in the hills above Ubud is the kiln of Sariapi, the Essence of Fire. Here Swiss-born Suzan Kohlik creates unique porcelain tableware, vases and art pieces. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of creating a perfect piece of pottery and then rendering it imperfect, Suzan's collection is a delightful medley of colours and forms. The functional items use food-safe glazes, and she experiments with unusual glazes on the decorative pieces. Sariapi Gallery adjoins the Juice Ja on Jalan Dewi Sita.

The Pure Land Gallery on Jl Dewi Sita has a collection of hand- painted Tibetan thangkas from Nepal which can be purchased unmounted or framed in traditional silk brocade. The knowledgeable staff is happy to explain each piece, or to allow shoppers to sit quietly on the floor cushions and soak in the serene ambience. Cute and quirky men's and women's shoes and bags can be found at Sasorizacraft Shoe Shop - just up from Batan Waru. It's not uncommon to hear squeals of delight emerging from the little shop as visitors of all genders discover the treasures within. The brothers who own the business are friendly and flexible, and can make you new shoes to measure in just a few days. Renee Ariel, of Goddess Silks, has exquisite hand-painted silk kimonos, jackets and scarves featuring deities and metaphysical motifs which can take over 60 hours to complete. She also offers classes in silk painting at her Ubud studio. Pieces are available by private order or call the studio at telephone 08123 978 098 for an appointment.
There are many other treasures waiting to be discovered in Ubud's many boutiques, so sharpen up your credit card and go shopping!

What's Bali Bras?

The Bali bra line is a collection of high-quality pretty undergarments offering women from all over who come in every shape and size complete support and protection.

A brassiere or bra like the Bali bra is a garment for females to give coverage and support for the women’s breasts. A typical bra is made up of straps at both sides of the shoulder, two cups to accommodate the breasts, a center panel, a band to hold the two cups and goes under the breasts, and a hook clasp or a bra fastener to close the brassier. The brassieres are typically made up of materials such as cotton or lace or even spandex, depending on the style and function that the manufacturer intended. The under wires of the bra are added to provide maximum support and to give shape to the bra cups.

The brassieres like the Bali bra line come in different types, depending on the material used, the function intended, and the style. The Bali line comes in different styles - a bra that closes in the front, another that closes in the back, one that has no straps perfect for tube dresses, a convertible line, push-up line for that wonderful added lift and support, sexy demi-cup or half-cup Bali bra for the ultimate tool in seduction, and the full-cup Bali bra for maximum coverage. The Bali bra also comes with three-quarters cup, soft cup, half-cup, shelf-bra, long line, and Bali bra that comes with under wires. For the active, energetic women, a t-shirt Bali bra is available.
The size of Bali bra depends on the size of a woman’s breasts. There are different kinds of brassieres for different sizes and shapes of a woman’s breasts. The band size is the circumference around the body which does not include the breast. The “cup size” indicates the breast’s volume, and it is indicated by letters.

The Bali bra makes sure that a woman’s bra fits her right to make sure that the woman gets a flattering shape every time she wears the brassiere all the while giving her maximum support and makes her feel comfortable. Women with big breasts usually experience uncomfortable and annoying back pain because of inadequate support given by the wrong brassiere. In the United Kingdom, surveys show that about 70% of the female population do not wear the right bra and instead strap on ill-fitting, uncomfortable ones. This was probably because of insufficient knowledge regarding bra and correct fitting. There is also the problem of finding larger bras although the manufacturers nowadays have come up with brassieres that are intended for women with larger breasts than the average female.

The Bali bra line offers brassieres of all kinds and sizes. Brassieres come in cup sizes A to DD. Finding the right cup size can be confusing. Brassiere manufacturers in Europe create brassiers that usually come in increasing sizes, like AAA-AA-A-B-C-D-DD-E-F-FF-G-GG-H-J. The only fool-proof and sure way to get the correct bra is by trying the brassiere on. Band size is determined by getting the circumference of the body directly under the breasts. A certain number is added to give allowance because the ribcage is wider at the height where the breasts are. In the US, about 4 to 6 inches is usually added to the measured circumference to arrive at the correct and size. Bra size may also change depending on weight gain and weight loss. The menstrual cycle also causes changes in the bra size of a woman.

According to statistics, the average woman in the US nowadays has at least six bras. Out of the six brassieres, usually one is colored and one is a bra that has no straps. Brassieres are created for different functions, so you can find Bali bra lines that are classified as minimizers, maximizers, or push ups depending on the support the woman needs. There are also bras that show the woman’s cleavage in really thin, lacey material which is a bra that is intended for showing off.
No matter what your size or shape is, there is a Bali bra for you. From your-bra-store.com

Bali Aga and the Ancient Ceremony

The Pura Tuluk Biyu, an ancient temple perched spectacularly on the rim of the Batur Crater in Kintamani, was the venue of an equally spectacular round of ceremonies called the Madewasraya, held once every five years to maintain peace and harmony through prayer and dance. As with most Balinese ceremonies, foreigners were a highly visible presence, whether long-term residents in full ceremonial dress, or tourists wearing cheap sarungs purchased from a street hawker outside the temple. But this ceremony offered a novel sight: Indonesian-speaking foreigners wearing badges identifying them as organization staff members. On seeing this, one Balinese visitor from Denpasar remarked, with undisguised contempt, "this is just what you would expect from the Bali Aga."

