balidiscovery.com, in cooperation with Heindl Internet AG, PhiBlue Mobile Ltd and 3MFuture Ltd, can now offers travelers a safe and fast Personalized Tsunami Alarm System capable of reducing the risk of natural disaster to those enjoying a coastal holiday anywhere in the world.

The Fast Tsunami Alarms System works everywhere in the world covered by the GSM telephone network. Any telephone logged into the early warning system can receive earthquake and tsunami warning information from a multiplicity of seismic measuring stations and tsunami warning stations located throughout the world.

Wherever you can use your mobile telephone for calls, your Tsunami Alarm System will also be able to receive tsunami warnings. Using a special messaging technology - "Flash SMS Alarms" - instantaneously signal the location of an earthquake anywhere in the world considered large enough to generate a potential tsunami to the hand phones of system subscribers. Each message is accompanied by an easy-to-hear tone and a message "pushed" directly on to your phone's mobile screen. In this way, subscribers are made quickly aware of the warning message at any time of day or night with information detailing the location of the earthquake, its intensity, and any areas likely to be affected by a tsunami. The Tsunami Alarm System reliably ensures that subscribers can take life-saving precautions several minutes before the arrival of a destructive tsunami.

Coastal residents, tourists, water sports enthusiasts, tour guides and tour operators can subscribe to the Tsunami Alarm System by submitting their mobile phone number via the official website. The Alarm System is available immediately and nothing has to be installed or be downloaded.

How the Warning System Works

A large number of technical skills and resources are necessary in order to warn quickly and reliably of possible occurrence of tsunamis: Seismic sensors measure earthquakes; pressure and speed sensors in the oceans assess fast changes in water quantities in the sea. Additionally, satellites constantly observe the earth and the seas by means of radar. If noticeable changes are ascertained, additional early warning information comes into operation: Potential earth and seaquakes are verified again, the area concerned is located and a tsunami forecast is generated. With data from geophones, earthquakes and seaquakes are exactly located. Other technologies like the measurement of the complex electrical resistance or changes in radon and other gas concentrations are also used to forecast tsunamis.

While no one can predict earthquakes modern technology does permit highly accurate advance warnings of the threat of a tsunami. Becuase of this, if you receive a warning from the Tsunami Alarm System on your mobile phone, you can be reasonably sure that the warning is as reliable and that the alarm and the position findings are dependable.

Reasons to Subscribe to the Tsunami Alarm System

• Peace of Mind at the Seaside - The Tsunami Alarm System on your mobile telephone gives you additional protection against the threat of Tsunamis. If local public warning-systems are not available or were to break down, then the Tsunami Alarm System gives you, on your mobile telephone, the best possible prior warning of Tsunamis. As sadly demonstrated in the Tsunami that struck the coast of South Java on July 17, 2006, public warning systems frequently do not work or warnings are not distributed effectively to the general public in time to avert disaster.

• Protection for Family and Friends - With a subscription to the Tsunami Alarm System you can make additional protection possible not only for you, but you can also protect your family, friends, traveling companions and your fellow travelers against the threatening danger.

• Alerts at Any Time - The Tsunami Alarm System informs you at any time of impending Tsunamis. Especially at night, this is of great advantage since the characteristics for impending Tsunamis, such as the withdrawing of the sea or sprays on the horizon, cannot be identified at night. The Tsunami Alarm System offers you additional protection around the clock and lets you sleep more tranquilly.

• Determine the Period of Subscription Yourself - Subscription periods of as little as one month or one year are available. Enroll just for your coming seaside holiday or stay permanently on the warning system.

• Alerts at Any Time - The Tsunami Alarm System informs you at any time of impending Tsunamis. This is of great advantage, especially at night, since the characteristics for impending Tsunamis, such as the withdrawing of the sea or sprays on the horizon, cannot be identified at night. The Tsunami Alarm System offers protection around the clock and lets you sleep more tranquilly.

• Worldwide Alerts - The Tsunami Alarm System warns you everywhere around the world of Tsunamis. You do not have to make your destination known to the warning center beforehand and you do not have to buy specific SIM-cards. If a threat of a tsunami exists, you will be warned directly on your mobile telephone anywhere in the world and receive accurate information about the affected areas, the time when the earthquake occurred and about the intensity of the earthquake.

