BALI UPDATE #287 - 18 March 2002

Australian Aircraft For Indonesia

First of Six Australian Planes for Indonesia Debuts in Bali.

On Friday, March 15, 2002, Australia's Minister of Trade, Mark Valle officiated at the welcoming ceremony for new GA-8 Airvan at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Manufactured in Australia's rural Victoria by Gippsland Aeronautics the 8 passenger single-engine aircraft is deemed well-suited to serve Indonesia's tourism and mining sectors. "Australians have been coming to Bali for years for holidays - now when they're enjoying the sights of this beautiful part of the world, they might be flying in an aircraft made in regional Victoria," Mr. Valle said.

The first of an initial six aircraft ordered, the plane will reportedly be used for local tour operations.

The Gippsland GA-8 flies at 120 knots and has a range of 650 miles.

More information: Austrade Contact for Information on GA-8

The Shipping News

How Do We Handle a Cruise Ship's Visit to Bali? - In a Word: "Differently."

On Monday, February 25, 2002, the 76,000 ton P&O Aurora sailed into Bali bringing with her some 1,800 passengers and a crew of over 900. Because of the island's limited facilities for visiting cruise ships, a visit by a vessel of this size offers a whole range of logistical challenge even at the best of times - as passengers arrive in a single morning, tour the island and sail away the same afternoon.

This most recent visit was even more concerning as it was scheduled for Bali's Padang Bai Port on the same day as a visit by the only slightly smaller Queen Elizabeth II. Padang Bai's minimum infrastructure for visiting cruise ships and free-for-all atmosphere ashore make, the visit of one ship a challenge and of two large ships at the same time an almost sure-fire recipe for pandemonium.

Working together with P&O's shipping executives in Southampton, Bali Discovery Tours, the ship's land arrangement and shore agent in Bali, quickly developed a number of pioneering approaches to the coming visit, resulting in a memorable day in Bali for the ship's passengers and crew.

Too large to enter Bali's small but centrally located port of Benoa, the P & O Aurora anchored just outside the port's entrance, in close view of Bali's Nusa Dua group of leading Hotels. The services of the luxury 350-passenger day vessel Bounty were secured for the day, providing comfortable continuous shuttles of 20 minutes duration to a terminal inside the harbor.

From there Benoa's convenient location allowed passengers a wide range of tour options, otherwise impossible from the traditional anchorage at Padang Bai, further up the island's eastern coast. Lawn Bowl tournaments, visits to local hotels and shopping centers, golfing expeditions, cooking schools, helicopter tours of the island, and tours to both the eastern and western seaboards of Bali - all fit nicely into a single day's visit of Bali from a Benoa Base.

How do you end a perfect day's visit to Bali? The P & O Aurora invited a nearly 50-strong gamelan orchestra and leading Balinese dance group from the nearby village of Batuan to perform an entire recital to a full house of appreciative cruisers in the ship's state of the art theatre afloat.

Two jewels in an azure sea: P & O's Aurora and the island of Bali.

More information: Details of Bali Discovery's Cruise Ship Services

Entry #11 - Bali Dream Holiday Contest

You have until the end of April to send your dream holiday entry - a reader from England sends this week's entry and stands a chance to win a fabulous holiday in Paradise.

Share your vision of a perfect dream holiday in Bali and win 2 tickets on Singapore Airlines, 7 nights at the Fours Seasons Private Estates Bali at Jimbaran Bay, tours and transfers from Bali Discovery Tours, rafting and cycling excursions from Sobek, luxurious spa treatments from Mandara Spa, a helicopter tour from Air Bali, and Cooking Lessons from Bumbu Bali/Rumah Bali.

Never Been to Bali? - Not a problem and, perhaps, your entry will help remedy your lack of Bali travel expertise! Entries are welcome from everyone in every form, from both veteran travelers to Bali or those who have only dreamed of visiting our tropical paradise.

Sue, sue15357@hotmail.com, from North East Linconshire, England is this week's featured entry in the Bali Dream Holiday Contest.

THIS IS BALI

The aroma of Frangipani. The tropical greenery of Coconut and sugar palms. Rays of the morning sun bounce off the crystal blue ocean as it makes its way to the palm fringed golden beach.

