After a generation of decline, Bali's most ritually important textiles are being revived through the dedicated work of Threads of Life and the Yayasan Pecinta Budaya Bali.

For twenty years, kain cepuk, which is used in offerings and sacred performances could only command low prices meaning its production was limited to the poorest weavers.

The current revival is allowing kain cepuk made by the Karya Tenun Ikat Alami Cooperative on Nusa Penida to produce hand-made, natural-dye cloths for a wider audience. At the same time, natural dyed songket textiles produced in Sidemen in Karangasem are enjoying a renewed popularity among the Balinese.

Sacred bebali textiles, used in transition ceremonies and temple rituals are also being woven once more in Sidemen, Pejeng near Ubud, and Seraya in East Bali.

An Exhibition - Reviving the Sacred Bebali

To celebrate the revival of this tradition textile form the Indonesian Textile Arts Center on Jalan Kajeng 24 in Ubud will hold and exhibition Reviving the Sacred Bebali from December 26, 2006 through January 2, 2007.

For more information call the center at ++62-(0)361-972187.

Experts speaking at a UNICEF-sponsored seminar held in Nusa Dua on December 4, 2006, warned that the incidence of sexual exploitation of children is expanding at an alarming rate in Bali.

Speaking at a Workshop of the Sexual Exploitation and Commercialization of Children, Anna-Karin Jatfor, an expert staff of UNICEF, admitted that monitoring such activity is problematic, although the government has sufficient information to attack the root causes of the problem.

The workshop reported that many under-aged sex workers are in evidence on Bali streets, night clubs, entertainment centers and hotels. According to Jatfors, young people who drop out from school are mong those most susceptible to commercialization and sexual exploitation.

She went on to warn that the intensification of pedophilic activities in the tourism sector is obvious, with sophisticated crime syndicates now involved in the illicit trade of children. The UN expert also warned that what can be seen of the trade in children only touches the tip of a much larger, less visible iceberg.

While there have recently been a number of high-profile prosecutions of pedophiles in Indonesia, Jatfors said a much more intense effort is needed to wipe out this practice in Lombok and Bali which has become a target for Australian pedophiles. She estimated some 10,000 children in Indonesia have already fallen prey to sexual exploitation or sexual violence over the past few years, with most cases going unreported.

Both a Local and Foreign Element to the Problem

According to Bali police official speaking at the meeting, 27 cases of pedophilia had been handled in Bali since 2005. While all cases initially involved only foreigners, recent cases have also established similar crimes committed against children by Bali's endemic population.

The Police Official, Sang Ayu Putu Alit, told the meeting: "I must underline that the perpetrators of pedophilia are no longer limited to foreigners, but now also includes our own people. This condition must receive our serious attention."

Awaken your latent creativity by joining a Dynamic Drawing and Painting Retreat for adults in North Bali January 19 -22, 2007.

Led by qualified art instructors and set against the inspirational backdrop of the Gaia Oasis Resort the workshop will cover creative visualization techniques, sketching, life drawing and painting using mixed medias spread across five three-hour sessions.

The fee of US$395.00 per person covers:

▪ All artist materials

▪ Beachfront accommodation

▪ Yoga

▪ Meditation

▪ Sunrise cruise

▪ 3 delicious buffet meals each day

▪ Wine, fun and laughter.

For more information or to book one of the limited spaces contact balidiscovery.com.

More information: Email for Dynamic Drawing & Painting Retreat

Despite arrivals numbers stuck in purgatory from Australia, Bali managed to rack up one of its best Novembers ever in terms of foreign tourist arrivals totaling 113,844 – a number +81.55% ahead of the same month in terror-affected 2005 and +3% ahead of November 2004. In fact, November 2006 will go down in the record books as one of the strongest performances for that month, suggesting that once Japanese and Australian numbers revive Bali may be truly booming.

