BALI UPDATE #324 - 02 December 2002

A Patch of Paradise

A Visit with Bali Author Gaia Grant.

The desire to leave stressful city life behind and move to a tropical island is, for most, just a dream. Gaia Grant decided to turn that dream into a reality. Packing up her family and journeying through Asia, she was eventually drawn to Bali for its exotic beauty, vibrant culture, and unique community lifestyle. Seven years on Gaia's still here, running a successful international business with her husband, Andrew, from the same thatched hut on the beach they found when they arrived. In her book, "A Patch of Paradise," (Published by Random House Australia). Gaia Grant shares her unique experience of living in Bali - including the challenges of living and working in a country in dramatic transition.

In the wake of the tragedy recently visited upon Bali, balidiscovery.com caught up with Gaia and discovered her humor and sensitivity remain undiminished;

balidiscovery.com: What is "A Patch of Paradise" essentially about?

Gaia Grant: Seven years ago I managed to convince my husband that we should pack up our comfortable city lives and move to a beach hut in a village in Bali - along with our then 2 year old daughter. "A Patch of Paradise" is my personal story of that dramatic life change. Through the book I describe all the extremes of life in a different culture - both the hysterical incidents of culture clash and the sobering moments when you're exposed to new experiences and confronted with new truths.

balidiscovery.com: How relevant is the book in the light of the bombing tragedy in Kuta?

Gaia Grant: The book is now more relevant than ever. Because I describe the social and political issues in Indonesia from a personal perspective, and because I have reflected on current world issues from an Indonesian outlook, readers are provided with an easy-to-understand and unique insight into what has happened and why. I hope that the book helps to foster an understanding of what the Indonesian people have been going through with the ongoing political upheaval, as well as the ways the Balinese people will suffer through a tragedy such as this.

balidiscovery.com: How has the bombing affected you personally?

Gaia Grant: It has been an incredibly upsetting time for everyone here. You cannot imagine the extreme pain and suffering that has been endured. But a wonderful spirit of unity has also arisen from the ashes. So many people have come together and willingly volunteered to assist the needy in so many different ways.

You cannot help but feel the deep sadness that has cast a shadow over this once continually sunny island. Everyone here is in mourning over the loss of people they have known, and there is also a grief for the loss of innocence for the Balinese people. There has been a time of feeling insecure simply because we have all been thrown completely off guard and have been uncertain about the future, and our business within Indonesia has been affected badly, but we know also that this time will pass and will make us all stronger as a result.

balidiscovery.com: What work have you been doing in Indonesia?

Gaia Grant: My husband and I consult to and train corporate executive groups through our company - Tirian. We love to work with international conference groups that come to Bali - it's such an inspiring environment. To be able to teach about business culture through exposing individuals to the complex community focus of the Balinese culture is incredibly enlightening for many, but unfortunately all of the conferences we had coming up had have been postponed indefinitely. It just means that we're traveling a lot more - working with our clients in other destinations all over Asia and further a field as necessary. So we run the business from our grass thatched beach hut with the help of an Internet connection, laptops and phone lines - and then jump on planes to run development programs with our clients wherever they may be. Perhaps surprisingly, Bali is actually a wonderful place to base a business.

balidiscovery.com: Can Bali still be considered to be an idyllic paradise?

Gaia Grant: Bali will always be a paradise to me. It is an incredible island with so much heart and soul. Terrorists cannot completely shatter our sense of peace and security here, and they cannot take away the enduring spirit of hope that permeates the place. It's going to be a hard road for many of the Balinese people who have had their lives and livelihoods blown apart, but the Balinese are an incredibly resilient people and the island will recover. My book gives hope that paradise can and should prevail, so I believe it will be a positive antidote to the disturbing negative information we're constantly receiving about the state of the world.

balidiscovery.com: Who is the book for?

Gaia Grant: Anyone who loves Bali would relate to and enjoy the stories - but I think people who know nothing about Bali would be equally fascinated by the revelations about this unique culture. Those who dream of breaking away and escaping to a tropical island would be inspired, as would those who are happy to stay home but still enjoy "armchair travel" stories. And, finally, anyone who would like an insider's viewpoint into the potential impact of the terrorist bombing and political upheaval in this area of the world would find it fascinating.

balidiscovery.com: What can readers do to help the Balinese?

Gaia Grant: I have initiated the "A Gift for Bali" program, in which I plan to give 20% of my income from the book to ongoing micro-economic programs for the Balinese through Opportunity International- so those who are purchasing a book are already directly giving to those who need help. After the hype has died down and the money from the initial donations has been used on the immediate medical needs of the victims, there will be longer-term issues for all of the Balinese that will need to be addressed. The Opportunity International Business Development Programs will help these people to get back on their feet and become economically independent.



