The latest quake, which struck shortly after 3 p.m. on July 17th, devastated a 177 km stretch of Java’s southern coast in the Pangandaran region, some 900 km west of Bali. While the earthquake and resulting tidal wave are now credited with causing nearly 600 deaths, hundreds of injuries and substantial property damage – Bali was completely untouched by the disaster as local resident did not feel the tremor. Local port authorities attribute a sudden rise of 20 cm in local tidal levels on Bali's shoreline to the after effects of the earthquake.

The most recent major earthquake occurred less than 2 months after a devastating earthquake near Yogyakarata and Central Java on May 27, 2006 that claimed more than 6,000 lives; and less than 2 years after the December 26, 2004 North Sumatran earthquake and tidal wave that killed more than 230,000 people in 12 countries.

President Promises Urgent Action on Tsunami Warning System

Following the latest tragedy, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has pledged that a nation-wide tsunami warning system will be in operation by mid-2008, accelerating earlier completion dates for a program already underway by the Government.

In Bali, local officials checking tsunami warning devices installed in recent months were shocked on Tuesday, one day after the latest quake, to discover that one of the off-shore warning buoys had been stolen on the same day that the earthquake hit Java's coats. The buoy, part of a 21.6 meter long semi submerged tower assembly, had been serviced by coastal officials only one day before it went missing.

Upon discovery of the theft, a replacement tower was immediately installed.

Local authorities are in the process of installing tsunami warning system detectors along all major tourism beaches in Bali. When completed, detectors will be in place on Kuta Beach opposite the Hard Rock Hotel, Seminyak Beach opposite the Double Six Club, Petitengert Beach, Kedonganan Beach, Nusa Dua, at Air Tanjung and Sanur Beach.

The Moral Imperative for Tourists

Tony Abbott, MP (Australia), Minister for Health & Ageing

So far, no country has escaped from Third World status on the basis of foreign aid. Every country that has moved out of comparative poverty (such as Korea, Taiwan and Singapore) and every region that has become a particular country's economic locomotive (such as Mumbai or Shanghai) has done so on the basis of trade, not aid.

This stands to reason because buying from someone makes him a partner while giving to someone is more likely to make him a supplicant than a friend. Aid is important, especially in times of trouble such as after the Asian tsunami of 2004, but not nearly as important as a market economy to the foundation of lasting wealth and self-respect.

This reflection was prompted by a recent trip to Bali, which tourism has lifted from being one of the poorest parts of Indonesia to being one of the most prosperous parts. It was gratifying to think that indulging in a five-star lifestyle at a fraction of what it would cost in Australia and enjoying some remarkably good value shopping might be helping to reduce world poverty and equalize the gap between rich and poor. Tourists have never been accorded much moral standing but it seems they are just as necessary as aid workers and might be of more long-term benefit for the world's poorest countries.

A recent report by the Australian Co-operative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism noted that tourism accounts for 36 per cent of trade in commercial services in advanced economies but 66 per cent of such trade in developing countries. Tourism is the only service industry where the Third World as a whole has a positive balance of trade with the First World: a $6 billion surplus in 1980 rising to nearly $9 billion in 1998. In addition, international tourism in developing countries is increasing by 9.5 per cent a year compared to 4.6 per cent worldwide.

Unsurprisingly, the report warns that tourism is too important to be left to the private sector and worries about the effect of foreign tourism on local culture. Still, it concedes that all forms of modernisation change indigenous cultures and notes tourism is a growing and significant part of the economy in all but one of the 12 countries that are home to 80 per cent of the world's poor. Tourism, it concludes, "appears to be one of the few economic sectors able to guide a number of developing countries to higher levels of prosperity and for some to leave behind their least-developed country status".

If economic deprivation breeds resentment and tourism is an important means to economic development, it's no wonder terrorist groups have targeted tourism in countries such as Egypt and Indonesia. Targeting places such as Bali's Sari nightclub not only punishes the decadent infidel but helps to wreck the local economy in places which fail to conform to any zealot's blueprint. Last year's bombings in Bali, targeting families in cafes, were presumably designed to demonstrate that no one is safe and were a form of economic warfare against the people there.