Bali Arrivals January – November 2004 – 2006

As shown on balidiscovery.com, November's arrival for 2006 managed to intersect the total November arrivals in 2004 which previously held the distinction of being one of the best Novembers on record.

The Tale of Two Bombings

Also presented on balidisocvery.com are comparison of the recovery profiles following the October 2002 and October 2005 terrorist attacks. Those graphics and the accompanying data show that the traveling public's reaction to the second attack was less severe and that the recovery process from the second bombing has been taking place at a substantially higher level of general arrivals.

Coming Soon in 'Bali by the Numbers'

Next Week 'Bali by the Numbers' will take a closer look at arrivals in terms of how major markets performed.

Building on the success of the award-winning Bumbu Bali Restaurant, a Balinese cooking school and a series of definitive cookery books inspired by the Balinese kitchen, Chef Heinz Von Holzen and his wife, Puji, are on their way to creating yet another outstanding dining venue on Bali with the opening of Warung Sate on Tanjung Benoa in South Bali.

Satè or Satay - no matter how you choose to spell it – delicious morsels of meat and seafood roasted over a charcoal file have become a trademark dish in the very rich Indonesian culinary tradition.

Despite their reputation as an Indonesian stalwart, Satay, in one form or another, can be found around the globe. In Japan its called Yakitori; in Korea Bulgogi; Indians rightfully boast of their Tandoori; the Middle East has Kebabs; Swiss have been known to yodel on about Spiesli; dating from a time before Joan d'Arc, the French have preferred their meats and martyrs grilled en brochette; the Yanks are rumored to get grumpy without a weekly Skewer of meat; and the Australians have been known to toss a prawn or three on the barbie.

Thus, while it would be incorrect to say the Indonesian's have a monopoly on roasted meats over an open fire, the presentation of mouth-watering stays is a staple at local celebrations and ceremonies. In fact, the size and importance of a local ceremony in Bali can often be measured in the number of Satays prepared.

While Javanese and other Indonesians prefer to eat their satay dipped in spicy peanut sauce, the Balinese are more puritanical in their approach, preferring to devour the meat straight off the grill or perhaps quickly dipped in a mixture of soy sauce, chopped chilies and salt.

Warung Satè – Steak on a Stick

Heinz and Puji's newest culinary venture offers a full-range of Balinese food specialties in addition to their numerous choice of of Satays. With an emphasis on fun and relaxation for the entire family, Warung Satè also boasts a working arak distillery, specialty cocktails, live sports telecasts, home made ice creams and an extensive wine list.

Warung Satè is open daily from 3:00 p.m. until midnight. Located on Tanjung Benoa, a short distance from the famous Bumbu Bali Restaurant, seating is limited to just 73 making reservations to telephone ++62-(0)361-772299 a very good idea.

The Bali-Nusa Tenggara Chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) met on December 14, 2006 and elected a new Chairman and Board at its Annual General Meeting.

Chosen to head the grouping of hotels, tour agents, and local attractions who comprise PATA' local membership in Bali and Eastern Indonesia was Herdy Sayoga who will serve as Chairman for the period 2006-2009. Sayoga is replacing outgoing Chairman, Aloysius Pura, who was recently elected Chairman of the Bali Chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agents (ASITA).

Sayoga, who is a Director and Manager of Resor Seminyak and very active in the Bali Village marketing effort, will be assisted in his new post by:

▪ Dr. Anak Agung Suryawan of the Center for Research on Culture and Tourism at Bali's Udayana University who will serve as Vice Chairman.

▪ Ir. Made Mandra, the President Director of the Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) who will serve as Treasurer.

▪ Ratna Rajauli of Selamat Jalan Tours who will serve as Secretary.

Sayoga outlined his program for his coming term of office as focusing on empowering and educating the younger generation, and increasing the international networking opportunities for PATA's members in Bali and Eastern Indonesia.

Bali will act as host of the PATA International Travel Mart to be held in September 2007.

