One of the most prestigious wine estates of the Margaux area, Chateau Palmer, together with Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, presents a indulgent evening of sumptuous foods and premium wines in a vertical wine tasting dinner event at the Resort's casual oceanfront Coconut Grove setting, from 6.30 pm on Monday, February 5, 2007.

The gastronomic affair presents six remarkable vintage and nouveau wines paired to an eighteen-dish Tapas style dinner expertly crafted by Executive Chef Klaus Kallweit. Served in a relaxed and intimate sea-side setting, the lavish menu will include delicious morsels such as Lobster Risotto, Freshly Chucked Oysters, Foie Gras, Barbecued Pork Rib Puffs, Lamb and Chorizo spikes, Mini Oxtail Ravioli and Goats Cheese truffles.

"Few tasting experiences offer greater pleasure or opportunity for learning than vertical tastings of wines from the same source, especially in such relaxed and ambient surroundings. We are complementing the very elegant, exotic, and unforgettable tastes of these exquisite wines with our elegant and exotic location," said Benny Raj, Director of Food and Beverage for the Resort.

The vertical tasting will cover Château Palmers 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999 vintages, and include the vineyards second wine - the younger, livelier and fruitier Alter Ego de Château Palmer 2001 and 2004 recent vintages.

Special guest, Monsieur Bernard de Laage de Meux from Chateau Palmer will give an informal introduction of the 200 year old estate as well as tasting notes to guests mingling at the casual affair.

"We are thrilled for the opportunity to present these stunning wines together with the world class culinary genius of our Chef Klaus Kallweit to our guests," Benny added.

Held beachfront in the beautiful grounds of the resorts' sand-floored Coconut Grove, this special event is designed to delight both the wine connoisseurs and novice alike, in a setting illuminated by bonfires, candles and moon lanterns.

Bordeaux to the Bay offers limited tatami-style seating. Reservations are essential at Rp. 550,000 plus 21% tax & service per person (approximately US$73). For reservations please contact Paula Dewanti at telephone ++62-(0)361-701010 or send and email through the link provided.

About Chateau Palmer

Located on the low rising hills of Margaux in Bordeaux, Château Palmer gets its name from the Englishman General Palmer, who owned the property in the nineteenth century. It consists of nearly 111 acres and produces 12,000 to 15,000 cases of superior-quality wine each year. The wines, which are a blend of approximately 55 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 percent Merlot, and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, are generally rich and supple and have a marvelous perfumed bouquet. The best vintages are capable of aging for 20 to 30 years.

Ranked as a Troisième Cru (third growth) in the classification of 1855, many wine connoisseurs feel that the Chateau is a candidate for upgrading to Premier Cru (first growth) status.

What is a Vertical Tasting?

The idea of a vertical tasting is to try to identify traits that exist in the same wine year after year. In a vertical tasting, wines are from different but often-contiguous years from the same winery, wine estate, or château.

What is Margaux?

Margaux is the name of a designated classified wine growing area, governed by rules and regulations established by the federal government in 1855. The Margaux is the most southerly of the Médoc's wine growing areas which includes the famous third growth Chateau Palmer estate. The area makes almost entirely red wine. Wines from the Margaux can be quite 'perfumy' and exhibit a wonderful silkiness and elegance.

More information: Email Contact for Bordeaux Vertical Tasting

The annual celebration of the Lunar New Year sees many parts of Asia come to a standstill for an extended period as local populations celebrate Chinese New Year. While many stay close to their ancestral homes during the festive seasons, many others pack their bags for a holiday in the region.

In anticipation of domestic and International holiday-makers heading for Bali during the mid-February New Year's celebrations, balidiscovery.com have prepared a number of suggest accommodation packages offering excellent travel value.

If you don't see a package that fits your exact time allotment for a Bali holiday or you'd like a price quote including a hotel or villa not listed, drop us a note at info@balidiscovery.com and we'll customize an offer for your consideration.

Book a Chinese New Year Holiday package with Balidiscovery.com and the moon cakes are on us!