• Change of the Mobile Telephone Number - If you have a new mobile telephone number or use different SIM-cards on your trips, you can, at any time, change your mobile telephone number easily and directly on your personal customer page.

• Transfer the Tsunami Alarm System to Your Family or Friends - If you subscribe to the Tsunami Alarm System for a whole year, then you have the possibility to transfer the subscription to your family or friends. You just have to change the particular mobile telephone number on your personal customer page.

Cost

Customers can subscribe immediately to the tsunami alarm system via the link provided. The one-year subscription cost is only €29.95 . There is also a monthly subscription available for holidaymakers available for the price of €9.95 Euro.

Calendar of Public Holidays for 2007

(7/29/2006) Indonesia has published the list of official holidays for 2007. The schedule of official holidays - the subject of a joint Ministerial decision from the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, and the State Minister for Administrative Reform – sets the dates for both official and religious holidays and the recently introduced "shared holidays" or "cuti bersama." "Cuti Bersama" ares the officially declared long holidays established to stimulate national tourism and increase efficiency in the operation of government offices.

Holiday Calendar for 2007

• Monday, January 1, 2007 – New Years Day

• Saturday, January 20, 2007 - Islamic New Year 1428 Hijriah

• Sunday, February 18, 2007 - Imlek – Chinese New Year 2558

• Monday, March 19, 2007 - Hari Nyepi – Bali’s Day of Silence and Hindu New Year 1929 Saka

• Saturday, March 31, 2007 - The Birth Date of the Prophet Muhammad

• Friday, April 6, 2007 - Good Friday

• Sunday, April 8, 2007 - Easter Sunday

• Thursday, May 17, 2007 - Ascension Day of Jesus Christ

• Friday, May 18, 2007 – Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Friday, June 1, 2007 - Hari Raya Waisak

• Saturday, August 11, 2007 - Isra' Miraj Nabi Muhammad – Celebrating the Ascension of The Prophet Muhammad

• Friday, August 17, 2007 - Indonesian Independence Day

• Friday, October 12, 2007 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Saturday & Sunday, October 13-14, 2007 - Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1 Syawal 1428 Hijriah

• Monday & Tuesday, October 15 – 16, 2007 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Thursday, December 20, 2007 - Hari Raya Idul Adha 1428 Hijriah

• Friday, December 21, 2007 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Monday, December 24, 2007 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - Christmas Day

When Jetstar, the new corporate offshoot of Qantas, commences operations to Asia in November 2006 you can expect that all the seats on its fleet of four Airbus A330-200 jets will be filled with people taking advantage of their amazingly low introductory fares.

In announcing the fares to Asia which start as low as AU$169 for a one way passage from Sydney or Melbourne to Bali, a Jetsar spokesperson proved himself a master of understatement when he said, "We'll have an extremely competitive offering on these routes and destinations."

The fares offered by Jetstar will be pitched at rates that are "up to 30% below" fares currently offered to the same destinations by competitors.

Jetstar - as the low-cost-airline alternative to Qantas, will commence services to Honolulu, Bali, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City and Osaka flying from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Eventual plans call for a trebling of the Airline's fleet to include 12 aircraft by 2009/2010.

Initial response to the announcement of special fares has exceeded Jetstar's ability to handle the surge in demand. The Airline’s website crashed just days after the launch of the special fare promotion, unable to cope with the sudden influx of web-based customers.

Garuda Welcomes the Competition

Garuda Indonesia has welcomed the introduction of no-frills carrier Jetstar to Bali, seeing it as endorsement of the island’s continuing strength as a tourist destination.

“Garuda Indonesia has always retained a strong confidence in the resilience of the Bali market and we are pleased to see this reinforced by Jetstar's entry. The promotional activity generated can only serve to further hasten the recovery,” said Garuda Indonesia's Regional Manager, South West Pacific, Suranto Yitnopawiro.

Suranto dismissed the commercial threat of lower fares from Jetstar on the market insisting that his Airline’s fare and product "remain competitively strong."

"Garuda Indonesia is a full service airline, offering both Business and Economy class with full meals, drinks and entertainment at no extra charge," said Suranto. Adding, "Garuda Indonesia is able to cater for the needs of all passengers, including the physically handicapped and unaccompanied minors. And we are able to offer children's fares to this popular family destination."

