This Month Activity....

Make a splash for the kids

Bali-based humanitarian swimmer Monte Monfore and Australian swim instructor Glenn Schapel teamed up for their second annual Kid’s Day at the Pool for physically and mentally challenged children. This year’s funfest was hosted by Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali located in Kuta.

15 children from Yayasan Pembinaan Anak Cacat (YPAC) enjoyed swimming, splashing, fun and games at the beachside pool.

“I jumped at the chance when Glenn proposed this last year,” said Californian swimmer Monte. “I can’t tell you how fun this is! It’s extremely gratifying to see the children’s smiling and happy faces. We’re very appreciative of Holiday Inn for hosting this year’s event. I want to thank the GM Stephane and Activities Director Mukti for all their support.”

Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali, Jalan Wana Segara 33, Tuban,
T: 0361 755 577, monteswimmer

Ayana Resort and Spa Bali launches a refurbished Padi Restaurant

Padi, previously the resort’s Thai restaurant, has been completely renovated and expanded, and its dinner menu relaunched with an ‘Asian Spice’ concept offering Indian, Indonesian and Thai cuisine.

The international buffet breakfast served at Padi every day has also been relaunched to offer a gourmet dining experience at 6 different food stations. The Ballroom’s refurbishment includes the latest conferencing facilities, bringing it up-to-date with the needs of today’s meeting planners.

Ayana Resort and Spa Bali,
Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera,
T: 0361 702 222, ayanaresort

Screen and heard

The Balinale 2009 International Film Festival proved to be yet another success. Throughout the 20th to 25th of October, 21 Cineplex Kuta Galeria was host to film screenings from all over the globe. Highlights of the event were the showings of films ‘Mary and Max’ and the infamous ‘Inglorious Basterds’, another silver screen gem by Tarantino starring Brad Pitt.

Seminars about film-making and the likes were also held to complement the event. balinale

Bali goes green

Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) presented the 13th edition of the Nusa Dua Fiesta 2009 during five consecutive days for art, culture, sports, music, exhibitions and pure fun. This annual event took place in Peninsula Nusa Dua Bali from the 17th to the 21st of October 2009. According to the President of BTDC, I Made Mandra, “The theme of the festival, ‘Green Tourism’, aims to always remind us of the importance of the environment’s conservation, which in result will bring positive impacts to Tourism in Bali.”
We couldn’t agree more.

By the C Bar at the Aston Bali reopened

The Resort has undertaken renovations at the former bar and has extended it into a chic yet casual Seafood Restaurant and Lounge Bar.

By the C Seafood Restaurant offers tasty light dishes at lunch time and succulent seafood in the evening.

By the C Bar offers even more delicious cocktails than before. Whether at sunset time, before or after dinner, come and sip one of the barman’s newest creations while listening to lounge music and the relaxing sound of the ocean.

Aston Bali Beach Resort & Spa,
Jalan Pratama 68X, Tanjung Benoa,
T: 0361 773 577, astonbali

November 7

The ever-popular frozen yoghurt shop called Sour Sally will be opening in Bali (finally!) to satisfy your fro-yo cravings. Be on the lookout for their beach debut. (Bali Galleria, 1st floor)

November 21

Edmondo Zanolini (Mondo) first came to Bali 20 years ago after a successful career in Italy as a theatre director and designer, and video artist. With references to Lewis Carroll’s famous tale of Alice, Mondo considers Southeast Asia as his ‘wonderland’ and his journey through the looking glass for the past 20 years has been a visually interesting one. Let’s follow him follow his rabbit down the hole to Biasa Art Space starting from Nov 21. Valentine Willie curates this exhibition, which will last until Dec 20.

Jalan Raya Seminyak 34, T: 0361 847 5766, biasaart

tuesday evening art films
Every Tuesday at 7.00 pm

Gaya Fusion Art Space will host an art film screening, free of charge and open to the public. Watch classic silver screen masterpieces such as Once Upon a Time in the West (Nov 3), Life is Beautiful (Nov 10), Raging Bull (Nov 17) and cult favourite Juno (Nov 24).

Jalan Raya Sayan, Ubud,
T: 0361 979 252, www.gayafusion.com

November 27

Irwan Holmes, a Juilliard and UCLA alumnus, first came to Indonesia 40 years ago and instantly fell in love with the archipelago, specifically its unique gemstones. His recent jewellery exhibition (titled Heritage of Indonesia) was successful in raising aesthetic awareness about Indonesia’s many types of semi-precious stones. Most importantly, Irwan Holmes uses fossilized coral, only found in Indonesia, to create most of his pieces. This exhibition will start on Nov 27 at Prapen Jewelry Artifacts and it will be officiated by Suteja Neka.

Jalan Jagaraga 66, Gianyar, T: 0819 9975 5897

Thanksgiving
November 26

Although not a big holiday in Indonesia, but many venues celebrate this day of gratitude (be sure to check out the food talk section in your trusty HelloBali to read about Thanksgiving food events). In America, the holiday is usually celebrated with get-togethers and, the crème de la crème, a succulent turkey dish as a centrepiece.

The holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621. This year, Thanksgiving Day falls on the 26th of November in the United States, whereas in Canada this fete took place in October.