The haunting sound of the gamelan fills the air with its spiritual sound, infectious to the soul. The laughter of children gleefully waving, smiling as they make their way to school through the village streets.

This is Bali.

Today Tanah Lot, a majestic temple sitting in the blue waters of the Ocean, waves crashing against her rocks where Balinese men sit to guard their temple from evil spirits, weaving coconut leaves to fill with offerings and sweet fragrances to give to their gods. The air is filled with the incense carried by the warm breeze.

Walking through the endless stalls, local people selling their colourful handicrafts. From birth to the day of their death, these beautiful people are blessed with creativity and artistic design. From the children and their bright coloured paintings, to the elders eye for fine detail when carving wood into collectors works of art.

The journey back through the hustle and bustle of towns and villages. In contrast, the open countryside gladdening the heart with its boundless paddie fields in different shades of green, tumbling down natural terraces set in the hillsides, men and women in their straw hats toil in the fields.

This is Bali.

So time to return to the serene and sensuous surroundings of the Hotel its ornamental garden ponds, disturbed only by the sound of an hibiscus flower falling into the still waters.

Laying on a now empty sun bed, the stars appear brighter and closer, sparkling like diamonds on a bed of black velvet, twinkling through the prongs of a coconut palm swaying in the breeze. A sight to behold and forever in my memory.

I am here on my annual pilgrimage to the wonderful Bali, adorned by beautiful temples, lush rice paddies and mountainous volcanoes, most of all, this is an island of enchantment shrouded by a blanket of mystique and pure magic, a paradise of smiles and genuine warmth.

If the World could be like this, peace would be forever more.

More information: How to Enter The Bali Dream Contest

Carry on Doctor

Australian Diplomats and Politicians Pay a Visit to the Bali International Medical Center.

On Thursday, March 14, 2002, in town to visit the Indonesian-Australian Business Council Conference being held at Nusa Dua, Australia's Minister for Trade, Mr. Mark Valle, accompanied by Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Richard C. Smith, AO, paid a call on the Bali International Medical Center (BIMC), centrally located on Bali's Ngurah Rai Bypass road.

Their visit to the very successful Australian-Indonesian joint-venture allowed a first-hand opportunity to view the clinic recognized as the leader in the provision of international standard primary healthcare services to residents and visitors to Bali.

A recent expansion program has resulted in a more than 600% increase in size of the medical facility and a significant expansion in the range of medical support services available to the public.

A dedicated emergency medical and trauma care center is now backed up by x-ray, pathology and pharmacy facilities together with a small fleet of Bali's best equipped emergency care ambulances. To ensure their critical care team of doctors and nurses are as good as the BIMC's sophisticated medical technology, the Center hosts an ongoing program of skill and technology transfer with visiting emergency room physicians from the University of California (UCLA) in the United States.

Fortunately, the majority of BIMC's patients never see the emergency and trauma section of the center, receiving treatment in their Doctor's consultation rooms that offer a complete range of polyclinic services.

In order to keep pace with the growing demand for international medical support for Bali's visitors, the BIMC will soon introduce a dialysis unit, allowing international travelers requiring this service to enjoy their holidays in Bali with a minimum of fuss.

More information: Visit BIMC Website

Great Air Fares From the U.S.A.

balidiscovery.com Now Offers Great Air Fares U.S.A. to Bali.

Bali Discovery Tours can now offer "seamless" travel for U.S. travelers destined for Bali with a new airfare facility from its popular website permitting hotel, tour, transportation and air bookings - all from a single location. Working together with major world air carriers, balidiscovery.com offers substantial savings from most major air hubs throughout the United States.

Fares as low as $730 for round trip economy class travel from the West Coast to Bali are now available via the Bali Discovery Tours web site.

Special Bali fares are currently offered from the U.S.A. on China Airlines, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

Australian and European Fares Coming Soon

Within the coming few weeks the website will be expanded to also include competitive airfares from Australia's and Europe's major capitals to Bali.

More information: Check out balidiscovery.com's USA to Bali Fares

Nirwana Leads Local Tax List

Bali's Nirwana Resort the Backbone of Tax Revenues for Tabanan Region.

The Nirwana Bali Resort was recently acknowledged as being the most prominent taxpayer in the Tabanan region of Bali.

Following a meeting with Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, the outgoing Chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Development Association (AKPI), Mr. Hiramsyah Sambudhy Thaib pointed to the fundamental role played by tourism zones in the growth and development of Indonesia's tourism industry.

Citing as an example the Nirwana Bali Resort development located on Bali's western shore and owned by Indonesia's Bakrie Group, he revealed that up to 55% of all local tax revenues for the Tabanan Regency are generated by the Resort complex. According to Heramsyah, this conclusively proved the ability of coordinated tourism development projects to boost local tax revenues.

The newly elected chairman of AKPI is Jan Arifin of the Lombok Tourism Development Corporation.

More information: Book A Stay at The Nirwana Resort

This is the FBI

U.S.A.'s Top Cop Arrives in Bali for Talks.

A delegation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led by that organization's Director, Robert Muller, arrived at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport midday on Friday, March 15. Leading a delegation of 10, the Director made a brief visit to meet leading Indonesian law enforcement officials and to discuss the U.S. led "war on terrorism."

Arriving in Bali on board the Jakarta-based U.S. Embassy's private aircraft, the delegation proceded immediately for talks in Nusa Dua with Mr. Muller's Indonesian counterpart, General Dai' Bachtiar, the Chief of the National Police Force, and the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Mr. Muller used the occasion of the talks to emphasize that America's "War on Terrorism" was not a war against Islam. Underlining how his department had investigated a number of threats made against the U.S.A.'s many Moslem communities in the wake of 911, Muller praised the government of Ibu Megawati for its cooperation in fighting international terrorism.

The high level discussions between Indonesia's and America's law enforcement officers continued on Saturday, March 16, 2002, to include discussions with the Chief of Indonesia's State Intelligence Body to discuss details of developing cooperation not only in combating international terrorism but in confronting cross border crime.

Dine Every Mountain

In Ubud's Hills - Jack Daniels Discovers An Extraordinary Dining Experience on an Island Where the Hungry are Spoiled for Choice.

Why are people always asking me to name my favorite restaurant?

Does my generous girth somehow suggest a gourmand parading as a gourmet? Or, perhaps, the inevitable trace of lunch that, despite my best efforts, decorates my beard and shirt front prompts people to think: "ask that walking tablecloth where he likes to eat."

Yet, the simple truth of the matter is that I love food. It also seems to like me: what doesn't stick to my clothing tends to take up permanent residence on my corpus magnus, rendering me a double for Luciano Pavarotti.

Starting now and until further notice, anyone asking me for my restaurant recommendation in Bali will be unhesitatingly told to head for Ubud's hillsides and the wonderfully romantic MOZAIC. Now open on Jalan Sanggingan, not far from the Neka Museum, this 60 seat restaurant is set in a tropical garden against a backdrop of rice paddies and the sound of running brooks. This is the stage on which Chef Chris Salans works his culinary magic.

Performing something of a "Reverse Lafayette," Chris was born in Washington, D.C. and, at the age of two and ready for solid foods, he moved to Paris. Receiving a trans-Atlantic education, the young Chris Salans eventually attended the Cordon Bleau cooking school in Paris and paid the mandatory dues under the tyrannical regime of a number of French Chefs. Chef are invariably religious men: Ask any one of them, and they will confirm that purgatory is a place that is hot, labor intensive and guarded by a mean Frenchman wearing a toque blanche.

Obviously, Chris stood the heat and paid attention to the lessons of the French kitchen. After periods working with prestigious eateries in New York, Napa Valley and Thailand - Chris has taken up residence in Bali with his Indonesian wife to establish the much-admired Mozaic. Working in what he describes as Modern Indonesian Balinese Cuisine, he masterfully weds local ingredients with modern cooking techniques and stunning presentations.