The Indonesian language Bali Post reports that Bali's Governor is eager to see the Bali-based airline - Air Paradise International (API) recommence operations and has indicated his willingness to carefully review the possibility of Bali's provincial government becoming an investor in the Company.

Following a meeting on Friday, December 15, 2006 attended by Governor Beratha, API President Commissioner I Made "Kadek" Wiranatha, API Director Oka Semadi, and the Chief of the Bali Tourism Authority Gede Nurjaya – the Governor reiterated his long-standing interest in seeing the Island's government become an active participant in an international air carrier operation.

Following that meeting, "Kadek" Wiranatha said: "The Governor is very morally supportive of us (API). In terms of material support, that will however need further study, although in principle the Governor is very interested."

Kadek explained that Bali's government would not be the first to invest in a commercial airline operation. The Governor reportedly told him that any investment in API would be aided by the established existence of a professional management team already in place.

In his comments to the press, Kadek explained how API played a major contributing role in Bali's tourism prior to the second terrorist bombing of October 2005. According to Kadek, in the period between February 2003 and its closure in November 2005, API carried 589,407 passengers each with an average length of stay of 10 days in Bali who he estimated contributed Rp. 6.8 trillion (approximately US$755.6 million) to the Balinese economy.

To Fly Again in March 2007

As reported on balidiscovery.com [See: Bali's Air Paradise to Fly Again in March 2007] API have recently announced their plans to recommence operation in March 2007.

"We ask the prayers of the people of Bali because API will fly again in March 2007," said Kadek.

The Indonesian language Nusa Bali reports that two foreign tour guides were recently apprehended during the course of leading a group of travelers through the Tirta Empul Temple Complex near Tampaksiring.

According to the press report, the two guides, identified only as a Polish female "Agniszka" and a Rusian male "Valery," were arrested in police actions in early November and December.

Current regulations only permit licensed individuals to provide guiding services in Bali. To qualify as a guide in Bali a person must be an Indonesian national, have fluency in the national language of Indonesia, prove residency in Bali for at least two years and undergo testing to demonstrate a command of local history and culture.

The two illegal tour guides, believed to be only two of many other operating on the Island, were reported to local police by Kania, a local licensed tour guide and Chairman of the Indonesian Tour Guide Association (HPI), who made evidentiary recordings of the tour guides working via a camera on his cell phone.

The Nusa Bali reports that the Russian guide, Valery, when apprehended was leading group that was also accompanied by a local Balinese guide who told reporters that she was not allowed to speak directly with the guests throughout the entire tour. Agents (ASITA).An HPI-Bali spokesman said there are currently "tens" of illegal guides working in Bali.

In the past, illegal guides are normally processed through the courts for working illegally and violating immigration rules, punished and then deported.

Gede Nurjaya, the Head of the Bali Tourism Authority, has issued detailed instructions addressing local rules and regulations pertaining the celebration of Bali's official day of silence - Nyepi set to fall on Monday, March 19, 2007.

Nyepi - the Balinese equivalent of the word for silence is the name given to the day each year when it is he religious obligation of every Balinese Hindu to dedicate an entire day to quiet introspection and spiritual cleansing as he or she embarks on a New Year in the Balinese lunar calendar.

Starting from approximately 6 a.m. on Monday, March 19, 2007 and continuing until 6 a.m. the following morning, Nyepi will be observed by the devout through the abstinence from food and drink, human speech, movement outside the family compound, and even the lighting of fires or lamps. As a result, Bali will resemble a ghost town throughout this period with all businesses and thoroughfares closed. Traditional village security forces - pecalang will patrol the island permitting the passage of only emergency vehicles and sternly rebuking neighbors who allow noise or light to be transmitted from their living quarters.

Nyepi marks the first day of the Balinese Saka calendar (1929) and is strictly observed island-wide as a day of absolute silence and meditation, including the shut down for a 24 hour period of the island's airport.