[Chinese New Years Offers for Overseas Visitors]

[Chinese New Years Offers for Indonesian Citizens and Local Residents]

Everyone at balidiscovery.com loves to hear back from readers of Bali Update, particularly when that mail demonstrates "mission accomplished" in our weekly labors.

▪ Gary Taylor, writing from Australia said:

"Hello John Daniels and associates.

I have been traveling to Bali since 1979 and have enjoyed my holidays as a single person, with my wife and now with children.

As a subscriber, I am sending this email to applaud Bali Update for its balanced reporting of news and events from Bali. It would be very easy for a travel company to only highlight the positives of the country it does business from but Balidiscovery's Update has endeavored to make its readers aware of the impact tourism is having on Bali and social and environmental issues and challenges facing the Balinese and Bali environment and economy.

Please keep up the good work. It is heartening to know that a company will put into practice its mission statement and employ best practices in relation to responsible tourism."

▪ Nick Lawson, a travel agent in Australia provided his insights on why Australian arrival numbers to Bali continue to lag:

"I'm a travel Agent and have done a quarter of my total sales for last year in this month alone...Guess what? I specialize in Bali. 99% of my business is Bali only. Great news . . .

With that said, I think that it will certainly be a sensational year for Bali with one major problem. We have no service form Garuda Ex Brisbane, Adelaide or Auckland.

The decreased services are seeing business now head towards Singapore Airlines as there is no alternative for many. Further, many who really wanted to go back to Bali have opted for other destinations as they don't want to be mucked around.

We can't even get Adelaide passengers on a domestic flight to Melbourne and make the International connection to Bali as it now leaves too early. When you consider the cost of two connecting flights and a hotel for a night as they have to come in the night before it becomes illogical not to go via Singapore. No double handling and change in your pocket.

I wish these auditors would look at the bigger picture as they are now costing Garuda a fortune . . .

Bali can boom and Garuda can make some good money if they take the bean counters out and put someone involved in tourism at the helm. Bring on good sense."

▪ Our editorial [Editorial: A Warning About Warnings] brought the following endorsement from the Chairman of the Bali Hotel Association. Michael Burchett wrote:

"Jack – fabulous article and right on the money!! For one, I plan to continue where I left off in 2006, stating the same message that you have so eloquently printed."

▪ Sue Bateman from Australia wrote to explain why many Australians still consider Bali to be the "home away from home":

"I just want to say I travel to Bali EVERY year & absolutely love it there . . . I live in Sydney (Australia) & am really fed up with the travel warnings put on Bali because they are unwarranted. I have no intention of ceasing my travel to this beautiful, warm, caring & welcoming paradise & tell anyone who will listen to go & see for themselves & many have done just that & fell in love with it as I did . . .

Please . . . never think that all Australians have deserted you for there are some very stubborn ones (myself included) that will always continue to grace your beautiful shores... keep up the great work & see you in Feb 2007.”

▪ A somewhat more sobering assessment of travel warnings was offered by Bob Danks in Australia :

"I have been a regular visitor to Bali and Java for the last 15 years. I have studied the Indonesian language, culture and history and my love affair with the country continues. My daughter is married to an Indonesian and lives happily in Bali with her husband and 3 children. Because of these facts I am considered somewhat of an 'expert' on Bali amongst my friends most of whom have visited there often because of my enthusiasm for Indonesia and things Indonesian.

When discussing Bali with friends and associates regarding the reduction in Australian visitors the same reason for them not returning to Bali is cited. It is not the threat of terrorist attack. We are as safe in Bali as anywhere else from such an attack including Australia. It is not Government travel warnings. Australians never listen to what the Government says on any subject anyway but make up their own minds. The term 'covering their own backsides' is the one that best describes travel warnings. It is not the threat of natural disasters. They have always been there. It is not the convictions and sentences received by Australian drug smugglers. The vast majority of Australian never doubted their guilt (including Ms Corby) and agree if you break the laws of any country you are subject to their penalties.

