BALI UPDATE #316 - 07 October 2002

Quick, Buy a Silly Hat

Melbourne Cup Day at Radisson Bali Hotel, Tuesday, November 5.

Virtually a national holiday "Down Under," Melbourne Cup Day each year sees Australia come to a halt as an entire nation pauses to watch and celebrate that country's premier horse race.

This year's running of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, November 5^th will see the festivities spread to Bali as the Radisson Bali Hotel in Sanur will sponsor a race day party in its Grand Ballroom via a direct cable link with the Melbourne Race Course. Included in the celebrations will be a broadcast on a giant screen, a lavish buffet lunch with Champagne, fashion show, and simulated races held in the ballroom.

Seating is limited and at only Rp. 75,000 per person early bookings are recommended. To book call ++62-(0)361-281781 or E-mail the hotel.

More information: Melbourne Race Day E-Mail Link

New Attraction at Waterbom Park

Bombastic Playground Installed for Junior Customers of Waterbom Park.

Follow a shutdown last month due to power generating problems Waterbom Park & Spa, is back in force introducing an exciting new children's aquatic attraction.

That attraction – the Bombastic Playground has been specifically designed to cater for children 2–10 years of age, complementing Waterbom's current children's Kiddy Park.

Named by a staff member of the Park, Bombastic, provides hours of entertainment for children through a series of splash pools, two waterslides, crawling tunnels and cargo nets, a swinging foot bridge, waterfalls and water guns/cannons.

The Waterbom Park & Spa is located in the center of Bali's Kuta area and offers a combination of thrilling waterslides and refreshing pools set in a tropical garden setting. The park's other attractions include 10 waterslides that stand up to 24m high and can achieve speeds of up to 70 kilometer per hours.

Open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m..

How to Run a Community

More than 500 Turn Out for Rock & Run.

Early on Sunday morning, September 28, 2002, more than 500 people turned out to run 5 kilometers through the streets of Kuta to raise funds to help finance educational programs for the impoverished people of east Bali. Every runner received a certificate, breakfast and, while supplies lasted, a free commemorative t-shirt.

Winning the best time in the male competitor's category was Steve Chilcott with a total time of 19:10:47.

The top female competitor - Sarah Vockler ran the 5 kilometers in 22:31:70.

The best family performance was recorded by Anthony Brown family with a total time of 28:31:70.

A Meeting for Foreign Investors

Regional Investment Board Encouraged Dialogue with Foreign Businessmen.

In response to numerous complaints received from foreign investors operating in Bali, the Bali branch of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPMD) is cooperating in inviting interested businessmen to attend a dialogue on Thursday, October 31, 2002 at the Hotel Niki located on Jalan Gatot Subroto in Denpasar. The seminar is scheduled to run from 09.00 a.m. until 04.00 p.m..

Leading the meeting will be Mr. Andre Idris, a former Senior Investment advisor to the national investment coordinating board (BKPM) in Jakarta who will summarize investor's concerns presented at the planned meeting for onward discussion with the central government.

Bali is the Indonesian province enjoying the highest level of foreign investment projects.

To encourage an open flow of ideas at the October 31^st meeting, participants are encouraged to submit a maximum of two questions for discussion at the meeting before an October 22^nd deadline.

Anticipated areas for discussion at the meeting include harassment of foreign investors, uneven treatment by the authorities, taxation, immigration, and security concerns.

Those wishing to attend should contact Mr. Andre Idris at telephone ++62-(0)361-5700571 or ++62-(0)812 – 9912481. Facsimile ++62-(0)361-286972.

More information: E-Mail Contact for October 31 Investment Seminar

Tourist to Head for the Hills

Government Proclaims the Year of Eco-Tourism and Mountain Tourism.

The Department of Culture and Tourism has proclaimed, somewhat belatedly, 2002 as the year of eco-tourism and mountain tourism.

Indonesia has some 300 volcanoes, 150 of which are active. The government is using the year, dedicated to promoting tourist visits to the Country's mountains, to increase awareness of the need to adopt World Tourism Organization (WTO) criteria and classification procedures to mountain's hoisting tourist visits.

