BALI UPDATE #293 - 29 April 2002

Take the Initiative

Deadline for Advertisers in the Bali Mice Guide 2003 Fast Approaching.

The Bali MICE Guide 2003, the 2^nd edition of Bali's only comprehensive guide to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) is scheduled for publication in September 2002. In response to the overwhelming response from both advertisers and recipients of the 2002 Guide, next year's edition will be expanded, contain a section on the island of Lombok, and explore the almost endless array of options available to meeting planners considering Bali or its near neighbor Lombok.

Distributed directly only to qualified buyers via direct mail and at major MICE events, the Bali MICE Guide has proven itself an effective means of telling Bali's story to this very lucrative segment of the travel market.

Advertising Deadline Fast Approaching

Remaining advertising space is limited. Advertising contracts from hotels, destination management companies, airlines, and suppliers to the MICE market in Bali must be in hand before the end of May in order to ensure an appearance in the 2003 Guide.

For details contact Bali Discovery Tours or e-mail via our link:

More information: E-mail the Bali MICE Initiative

Adventures in Paradise

Luxury Sailing Yacht Available for Bali Charters

S/Y Storming, a luxurious sailing yacht is now available for half day, full day, and extended charter voyages from its base in Bali.

Fully equipped and outfitted for comfort, fun, and adventure - the S/Y Storming offers charter packages that include delicious menu options, an open bar with quality wines and spirits, and full use of the boat's extensive range of facilities - including, zodiac, kayak canoe, scuba gear and compressor. Passengers can sun on deck, swim in a secluded crystal bay, or merely relax in air conditioned comfort below deck in the lounge or one of the ship's comfortable cabins.

Full and half-day charters include transfer services between the harbor and any hotel in Bali; sumptuous meals whilst on board including sunset dinners for full day passengers; open bar including soft drink, beers, fine wines and spirits; and full use of all the ship's amenities.

The S/Y Storming can accommodate up to 6 passengers.

S/Y Storming is a classic blue water cruiser. She was designed on the boards of German Frers to cross the world's oceans in safety, speed and genuine comfort. Now based on the western-edge of one of the world's most amazing cruising grounds. A circumnavigation of Lombok; a diving safari in the Flores Sea; tracking dragons on Komodo; or reaching out to Australia, Singapore and even Thailand. All these are possibilities from the ship's base in Bali.

All inclusive half-day Charters cost US$ 600, full-day programs US$ 1,100, and with quotations available for extended journeys of discovery.

More information: Book a S/Y Storming Cruise

Entry #17 - Bali Dream Holiday Contest

The Penultimate Week in the Bali Dream Contest with An Entry from Australia.

A flood of outstanding entries arrived on our desk this past week. A final week to go and the announcement next Monday of a winner in the Bali Dream Holiday Contest.

Stay tuned to find out who's going to win 2 tickets on Singapore Airlines, 7 nights at the Four 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.

Megan Dare, from Melbourne, Australia, authored this week's entry.

A John, Dear Letter

My first and only trip to Bali was a dream from which I sometimes wish I'd never woken ...

John and I met at a conference in Sydney. He lived in Hong Kong; I lived in Melbourne. We went our separate ways at the end of the conference, but three months later we were still talking daily so John suggested we meet up in the middle - Bali. He joked that it would be cheaper than a week of phone calls. He wasn't far wrong!

We were reunited in Sanur, where exquisite perfumed gardens meet the turquoise sea. By day we lounged under frangipani trees, speculating about the lives of other hotel guests and sharing the one book. By night we enjoyed a last cocktail curled up against each other on the cool sand. We were falling in love - I knew it - but I also knew we were going our separate ways in a matter of days.

From Sanur we caught a fishing boat to Nusa Lembongan, where we planned to stay a day but ended up staying four. We felt we'd stumbled upon a private paradise, and explored it with the enthusiasm of city children on their first holiday by the sea. One night the hotelier's family invited us home for dinner, and I watched in amazement as John charmed everyone present, including a shy grandmother with no English. By the end of the night he had a cat in his lap, a child asleep at his feet and had swapped addresses with ten adults. There was something about the place that unwound him. It was as if the warmth of the people and the blazing sun ironed out his intellectual edginess.