The reason my friends do not return is they feel a strong sense of injustice. The recent freeing of Abu Bakar Bashir and his continued enticement to commit violence fills them with anger. The possibility, no matter how remote, that the so-called 'Bali bombers' could escape the sentence they so richly deserve has fuelled this anger. The removal of travel warnings by the Australian Government will make no difference to the number of Australian visitors to Bali. The fair and swift treatment of all offenders against Indonesian law will.

Whilst not agreeing with the move I understand fully why Abu Bakar Bashir was released. I will continue to visit the places in Indonesia I love including Bali and will not allow mass murderers to dictate how I will live my life. The majority of Australian unfortunately though do not share my understanding of the situation nor my love for the country and whilst they perceive this gross injustice they will not return.

Your newsletter is keenly awaited by me. Keep up the good work.”

▪ Our [Editorial: The Difference Between Self-Interest and Selfishness] prompted an Indonesian-based reader, Neil van Alkemade, to write :

"Spot On! I've been saying this for years as, one by one; we've lost the through flights to the South Pacific. But, besides jealousy, Garuda is the cash cow for many vested interests."

More information: Tell Us What's On Your Mind

Australian-based Holidays with Kids magazine has named two Bali resorts to its prestigious list of the top 10 overseas Resorts for families on holiday with their children.

Bali Dynasty Resort

The Bali Dynasty Resort was ranked #5 by Holiday with Kids saying: "Bali Dynasty is perfectly located within walking distance of Kuta, but your brood will be happy in the resort with its 56-meter waterslide in the kid's pool. There's also a spa where you can indulge yourself."

Club Med, Bali

Club Med, Bali ranked #7 as the best overseas resort with the notation: "Designed for family holidays, this resort has a special club for babies and three kids' clubs to please children from two to 17, Parents can busy themselves trying wall-climbing, yoga, wind-surfing or an aromatherapy wrap in the Club Med Spa."

Hotels and Resorts named to the list are selected by readers who have traveled with children and stayed at the resorts in the previous year. The selection process was based on responses from over 5000 online and print readers of Holidays with Kids magazine – who were asked to complete a questionnaire nominating the best resort they had stayed at based on: facilities and activities for children, the quality of childcare, crèche and baby sitting services, standard of service and staff hospitality, standard of accommodation and comfort, value for money, its location and destination and the overall experience from guests.

More information: The Complete List of Best Resorts from 'Holidays with Kids'

Australia's Luxury Travel and Style Magazine has named Bali one of the world's best international islands in their prestigious 2007 Gold List.

The Gold List, which was released in Luxury Travel and Style Magazine's 2007 Summer issue, is Australia's premier luxury travel award. What's more, a number of Bali hotels and resorts also featured in the Gold List in various international categories. The Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay, ranked 2nd in the "Best Overseas Resort" category, as well as 9th in the "Best Overseas Spa" category.

The Four Seasons was also rated among the top 10 hotels in the international Travel and Leisure Magazine's 2006 annual survey, the same survey that named Bali as "World's Best Island" for five consecutive years, from 2001 to 2006.

Other Bali properties that were featured in the awards include the Ritz Carton Bali Resort and Spa, The Amankila, Club Med Bali, Conrad Bali Resort & Spa and the Laguna Resort & Spa- which were all in the top 30 for "Best Overseas Resort." Bali's Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort was also featured in the top 15 for "Best Overseas Golf Resort."

Commenting on the awards, Garuda Indonesia's Regional Manager, South West Pacific, Suranto Yitnopawiro, said: "The value and diversity of Bali have consistently been identified in surveys as factors contributing to the awards, including natural attractions, activitie,sights, restaurants,food, people and value for money."

"Value is even better for Australians, because Australians are so geographically close to Bali - and we have a huge currency bonus too. Bali offers a standard of luxury that Australians could only dream about for the same price here and in many other areas of the world. Even the top-end accommodation is still very affordable compared to global market standards," explained Suranto.

The Gold List is one of Australia's most comprehensive travel surveys, with thousands of clients of Virtuoso – the most exclusive collection of elite luxury travel agents in the world- participating in the survey.

The Oberoi Hotel Bali has appointed German-born Enrico Wahl as Executive Chef at its luxury beach-side resort in Kerobokan.