Bali has 5 separate volcanoes with Mt. Batur drawing the largest number of tourist climbers. Unfortunately, local climbing guides lack both the equipment and training to facilitate visits to Mt. Batur, with many tourists complaining of extortion by freelance guides.

Local licensed tour operators do offer a regular program of guided tours to Mt. Batur.

3 Helipads Closed By Government

Protests from Local Citizens Said to Have Caused Shutdown.

Local Bali press reports indicate that the Gianyar Regional Government has closed and sealed 3 private helipads, claiming the landing facilities lack the necessary regional government permits and that their continuing operation is causing complaints from local community members.

The three helicopter pads are located in Sayan, near the Amandari Resort; at Kedewatan, near the Alila Ubud; and in the village of Taro near the Bali Adventure Elephant Safari Park.

Two of the three helipads were built and are used by Bali Adventure Tours, while the Kedewatan site is operated by Air Bali.

Run in Paradise

Register on Line for April 2003 Bali Marathon.

Kathy Loper Events, a U.S.-based organizer of major running events worldwide, is offering a range of air and travel options ex the United States for those wishing to travel to Bali to participate in April 2003 in the Bali Marathon.

The annual marathon event draws hundreds of runners from around the world who participate in 42, 21 and 10 kilometer runs among the scenic shorelines and rice terraces of east Bali, starting and ending in the village of Candi Dasa.

Programs - including air fares from the U.S.A., tours, marathon registration and accommodation feature three choices of departure dates starting from April 17, 2002 with programs of 14, 12 or 11 days duration.

Prices start from US$ 1,790 per person, based on twin sharing.

More information: Kathy Loper Events: Bali Marathon

National Geographic Traveler Covers Paradise

October Issue Spotlights Bali.

The October 2002 edition of National Geographic Traveler Bali features as its cover story Bali: Still Paradise?

In an article written by P.F. Kluge and brilliantly photographed by Justin Guragalia, Kluge revisits Bali after a 25 year's absence to find that the island has changed, but is still home to an array of cultural wonders and the world's most gracious people.

The article is jam-packed with practical tips on how to make the most of a Bali Holiday, including valuable contacts and clues on proper etiquette whilst visiting paradise.

The August 2002 edition of Travel & Leisure Magazine named Bali as the world's best island resort.

More information: National Geographic Traveler's Bali Coverage

Skeletons in Our Closet

Recent Archaeological Discoveries Confirm Bali's Rich Past.

The English-language Jakarta Post reports that the recent discovery of ancient Javanese and Balinese inscriptions together with ancient human remains in northeast Bali serve to further confirm Bali's long and rich history of human habitation.

16 separate copper-plate inscriptions in ancient written Javanese and Balinese were discovered entwined in the trunk of a tree near Ndek temple in the Buleleng regency containing the names of old Balinese kings. The inscriptions are estimated by experts to be some 1,020 years old.

Human skeletons, thought to be 2,500 years old, were uncovered in April in excavations at Gilimanuk, near the crossing point for modern-day ferry service between Bali and Java. The nearby Museum of Ancient Man located in this area, records the discoveries of more than 140 ancient human remains found in this area of Bali over the past 5 decades.

Kuznetsova Wins Wismilak Open

Russian Tennis Star Wins Bali Tournament.

Russian tennis professional Svetlana Kutnetsova emerged as the overall champion in the Wismilak Open 2002 tennis tournament held in Bali.

In final's play on Sunday, September, 29, 2002, Kutzetsova defeated Spanish tennis ace Conchita Martinez in three sets, 3-6, 7-6, and 7-5.

In winning top honors in Bali, the 17 year-old tennis star went home US$35,000 richer and 145 points higher in the ranking of female tennis professionals. Prior to the Bali tournament, Kutnetsova was ranked #60 in the female tennis hierarchy. Her latest victory should earn her a spot among the top 50 female players worldwide.

Starting the year at the #264 spot, the Russian player is proving herself a force to be reckoned with in international play. A wild-card entry in the Australian Open 2002, Kutsetsova managed to beat top-ranked Aranta Sanchez-Vicario in semifinal play held at Bali's Grand Hyatt Hotel.