"All in all, Garuda Indonesia is comfortable with its position in the Bali market and we are confident that Jetstar's endorsement of our island destination will only prove beneficial to both Garuda Indonesia and the Balinese," Suranto said.

The downturn in the Balinese economy following the second Bali bombing on October 1, 2005, has had a disastrous effect on the Island's garment industry which, according to a report in the Indonesian-language Tempo Interaktif is near collapse. According to the report, of 120 businesses in the garment trade prior to the bombing 70 are bankrupt due to declining orders from both international and domestic customers.

"Our situation is critical," said the Chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association (API), Mahendra, who estimates that through July 2006 some 15,000 textile workers have lost their jobs. Moreover, according to the API Chairman, there have been no steps by the government to alleviate the situation.

Mahendra laments that the textile sector is burdened by high interest rates and the lack of any tax relief, despite the current depressed economy. This is in sharp contrast to the period following the 2000 bombing of the World Trade Center (WTC) when local government deregulated the textile sector and reduced interest rates in order help Bali garment operators survive and avoid mass layoffs.

Mahendra called on the government of Bali to take a more proactive role by lobbying Bank Indonesia and the general banking community to help to help correct the current situation.

Chilled Martinis flowed and sultry bikini-clad models paraded on a stunning flower-laden catwalk at the launch of Body and Soul's new bikini and resort line collection at the Canggu Club's poolside deck on Saturday, July 22. 2006.

As shown on balidiscovery.com, gorgeous swimwear models flanked by torch-bearing male attendants showcased 45 of the very latest creations in swim and resort wear. A highlight of the afternoon was a show-stopping children's fashion show displaying Body & Souls "Bambini" line.

The gala fashion show cum swinging soiree also marked the inauguration of the Club's 25 meter-long six lane swimming pool. In the reception centered around the pool, 350 Club members and invited guests sipped martinis and snacked on gourmet canapés prepared by Executive Chef Chris Patzold.

While parents hobnobbed at the Main Pool, children were busy at an "Itsy Bitsy Pool Party" in the Clubs' Splash n Play Park where they were entertained with pool games and a special supper.

The completion of the Canggu Club's represents the final phase of the opening of the 3,650 square meter Clubhouse which includes a three-tiered Tappers Pub, Pandan Restaurant & Terrace, private dining room, meeting & function room, gym & fitness center, sauna & steam rooms, massage rooms, private locker rooms, children's playroom, library & lounge, teenage zone, pool, & poolside café.

The Club also feature Bali's first air-conditioned Squash Center and under-cover tennis courts set to be open in September 2006.

Visit the Canggu Club

The Canggu Club is open for inspection tours on two consecutive Saturdays, August 5 & 12, 2006 from 10 a.m until 6.00 p.m., offering complimentary food and beverages. The Club is located on Jl Pantai Berawa, Banjar Tegal Gundul, Canggu.

Telephone the Club at ++62(0)361-8446385.

Shown on balidiscovery.com are photographs taken during the July 22nd celebration at The Canggu Club.

More information: The Canggu Club Website

Spirited bidding by some of the region's leading private collectors of fine art were the hallmarks of the first-ever auction of international standard to be held on the island of the Gods on Saturday, July, 15, 2006 at the Maya Ubud Spa & Resort.. Staged as one of a series of Bali Revival Events, the auction was intended to breathe new life into the local art market by staging an international caliber art auction on the Island.

Over 150 people were on hand in the saleroom, filling the room to overflowing. Aggressive bidding saw most lots going under the hammer at prices far in excess of initial estimates.

At the final hammer, over 83% of the lots were sold generating total sales of Rp. 4.7 billion (approximately US$ 520,000), exceeding targeted sales for the day of Rp. 3 billion (approximately USD 330,000).

Underlining the high level of interest in Balinese art, 99% of all Balinese painting lots were sold during the day’s bidding.

Among the highlights of sales concluded:

• Arie Smit's "View of a Temple" sold for Rp. 561.6 million (approximately US$ 62,140), an amount three times higher than initial estimates.

• I Nyoman Lesug’s "Bali Life" sold for Rp. 140.4 million (approximately US$ 15,530).

• I Wayan Djudul's "Preparing for a Show" sold for Rp. 72.54 million (approximately US$ 8,025).