Hotels and Airport Affected

Guests visiting Bali during this unique holiday will be able to view first hand the Mardi Gras-like celebrations marked with street parades and drinks the night before Nyepi. Before sunrise on March 18, 2007, however, all will be required to take refuge in their hotels or homes before sunrise - there to remain until the following morning. Major hotels generally permit their guests full use of their various outlets with the understanding that guests will not venture outside the property, and special arrangements are made for the hotel's staff to stay overnight at their place of employment with normal traffic between their homes and place of employment impossible on Nyepi day.

Bali's only airport will also shut down during the entire Nyepi period. All flights that would normally embark or disembark passengers in Bali have been cancelled for the 24 hour Nyepi interlude. Technical or emergency stopovers are permitted at the airport, but no passengers or crew are permitted to travel to or from the airport terminal and other location in Bali for the entire 24 hour Nyepi period. Bali's seaport will also be closed throughout this period.

Special accommodations and travel permits will, however, be issued for medical evacuations, ambulance and emergency vehicles, and women in labor who need to travel to a local medical facility.

One of Australia's leading private security companies, SNP Security, recently completed an intensive four-day safety audit of Bali and its tourism industry that tracked significant improvements in the Island's approach to safety and security.

The Managing Director of SNP Security, Tom Roche, said Bali today is in a visibly and vastly more improved security situation than ever before.

SNP Security was commissioned to conduct the audit by the Sydney-based Public Affairs company S2i Communications who are seeking to quantify claims of security improvements in Bali.

S2i CEO, Wayne Tregaskis, insisted that any revised assessments of security in Bali must be based on tangible facts. "Any claims of Bali being a safe destination for travelers to visit, needs to be treated seriously and the security audit was one such way of doing that," said Tregaskis.

"What the SNP Security audit has provided is evidence that it is an appropriate time for Bali to resume its place on the list of desirable holiday destinations for Australians," he added.

Continuing, "it has also provided an opportunity for those promoting the island to do so with a higher degree of confidence in relation to safety and security matters."

"Certainly travelers everywhere need to maintain a higher level of security consciousness than they did prior to 9/11, but Bali can no longer be singled out as being any less secure than any of the other destinations of the world such as London, New York or Madrid."

SNP Security

SNP Security holds the security contract for Sydney Airport, and has done so for the past 38 years. It also services such iconic buildings as the Sydney Opera House as well as a number of key installations around Sydney and beyond.

SNP's Managing Director Roche said that security efforts in Bali have been shared by private tourism operators on the island such as hotels, resorts and restaurants, and the Government itself at various levels. "Bali has recognized that it simply can't flourish without a viable tourism industry – it's the island's number one revenue generator – and this realization is reflected in the upgraded security status across the island," said Roche.

The four-day audit of major tourism facilities included popular visitor precincts such as Kuta, Legian and Seminyak as well as the high-end luxury hotels and restaurants in such areas as Nusa Dua and Jimbaran.

While a highly experienced counter-terrorism operative at SNP met with senior Government officials including the island's new Chief of Police, Inspector General Paulus Purwoko, and members of the government intelligence unit, most of the specialist's visits were unannounced and covert, day and night, ensuring 'real time' assessment of the security situation.

“Things have improved in Bali and the local population, along with its visitors, mutually share a 'sentiment of security' which works at many levels around the island," explained Roche.

Roche stated, "in essence, there are two major policing organizations in place – the very vigilant community security (pecalang) and the official government organizations such as the police, military and counter-terrorism units. These resources, combined with upgraded, international standard training for the island's many private security companies, have ensured that the overall situation has taken a positive leap forward."

"Travelers, particularly Australian travelers, are a resilient lot which is why numbers are slowly returning to the island, along with increasing numbers from other parts of the world too, particularly Europe which is burgeoning in terms of visitors," Roche postulated.