Copies of "A Patch of Paradise" can be bought online from Patch of Paradise or Dymock's Books.

More information: E-mail for Gaia Grant

December 16 Hotel Security Workshop

Hotel Asia Pacific Bali Security Workshop Will Feature Region's Top Experts.

The Hotel Asia-Pacific Security Workshop to be held at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) on Monday, December 16, 2002, will draw some of the region's top talent in the fields of hotel security and combating terrorism.

Lead investigator in the October terror attack, Police Inspector General Drs. Made Mangku Pastika has been invited to deliver the workshop's keynote address. Meanwhile, representatives from the U.S. Government's Regional Security Office and the Australian Federal Police have expressed their willingness to participate in the workshop to be attended by senior hotel management, hotel owners, restaurant and nightspot operators, and other interested members of the community.

Some of the topics to be covered at the workshop include the latest technologies available to enhance security, training techniques, case studies from other destinations, and a session on crisis management.

In cooperation with local police authorities, the organizers are also hope to present a live demonstration by the island's elite mobile brigade charged with fighting terror.

A Sponsored Event

Admission to the event is essentially free. Bali participants are being asked to make a Rp. 100,000 donation to the Casa Grande Relief Fund, an amount that will be entirely used to assist needy local charitable projects. The cost of the workshop including coffee breaks, venues, luncheon, bi-lingual workshop materials and certificates of participation will be covered by four main sponsors: Starwood Hotels, Hyatt International, Six Continent Hotels, and Shangri-La Hotels.

Hotel Asia-Pacific the region's leading professional publication for the hospitality industry has spearheaded the workshop as a response to the terror attack of October 12^th on a Bali nightspot.

Register on Line

Limited seating is available to qualified participants who are urged to register on line as soon as possible. On line registration is also available for a second Hotel Security Workshop scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2002, in Jakarta. Register Online.

Professional conference and meeting management for this event is provided by Bali Discovery Tours.

Sponsored By:

We Get Mail

Malaysian Tourism Comments Evoke a Response.

Bali Update Edition #323's story "Aiding the Enemy" quoting Malaysia's Tourism Minister prompted a number of readers to write:

Margaret Hunter of margery@rudisteele.com of Rudi Steele Travel in the U.S.A wrote:

I realize that the US State Department wants to be sure its traveling citizens are adequately apprised of dangerous conditions around the world - but we would also need travel warnings against our own country, as dreadful things happen here as well.

An Australian travel wholesaler, Ken Coulter of Coulter Goodall Tours cgtours@m140.aone.net.au had the following comments:

I fully agree with the Malaysian Minister for Tourism regarding his comments on the travel advisories. I too feel that ASEAN member nations should unite in their response to the advisories. The vague travel advisories should not be issued unless it is known that there is a specific danger in traveling to an area or region. To give a travel advisory simply stating that tourists should take extra care at "airports and where people gather" is an absolute waste of time.

Although governments cannot be too specific the travel advisory should be issued only if a KNOWN problem exists in a region.

On a brighter note we have started to again received many many enquiries for ASEAN countries in the past 3 working days .... and for almost immediate travel, so we sincerely hope that we can now move forwards - peacefully - in tourism.

Australian travel consultant and regular contributor to www.balidiscovery.com Andrew Sivijs andrew@etravelconsult.com had some rather more pointed comments for Malaysia's tourism boss:

Interesting that Dato is providing comments on other countries (read the west) travel advisories. Has he stopped to consider the damage being done by comments made by some in his own homeland? Mohammed Hatta Mohammed Ramli, a member of PAS (Islamic Party of Malaysia) central committee, has implied in recent Malaysian dailies that the US was involved in the Bali bombing, does not believe the Jemaah Islamiah group actually exists, and is not convinced Osama Bin Laden is the mastermind behind the 9/11 murders and is still alive.

On top of that, the Malaysian Prime Minister fervently 'heads off at the pass' any efforts by Australia to be a member country of ASEAN, takes every opportunity to Aussie bash, and questions our (Australia's) legitimate role in Asia.

(I) Wonder why Australians aren't in a rush to holiday in KL and parts of Indonesia. We're far too popular for our own good. The anti western, anti-Australian diatribe of the last decade from regional leaders is hitting home. Simple logic. If people do not feel safe, do not feel welcome and are exposed to regular slurs from political leaders in neighboring countries, we'll take our dollars elsewhere.

Malaysia and others will have to deal with the stigma for housing terrorist groups for so long. Not our fault. More action, less talk.

