We'd praise this man's talents even if we didn't harbor some latent fear that he might just practice the ancient Thai fighting art of Muay Thai on our person if we spoke disparagingly of his culinary gifts. For Chef Nu Suandokmai is not only a renowned Thai Chef, but he also holds the distinction of being South Australia's National Kickboxing Champion.

Recently joining the Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa, "Chef Nu" has just launched the new look and new menu at the Resort's Padi Restaurant together with two assistant Thai chefs. The three-man team have set a new standard for Thai cuisine available in Bali, creating menus that are both faithful to their homeland traditions and affordable to the local market.

Hailing from the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, Chef Nu moved to Australia in 1988 where he quickly established a reputation for his cooking talents culminating in the opening of his own establishment Nu Thai in Adelaide, a two-star Mietta Best Australian Restaurant.

The praise flowed in: Wine & Spirit Magazine suggested that Nu's "great ingenuity and skill" made his restaurant perhaps "the best Thai restaurant in Australia." Gourmet Traveler said, "Nu's cooking is sensational," while declaring his seafood soup no less than "life restoring." Good Food Guide 2003 proclaimed, "Nu cooks exquisite Thai food that draw the crowds."

The same innovative approach of uncompromising authenticity that earned such praise remains the hallmark of his Thai menu at Padi Restaurant. A true culinary craftsman who has witnessed unforgivable "mixing of styles" in many Thai establishments promises that Padi Restaurant will see only true authentic dishes with a modern stylish presentation.

In order to keep in touch with his culinary roots, Nu returns twice a year to Ayutthaya to reconnect with his culture's cuisine and history. The employment of two exceptional native Thai chefs direct from Thailand also ensures the clarity, accents and intensity of flavors so unique to Thai cooking will be preserved in his Bali kitchen.

Chef's favorites include, Masssaman Gai - a southern style chicken curry served on a bed of sweet potato mash; Yum Hua Plee - an original old style salad recipe of banana flower with grilled chicken, lime roasted chili and shallot, fresh coriander and mint leaves; Choo Chee Goong Mangkorn - lobster topped with a thick curry sauce, Thai sweet basil, lime leaves, green pepper corns and coconut milk; and Nu's signature dish Mien Kham, - an appetizer of betel leaves topped with prawn, chili, lime, ginger peanuts and a dense coconut sauce.

Padi Restaurant is open for dinner 7 days a week from 6.00pm – 11.30pm.

Based on our experience of Chef Nu's handiwork, prudent diners would be wise to make advance reservations.

More information: Book a Stay at The Ritz Carlton, Bali

A review on the authoritative Bali on-line restaurant guide [balieats.com] piqued both our curiosity and our digestive juices.

Could Bali's Sanur Beach finally have a restaurant able to draw the crowds and last the distance on a stretch famous for seeing new restaurants depart almost as fast as they appear?

Massimo Il Ristorante

Owned and operated by Massimo Sacco, Massimo Il Ristorante has the name of its formidable Chef over the door; a personal guarantee of the memorable dining experience that awaits within. Born in the Baroque coastal city of Lecce, near Italy's Adriatic Coast, Massimo honed his culinary skills at a top Italian Hotel School before accepting cooking assignments in the United Kingdom, Germany and aboard a luxury cruise ship.

Intent on faithfully duplicating the provincial tastes of his native province, he imports genuine ingredients and insists on making his own pastas on the premises, including a special Lecce-style fettuccine perhaps found only in Bali or on the streets of Massimo's boyhood home. Forsake any pledge to avoid carbohydrates and try Massimo's Risotto. Past encounters with this dish gave it all the appeal of yesterday's porridge. However, here it transformed into a wonderful symphony of rice, cheese, sausage and mushrooms - worthy of the 20 minutes wait advance warning on the menu.

All this plus outstanding meat dishes, salads, pizzas from a wood fired oven, and a bar offering wine at affordable prices make for a memorable repast.

Encore! Maestro!

A selection from a sumptuous desserts list, including home made gelato and tiramisu, served with strong espresso and an Italian liqueur in the restaurant's courtyard - left us tossing three coins in the fountain and planning our next visit.

Massimo Il Ristorante is located on Jalan Danau Tamblingan 206 in Sanur. Telephone ++62-(0)361-288942.

More information: Massimo Il Ristorante's Web Site

After 7 years in Bali, 5 as the Manager of the Amankila and 2 in charge of Amanusa and as Area Manager for all the Aman Resorts in Indonesia, Guy Heywood is moving on to a new challenge overseeing Aman's U.S. and Caribbean developments, based at the Amangani in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Joining guy in his move to the U.S.A. will be his wife, Tracy, and their three daughters - Sascha (8), Innes (6) and Cleo (3 months).

Welcome, Monty Brown

Replacing Guy at the Amanusa and Aman Resorts Indonesia will be Hawaii-born Monty Brown. A graduate in Hospitality and Business Administration from the University of Denver Hotel School, Monty has worked in Hawaii, French Polynesia, and most recently with the Amangani in Wyoming (U.S.A.) where he was the General Manager and Country Manager for Aman Resorts.

Married to Kiki, the Brown's are parents to a son, Manoa (10), and daughter, Malia (7).

Recognized as a leading authority on the science of "Space Clearing" or "Feng Shui," Karen Kingston spends at least half of the year in Bali overseeing the operation of her Feng Shui-inspired hotel in East Bali together with her Balinese husband.

The author of a number of books on her favorite subject, Karen's Creating Sacred Space (1996) and Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui (1998) are international best sellers that have been translated into 21 languages. Born in England, Karen has appeared on TV and radio around the world and her workshops in the U.K., U.S.A., Australia, Singapore and Bali draw packed audiences.

A Series of Bali Workshops

Back by popular demand, Karen Kingston will conduct a series of workshops in East Bali from September 8-21 sharing her understanding of "Space Clearing" and the powerful impact her insights have had on the lives of thousands.

This year's schedule of workshops:

• A Sacred Way of Life - September 8, 2004.

• Clear Your Clutter - September 9, 2004.

• Space Clearing - September 11-12, 2004.

• Advanced Space Clearing - September 13, 2004.

• Personal Purification Ceremony - September 15, 2004.

• Balinese Gong Lessons - September 16, 2004.

• Change Your Bedroom, Change Your Life! - September 17, 2004.

• Personal Sessions with Karen Kingston - September 19-21, 2004.

Mention "Bali Update" when booking your workshop and receive a 10% discount!

More information: Space Clearing Workshop Web Site

The call to eliminate Indonesia's controversial Fiskal fee levied on Indonesian nationals and residents whenever they travel abroad is to be tabled for discussion at the coming ASEAN Tourism Forum 2005 (ATF) to be held in Langkawi, Malaysia, January 21-29, 2005.

Admitting the decision to charge the Rp. 1 million fee (approximately US$ 105), was an internal matter of Indonesian State policy, the President of the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA), Mr. Agus Salim Abdul Razak hoped that an alternative might be found that was more in step with current efforts to increase intra-ASEAN travel.

The ATF is the annual major travel show for ASEAN and is preceded each year by a summit meeting between all of ASEAN's Tourism Ministers. An estimate 400 international buyers of travel products engage in sales meetings with 400 representatives of travel suppliers from the 10 member nations of ASEAN.

Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel & Villas will provide a preliminary "kick-off" event for the Second Annual Kuta Karnival set to run from September 23 – October 3, 2004.

The Resort will set the mood for the month of festivities that follow with an "Oktoberfest" - a traditional German food and drink festival – to be held at the Resort over two days, September 22-23, 2004.

The festival menu includes favorite German dishes, a range of Erdinger Weissbier Beers, original German Apfel schnapps, wine and apple spritzers. Lucky draws and door prizes and evening entertainment in the form of competitions in beer drinking, tobacco snuffing, and log sawing are all on tap.

An authentic oompah band direct from German will also be on hand to play each evening from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.

The closing of the Oktoberfest on September 23 will coincide with the commencement of Kuta Karnival - a program of non-stop activities that ends on October 3 and includes non-stop activities along the entire length of the world famous beach destination.

More information: Kuta Karnival Web Site

Bali Discovery Tours is pleased to announce the availability of a luxurious Gulfstream IV Executive Jet for private charter.

Based in Singapore, regional and international destinations are easily accessible to the 14 passengers carried aboard this super-quiet, super-fast corporate jet that flies at 51,000 feet and has a range of 4,800 miles.

The preferred corporate jet of Fortune 500's top companies, the Gulfstream IV holds round the world speed records.

State of the art communication and entertainment systems and a sumptuous luxury fit out make this the "way to go" for the discerning modern-day doyens of industry and commerce.

Charter prices will vary, depending on routings and destination.

Contact Bali Discovery Tours for price quotations.

More information: Gulfstream IV Charters with Bali Discovery Tours

Le Méridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort have extended special rates to the travel industry to allow agents to sample both the accommodation and championship golf facilities of their world-renowned resort.

Stay and Play

A special industry rate for 18 holes of golf on Greg Norman's Signature Course is just US$ 60 for tourism industry workers staying at the resort. And, to make that possible, the hotel has joined in by providing accommodation rates for travel agents of only US$ 55, including tax, service and daily breakfast. Bookings in August will have a high season surcharge of US$ 20 added.

Industry rates are subject to availability at time of reservation and the production of ID on check in at the Golf Club and Hotel.

More information: Book a Stay at Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa

Indonesia's tourism industry is capable of providing direct lucrative employment to 12 million people by 2009, providing the Government makes a serious commitment to tourism development. That was the promise and the challenge issued by the Chairwoman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Ms. Yanti S. Hardjoprakoso recently when she projected the tourism sector could double its current employment levels in just five years.

Quoted in the Indonesian-language Bisnis Indonesia, Ms. Hardjoprakoso said, "The tourism industry and especially the PHRI, hope that the incoming Government will seriously consider the recommendations we have made. Globally, tourism has already become an important industry for the Country." She went on to cite statistics to support her argument, saying France had 75 million visitors in 2003, while China had 100 million visitors in 2002 and the United Arab Emirates were able to attract 12 million visitors.

Claiming that Indonesia's tourism sector had created 2-3 million new jobs in the past three years despite difficult circumstances, she said the sector's work force could double in only five years if all branches of the Government showed a strong commitment to support tourism. That commitment, according to the PHRI Chairwoman, includes financial and non-financial incentives to investors and better coordination between the Central Government and provincial authorities.

In her comments to the press, Ms. Hardjoprakoso renewed her call for the Government to enhance tourism from its current official status under a Ministry to be upgraded to become a full-fledged department of the National Government.

Museum Rudana - a priceless repository of Indonesian art was founded by Mr. Nyoman Rudana eight years ago in the Peliatan Community, near Ubud. To celebrate this milestone and the Museum's continuing commitment to the promotion of art, the Museum Rudana is holding a month-long exhibition by four senior artists: the Indonesian-based Srihadi Soedarsono; Bali's own I Nyoman Gunarsa and Made Winanta; and the Singapore artist Kumari Nahappan.

The four, selected by Mr. Rudana for their individual contributions to the world of art, were honored by the presentation of the inaugural Ksatria Art Award 2004 presented to the artists at the opening of a month-long exhibition of their works on August 8, 2004.

The actual award, symbolizing the gallantry and stewardship implied in the Sanskrit derivations of the word Ksatria, is a trophy fashioned by Ruma Jewelry based on silver arrow inlaid with gold and yellow sapphires. According to Mr. Rudana, the trophy symbolizes the passion for humanity and creative freedom embodied in the decade's long artistic journey of the four recipients.



"Beauty in ethics and aesthetics serve the good of the world and not destruction."

Srihadi Soedarsono



"God gave us the spirit and the strength of the intellect: why we do not try to use them as source for our creative force in order to give it to our beloved world."

I Nyoman Gunarsa



"I have duties as an artist. It is thinking about art, our society, our natural environment, the place of mankind in cosmos."

Made Wianta



"All life, all matter, all being originates in a single vibration."

Kumari Nahappan

The exhibition by the 4 newly knighted artists will run at the Museum Rudana through September 8, 2004.

For more information call the Museum at ++62-(0)361-975779.

A record-setting mass parachute jump by 103 skydivers representing 16 countries was cast into mourning when an Indonesian jumper lost his life in a post-record-setting celebratory jump on Wednesday, August 11, 2004.

54-year-old Theo P. Mandagi, one of Indonesia's most senior parachutists and a member of a legendary family of skydivers, perished when his main and auxiliary chutes failed to deploy. His body, still wearing the unopened chute, was discovered by villagers just south of Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport at sunset on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day Mandagi had successfully participated in a mass formation led by one of the world's leading skydiving instructors, Mr. B.J. Worth of the United States. A group of 103 jumped over Bali from a single Air Force C-130 aircraft at 18,000 feet to form a massive red and white propeller formation.

The deceased, Theo Mandagi, hails from a family with deep connections to the sport of skydiving in Indonesia. Both his wife and two daughters are active participants in the sport. Three skydiving brothers of Mandagi perished in the crash of a small plane outside Jakarta in 1986 during take off on a skydiving exhibition.

Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. I Gede Ardika, has underlined the lack of reliable data and statistics which addresses the substantial domestic tourism market in the Country.

Speaking to the Indonesian-language Bisnis Indonesia, the Minister said, "The definition of what is a domestic tourist statistic doesn't yet exist. Thus, detailed data on domestic tourism is not available. To date, the information presented is only in the form of random surveys and tourism statistics embedded within national economic surveys carried out by the National Bureau of Statistic (BPS), which are only undertaken once every 5 years."

Admitting the need for more detailed indicators of domestic tourism and its contribution to the economy, the Minister said given present limitations he was pessimistic that the BPS would undertake such data collection anytime in the near future.

He urged the Nation's hotel industry to begin collating statistics on domestic tourists in order that a better understanding of that market's profile and how best to market to them can be obtained.

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