Separately, the Chairman of the Bali Hotels Association (BHA) Michael Burchett, said the SNP Security audit was a timely exercise, reviewing as it did, many of the recommendations put forward in the 2005 Bali Security Plan. "We have one of the most beautiful places on earth in Bali, we just won the 'Readers Choice' award from 'Travel and Leisure' magazine for 'World's Best Island Destination' and we feature some of the most spectacular resorts in the world – but people need to feel safe and secure which is why this effort is so important," said Burchett. "Unfortunately,", he added, "Bali was not the only victim as London, Madrid and New York have also suffered the ravages of terrorist attacks, but I must say Bali is better prepared today than it ever has been to cope with the kind of threats we all face, and I can confidently say we are now ever-vigilant and well-prepared."

BTB Chairman: Travel Warnings Unfair

Bagus Sudibya, Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), also expressed his satisfaction that the audit had been carried out, saying, "it is satisfying to have an independent and expert body make the judgment that improvements have been made in Bali in terms of security. Bali has suffered as a result of travel warnings that we believe are excessive and not a true reflection of any actual security threat here. We are trying to ensure all levels of government and the community, are contributing to the overall security of the island. Bali remains a wonderful place to live and is a wonderful place to visit."

Tempo Interaktif reports that the pay packets for members of Bali's Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) will get a generous boost following approval of the Provincial Budget on Wednesday, December 13, 2006.

Effective with the new budget, Bali lawmakers will receive a monthly Communications Allowance of Rp. 6.9 million (approximately US$ 750), while the Head of the Parliament will receive an allowance of Rp. 9 million (approximately US$978).

Bali's Governor Dewa Made Beratha explained that the increase was in line with instructions issued by the Minister of Internal Affairs, rendering the hike a virtual fait accompli for his Administration.

With the latest increase DPRD members will be paid Rp. 21,7 million (approximately US$2,359) each month, up from their former pay and allowance level of Rp. 14.8 million (approximately US$1,686).

Final approval on the new pay levels rests with the Minister of Internal Affairs who originally proposed the guidelines for the new allowance structure.

Bali has come on line as the fourth international destination for Jetstar launched since November 23, 2006 with commencement of service from Sydney to Bali on Friday, December 8, 2006.

Just in time to provide much-in-demand seats over the year-end holiday period, Jetstar is operating twice weekly to Bali from Sydney and Melbourne. The new Bali flights coincided with the Airline's introduction of its StarClass business class.

Bali's Airport welcomed Jetstar Flight JQ37 from Sydney, hosting dignitaries and first flight celebrations, marking Jetstar's official launch services to Indonesia. Jetstar Group General Manager Commercial, Bruce Buchanan, was on board the first Jetstar service into Bali, and participated in celebratory activities in Bali to mark the inaugural flights. Buchanan said despite data showing a decline in visitation by Australians to Bali, Jetstar's new international services were operating ahead of expectation and would stimulate growth.

"Jetstar has confidence that Australians will return to Bali in greater numbers off the back of our value based international services and attractive fare offerings to and from the region," Buchanan said. "Jetstar has a demonstrated record in growing the markets we serve with direct services. We believe in the destination and are confident we can help turn the Australia – Bali market progressively around."

The airline is operating Airbus 330s from Sydney and Melbourne to Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Denpasar (Bali). Plans call for the Airline to begin flights to Honolulu from Australia early in 2007.

To keep their Bali flights full the Airline is offering one way fares of AU$409 from Melbourne or Sydney to Bali.

More information: JetStar Website

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and receive every Monday the latest information from the Island of the Gods.

Simply enter your email address below and join the community of more than 15,000 readers of Bali's only weekly newsletter.

Our [Privacy Statement] explains how we handle the data you are providing.

The Bali Update is published since more than 5 years. Thousands of articles are waiting for your exploration.

Simply enter your search terms below and travel back in time with Bali's most popular newsletter: