BALI UPDATE #301 - 24 June 2002

The Last Thing Indonesia Needs

London Press Takes Aim at Proposed Visa Fee for Indonesia.

London's Sunday Telegraph in its June 9, 2002 edition, underlined the widespread concern about the imposition of a visa fee for visitors to Indonesia, now under consideration by the Central Government in Jakarta.

Warning that the cost of a holiday to Indonesia "will rise by up to GBP 150 for a typical family" if the proposed visa fee is introduced, the article also outlined the increasingly high cost of Indonesian travel where departure taxes have recently undergone a dramatic increase.

The article quoted an official from Magic of the Orient, a leading wholesaler of Asian travel in the U.K., who said, "this is just another reason not to go there. Booking have already suffered following September 11, so this is the last thing Indonesia needs."

Asiaworld, another major player in Asian-bound travel, added, "We're not happy, but we'll have to pass it on to the Customers."

Even the representatives of Indonesia's national air carrier, Garuda are reportedly "unimpressed" with the proposed fee commenting "we're trying to build up tourism, not make it more difficult."

Changes Not Yet Final

While changes in the immigration visa policy have been widely hinted at in the Indonesia press, no formal announcement has been made on what changes will be introduced and the dates of their implementation. Reports are circulating, however, suggesting a US$50 per passenger "visa fee" will soon be imposed upon arrival in Indonesia and that the length of stay granted to visitors will be shortened from the current 60 day period to a shorter period of 30 days.

Bali Update #295

Bali Update Edition #295 analyzed the possible impact of the proposed visa policy changes on foreign exchange earnings. That article is available via the link included in this story.

More information: Bali Update #295 Editorial: It Just Doesn't Add Up

Garuda Adds More Service From the U.K.

National Carrier Increases to 3 the Number of Flights to Bali.

Effective July 3, 2002, Garuda Indonesia will increase from two to three the number of weekly flights operating between London to Bali.

A Wednesday flight is being added to the existing Monday and Saturday departures from London to Bali, via Bangkok.

The current return economy trip fares from London to Bali on Garuda start from GBP 492.

We Get Mail

Bali Update Readers Sound Off on a Variety of Subjects.

Feed Back on Turbulent Airport

Kevin Hinchcliff, kevhinch@hotm il.com, offered the following comments on Bali Update #300 article on the Bali Regional Government's efforts to obtain a larger share of the profits from the operation of the island's International Airport:

I am not at all surprised buy(sic) this further grab for cash by the Balinese hiraky(sic), there(sic) corrupt ways will finally be there(sic) ruin and that will be a very good day at the temple. Bali is in Indonesia, Indonesia is not Bali.

Bali Arrival Downs

Our coverage of falling arrival figures to Bali from Australia from Bali Update #296 evoked the following comments from Kevin in Australia, kevcas@chari t.net.au:

I am not the least bit surprised that Bali's popularity with Australians has suffered such a significant fall off. In less than 12-months, the average travel and accommodation cost has increased by almost 20%. Not only is it significantly more expensive to visit Bali, a reduction in the number of flight options on and off the island is also having a negative effect as it often means people must either shorten or lengthen their holiday. Costs have also increased due to local taxes and charges applied by the Australian Government... all of which adds more to the bottom-line. At the end of the day, Bali now offers much less for much more. Could this be a case of the airlines and hotel operators killing the goose that laid the golden egg? Quite possibly! Business needs to make a fair profit and selling two-dollar bills for a dollar makes no sense. But trying to extract a bigger profit out of a diminishing market is presumptuous and is unlikely to be a productive in the long run.

A significant percentage of the Tourism market is very price-driven - a point that is being very clearly underlined by the dramatic fall-off in visitor numbers to Bali this year... irrespective of September 11. Once the market is lost it will take a great deal of time and money to recapture it.

Juliet Brownfield of Australia brownfld@iin t.net.au, provided the following feedback:

Either speed up the immigration process or spread the arrival of large big Jets from Europe. It's not funny standing (note standing) inline with bags etc. while one person at a time is allowed up to the "desk." Many people who have stood in line for 2-3 hours make their next holiday to KL, Penang or anywhere else that does not have the problem. I do hope that the extra "8" people needed for the "new" desks are soon appointed.

Made in Heaven

Many readers wrote and shared our saddness at the loss of our beloved fellow employee and driver, Made Suarnyana, featured in Bali Update #296. Carole Sainte-Marie sainte_ arie63@hotmail.com, said the following:

By reading your story of this very simple person, we cannot help but also fall in love with him. Sincere sympathies to your staff and his family.

Ms. Elana Saks of Melbourne, Australia elanasaks@ho mail.com, wrote to say:

As a regular receiver of your wonderful newsletter, I read your very touching article about "Kadek" who was killed in a road accident. I was extremely moved by the wonderful words spoken about this special person, who I am sure will be sadly missed by all. I am in fact married to a Balinese man known as Made, therefore am quite aware of how it must have been for his young wife and little baby to have lost such a fine young person, and the sense of loss and shock for all that knew him. Even though I never knew this special man, I would like to pass on my condolences to all of his family, friends and work colleagues.

May Kadek be blessed with all things good in his next life.

Retired U.S. Ambassador Mr. Robert Pringle rpringle9@co cast.net,a customer of Bali Discovery Tours and a former passenger in a vehicle driven by Kadek wrote:

We were very surprised and shocked to hear of Kadek's death from your newsletter. He was indeed a thoroughly competent and most pleasant driver.

Frank Perry of Australia enquiries@a ist.com.au, e-mail us:

Whilst I do not recall meeting Kadek in person I must let the writer of the tribute to Kadek know how touched I was by his eloquence. My sincere condolences to Kadek's family.

Warm Wishes on Bali Update Edition #300

Ida Bagus Lolec of Pacific World Travel lolec@pacif cworld.com:

On behalf of the team here at PACIFIC WORLD NUSANTARA, we would like to congratulate you and your team on the 300th edition of the famous BALI UPDATE! Quite an achievement, Jack! Well done, and now.......... up to the 500th edition!

Andrew Sivijs andr w.sivijs@arts.qld.gov.au, of Australia wrote:

Congratulations to you, Jack, and the team on another milestone for Bali Update! As a regular visitor to Bali with a genuine interest in the island's development and well being, Bali Update is invaluable. A professional forum with an interesting flavor. It has been exceptionally useful in my post-graduate studies with snippets of information not accessible in the Australian press. Love your work and look forwarded to the next 300 editions!

Limits on Growth: The Power Crisis

Delays in New Electrical Plants Heighten Bali's Power Shortage.

Bali's worsening power shortage is likely to become more severe with the recently announced delay in the opening of the Tanjung Jati B power plant.

In testimony last month before Commission VIII of the People's Consultative Assembly (DPR) in Jakarta, the President Director of the State Power Company (PLN) revealed that the scheduled inauguration of the much needed new power plant at Tanjung Jati has been pushed back from 2004 to 2005. Meanwhile, peak power demand of power on the island stands at 13,200 megawatts against a total supply of only 14,000 megawatts.

While PLN officials insist that a stand-by capacity provides a reserve capacity of 20%, any unexpected disruption or breakdown in the current power grid would have dire consequences for Bali's power supply. Steadily increasing power demands and the potential effect of a sustained drought on Java's hydro-electric power producing capacity could make the year 2004 problematic in bridging any power shortfall prior to new electrical sources coming on line the following year.

Bali's Non-Oil Export Up

Dramatic First Quarter Improvement in Value of Island's Oversea Sales.

Despite a strengthening value of Rupiah against the U.S. Dollar and stiff competition from other markets, Bali's non-oil and gas exports increased 24.3% in the first quarter of 2002.

Exports with a value of US$148.9 million were shipped in the first 3 months of the year comprised largely of textiles, clothing, and handicraft items. Clothing and textile products accounted for US$63.526 million of the total, improving 9.8% from the same period in 2001. Also showing a strong performance were wood-based products totaling US$13.85 million, up 13.1% from just a year ago.(BISNIS Indonesia)

Bali Art Festival Opens

Daily Performances on Tap Through July 20.

On Monday, June 24, 2002, the XXIV^th Bali Art Festival opens with a gala parade in Denpasar's central square presided over by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

A daily offering of dance, drama and musical performance will be presented by nine groups of foreign performers, seven groups from across Indonesia, and eight groups from regencies across Bali through July 20,2002.

Visit the XXIV^th Bali Art Festival's web site for the complete program of performance.

More information: XXIV Bali Art Festival

More Bali Dreams

The Contest is Over But Here's Another Excellent Entry From the U.S.A. in the Bali Dream Holiday Contest.

Diana Lilly from San Diego, California, U.S.A., dianamalia6 @yahoo.com, sent this entry in our recent Bali Dream Holiday Contest. While we were unable to include during the course of the regular contest, we'd still like to share it with you in this edition of Bali Update.

A Bali Dream

Once I dreamed. I was walking on sugar-white beaches, the sun caressing my skin, sparkling crystal water tickling my toes. I spotted a tiny blossom filled banana leaf boat bobbing in the warm surf. Lured upland, I pushed through the flowering jungle into a workshop filled with intricate wooden carvings. I shyly returned the murmured greetings of the skilled craftswomen deftly sanding and painting the figures a brilliant kaleidoscope of colors.

Delighted, I followed a strutting, multihued rooster outside into the verdant countryside. A distant volcano stood guard over emerald squares of rice ponds terracing the hillsides. Batik-clad women strolled along the water channels lining the road, effortlessly balancing towering goods on their heads.