The Federal Government rightly warns people about the dangers of travel in countries such as Indonesia, and people should be sensible about the potential risks involved. In 2003, in the aftermath of the 2002 bombing at Kuta, tourist arrivals in Bali were almost 40 per cent down on 2001. Even so, by 2004 tourist numbers had exceeded the previous peak. Australian tourists had increased by 10 per cent on the previous record. There are no official figures yet for this year but one hotel says September bookings are back to last year's level.

In any event, Australians' nervousness about security is in contrast to fondness for something different and enthusiasm for a good deal.

People who have no desire to court trouble or to make political statements can be conscious of the importance of Indonesia to Australia and reluctant to have their choices dictated to them. The most culturally oblivious tourist is still adding to our collective awareness of our vast neighbour as well as building the Indonesian economy, which is only a quarter the size of Australia's with 10 times the population.

Then there's the importance of preserving a Muslim country which is relatively easygoing, culturally pluralist and democratic. Taking a holiday in Indonesia is riskier than going to the Gold Coast, but may ultimately be quite a patriotic thing to do.

A dedicated office working to support exports is now in place at the Bali Export Development Organization seeking to facilitate linkages between Indonesian and European companies.

The conference on August 5th will feature speakers representing FROMAPER and WIFI and an introduction to a new EuroBali Export Portal and a handbook for Bali exporters to Europe now being launched.

The conference is open to the public without charge and is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2006, at the Sahid Raya Hotel in Kuta.

Advance booking is required by telephone to the EuroBali Office at ++62-(0)361-759282 or through the email link provided.

More information: Email Contact for August 5th Export Conference

Total Arrivals to Bali

Total arrivals January-June 2006 totaled 552,573. This total is -19.79% less than arrivals during the same period in 2005, but a full +44.12% ahead of arrivals for January-June 2003, the previous year also impacted by a terrorist attack.

Japanese Arrivals

Traditionally Bali's largest single source of foreign visitors, Japanese arrivals for the first six months of 2006 were 107,040. This figure is down -31.25 from 2005, but +60.82 more than the same period in 2003.

Australian Arrivals

Australia has been unseated from its position as the second largest single source of foreign arrivals by Taiwan. Badly affected by continuing political woes, recent high-profile drug convictions, and the loss of Air Paradise - Australian arrivals during the first six months of 2006 from Australia were 56,798, down a staggering -57.25% from the same period one year before. The 2006 arrival figure is only +9.66% ahead of the same period in 2003 following the previous Bali bombing.

Taiwanese Arrivals

Taiwanese arrivals to Bali continue to amaze and please, now ranking as the second single largest source of arrivals to the Island. At 69,788 for the period January-June 2006, Taiwanese arrivals are +14.31% ahead of the same period in 2005 when Taiwanese were selecting to stay at home in the wake of the 2004 North Sumatra tsunami.

South Korean Arrivals

South Korean is holding on to its position as the fourth most important source of arrivals to Bali, totaling 37,083 visitors for the first half of 2006. 2006 arrivals from South Korea are lagging -20.82% behind thesame period in 2005, but are an impressive 151% ahead of arrivals January-June 2003.

European Arrivals

At 149,893 arrivals for January-June 2006, European arrivals are looking fairly resilient. Only -9.96% behind arrivals for the same period in 2005, Europeans visitors are still well ahead of arrivals in the same periods in 2003 and 2004.

Arrivals from the Americas

32,870 visitors from North and South America came to Bali in January-June 2006, a figure -25.82% behind the first semester of 2005, but still +23.70% ahead of the same post-bombing period in 2003.

Those restaurants named by the Magazine are deemed to present complete, accurate wine information for all wines featured on their menus.

The Mozaic Resataurant has received an Award of Excellence in recognition of its "well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style."

In bestowing the award, Wine Spectator cited the Ubud restaurant for maintaining an "inexpensive" wine list covering more than 150 varietals in a cellar of more than 800 bottles overseen by Wine Director Harald Wiesmann.

The progeny of Cordon Bleau Chef Chris Salans, Mozaic boasts a tropical garden setting where guests enjoy sumptuous meals selected from the restaurant’s popular prix fixe - table d'hôte or a la carte menus.

