BALI UPDATE #341 - 31 March 2003

See, Speak, and Hear No Evil

Bali Honors 'Nyepi' - The Day of Complete Silence on April 2nd.

It happens once every 210 days – that's once a year on the Balinese calendar: Nyepi - which literally translates as to remain quiet is a day of island-wide mandatory silence and introspection separating two saka years.

Nyepi falls on Wednesday, April 2, 2003, commencing with the sunrise on that date and ending 24 hours later. A day of complete physical inactivity, Nyepi, as observed by devout Balinese Hindu's, forbids the consumption of food and drink, human speech, and the lighting of any fires or lamps for 24 hours. In many villages across the island, pecalang or local community police, patrol the empty streets empowered to fine any house seen to be emitting light or making noise during the proscribed period.

Similarly, all of Bali comes to a complete standstill on Nyepi day: shops are closed, traffic is barred from all streets, and while hotel guests are generally allowed free use of hotel grounds and facilities they are prohibited from leaving the hotel premises for that entire day. Service staff working at local hotels during the Nyepi period, and unable to travel the roads between their homes and place of employment, are required to stay at their hotels throughout the period.

Airport Closed on April 02

Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport will also be closed from 0600 hours on Wednesday, April 2, until 0600 hours the following day.

The airport authority will allow airplanes to make transit and refueling stops during the 24 hour Nyepi celebration, but will not be allowed aircraft to embark or disembark passengers during the specified period.

Emergency Services to be Maintained

While traffic is barred from streets across the island, police will allow the unimpeded passage of emergency vehicles. Hospitals and major medical centers will be staffed and operating throughout the traditional day of silence marking the beginning of the Saka year 1925 on the Balinese Hindu calendar.

Ogoh-ogoh Processions

A highlight for visitors to Bali during the annual Nyepi celebrations is the chance to participate in the ogoh-ogoh processions found in every village across the island.

In a night of Mardi gras-like celebrations, the evening of April 1^st will see virtually every village banjar in Bali launch giant floats to be paraded through local streets. The floats, almost always in the form of giant effigies of traditional demons or comic caricatures of well-known celebrities, are carried through the streets on the shoulders of young men wishing to prove that their physical endurance and float-making capabilities excel those of any neighboring group. For weeks prior to Nyepi the village banjar halls are busy every evening with groups of young men designing and building their ogoh-ogoh float.

Visitors wishing to view the fun can position themselves on any street near their hotel. If possible, avoid driving the island on this evening as many roads will be blocked by ogoh-ogoh parades.

Karengasem Bali International Marathon Cancelled

5^th Running of Karangasem Axed Due Unsettled International Condition.

The 5^th Annual Karangasem Bali International Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 2003, has been cancelled for this year due, in the words of the organizers, "to the unpredictable situation, especially related to the U.S.A. & Iraq issues."

Postponed

The organizers have termed the cancellation a "postponement" and immediately announced the new dates for the event in 2004. The 2004 date for the marathon is Sunday, April 18, 2004.

A Popular Running Event

The marathon, held along the picturesque east coast of Bali, attracts thousands of local and international runners who vie for division honors in runs ranging from 10 kilometer "fun runs" to full course marathons of 42 kilometers.

February Arrival Figures Offer Little Joy

Bali by the Numbers - Latest Foreign Arrival Figures Suggest a Prolonged Recovery for Bali Tourism.

In February 2003 a total of 67,469 direct foreign arrivals passed through Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, a figure 30% down from February of 2002 and 32.4% down from average February arrivals for the three years' 2000-2002.

January 2003 figures reflected a similar trend, down 30% from the same month a year before and 36.7% down for the average arrivals for January 2000-2002.

Bearing in mind that last year's figures for January and February arrivals were still suffering the ill-effects of passengers slumps after the 9-11 attacks, comparing current figures with the average for the same month over a three year period (2001-2002) may be more indicative of travel trends than merely comparing 2003 against 2002.

Asia Pacific

The February direct foreign arrivals to Bali were down 26.3% from the same month a year before. Australian arrivals were down 53.8% with only 5,117 Australians visiting Bali in February 2002. Japanese arrivals suffered a decline of 23.3%, while Taiwan was down 23%.

ASEAN

Reflecting the support of special Bali programs launched by Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines, arrivals from ASEAN increased by 30.8% in February. Correspondingly, arrivals for Singapore increased by 74.7% and Malaysia by 23.4% for February 2003 as compared to February 2002.

The Americas

Arrivals from the America's dropped 48.1% in February, totaling only 3,530 visitors.

Europe

European arrivals in February were equally dismal, down 42.5% in February clocking in with only 18,073 visitors. Leading the Europeans in declining number of visitors to Bali in February were the United Kingdom (down 69.2%) and Germany (down 38.2%).

Looking Ahead

The March figures, when announced, are expected to reflect a further weakening in arrivals fed by war and viral (SARS) fears. Those results may well demonstrate that the recovery in Bali arrivals following bombing attacks of October 2002 is slower in coming than the very rapid revivial experienced by the island after the the 9-11 tragedy of 2001.

More information: Download the balidiscovery.com Arrival Report

Full Steam Ahead for Bali PATA Conference

Minister Ardika Briefs President Megawati on Final Preparations for Conference of World Tourism Leaders.

War in Iraq, concerns over the contagious SARS virus, and assorted travel advisories are not deterring the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) from moving forward with final preparations for their 52^nd annual conference in Bali April 13-17,2003.

Centered at the Bali International Conference Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua, registered delegates as of late March stood at 650, including 250 members of the press and 75 Indonesian participants.

Special prices and last minute promotions to the Indonesian travel trade are intended to bring the total participant number closer to 1,000.

In a report delivered by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, I Gede Ardika, to President Megawati Soekarnoputri, the Minister reported that leaders in tourism from some 36 countries are expected to be represented at the conference which will be formally opened by the President.

More information: PATA Bali 2003 Conference Website

Bali Police Stage 'Show of Force'

Massive Police Demonstration of Manpower and Equipment as Prelude to Bali Bombing Trials.

On Wednesday and Thursday, March 27-28, 2003, the Bali Police Force staged a massive demonstration of manpower, equipment and training preparedness in advance of the Bali bombing trials expected to start in late April.

Snipers, anti-riot troops, anti-bomb squads, mobile brigades, and K-9 teams involving over 3,000 police officers launched simultaneous drills at 5 different locations across the capital of Denpasar, including the sites for the coming trial of the 30 suspects charged with involvement in the October 12^th bombing of a Kuta nightspot.

The show of force was ordered by the Chief of the Bali Police, Inspector General Budi Setyawan in order to demonstrate the high level of preparedness to meet any eventuality in association with the coming trials.

More information: Related Story: Bali Bombing Trial Press Center

Tough Times Prompt a Tourism Refocus

Prospect of Fewer Visitors Causes a Rethink on Future Tourism Sources.

Indonesia's lowered tourism target of 4.5 foreign visitors spending Rp. 4.3 trillion (approximately US$ 4.83 billion) - numbers projected by the Government of Indonesia for 2003, may prove increasing difficult to achieve in the face of a troubled world economy, the world-wide SARS health scare, and a continuing U.S. assault on Iraq.

Indonesia's Minister for Culture and Tourism, I Gede Ardika, reaffirmed his belief that current targets would be realized in comments he made before a tourism coordinating meeting on March 26 in Jakarta.

To meet the projected numbers the Government and the tourism industry are concentrating on increasing numbers from near neighbors among fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and visitors from Japan, The People's Republic of China, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Seeking Domestic Markets

In order to compensate for any shortfalls in international tourist numbers Indonesian tourism is also seeking to stimulate domestic tourism.

Indonesia's Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Ms. Yanti Soekamdani, maintains that Indonesia's tourism future is grounded in domestic tourism. Ms. Soekamdani pointed to India where 70% of its tourism revenues are yielded from domestic tourism and the United States where a massive tourism industry is essentially driven by domestic tourists.