• Ida Bagus Made Pugug's "Bali Life" sold for Rp. 70.2 million (approximately US$7,770).

• I Nyoman Daging's "Bali Life" sold for Rp. 64.35 million (approximately US$ 7,200).

• Willem Dooijewaard's "A Balinese Girl Selling Fruit" sold for Rp. 210.6 million (approximately US$23,300).

• Sunaryo's "Barong" sold for Rp. 257.4 million (approximately US$28,480).

• Roderick Knudslien's "Pink Fighters" sold for Rp. 81.9 million (approximately US$9,060).

• I Made Sukada's "Kendang Player" sold for Rp. 152.1 million (approximately US$16,830).

Elated at the interest and proceeds generated by Bali's first international standard art auction, Daniel Komala, President Director of Larasati Auctioneers said: "This has to be one of the most exciting and memorable auctions ever held in Indonesia. We achieved our goal, and many collectors are now looking with a lot more enthusiasm and respect at the Balinese works. Fantastic atmosphere, fantastic crowd, and fantastic results!"

More information: Larasati Auctioneers Website

From humble beginnings in a small and crowded workshop on Bali's Sanur Beach, Jenggala Ceramics has grown into a modern and very spacious ceramic factory in Jimbaran exporting millions of dollars of stylish table settings and accessories to the entire world.

Founded by two Bali legends – the Brent Hesselyn and Wija Waroruntu – now both deceased, in cooperation with Wija's daughter, Ade who carries on the business. The spacious and well-presented showroom at Jalan Ulawatu II in Jimbaran is a "must see" on every visitor's Bali itinerary.

To celebrate 30 years of business in Bali, Jenggala Ceramics will be holding their "Grand Anniversary Sale" for three days only from August 17– 19, 2006. Discounts of up to 70% will be offered on surplus items from the company's massive inventories.

The showrooms and factory are located on Jalan Uluwatu II in Jimbaran and will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day during the special promotion.

For More information telephone Jenggala Ceramics at ++62-(0)361-703311.

More information: Jenggala Ceramic Website

 

July 2006 has seen a flurry of new senior appointments at hotels and resorts in Bali and Lombok.

• Jork Bosselaar – General Manager of the AliLa Manggis.

Ms. Ros Trembath, an employee of Garuda Indonesia in Adelaide, Australia, first encountered Ronaldo in 2002 when he was only three months old. Left at a Bali orphanage during the 2002 World Cup, the staff decided to give the infant the name of the Brazilian soccer star – Ronaldo.

A regular visitor to Bali, Ros always arrives on the island fully loaded with clothing, food and toys for distribution to some of the many children cared for in Bali's orphanage. It was during one of these trips to Bali 4 years ago that Ros first met the infant Ronaldo.

When the staff of Airport Travel in Adelaide recently gave Ros a soccer ball for "her kids" in Bali, she immediately remembered Bali's mini-Ronaldo and made sure that the ball was specially set aside for him.

As the accompanying picture on balidiscovery.com shows, Ronaldo is obviously delighted with his new soccer ball from which he is now reportedly inseparable.

www.carryforkids.org

Founded in the late 1980's by two travel industry workers, Brenton Whittaker and Shirley Cribb, www.carryforkids.org strives to improve the lives of children in developing countries by providing a vital link between travelers and children's centers overseas. By providing information and facilitation services for people prepared to carry much-needed donations for needy children on their holidays, the organization puts potential donators, couriers and needy institutions in active contact with each other.

In the process, institutions across the Asia-Pacific region receive critical assistance in their efforts to clothe, feed and humor the children in their charge.

And, judging for the smile on Ronaldo’s face, participating in the carryforkids.org is not without its rewards.

More information: Carry for Kids Website

On Friday, July 28, 2006, Balinese culinary legend Lother Arsana ended more than 3 decades in the kitchens of the Hyatt Corporation at a gala cocktail reception attended by colleagues and admirers from across the Island.

Fresh from his graduation from the Hotel and Tourism Academy in Bali, Lother began his remarkable and meteoric career in 1974 at the Bali Hyatt. In possession of a natural passion for cooking, Lother was appointed Commis Chef in 1975, having progressed to Sous Chef 15 years laters in 1990 when he left the Sanur property to join the pre-opening culinary team at the new Grand Hyatt Bali in Nusa Dua.