Mozaic is open daily for dinner at its location on Jalan Raya Sanggingan in Ubud. Telephone ++62-(0)361-975768.

More information: Wine Spectator Award List

Betty Edward's ground-breaking book "Drawings on the Right Side of the Brain" suggests that our "left brain" fools people into seeing what it wants to see. However, when an artist works in close proximity with a live model the mind is compelled to actually "see" the details of human anatomy. These long hours are spent teaching the "right brain" to dominate the drawing process, allowing the artist to create faithful renderings of the human form.

Only after an artist successfully commands the skills to duplicate the human form of the model is he or she truly free to experiment with abstractions and impressions. Similarly, while Picasso gave full creative range to how he portrayed the human body on his canvasses, he was in actual fact an excellent draftsman fully able to faithfully duplicate his model, should he have so desired.

The Training of an Artist's Hands and Eyes

Kerry Pendergrast, co-owner of Pranoto's Art Gallery and a well known artist in her own right, has been through this learning process, encouraged by her artist husband, Pranoto. After 3 years of regular participation in life drawing classes she acquired the necessary expertise and skills to draw the human form either as she actually sees it or in the way her creative spirit dictates.

Kerry cautions that no one should be discouraged during the sometime prolonged period to acquire the skills to draw the human anatomy. Like playing a musical instrument, it takes time and patience to master these skills. Emphasizing that the learning process can be fun, she says the learning process must be savored and enjoyed, experiencing the escape of the mind and time.

According to Kerry, "All other thoughts are cast aside when you are drawing a (live) model."

Life Drawing at Pranoto’s Art Gallery

Pranoto's Art Gallery on Ubud's main street has hosted life model sessions since 1996, offering a valuable service to the artist community, for both beginners and established artists.

During the twice-weekly life drawing session there are no instructors present. Artists are free to choose their own mediums and methods.

Open to all interested artists, the life drawing model session are imbued with an atmosphere of intense concentration as each participant in the studio defines his or her individual approach to the same model and pose.

Artists and models come from both Indonesia and overseas. The sessions have various pose times: Wednesday session (10 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) starts with 5 minute warm-ups, increasing to 10, 20 and finally 60 minute poses. Saturday sessions (10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) have 5 minute poses followed by a long pose of 80 minutes. Both sessions feature a model break every 20 minutes.

New models, experienced or not, are always sought and welcome. Both male and female models are featured in the life drawing sessions.

Each artists is asked to contribute Rp. 20,000 (approximately US$2.15) with each artist providing their own art material. No photography is allowed.

Bookings are not required. For more information contact Pronoto's Art Gallery at ++62-(0)361-970827.

More information: Website for Pranoto Art Gallery

Bagiana’s concerns are tied to the high number of taxis operating in Kuta that far exceed current demand levels in the current business downturn in Bali. This has resulted in a large number of idle taxis being illegally parked by their drivers on sidewalks and in no parking areas on the already narrow streets and byways of Kuta.

The Kuta Based local legislator is calling on the Transportation Authority of Badung, the Police and related government bodies to undertake a study of Bali's transportation needs in order to stem the current over supply and prevent further damage to Kuta and Bali's image.

Operating in Indonesia as the Yayasan Kemanusian Indonesia (YKI), the Foundation founded by Bali-based Australian John Fawcett has been a leader in providing health support to underprivileged communities in Bali. The Foundation provides medical equipment, health technology transfer via the volunteer services of Australian medical specialists, and medical care and advice to needy Balinese families.

In recent years the Foundation has expanded its program of medical assistance of isolated Indonesian provinces beyond Bali. The YKI runs mobile eye clinics in Bali, South Kalimantan and East Java.

The North Bali Mobile Eye Clinic launched by the Foundation in March 2005 has already performed nearly 1,000 free-of-charge sight-saving cataract operations. At the same time, more than 4,000 Balinese adults and school children have been screened for vision problems with a 82% of those examined requiring spectacles, all provided without charge through donations of used eyeglasses channeled through the Foundation.

In 2005 Garuda Indonesia flew 10,000 pairs of used spectacles, to Bali free of charge donated by the people of Australia and collected by Harvey World Travel.