The forest around me teemed with life. I marveled at flying foxes soaring between the nutmeg trees, and delighted at monkeys plucking peanuts from my hands with a practiced air of entitlement.

Suddenly, I faced a breathtakingly beautiful temple surrounded by a moat and adorned with elaborate stone carvings. Within the temple walls, dusky tendrils of smoke from burning incense drifted lazily around rows of young girls wearing peacock crown shaped headgear and executing precisely coordinated hand, shoulder and ye movements. A small ensemble of musicians armed with gongs, bronze kettles, and bamboo xylophones filled the air with animated music as the sun sank behind the silhouetted temple spires.

As night fell, I followed a torch-lit path through a courtyard outlined in coconut palms, past lotus ponds and swimming pools, into a bedroom suite richly decorated in teak and thatch. Drowsily nestling into a four-poster bed surrounded by drifts of gauzy netting, I glimpsed a basket bursting with aromatic golden star-shaped fruit, presented for my morning repast.

Alas, I awoke, the vision gone. Ever since, I've yearned for the Bali of my dreams.

An Overly Active Volcano

Bali Lawmakers Complain That Kintamani Development out of Control.

The local People Consultative Assembly (DPRD) for the Regency of Bangli in Bali have summoned hotel and restaurant operators in the village of Penelokan at Kintamani in an effort to control commercial developments which are ruining the appeal of the area and its commanding views of Lake Batur and its still active volcano.

According to the Vice-Chairman of the DPRD for Bangli, Mr. Ngakan Kuta Parwata, business operators in Penelokan, a city situated on the rim of the ancient volcanic crater, will be asked to explain the uncontrolled building of structures now blocking views of the volcano that are in violation of local building regulations.

The local parliamentarian bemoaned the lack of a shared vision among the people of Penelokan regarding the future of tourism in their area.

Quoted in the June 19 edition of the Indonesian language Bali Post, Kutha Parwata said that "before the uncontrolled development become more damaging, the government and all components of the tourism industry have to cooperate to save the valuable natural assets of Bangli." He added, "business people must realize that their incomes are derived from the beauty of Kintamani's panorama. If that beauty become entirely closed off by tall buildings, who will want to continue to visit Penelokan?"

The local policymaker from the majority PDI-P political party admitted that the lack of enforcement in current zoning regulations and the high possibility of conflict should the Government undertake repressive means to control illegal buildings now blocking Lake Batur's view, make finding a solution to the current problem extremely difficult.

Inter Island Ferry Rates to Increase

How Much? No One Knows - But Increases Likely in July.

Following the recent agreement in principle by the Indonesian Parliament for inter-island ferry rates to increase, it is now widely expected that rates will increase, perhaps as early as sometime in July 2002.

Although many ferry services are privately owned and operated, the tariff the operators can charge is controlled by the Department of Transportation. Increased operating costs including three separate increases in fuel prices since 2000 and a 300% increase in the cost of spare parts since the last increase - have been the source of protests and wild-cat suspension of services in recent months.

Padang Bai to Lembar Rates

In statements made to the press by the Chief of the Lembar, Lombok office of PT ADSDP, - the company operating ferry service between Lembar (Lombok) and Padang Bai (Bali), Mr. H. Ilham Notji, emphasized that now the increase has received Government approval all that remains to be done is for the guidelines governing any increase to be issued by the Department of Transportation.

Bali to Java Rates Also Set to Increase

Ferry Operators in the ports of Gilimanuk (Bali) and Ketapang (Jawa) - the two crossing points between Java and Bali, are hoping that the Government will allow them to increase ferry tariffs by as much as 50-60% within the coming month. Presently pedestrians pay Rp. 2,000 (US$ 0.24); motorcycles Rp. 5,000 (US$0.59); cars Rp. 25,000 (US$2.94); and busses Rp. 36,500 (US$ 4.29) for a one way journey across the straits.

The Bali-Java ferry crossing was the scene of a 24 hour work stoppage earlier this month by operators claiming the current tariff made profitable operations impossible.

East Meets West at Nirwana Spa

Ancient Balinese Healing Tradition Introduced at Le Meridien Nirwana Spa.

Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort has created an innovative new spa treatments combining the wisdom of traditional Balinese natural herbal remedies and the latest western spa technologies.

The "East Meets West" spa treatment is drawn from the ancient Balinese Hindu spiritual book "Usadha." Utilizing a series of special body treatments muscle fatigue, cellulite and adipose tissue are reduced while simultaneously detoxifying the entire body.