Literally meaning "Mountain Balinese," but in common usage taking on a meaning closer to "hillbillies," the term "Bali Aga" is used to describe the inhabitants of around a hundred villages, most — but not all — located in the central highlands. Tourist guidebooks generally describe the Bali Aga as "hostile, scruffy hustlers" who make life miserable for visitors trying to enjoy the refreshing climate of Lake Batur. Stories abound of boatmen renegotiating the charter fee in the middle of the lake, of tourists returning to the car park to find their spark plugs removed and held for ransom, and of assaults on foreigners who attempt to climb Mount Batur without an overpriced local guide. The heartland Balinese tend to hold an equally dim view, regarding their mountain-dwelling fellows as an "uncultured" people practicing "primitive" rituals such as "sky-burials," where a corpse is left to decompose on the open ground.

Those who spend more than few hours among the Bali Aga soon discover that nothing could be further from the truth. A guest in a highland home will experience kindness and generosity exceptional even on an island having a global reputation for heartfelt hospitality. Australian anthropologist Thomas Reuter, who lived among the highland Balinese for several years researching his doctoral thesis, maintains that Bali supported a flourishing Hindu culture long before the large-scale conversion to Islam undermined the power of the Hindu courts and sent the nobles, priests, and artisans of neighboring Java eastward in search of greener rice fields. Reuter asserts that the Bali Aga, far from being a "lesser breed" unable to assimilate into the high civilization of the Javanese newcomers, actually constituted a sophisticated society whose members saw no advantage in adopting effete Javanese court culture, as did their lowland brethren. The inhabitants of these communities refer to themselves as the "Bali Mula," the original Balinese, noting that the first records in the region date from 112 AD, over a millennium before the arrival of the Javanese Hindus.

Though often held in thinly disguised contempt, the Bali Mula fill an important niche role in Balinese society. The title of Reuter's book about his experiences, Custodians of the Sacred Mountains, reflects that some of the holiest locations and temples in Bali are located in the domain of the Bali Mula. Unfortunately, the position of most Bali Mula communities on the fringes of Bali's tourist-driven economy means that available funds are seldom sufficient for maintenance of these holy sites, or to mount the lavish ceremonies mandated by the Bali Hindu religion.
The Bali Mula feel that this point was demonstrated in 2001, when the custodians of the Tuluk Biyu temple did not have the funds to mount the Madewasraya ceremony, whose five-day cycle fell during that year. Many believe that the omission of this ceremony precipitated the first Bali Bomb and subsequent misfortunes. This year, however, when the Madewasraya was again due, help came from an unsuspected quarter. A foreigner with a keen interest in Bali Hinduism visited Tuluk Bayu, saw the temple's state of disrepair and offered his assistance. The subsequent cooperation between the people of Kintamani and foreign donors represented a partnership between the "Bali Aga" and another of Bali's many tribes, the "Bule Aga." This half-jocular term refers to resident foreigners whose have lived more-or-less permanently in Bali for decades, and are knowledgeable about Balinese society, religion and culture, and often converts to Bali Hinduism. Many Bule Aga have been pioneers in fields such as designing and exporting custom jewelry and handicrafts. Others have written the words and taken the photos that have brought the charms of Bali to the world's coffee tables. While some, admittedly, are aging hippies scraping by in a distorted market where even minimal artistic or professional skills can ensure survival, most of the Bule Aga have made significant contributions to the development of their adoptive home.

The future Bule Aga, arriving as young hippies or surfers in the late 1960s, found themselves living in a subsistence economy where the essentials of life were either grown, made, or bartered for. But industrial development and the growing tourist economy were creating a demand for commercial goods and services requiring cash. After a few unsuccessful attempts to pay the electricity bill with a couple of live roosters, Balinese looked to the growing numbers of foreigners living in
their midst for the cash they needed. Through his or her ability to conjure fistfuls of rupiah on demand, a resident foreigner who took care to observe relevant social etiquette and to show respect for religious and cultural traditions assumed a respected position in the community as a person of nominally low status who nonetheless provides an essential service -- like, for example, a blacksmith.