Conceived as a culinary restaurant incorporating the tropical richness of Balinese cuisine, doused with a fine blend of French and American flavors, Mozaic offers as a starter Young Indian Ocean Skate in Fresh Pineapple & Italian Caper Sauce. Then a Salad of Baby Frisee, followed by entrees such as Bedugul Rabbit and Moulard Duck Foie Gras Pastilla with Mollucas Cinnamon or Roasted New Zealand Lamb Rack, Toasted Pistachio & Fresh Seasonal Bean Salad with a Pistachio Infused Demi-Glace. Call me a "glutton for punishment" and you'd be partly right - but, who could resists Warm Varlhona Chocolate Fondant, Sour Cherries Chutney & Fresh Ginger Sorbet?

Reasonably priced with a varied wine menu, Mozaic also offers special five course Chef's Special Tasting Menus for Only Rp. 200,000. Open daily only for dinner.

Did I enjoy my dinner? - Absolutely. Except, perhaps, for the annoying American lady who approached my table and asked me if I might sing Nessun Dorma.

For reservations call Mozaic at ++62-(0)361-975768.

Tell them, Luciano sent you.

More information: See BaliEats.Com Review of Mozaic

Patra Jasa Hotel Renovates

Upgrade Plans Include Additional Rooms.

Bali's Patra Jasa Hotel has embarked on a massive renovation program anticipated to consume between US$ 10 - 15 million.

Expected to be completed by the end of this year, the renovations include a total rehabilitation of public facilities and guest rooms. Once the renovation program is completed the total number of rooms will increase to 260 from its current 206.

The Patra Jasa Hotel group is owned by Indonesia's State Oil company Pertamina. According to officials of the company, once the Bali property's renovation is completed the groups remaining 6 hotels will also undergo upgradings.

Undertaken in stages to minimize inconvenience to guests, the Patra Jasa Hotel Bali will remain open throughout the renovation period.

More information: Book a Stay at the Patra Jasa

Entry #10 - Bali Dream Holiday Contest

This Week A Dream Holiday Entry from A Reader in Portland, Maine, U.S.A..

You still have until the end of April to share your vision of a perfect dream holiday in Bali and win 2 tickets on Singapore Airlines, 7 nights at the Fours Seasons Private Estates Bali at Jimbaran Bay, tours and transfers from Bali Discovery Tours, rafting and cycling excursions from Sobek, luxurious spa treatments from Mandara Spa, a helicopter tour from Air Bali, and Cooking Lessons from Bumbu Bali/Rumah Bali.

Never Been to Bali? - Not a problem and, perhaps, your entry will help resolve that particular emptiness in your soul. Entries are welcome from everyone in every form, from both veteran travelers to Bali or those who have only dreamed of visiting our tropical paradise.

Sydney Hayes from Portland, Maine, U.S.A., is this week's featured entry in the Bali Dream Holiday Contest.

Anything is possible

I come to Bali with my mind worn out; my parts need replacing. My dreams are plagued by 28 telephones ringing. Twenty-eight lines coming in, 6 people to answer them. Deadlines, client's demands, shipping, overhead, customer services, I cannot sleep.

Bali washes the bad dreams away like a hard rain. Beats down on the top of my head until I hear nothing but the roar of relentless water. I am watered. The sun comes out and I turn to it like a hungry indoor plant.

Incense like colors. Colors like tastes. My senses are saturated, leaving nothing but this moment. I stumble in the street. Children giggle and I smile back. Their laughter warms my back.

Bali works on me like a natural masseuse. Bali knows where the tight spots are. Bali knows where it hurts.

I am haggling with the man over 43 cents. He is patient. His easy smile is steady and he assures me, he is not offended. I see my own face and I am stopped in my monologue. I am one of my clients. I pause and breathe. He watches me quietly, he waits. We sit on the steps side by side. We chat about everything and nothing. The 43 cents is forgotten. We watch the people go (the infusion of colors jettisons my black and white vision). My watch ceases to have meaning.

Bali has it's own time. Tired? It's naptime. Hungry? Time to eat. Lonely? Step outside.

The phones are a harmless memory dissolving in a persistent blue sea. My watch lies sleeping in a drawer. Nothing is that important. Anything is possible.

More information: How to Enter the Bali Dream Contest