After Nusa Lembongan, we nestled into the cool lushness of Ubud. We made several day trips to fabulous temples, markets and forests but, to be honest, I enjoyed the journeys even more than the stunning destinations. I felt such deep contentment half dozing in the car's back seat with one ear tuned into John's banter with the driver.

On our last night in Bali John proposed. We were lounging by a lotus pond watching the first stars come out when he said "Marry me and we'll come back every year". I was so surprised I had to ask him to repeat it, and then I was so happy I could hardly get my grinning mouth to form the word "OK". It seemed so right that I imagined the frogs were croaking in approval.

As it happened, John and I never returned to Bali. He died very suddenly before our wedding date a year after that magical night in the hills. But when I'm strong enough to see him again, and can return the genuine smiles of the Balinese, I'll go back.

More information: Last Chance to Enter the Bali Dream Contest

Mabua Express in Dock

Bali Ferry Service in Dock 13 May - 03 June.

Bali's daily fast ferry service between Benoa Harbor in Bali and Lembar Harbor in Lombok will not be operating between May 13 - June 03, 2002, while the vessel undergoes its annual docking and survey.

The Mabua Express operates departures every morning at 08.30 a.m. from its Bali base, crossing the straits in 2.5 hours. A return journey leaves Lombok's Lembar Harbor at 2.00 p.m. arriving in Bali at 4.30 p.m..

Mabua Express returns to full service on June 04, 2002.

More information: Book a Mabua Cruise to Lombok

How Dry We Are?

Carrying Capacity the Issue as Local Expert Says Island's Water Supply Under Threat.

As reported in both the local and Jakarta press this past week(26/4), the chief of the Bali's Forest Management and Conservation Agency has issued a dire warning that unplanned development and exploitation of the island's natural environment threatens Bali's water supply.

Mr. I Nyoman Silanawa from the Island's Forest Conservation Agency, emphasized that the clearing of forested areas by illegal loggers and farmers is already resulting in a water shortage in the southern part of the island. He was quoted further as saying, "in the coming five years, it is feared that the city of Denpasar will face sever water shortages if this matter is not immediately dealt with".

Water feedment areas from the central and north part of the island are also under threat as farmers convert forested rain catchment areas once used for coffee cultivation into more economically promising orange groves. Meanwhile, uncontrolled logging on the island's north shore is believed to be a root cause of floods that occurred in the Jembrana and Buleleng regions of the islands earlier this year.

Subsidies Needed

Meanwhile, several leading conservationists in Bali have suggested that government regulations prohibitting recultivation of land will not work unless owners of rain catchment areas are paid some sort of subsidy to preserve the status of their lands.

Some 30% of Bali's land area is currently designated as forested or jungle; an area equal to 130,686 hectares. Of that total 73% has been set aside as protected forest, 20% as conservation area, and 7% as forrest production area.

And the Winner is

Announcement Expected This Week on Garuda's New Boss.

The person to be named to the hotly contested seat of President Director of Garuda Indonesia is expected to be announced early this week. Laksamana Sukardi, the Minister for State Owned Enterprises, who will make the announcement has indicated he favors a candidate drawn from the existing ranks of Garuda's management as opposed to an appointment of an outsider. Included in that short list, is the Minister's own brother, Sumardi Sukardi a veteran member of the airline's management whose consideration has drawn considerable fire a potential conflict of interest in that the final selection to the job is made by his brother and Garuda's number one post also answers to the Minister.

Who will get the Number 1 job at Garuda?

Bookmark balidiscovery.com where we'll publish the details of Garuda's new Chief as soon as the announcement is made.

A Night at the Opera

Le Meridien Offers Opera and Dining Under the Stars May 11.

Bali visitors and residents who are starving for fine food and opera will have both appetites sated in equal measure on Saturday, May 11, at the Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort with an evening of music and fine dining under the stars.