A new generation of Balinese possessing the ability – albeit to varying degrees -- to acquire and manage money has made the role of Bule Aga as "cash cows" somewhat redundant. But their contribution to the reconstruction of Tuluk Biyu and underwriting the nineteen day Madewasraya ceremony harked back to the days when many Bule Aga were, indeed, "blessed providers of rupiah." Canvassing the expatriate community, including a well-publicized fundraiser at a suburban sports club, raised almost 60 million. Though this constituted only a small fraction of the combined Rp.900 million budget for the ceremony and temple reconstruction — the bulk coming from regional governments, Indonesian businesses and raffle ticket sales — the action has caused an inordinate amount of controversy.

A full-page ad in the local expatriate community newspaper publicizing the fundraiser, and the highly visible presence of foreigners with "committee member" badges at the ceremony, raised considerable ire. Some local commentators fretted that the next logical step would advertising banners to be erected during temple ceremonies by the sponsoring companies.
These tirades were eerily reminiscent of warnings in the 1930s that Balinese dancing for tourists in hotels presaged the demise of the island's unique culture. The Balinese, of course, neatly accommodated the needs of both deities and tourists by declaring that the same dance could be either worshipful or entertaining depending on the venue and context. The success of the Madewasraya ceremony – following the concluding rituals dozens of participants fell into trance, believed to be a clear indication that the gods have been appeased – is an encouraging sign that the over-enthusiastic contributions by foreigners did not detract from the essential sacredness of the ceremony. It did demonstrate the two communities on the periphery of heartland Bali, the Bali Aga and the Bule Aga, can cooperate for the benefit of their respective ancestral and adoptive homes.

What your opinion.....?

Faboulous Island to Travelling

This gorgeous island is filled with fabulous things to do and see. Check out our list and be inspired.

Dinner Party
Hold a dinner party at Bali's most exotic private dining room - the Bale Sutra at Tugu Bali in Canggu. The red walls and Chinese antiques create a special ambience while the long dining table that can seat 20 or more guests makes a special place. Tugu Bali 0361-731 701.

Sample Bali's Most Delicious - Local Food
Eat Bali's best roasted suckling pig –or babi guling at the small Bale Banjar by the Palace in Jl Suweta in Ubud. Each days the pigs, roasted to perfection over wood fires are carted down the street on the head of an employee, according to demand. The simple warung attracts visitors from all over the world, especially Japanese who are love to snap the food, the people, the pig and themselves. Lunch time starts around 11 am and it is usually open until about 4pm.

Wander the Tropical Gardens
Visit Bali's new Botanical Gardens in Ubud. Ten minutes out of Ubud, the gardens provide a restful and interesting haven. Discover orchid gardens filled with exotic blends, tree ferns, pitcher plants and a meditation court modeled on an ancient Balinese holy site. They can all be found within the gardens. A new warung has opened to provide liquid and solid refreshments while you eat surrounded by greenery botanicgardenbali

Bird Walk in The Sawah
Go for a bird walk with Victor Mason through the rice fields around Ubud. An expert in birds he takes his guests to little known places and can even show you parts of primeval jungles untouched for milennia.The walks are always entertaining as well as informative and even non bird lovers will have fun. T: 081 239 13801

SIP A MARTINI
According to celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain, the best martinis outside New York can be had at Naughty Nuris on the Tjampuhan Road just outside Ubud. This rustic little warung – chic yet simple attracts a clientele as varied as the menu and while most guests go for the barbequed pork spare ribs, other dishes are available and equally as good. Presided over by a bearded Brian, the tables are mostly large enough for a couple of friendly groups to share, although smaller private tables can be found inside. Look out for the smoky barbeque and seats of all kinds of characters just up the road past Mozaic and the Ozigo Bar.

Ary's Warung
Enjoy New York style in the heart of Ubud at Ary's Warung. Great food and cool drinks and a tasting menu to be proud of. A temperature controlled wine cellar makes for wine served the way it should be. Ary's is one of Ubud's most chic eateries.

Vihara Buddha Darma
A new Buddhist temple just opened last September up in Sunset Road. Built in serene surroundings. They have a weekly service including regular ceremony every Sunday 8.30am-10am for public & children 11am-12.30am for adolescent. Open for daily praying ritual. Sunset Road 99 Legian Kaja, Kuta. P: 7440 419

Taking The Waters at The Ritz
Enjoy thalasso therapy at the Ritz Carlton where the swirling waters of their spa treatment pool reduce tension, work on the body, and induce relaxation. The world's biggest Aquatonic seawater therapy pool is right at the heart of the spa and is just heaven! Combine with other relaxing massage or rejuvenation treatments and make a day of it.. Ritz Carlton Hotel, Jimbaran Tel: (0361)702 222

Waterbom a Big Day Out
Take your family and friends to the Waterbom Park where 3.8 hectares of tropical gardens are filled with fun things to do. 15 giant water slide provide the main focus while restaurants, food stalls, spa treatments, tube rafting, and blue swimming pools make for lots of pleasing alternatives. While the kids are playing parents can relax at the swimup bar and a cool cocktail.