In explaining the Airline's continuing commitment to the work of the John Fawcett Foundation, Suranto Yitnopawiro, Regional Manager for the Southwest Pacific for Garuda Indonesia, said, "These villagers (helped by the Foundation) can now read, do fine work, make offerings and generally contribute to the family and the community,"

The work of the Foundation in Bali and other parts of Indonesia is not limited to the treatment of the visually impaired. Cleft lip and palate surgery together with orthopaedic surgery are among the organizations many projects. Education assistance in the form of books; school uniforms and fees; provision of medical equipment donated by Australian hospitals; training in microscopy; and treatment of tuberculosis are also some of the many areas in which assistance to the people of Indonesia is provided by The John Fawcett Foundation.

Garuda to the Rescue

Under the recently signed sponsorship agreement, Garuda Indonesia will provide key personnel from the Foundation with discounted airfares and waive excess baggage charges for volunteers carrying medical supplies to Indonesia. The Airline also supports various fund-raising activities held to sustain the Foundation's work in Indonesia.

"The Foundation does an amazing job in easing the suffering of thousands of Indonesians, and Garuda Indonesia is proud to be able to play a part in their humanitarian efforts," Suranto said.

A locally owned and operated tourist boat sailing from Nusa Penida to Sumbawa caught fires and sunk on Wednesday, July 19, 2006, just moments after setting sail from Lembongan.

According to the Indonesian-language Bali Post, the Purnama Indah II, carrying 6 crew and 11 tourists, caught fire within 500 meters of the starting point of its voyage. An explosion of the ship's main engine resulted in a rapidly spreading fire causing all hands to abandon ship and swim for the nearby shoreline. Fortunately, the 17 passengers and crew made it safely to shore where they reported the fire to the local police office on Nusa Penida.

The ship, which is owned by Wayan Tarsan a native of Nusa Lembongan, suffered estimated material losses of Rp. 2.3 billion (approximately US$245,000).

Preliminary police investigations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by a short circuit in the engine room.

The passengers – comprised of 6 Brazilians, 3 Peruvians and 2 Indonesian were escorted to Denpasar where the foreign passengers are receiving assistance in replacing their passports and other travel documents which were all lost in the fire.

And, as reported on balidiscovery.com [Say it Again and Again: Bali's the Best!], in which Bali was again named as the World’s Best Island, the Island has garnered honors from yet another group of discerning and sophisticated travelers.

Best Hotel/Resort Southeast Asia

Conrad Bali Resort & Spa was named "Best Hotel/Resort in South East Asia" by Holidays for Couples for the second year running.

The 313 rooms 5-star property was voted the best hotel for holidaying couples prompting Michael Burchett, General Manager of the Resort to say: "This recognition from Holidays for Couples Magazine is another milestone for us and an important achievement for Conrad Bali and all team members who have demonstrated commitment to excellence to win this prestigious award. We will continue to improve our product and services to achieve our objective as becoming one of the best resorts in the world".

Best Resort Spa – Overseas

Another Bali company was singled out for honors by Holidays for Couples was the Mandara Spa at the Alila Ubud Resort named the Best Resort Spa – Overseas.

More information: Holidays for Couples Readers' Choice Award Link

The Taste of India

On hand to supervise the kitchen brigade throughout the Indian culinary event is Indian Master Chef Arjun Singh, Executive Chef of Vanvavilas in Ranthambhore, India. Considered a leading authority on India food, Chef Singh has traveled internationally preparing sub-continent specialties for appreciative audiences world-wide.

Those who take the opportunity of visiting The Oberoi, Bali more than once during the more than one-month long event will not be disappointed with menus slated to be changed every week. Depending on the date selected, guests will be treated to delicious Indian food specialties, such as Thawa Jiga (pan fried jumbo prawns in a mild spice paste); Aloo Tikki (potato galettes filled with sweet peas); or Roghan Josh (braised lamb in a saffron and dried ginger sauce).

Indian Gala Diner

On Saturday, August 5th an Indian Gala Dinner including cocktails, a six-course gourmet Indian dinner, and complementing wines will be served at a per person cost of Rp. 850,000 (approximately US$90.50).

Seating is limited making reservations a necessity.

For bookings or more information telephone ++62-(0)361-730361 extension #854.

More information: Book a Stay at The Oberoi, Bali