While at the Bali Hyatt, Lother wrote his first cookery book "Paon Bali" - one of the first published compendiums of Balinese recipes.

During his career with Hyatt, Lother proudly presented Balinese and Indonesian cuisine around the world in numerous food promotions in cities that included Johannesburg, Moscow, Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei, and Hong Kong. In 1994, Lother wrote his second cook book - "Food of Bali," co-authored with jis mentor and then Executive Chef of the Grand Hyatt, Heinz Von Holzen.

A Chef with an international reputation for professionalism in the kitchen, Lother was often called away from Bali to join the pre-opening support teams for Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Grand Hyatt Seoul and Grand Hyatt Shanghai. "Balinese food has allowed me to visit and experience other countries around the world," admitted Lother.

A defining moment in an illustrious career was Lother's promotion to Executive Chef for Grand Hyatt Bali in 1998, capping a career he began in 1974 as a humble daily worker in the Sanur Hyatt's kitchen.

A Most Fond Farewell

Universally loved and respected by all his Hyatt colleagues, the evening was a sometimes tearful farewell marking 32 years with Hyatt Resorts Bali which included speeches from the Regional General Manager of Hyatt International, Peter Stettler, and the General Manager of the Grand Hyatt Bali, Detlev Truernit, who presented a kitchen knife to Lother that was given to him by his own father.

After a distinguished career in the kitchen, Lother says he will now focus on community and village responsibilities, bringing with him the honour of being the first Balinese Executive Chef in Bali to assume that role in a major 5 star hotel.

Shown on balidiscovery.com is Grand Hyatt Bali's General Manager, Detlev Truernit,(left) speaking at the reception and issuing Hyatt's thanks to Lother Arsana (right).

For nearly a century, resident expatriate artists in large numbers have come to Bali where they played a major role in the perceived "romance" of Bali. Many came in hope of recreating another modern paradisiacal myth – emulating Paul Gauguin in Tahiti. By the time Filippo Sciascia arrived in Bali in the late 1990s, the expatriate artist syndrome had deteriorated badly into a rather stereotypical portrayal frozen somewhere in the early decades of the 20th century.

An edgy member of a new generation of artists experimenting with concepts and new techniques, Filippo is not interested in capturing idyllic Balinese scenes but more inclined to explore the interaction between the artist, his subject, the medium and the audience. In radical contrast to earlier expatriate artists, the Balinese style of life inspired Filippo to bring technology to the heart of his views of an ancient agricultural society. Not unremarkably, his work also resonates with local art heroes, like Made Wianta, with whom he worked on an art project appropriately entitled "opposites attract" – an acknowledgement of the seemingly unlikely merger of seemingly incompatible worlds.

The current exhibition, A Head is not a collection of paintings but a series of inter-related visual documents and narratives from a creative process over an extended period of time. The current works also represent a physical manifestation of energy that, like electricity, must circulate to have meaning or be useful.

Filippo is the generator. But once the flow begins his creations take on a life of their own. One of the most important participants is you, the audience.

When you look at the heads created by Filippo don't forget to see yourself.

"A Head" an exhibition by Filippo Sciascia at the Ganesha Gallery at the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay runs from August 8 through September 1, 2006. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

The authoritative Indonesia Digest edited by Wuryastuti Sunario reports:

Japan International Cooperation (JICA) has rated Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport as Indonesia’s best Security equipped airport, giving it full ratings of 100%, said Chadik Wibowo, Aviation Security Manager of PT Angkasa Pura Ngurah Rai's Branch. This evaluation was made after thorough checks at six Indonesian international airports, reports Bisnis Indonesia.

Medan's Polonia Airport was given ratings of 63%, as was the Sam Ratulangi airport in Manado; with Hasanuddin Airport of Makassar at 56%. Whereas, the Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta was rated at 50%; Adisucipto airport in Yogyakarta also at 50%; while the Sepinggan at Balikpapan was lowest at 25%.

After August 2005, Bali's International Airport received additional aviation security equipment and has strengthened its security personnel by increasing the number threefold to 705 persons, which include Airport Security Police and Special Air Force troops.

More information: Subscribe to the Indonesia Digest

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