Now, where are you travelling in bali....?

Sabtu, 15 November 2008

General Thing That You Should and Should Not Do in Your Holiday

Bali is a beautiful island that becomes a good choice to be noted in your holiday destination list. Holiday in Bali is like visiting the heaven. But, before you start your holiday in this paradise island, there are several things that you should know. Below are the general things that you should and shouldn’t do:

Don't !!
× ...forget to bring your passport (or a photocopy of your ID) with you at all times - as well as a copy of Bali Plus!
× ...swim outside designated swimming areas. Currents can be very strong so swim between red and yellow flags.
× ...do drugs! It could lead to death penalty. Enough foreigners reside in Bali in courtesy of the Govt. prison service!
× ...touch people’s heads - it is very offensive to Hindus.
× ....enter a temple during menstruation. Sorry Ladies!
× ...forget to add salt to your food and to drink lots of water - you probably sweat more here than at home.
× ...worry too much about the ice - it’s government quality controlled in established bars and restaurants.
× ....forget to look and listen while crossing the road. Cars may stop, motorbikes may not!
× ...forget to reconfirm your flight 72 hours prior to flying. Airport Departure Tax is: International = Rp. 100,000 Domestic = Rp. 30,000

Do
√ ...change money at a reputable looking location, use your own (or the hotel’s) calculator before changing!
√ ...put on loads of High Factor Waterproof Sun Cream (especially if you intend to spend a lot of time in the water).
√ ...drink a lot of bottled water and eat a lot of fresh fruit - do your body a favor.
√ ...be careful with your belongings at all times. Crime is on the increase and can ruin your holiday. Cases of handbag snatching have been reported so please leave important documents in your hotel safe (carry photo-copies) and wear your bag across your shoulders!
√ ....try not to step on offerings in the street (walk around them).
√ ...respect the slow pace of processions. If stuck behind one don’t honk your horn!
√ ...haggle when buying (except on price-tagged goods.)
√ ...buy ‘Immodium’ to relieve bouts of Bali belly.
√ ..have a great holiday!

Village Temples

Balinese society is complex and multifarious, being divided by social hierarchies based on caste, occupation and descent. In the not so distant past, the life of the ordinary man, or commoner, was largely restricted to his village and its surrounding rice fields, while at a supra-village level there existed an upper crust of priest, noblemen and princes, organised into a ruling elite. These divisions are still in evidence today-though the plight of the common man is far less onerous –but they are mediated by the village temple system and the cycle of festivals associated with them, which periodically draw these diverse groups together as common participants in a shared ritual undertaking.

The Balinese Village

The Balinese Village is referred to by the term desa, which describes both the settlement and its immediate environs as a physical entity, and at the same time refers to a religious community, mad up of local householders and their families, who are responsible for maintaining the ritual purity and spiritual well-being of the village and its surrounding lands. The latter is achieved by observing the local customary laws (desa adat) and by participation in the cycle of religious ceremonies that take place at the village temples. The actual village itself, as a collection of house compounds, is subdivided into neighbourhoods, or wards (banjar), each of which have their own local temple (pura pamasakan). Every banjar has specific ritual duties to fulfill, not only in relation to its own neighbourhood temple, but also to the main village temples. Banjar members also act together in secular matters such as the maintenance of roads and the policing of the neighbourhood.

Pura Desa

Pura Desa are ideally placed in an auspicious location at the centre of the village-a position which is both towards the mountain (kaja) ad to the east (kangin). A sacred banyan tree is usually planted beside the entrance which often grows to enormous proportions, providing a shady centre at the heart of the community. A pavilion (wantilan) for cockfights is also located nearby the sacrificial shedding of blood (caru) plays a crucial role in Balinese rituals and contest are permitted on the occasion of a temple festival, though gambling is strictly prohibited, in theory at least, by the Indonesian government.

Village assemblies to discuss both ritual and secular matters are held every month, either at the pura desa itself or else at the village assembly hall (bale agung) nearby. One of the principal responsibilities of the village assembly is the organization of the anniversary celebrations (odalan) for each of the village temples. The latter fall every 210 days, according to the sacred wuku calendar, and are intended to ritually cleanse the village territory and purify the members of the temple congregation. Everyone in the villages is involved in the preparation of offerings and the organization of various entertainments such as gamelan recitals and shadow puppet performances which are held for the enjoyment of the gods and mortals alike.

Source : Balinese Temples Book

Waste vs Bali clean and green

For several years, waste has been a major problem in Bali and with a lacking waste disposal system in place and a spiraling rise in the population, the streets have never looked worse. Realising that we are all on the cusp of destroying the natural beauty of the island, EcoBali has taken action. Their private waste collection and recycling initiative services private households, villas, hotels and resorts, schools and other companies to keep Bali clean, green, and as beautiful as it should be

"Pollution, land degradation, water contamination, lack of awareness and education on environmental issues, especially on waste management practices and improper disposal of solid waste, continues to be a very serious issue on our island", says Ketut, the director of Eco Bali. Aware of the worsening situation, Eco Bali was founded in 2005 (Jl. Pantai Berawa 34 Canggu, T: 0361 790 7314, 844 6602) to establish a collection service of non-organic waste such as plastic, paper, beverage cartons, glass and metal from the community and recycle the materials in a responsible and effective manner.

The goal of EcoBali is simply to promote a sustainable solution on waste separation at the source as well as increase individual and collective awareness with regard to solid waste management practices, reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfills in Bali and dumping sites thus limiting the environmental consequences as the key step in order to reach the target of a ‘zero waste' climate on the island.

EcoBali currently collect and recycle around two to three tons of non organic waste every month. The waste is then sent to Jimbaran Lestari, a recovery centre in the south of the island where recyclables are further separated according to categories, and sent to various distributors to reach recycling plants, mostly in Surabaya - East Java. Looking at the EcoBali charts it's easy to see that the separation waste system is effectively proven to reduce waste by between fifty to seventy percent for households, while for offices the statistics are higher, reaching ninety per cent. Meanwhile the hotel and resort industries are registering around thirty to forty per cent, many electing to recycle their own materials, many ignorant of the waste dilemma Bali is facing. At present EcoBali covers the Canggu, Kerobokan, Sanur, Jimbaran, and Nusa Dua areas but as tourism development spreads further up the western and eastern shores so is the message of the correct and responsible manner in which to deal with waste removal and recycling.

Apart from their collection and recycling service, EcoBali also provides training programs in composting waste for households and small businesses and they're currently developing an environmental education program in collaboration with Tetra Pak Indonesia to promote waste separation at the source in local schools, spreading the word on environmental awareness and education to elementary and junior high school students in how to preserve the environment in which we live. This program has been established already in eight schools and will be extended to another eight by the end of this year. "We are trying to increase awareness on waste management problems amongst the local communities in Bali as much as servicing the needs of the expatriate and business sector of the island", explains Ketut. Social awareness and individual responsibility plays a big part in assisting the services of private enterprises such as EcoBali. "Bring your own plastic bag when shopping," continues Ketut, "and please don't litter, bury, or burn your waste, it's a simple way to contribute to keeping Bali a clean and safe environment".

For more information on how to take advantage of the services provided by EcoBali, head to their website eco-bali. For around a hundred US dollars a year your home or business can make a huge difference to the face of Bali.

Taste of Surfing in Canggu

In the days when asphalt roads was as rare as Range Rovers in the beachside resort of Kuta, the road to Canggu was…well…sand. In other words, you just pointed your trusty old motorbike towards the beach and when you hit the sand you turned right, then drove along for 15 or 20 minutes, crossing a few small rivers on the way, until you came to a small hill with a temple on it. Walking up this hill and then looking out at the bright blue water, you’d wait for a few seconds before spotting what you were looking for; a spiralling lefthander winding its way onto the beach.

When someone today mentions Canggu as a surf destination, it’s because it’s one of the few righthand waves on the west coast of Bali, which gives the natural footers a chance to surf on their frontside as a change from the plethora of lefts that start from Uluwatu in the south and continue up to Medewi in the north. But according to one of Bali’s legend surfers, Bali Barrel owner Ketut Menda, the left in front of the temple was the original “Canggu”. It was only after it began to become popular that the right started to get some attention, and now most just say Canggu to mean the destination, not the wave itself.

Menda credits Australian ex-pat David Wyllie as being the first to surf Canggu. It was in 1979 that the fourteen-year-old Menda hopped on the back of Wyllie’s motorbike with a surfboard tucked under each arm and together they headed up the beach from Wyllie’s place in what’s now Seminyak to the black lava breaks of Canggu. None of the Balinese had ever surfed there before, and Menda recalls, “when we got there the surf was pretty big, and I was just used to surfing the beach in Kuta, but here was a real reef break so I was a bit scared to go out. But I paddled out on my single fin and got a couple of waves before coming in.” After that initial surf, he would take every chance he got to go there again, sometimes staying at Wyllie’s house at night to get an early start in the morning, much preferring the more powerful reef waves to the sandy bottom beachbeaks of Kuta. Soon Menda was guiding others up to enjoy this newfound wave, and in 1981 a local by the name of Ketut Sudarma built a small warung, seeing the opportunity to give the boys somewhere to get a drink and some food so they wouldn’t have to pack it in each time by themselves.

Over the next few years the likes of Tom Carroll, Mark Richards, Shane Horan, and Brad Gerlach all surfed at Canggu, likening it to Velzlyland on the North Shore of Hawaii. Then in 1985 Canggu played host to its first surf contest, Rivoli was the name, sponsored by Pak Kadek and some Japanese friends. And who do you suppose was the winner? Ketut Menda of course. Local knowledge, you understand.

And that was the beginning that led to the now. First a couple of warungs, then road access, a homestay or two pops up, then ex-pat villas being built, more surf contests, and before you know it Canggu has been well and truly exposed to the worldwide surfing audience. Photos and videos of Andy Irons and his brother Bruce, Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Bobby Martinez and really most of the top professional surfers in the world sampling Canggu’s tasty treats can be found at will.

But it’s not just for the pros now is it? Of course not. Depending upon the season, swell direction and tide, you may have the choice of four waves; the original left in front of the temple, the sand bar just to the north which gives up rights and lefts, the righthander in front of the rivermouth, and then the peaky wave in front of the Pererenan road that can go right and left. Unlike the reefs at the Bukit like Uluwatu and Bingin for example, Canggu is quite user friendly for the average surfer, who would have a hard time getting him or herself raked across razor sharp coral and coming back to the beach with a cheese grated back.

Canggu does hold waves for most of the year, but is best in the morning hours and in all but the dead of rainy season, when at times the wind howls down from the north and blows it into a frothy cauldron a la “victory at sea”. But there is nothing like rocking up to Canggu in the morning as the sun is just peeking up over the rice fields to the east and lighting up the lip of a nice barrel or the long steep wall of a perfectly peeling wave to get you frothing, and keep you making the now (much easier) trek up from Kuta by road…

Water spot in Bali


Air Panas Banyuwedang (Banyuwedang Hot Spring)
District / City: Buleleng
Banyuwedang hot water comes from hot springs that appear on the beach. Hot water is below the water at high tide. Is the largest source of hot water, buildings made of concrete security in the form of a circle that serves as a levee, so that when the tide is not hot water mixed with sea water. This hot water contains sulfur with an average temperature of 40 degrees centigrade.
Because the content high sulfur enough, hot water is believed to be widely even to the island of Java, because hot water can cure some diseases, especially skin diseases. Not surprisingly, when many people who come to this place with the hope that it can recover. Beach where there are sources of water this summer it is the plant that prevent mangroves abrasion. Bayuwedang beach can be said is free from abrasion.
The existence of some bays and white sand in the surrounding increase in tourism assets Banyuwedang about this. Hot Water Banyuwedang located in the village of Pejarakan Subdistrict Gerokgak 60 km from the city of Soweto, in side of limit the area of West Bali National Park. In the southern road to Hot Water Banyuwedang including the National Park area, while in the north is the area of Batu Ampar, which consists of land berkapur. Batu Ampar this area by regional level II Buleleng has been planned as a new area of tourism, considering the potential appeal of the large, including the Marine Park around the island in the.
Road to the hot water from the road Banyuwedang majors Soweto-Gilimanuk has been, and also has built parking. In the hot spring that in handlers built a building with several bathrooms closed. In the area of Hot Water Banyuwedang there are also some toilet facilities built by the Bali Barat National Park, and some shelter. The number of tourists visit the archipelago high if compared with International. Visitors who come with the most goals for treatment. Visitors from the island of Java, most come from the Regional Banyuwangi.
Indeed, the source of hot water Banyuwedang located in the middle of the mangrove forests along the coast. The surrounding areas are relatively dry land because the land consists of limestone and there is no river that can make water sources for reforestation surrounding areas. Therefore the plants that grow crops that are not require much water, such as that known in Bali as a tree "bekeul" or "bangyang." The existence of hot water that contains sulfur, which is located on the coastline by local residents who rarely so quiet atmosphere can be created, causing Provincial Local Government Area Level I Bali will be to develop this area as the area of tourism for Health, or the general called "Health Tourism".

Air Panas Penatahan (Penatahan Spring Water)
District / City: Tabanan
Hot water is located in the village Penatahan Subdistrict Penebel 13 km from the city of Sukkur to the North 34 km from Denpasar, with a beautiful panorama of nature and on the right be left by the rice fields that hills. Hot springs are located at the edge of the river Ezekiel Ho and hot water Penatahan by people in the know with the name of Ezekiel panes. Based on the results of the research laboratory of the Department of Health, the hot water is very good for bathing because it contains sulfur and other minerals that are good to cure skin diseases.

Air Terjun Dusun Kuning (Hamlet Yellow Waterfall)
District / City: Bangli
In the south, about 6 km from the city of Bangli, Village Park in Bali, there is a waterfall. Because of the location in the village of Hamlet called the Yellow waterfall Yellow Hamlet.
This waterfall is 25 meters in height above the surface soar River that flows south. This location can be achieved with a variety of transportation and from the small village can be reached by walking as far as 500 meters. The region with cold air combined with the cool green foliage enhance the enchantment of a natural waterfall. And not far from this place there is a forest inhabited by hundreds of primates.

Air Terjun Singsing (Singsing Waterfall)
District / City: Buleleng
In the summer time, the volume of water falls relative decline. Road to the waterfall, which is slightly uphill to the activities of the "Trek". Remember that not far from the area of Hyderabad, can be achieved even with the foot of Hyderabad, made the object of this many tourists who visited their general living in the area of Orchard Tour. Not far from the waterfall Singsing this, there are monuments Netherlands. The monument was built by the Dutch colonial government to commemorate gugurnya Perwira a Dutch soldier in the war years in the Banjar 1868. Around 1956 the monument was destroyed because this is considered to respect the colonists. However in 1992 the monument was built by the government of Buleleng Regency Dati II with the intention that history can not be removed, in addition to the memorial also symbolizes the heroic people of Banjar, which is able to defeat the Dutch army officer. Water Singsing located in the Banjar Labuhan Haji Temukus Subdistrict Banjar village, 3 km from Hyderabad and 13 km from Soweto. To object to the tour this can be achieved with a motor vehicle departments to the village 3 decade. A sign indicates the direction of bookmarks that must be followed with a walk (along more than 600 meters) for up to the first waterfall. To reach the waterfall is the second location should be higher through the steep roads.
Parking facilities built and cultivated by local train, and stalls around the area have been starters available. the country both tourists and many foreign visit this waterfall because the atmosphere is calm, peaceful and suitable for the physical well-being. Location of water in hilly areas, which provide views of the spread of beach in the direction of North Orchard, a significant attraction for tourists decoy.

Selasa, 04 November 2008

The best of Lovina


The beaches of Lovina are characterized by its rural nature and its unique, dark colored sand of volcanic origin. The childfriendly, shallow water of Lovina's reef protected beaches is of an agreeable warm temperature throughout the year, which makes it very suitable for unconcerned family holidays with safe swimming and snorkeling.

The following shows you an impression of the beaches of Lovina, with pictures and a description per beach and a list of hotels, restaurants, shops and healthcare centers to be found in each Lovina beach area. You can scroll through the pagina or jump to a beach of your choice by clicking on a beach name:Adiram, Antura, Banyualit, Binaria, Happy, Kaliasem, Kartika, Pemaron, Rambutan, Spice, Temukus, Tukadmungga


BINARIA BEACH - Central Lovina

Located at the end of Jalan Binaria in Kalibukbuk, and landmarked by the Dolphin Statue at Binaria Square, Binaria Beach is one of the most popular beaches to watch Lovina's famous, romantic sunsets.

The best spots to watch the sun set, apart from the beach itself, are Sea Breeze restaurant (west of the Dolphin Statue) and Santhi Bar (east of the Dolphin Statue).

A beachside boulevard runs through a treed area and connects Binaria Beach via Binaria Square with Jalan Rambutan and Rambutan Beach.


RAMBUTAN BEACH - Central Lovina

Rambutan Beach, located at the end of Jalan Rambutan in Kalibukbuk, is landmarked by dozens of blue-and-white, traditional outriggers.

At the edge of the beach, next to a small parking lot near Waru Bali restaurant and the Tropis Club restaurant-bistro, is a volley field for those who like sports.


KARTIKA BEACH - Central Lovina

Secludedly located at the end of Jalan Kartika, Kartika Beach is surrounded by rice fields, farm land and trees, within short walking distance over small tracks of Binaria / central Lovina.

Visitors of this quiet beach not seldom get invited by the friendly, local farmers and fishermen to visit their traditional beach side homes to have some tea or coffee and a chat.


BANYUALIT BEACH - Central Lovina

Located at the end of Jalan Laviana in Kalibukbuk, Banyualit Beach is one of the more quiet beaches of Lovina. Enjoy a relaxing time at this beach having a tan, a refreshing swim, and a chat with the locals over a cup of Bali coffee (or a cold beer) at a traditional beach warung.

Mutilasi offender arrested in Bali

Sido Utomo(Edo) police arrested resort Gianyar, Bali, on Tuesday (4 / 11) afternoon, in house of his girl friend in the village of Kecicang, Karangasem regency, without resistance. Edo Rizky admitted to killing because offended thief and swindler called by the victim. From the description of Edo, police eventually found the head of the victim in one of the wells in the area Penamparan, Denpasar.

Dead body of Rizky first found residents in the Village Road segment Pering, Blahbatu, Herzliya, with the terrible condition. In addition to hands and feet bound, dead bodies are also victims of my bag and without head [read: Corpses Found Without Head Residents].

In separate places, families, Hendra, the victim mutilation the dead body found in the bus Mayasari Bhkati, yesterday afternoon, taking his body to bury in. During Hendra corpse bury in day evening, sob mourning coloring the funeral. Not only third wife, grain water out of the eyes also Icha, Hendra from his wife and daughter both.