In a one-night engagement, U.K. opera performing and recording artist, Sarah Sweeting will punctuate a lavish 7-course dinner with popular operatic arias.

A regular member of England's oldest opera company, The Carl Rosa Opera, Ms. Sweeting has performed at Covent Garden, the London Palladium, Royal Festival Hall, Westminster Hall, The Barbican, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Holland Park Opera Festival.

Comfortable performing in both opera and operetta roles, Ms. Sweeting's visit to Bali will see her realize a childhood dream to visit the island of Bali, which she will do on the heels of a successful Australian tour performing leading roles in the Carl Rosa Opera productions of Yoeman of the Guard, Iolanthe and The Mikado.

Her celebrated portrayal of Carmen at the South East Opera Festival brought praise and further international engagements. She has performed in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Canada, Barbados, India, Australia and now Bali.

To celebrate Ms. Sweeting's Bali debut, Le Meridien Nirwana's Executive Chef Matthew Fairey will prepare a menu inspired by the world's cuisine to complement more than a dozen arias. Dinner will also include a selection of fine wines and champagne.

Staged at the resort's amphitheater, under a Balinese tilem or new moon, the evening of music and song will cost Rp. 698,000 net. As an encore, a special 'Opera Overnight' package is being offered for Rp.1,999,000 and includes one night of deluxe accommodation, Opera Dinner and breakfast for two.

Seating is limited and reservations can be made by contacting Bali Discovery Tours.

More information: Reserve A Night at The Opera

Concerned with Security

Bali Hilton Host to Media and Security Sector Workshop.

Nine journalists from prominent Indonesian print and electronic media spent three days from April 17-19, 2002, at a workshop sponsored by the British Embassy exploring the role of the media in developing and explaining defence and security policy.

The workshop, held at the Bali Hilton, was organized by the UK Consultant company Public Administration International (PAI) and forms part of the British Government's initiative on Security Sector Reform.

Speakers included PAI's Director, Bob Raitt, Professor Chris Bellamy from Cranfield University and the UK's National Defence Academy, and Lt. Gen Agus Widjojo, Vice-Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament (MPR).

The journalists were introduced to issues of war reporting and various forms of conflict and providing a wider understanding of on defence and strategic issues as part of the role of a free responsible media in a democracy.

Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance

Master Dancers of Bali - Troupe of Top Balinese Dancers to Tour U.S.A..

Gary Lindsey Artist Services, a U.S. based impresario, has announced a tour of some of Bali's best known traditional dancers between September and November of 2002.

Billeted as Master Dancers of Bali - the tour is an eight-performer troupe of the island's most accomplished and highly regarded dance masters who will perform together for the first time outside of Bali during the company's fall, 2002, tour of the United States and Canada. The dancers, accompanied by live instrumental music, will perform solos, duets, and small group works including the Joged Pingitan, Kebyar Duduk, Jobog from the Legong Keraton, and Baris Tunggal. Comprising the second half of the 100-minute program will be Prembon, a operatic dance-drama consisting featuring the entire company.

The performers touring with Master Dancers of Bali range in age from the 30 to the late 70's, and include representatives of three generations within the same family.

Master Dancers of Bali is organized and directed by I Gusti Raka Panji Tisna, a graduate of Colorado College and Australia's Griffith University. A frequent lecturer on Balinese culture and a consultant to the Bali Arts Center in Denpasar, Panji will offer, in association with several of the performers, workshops and lectures on the dance, drama, and music of ballet, as well as demonstrations and programs for young people.

During a residency program conducted in conjunction with the performance program, lectures and workshops will be conducted focusing on such topics as Bali - An Introduction; Temples and Rituals in Bali with a Focus on the Rites of Passage; Dance and Drama in Bali with a Focus on the Shadow Puppet Theatre; and Issues Relating to Tourism and Modernization in Bali.

Performance dates are rapidly booking out. If your club or organization is interested in sponsoring a local performance, contact Gary Lindsey Artist Services, by toll-free telephone at 1 800-949-2745.

More information: Contact Gary Lindsey Artist Services