Forgive us for taking a second glance at a destination's 'mixed messages', particularly from their so called 'leaders'. We in the west are constantly reminded of 'Asian sensitivities'. Appears there is no reciprocity.

One cowardly Bali event has toughened our resolve. Not again.

More information: Share Your Thoughts with balidiscovery.com

Air - Accommodation Packages from Australia

Asiaescape's Special Offers from Every Australian Gateway to Bali.

Bali bound holidaymakers from Darwin, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have reason to cheer with special hotel and air packages offered by Australian-based wholesaler Asianescapes Holidays.

We'd be less than truthful if we didn't tell you seats are at an absolute premium, so don't delay and go to their On Line Link and book your Bali holiday now!

Getting the Lead Out Later

Government Delays Introduction of Lead-Free Fuel.

In a move found disappointing to local environmentalists, the Government has said it will delay the mandatory introduction of lead free gas at Indonesian gas pumps until January 01, 2005. Lead-free petrol was originally mandated for introduction on January 01, 2003, via a Ministerial Decision published in 1999.

With Pertamina citing a lack of funds and delays in refinery modifications at the state-owned Pertamina refinery in Cilacap, West Java, Indonesia's Minister of the Environment, Nabiel Makarim, called on refiners to find alternatives to lead in domestic gas products in order to reduce the environmental damage caused by the poisonous by-product of internal combustion.

Local environmental groups have responded to the announced delay by threatening class action suits against Indonesia's Minister for Energy and Natural Resources and Pertamina, citing their failure to meet the government's self-imposed deadline for the introduction of lead-free gas.

The government is reportedly exploring an accelerated introduction of lead free gas for areas such as Bali, Batam, Surabaya and Semarang with a Pertamina Branded lead-free gas still promised for introduction in Bali in January of 2003.

Local Flights Full

Domestic Flights Largely Full Through 08 December.

Domestic air carriers are reporting near 100% load levels for the period November 28 - December 8 over the Lebaran holiday period.

Despite airlines maximizing the use of their available fleets through adding additional flight frequencies, tickets to almost every Indonesian destination are hard to come by until 9 December when the holiday travel air rush is expected to begin to ease. Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MZ) have reported since November 27^th a fully-booked situation over the holiday period, despite moves to add an additional 35,840 seats to meet the expected additional demand.

Garuda Indonesia (GA) has added some additional 29,000 seats to its nation-wide network. GA's reservation system is reporting system-wide loads standing above 80% with many routes already fully booked for the Lebaran holiday period.

A similar situation in which available seats are scarce or simply unavailable is being reported by most other Indonesian domestic air operators.

Japanese Traveling Again

Faced with World Wide Threats to Safety Japanese Holidaymakers Show Resilience.

The Associated Press reports that the Japanese are displaying a new-found mettle in the face of world-wide terror attacks with large numbers expected to travel abroad over the coming holiday seasons.

According to the report, leading Japanese tour operators are reporting a 147% increase in bookings for December as compared to the same month one year earlier. Should this trend continue, numbers will clock in at 92% of December bookings in 2000, prior to the September 11 terror attacks in the U.S.A..

Among the most popular Japanese destinations this holiday season are China which is up 206 %, Europe demonstrating an 187% increase, and Canada and the U.S.A. showing an 162% improvement.

Still Cautious Towards the U.S.A.

While Japanese arrivals to the U.S.A. are up considerably over 2002, current figures still lag some 52% behind 2001 figures, prior to the travel downturn occasioned by 9-11.

Bali's Prospects

Despite an official downgrading in Japanese Government travel warnings for Bali, Japanese arrivals remain depressed following the October terror attack with some Bali operators claiming Japanese business is running between 10-15% of normal levels. Meanwhile, many Japanese tour operators are reporting robust Japanese forward bookings for Bali over the Christmas and New Year period.

Taxing Times

Top Jakarta Accounting Firm Holds Bali Tax Seminar.

DMR - Dedy Muliadi & Rekan - a firm of Registered Public Accountants conducted a one-day tax seminar of Monday, November 25 in Bali.

Helping those in attendance to navigate the complex Indonesian tax environment that has recently undergone a number of changes, DMR provided an overview of current regulations and tax practice including valuable information on year-end tax planning.

Also reviewed were double taxation issues, payroll taxes, taxes employee benefits such as company-provided hand phone and vehicles, VAT, new audit and tax seizure rules, and the presentation of a comprehensive table all the current taxes summarized in a handy and easily understandable guide.

The seminar also examined local and regional tax issues affecting businesses in Bali including promised tax relief for businesses affected by the October 12^th terrorist attack, new taxes on the renting of villas and boarding houses, and increases in the Badung regency on land and building taxes.

More information: Contact DMR