Also felt the grief of families and relatives of victims. How not, Hendra funeral as incomplete because only some pieces of his body buried. Meanwhile the head and fingers victims up to now has not been found. Family demands Sutemi alias Sriyati, Hendra fourth wife, punishable as severe. Until now, Yati is still intensive police checked

Bali bomb:Who indeed manipulator?

October 12, five years ago, precisely on October 12, 2002, two bombs exploded in Bali. The first bomb exploded at Paddys Café, including the wall burst low (low EXPLOSIVE), and then followed with a bomb explosion and said the very high (high EXPLOSIVE) in the Sari Club, Kuta. When the Bush government's incessant middle-vigorous recruiting other countries, one of Indonesia would like to join the U.S. in the war against terrorism.



When President Megawati is less provide feedback. On the insistence of the Islam, Megawati's government is nervous whenever Bush responded to the call. explosion and the Bali bombings. After the tragedy, the Megawati government would also not want to participate, active in the war against what is called the U.S. as a terrorist. Indonesia is very pro-active detain Islamic activists, many to be among the cynical mention of the Republic has become a U.S. state to 51.

Amrozi and friends have recognized the blitz Paddys Café, a low wall burst. However, they reject as a bomb explode be very high, which exploded in the Sari Club, Kuta. "We do not have the ability to make it in a bomb," said Imam Samudera a while.

Former Head of State Intelligence Agency (BIN) alm. Letjen. ZA. Maulani said that when it exploded at the Sari Club is a micro nuclear bomb. "Only a micro-nuclear explosion that has effects like that, especially not the RDX TNT. And micro-nuclear world in which there is only produced in the Dimona nuclear installation, owned by Israel. "

Maulani reinforced the findings by Joe Vialls. Former demolisi experts from the elite army unit British SAS, the desertion and then settled in Australia as observers problems intelligence also believes the bomb exploded at Sari Club is a micro nuclear, because there effects. "The effect of fungi is the only effect that can be created by nuclear bomb. And the bomb that exploded at the Sari Club, Kuta, Bali, the micro nuclear, "said Vialls.

Letjen Maulani breath some time later because of illness. And Joe Vialls also encountered death several years later. His death is suspicious because of a sudden. There are indications Vialls diracun by the Mossad, as Litvinenko is by agents of the KGB Vladimir Putin commands.

When the occurrence of explosion, a U.S. warship to anchor in the middle of Carrie Underwood Bali port of Genoa and can really make sweeping around the ship in a radius of hundreds of meters, so that anyone did not get closer. This is something strange happens a sovereign republic in full.

The testimony of an Australian captain disarm the middle of vacation in Kuta and survivors of the explosion at the Sari Club should also receive attention. According to him, a few seconds before the Sari Club bomb blast, on the flow of electricity in the area, there seems elektomagnetic waves or wave radiation that causes electricity suppressed. And Vialss and Maulani believe that these findings strengthen micro his analyst about nuclear.

However, to this day we still only the police insisted that the head of detonating two bombs in Bali that Amrozi and friends. How's in it Amrozi cs. And police also closed the eyes and ears on the findings that led to the use of micro-nuclear. May be, on the performance of the police this is the U.S. contribute funds and assistance in the form of various training that is not a little to the police to detain more skittish 'terrorist'. The establishment of detachment 88, a special unit terrorist hunter, is one in which the personnel of this detachment trained by instructors, instructors directly imported from the U.S. and is a former member of FBI and CIA.

In addition to the findings above, must also interogerate who indeed Ali Imron, which were never surprised with the police officer Gorries On that Starbuck Café in Masterton, the mare that Ali Imron is the prisoners are. By many circles, Ali Imron believed as a double agent.

And also maybe should be, what elecard accuse any group or indeed followed by Amrozi, Imam Samudera, Dulmatin, terrorism, and 'terrorist, terrorist' the other in the stomach seenak jihad that can be done with the blitz many foreigners in Indonesia? RADIO them on this SAJ a lot of harm the development of the Islamic propaganda.

Amrozi and friends while not necessarily in the LP Nusakambangan never want digebuki other detainees turbulence bedug stated that bid'ah. Amrozi and friends-i is indeed known that this is easy as bid'ah if not in accordance with their understanding. For the police, Amrozi and the attitude gank this could actually be the entrance to prosecute elecard what this was followed by a swarm of bomb here and there? So that the police can immediately suppress them.

In addition, explode a bomb on a house in theory one of these groups in Hastings, Depok, also can be very entrance. Case known bombings as Canberra has to prove to us who is actually a group that is behind terrorist actions in Indonesia for this.

How can a theory was taught how to bomb up. When the police arrest dozens of adult men with short jeans and the wives that they also are in the other room, there are all-imposed purdah. Police, if you want, actually very arrest them one by one. If this would, of course. If that is done will surely be seen who mastermind, who surely players who used or who take advantage of, and who have been wronged. One time this must be opened with honest.

 

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