"East Meets West" begins with an aromatic rempah body scrub using the natural ingredients of cardamom and ginger, which serve to warm and relax the body; clove, an analgesic to sooth tired muscles; turmeric root providing antiseptic qualities; pandanus root and galangal to scent the skin; - all mixed into a paste with oats and red rice water which is rich in calcium. The scrub is followed by a luxurious soak in a rempah herbal bath. Then, a sauna further relaxes the body, opening the pores to dispel toxins before a traditional Balinese massage treatment including a seaweed mask and heated body wrap.

The session send with a moisturizing, fragrant frangipani body lotion application and a refreshing drink.

The luxurious 5 star spa also offers an "aromatic seaweed" body spa treatment using the therapeutic benefits of the sea and reflex thermal techniques unique to the Le Meridien Spa to replenish the body's mineral balance. The treatment includes a revitalizing aromatic seaweed scrub during which the skin is scented by orange essential oils and the skin exfoliated by salt crystals.

More information: Book a Stay at Le Meridien Nirwana

Triyani Promoted

Sheraton Laguna Appoint Triyani Deswati to Handle Asian Market.

Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua have promoted Ms. Triyani Deswati as an Account Director effective June 1, 2002. In her latest promotion, Ms. Deswati, who is also known as "Yetty," will be responsible for handling the Asian Markets including Japanese for the Bali five star resort.

Yetty started her career in 1996 as a Sales Coordinator at the Grand Hyatt Bali In 1998, Yetty moved to Sheraton Resorts Bali where she handled the Japanese market for the Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua and Sheraton Nusa Indah. During her Sheraton assignment and before her latest appointment she has worked as Sales Manager - Japan for Sheraton Resorts Bali and as Senior Sales Manager for Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua, Bali and Sheraton Senggigi Lombok.

Yetty is a graduate of the Sahid University, Jakarta where she majored in hotel management and has undergone a course of study in hotel management at the Diablo Valley College in California. Musically talented, she also holds a degree from the Jakarta Conservatoire Music.

Say 'I Do' in a Gazebo

Sheraton Laguna Offers Unique Wedding Venue.

In keeping with Bali's growing popularity as a wedding and honeymoon destination, the Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua Resort is offering "Weddings with a View" in their beach-side open-air "Bale Nganten."

The "Bale Nganten" or "Wedding Hall" is similar to a gazebo, with local Balinese touches added for excellent measure. The ambience of the gazebo is casual with a traditional Balinese "alang-alang" thatched roof and a marble floor tastefully accented by a luxuriant collection of native plants and flowers. All this set along the beach front of the Resort against a backdrop of breathtaking views of Sacred Mount Agung and Nusa Penida Island.

Working together with Bali Discovery Tours' wedding specialists, arrangements can be made to suit almost every budget and taste, offering intimate locations for wedding celebrations from a private island setting within the hotel's lagoons, a temple garden, or a the hotel's opulent ballroom.

Both religious and civil ceremonies can be arranged incorporating Balinese or Indonesian elements.

Contact Bali Discovery Tours to learn more about The Sheraton Laguna's Nusa Dua's Silver, Golden, Platinum and Diamond wedding celebration packages.

More information: Wedding from Bali Discovery Tours

Here's to the Ladies who Lunch

Bali Hilton Hosts Lunch for Balinese Finalists of 'Putri Indonesia' Contest.

14 Balinese finalists in the "Putri Indonesia" contest attended a luncheon hosted by the Bali Hilton International on Saturday, June 22, 2002.

The 14 young ladies, selected from across the island for their poise and grace, are competing in the regioanl finals of the prestigious contest. One of the local finalists will be chosen to compete in the national finals of the Putri Indonesia, or Indonesian Princess, contest to be held in Jakarta. The event was long considered unacceptable by local comunity standards and has only recently granted formal permission by the Government. Organizers are quick to explain that the Putri Indonesia competition is not a beauty contest. Contestants are selected on the basis of their general knowledge on subjects such as the environment, tourism, and traditional culture, English language skills, poise and deportment, and sense of fashion style.

The Balinese "princesses" were hosted at the Bali Hilton International to a traditional luncheon served in Megibung style. Megibung feasts represent a fundamentally traditional banquet style in Bali where diners sit together on specially prepared mats and enjoy local delicacies, eaten by hand from common serving bowls. The Bali Hilton International has pioneered this unique meal format with great success, recently offering a Megibung feast to a group of 300 ministerial-level visitors to Indonesia, including Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess of Jordan.

Before the lunch and in order to deepen the participants' appreciation of Indonesian culture, the Putri Indonesia finalists were provided an in-depth tour of the hotel whose design and architecture are inspired by the Hindu epic Ramayana tale.

The young lady to represent Bali in the national finals of the contest was selected at a final gala evening held at the Sari Segara Resort in Jimbaran on June 23, 2002.

The Putri Indonesia contest is co-sponsored by the Putri Indonesia Foundation and the Mustika Ratu traditional cosmetic corporation.