Kupu Kupu Foundation Launches New Website

Foundation Works to Make a Difference in the Lives of Bali's Handicapped Residents.

Founded three years ago by a vacationing social worker to assist Bali's physically handicapped people, the Kupu Kupu Foundation has provided medical attention including surgeries and occupational therapy; supplied wheelchairs and other medical appliances; modified buildings to make them more accessible; and provided educational support.

That social worker, Begonia Lopez, was so moved by the plight of people who's special needs fell outside existing governmental aid support structures that she decided to stay on the island and dedicate her life to helping the handicapped.

Working with funds supplied by friends and other interested individuals, the Kupu Kupu Foundation has made tremendous strides in providing wheelchairs and surgical assistance to the handicapped, many of whom live in remote areas of the island.

More money is always needed, as are volunteer orthopedic doctors and physiotherapists prepared to lend a hand.

Visit the Kupu Kupu Foundation website to learn more about the group working to make a difference in the life of the Balinese people.

More information: Kupu Kupu Foundation Website

Pooling Their Resources

Sheraton Nusa Indah Resort Spends US$ 4 Million on Renovations.

Sheraton Nusa Indah Resort has commenced a major renovation program that, when completed, will completely transform the resort's swimming pool complex and upgrade the room furnishings of the popular 351-room Nusa Dua property.

Swimming Pool Upgrade

On February 20, 2003, the resort's massive pool was completely drained and work commenced on a refurbishment of the main pool, the installation of a new salt-water relaxation pool, and new landscaping of the surrounding pool areas. During the course of the refurbishment, scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2003, rooms immediately adjacent to the building project will not be sold and guests staying at the Resort are invited to use the pool facilities immediately next door at the Sheraton Laguna Resort. Special discounts are also available for guests staying through the renovation period.

Calling the work now underway at the resort a "metamorphosis of our property," the Resort's General Manager Michel Cottray, says the "Sheraton is preparing for the future of Bali by investing US$ 4 million in the refurbishment."

Room Upgrade

Part of that sum will be used to refurbish all the guest rooms of the Resort being carried out simultaneously with the pool renovations. The bathrooms of guestrooms are being remodeled, new high quality beds and beddings, modern lighting, new artwork, and new entertainment appliances are all part of the substantial changes guests will experience once the room refurbishments are completed.

The Sheraton Nusa Indah Resort has also completed the upgrade of its lead food & beverage outlets including Portraits, The Veranda and the Capsicum Café.

In the photograph shown at balidiscovery.com are members of the Resort's management team standing inside the drained pool. Left to right: Chef Sukia; Amir Purba, Assistant Chief Engineer; Michel Cottray, General Manager; Sumadita, Outlet Manager; Alex Riva, Director of the Bali International Convention Center; and Aryo Indarto, Director of Sales, Leisure.

Special Price Offer

Guests staying at the Resort during the refurbishment period can obtain special rates by contacting e-mail at info@balidiscovery.com.

A Shoebox of Love

South Australian Radio Listeners Send Love to Bali Orphans by the Boxful.

Listeners to South Australia's FM (SAFM)Radio are being asked to remember the children living in Bali's many orphanages in a campaign labeled a "Shoebox of Love."

How it Works

The "Shoebox of Love" program gathers shoeboxes or similarly sized containers filled with toys, books and other items at various South Australian collection points between March 25 through April 02, 2003. The boxes will then be flown to Bali courtesy of Garuda Indonesia and distributed to deserving kids on the island.

Radio SAFM listeners are encouraged to decorate their gift boxes brightly and then fill them with a specific age and sex of an intended recipient in mind.

Suggestions on suitable boxes and contents are included at the SAFM website available through the link at the end of this story. While food items are not allowed, items included in the gift boxes can be toys, books, writing utensils, and other gifts.

Collection times and drop-off depots for "Shoeboxes of Love" are listed at the SAFM Website.