Wahl brings to Bali experience in some of the world’s leading hotels and restaurants, including stints with several Michelin rated restaurants.

Wahl’s kitchen career commenced in 1986 in his native German working at the Elbterrasse and Laterne Restaurants where he honed his cookery skills. He later moved to Munich where he joined Tantris - a two-star Michelin Restaurant followed by an appointment as Sous Chef at the one-star Michelin Restaurant in Berlin Bamberger Reiter.

This was followed by his first overseas assignment working for the world-famous Anton Mosiman private dining club in London and, later, at The Ritz Carlton Hotel I the same city.

Returning to the Continent, Wahl accepted a position at the two-star Michelin-rated La Bergerie in Luxembourg. In 1998 American beckoned this talented star of the kitchen where he became Head Chef at the critically-acclaimed EQ.

For years in New York preceded a move back to Europe and Holland where Wahl joined the upscale Fiorini followed by an Executive Chef posting at the Cava Restaurant in Cyprus' Elysium Hotel.

Just prior to his move to Bali, Wahl worked as Executive Chef at The Chedi Hotel Muscat where he brought various international honours including awards from Gourmet Traveller and Condé Nast.

More information: Book a Stay at The Oberoi Bali, Resort

In a distinguished hotel career covering more than 30 years and several Indonesian assignments, American Jim Boyles has been appointed General Manager of the 495-key Meliá Bali Villas & Spa Resort.

Both a Bali and Indonesian hospitality veteran, Boyles has worked with in Surabaya, Bali and Jakarta in senior sales and management positions. He also worked as General Manager for 2 years of the Renaissance Sapporo Hotel in Hokkaido, Japan.

Boyles began his hotel career in Hawaii in 1972.

Tempo Interaktif reports that Bali currently has a severe over-supply of hotel rooms contributing to increasingly unhealthy competition among the Island's hotels.

The Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), Bagus Sudibya, told Tempo that average occupancies stand at only 30%, covering an estimated 52,000 hotel rooms used by the 3,000-4,000 tourist who arrive from overseas every day and stay for only 4-5 days.

The BTB Chairman estimated that many hotels can only cover their operational costs when occupancies reach 40%. Faced with urgent needs for cash, Sudibya explained, many hotels are discounting their rates together with the level of service extended to visitors.

A Coming Social and Ecological Crisis?

Sudibya warned of growing sociological and ecological damage in Bali. New Hotels, including villas, are typically built in residential areas putting land use pressure on local populations who sacrifice productive acreage to meet demands "for the perfect view." This development is being undertaken with little regard to the carrying capacity of local water and electrical supplies.

The Head of the Bali Tourism Authority, Gede Nurjaya, said that while Bali’s Governor has issued a circular memo to local regents forbidding the construction of new hotel projects. "Unfortunately, many have ignored the Governor's order," lamented Nurjaya.

In a programs dubbed "Safety Riding," Bali police are introducing a program requesting that motorcycles traveling the Island's streets and highways turn on their headlights, even when operating during daylight hours.

In an effort to socialize the use of headlights, large convoys comprised of hundred of motorcycles with their lights ablaze circled areas in Denpasar, Buleleng, Jembrana, Karangasem and Tabanan. Each of the convoys, intended to popularize the use of headlights, were dispatched by local precinct police chiefs. Comprised of members of local motorcycle clubs and motorcycles used for public transport (ojek), each group was addressed by the local police who explained the goals of the Safety Riding Campaign.

Modeled after a similar program launched recently in Jakarta and Surabaya, the Safety Riding Campaign is intended to increase the visibility of motorcycles on local roads while raising the level of safety consciousness among those driving on Bali's roads. Police are using the campaign to drive home four distinct messages to motorcyclists, namely: to always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle; to always have a rear-view mirror installed on every bike; for motorcycles to always drive in the left lane; and to use the motorcycles headlight at all times of the day and night.

Tempo Interaktif reports that Bali's Governor, I Dewa Made Beratha has formally protested the way in which Government funds have been distributed in Bali for the building of places of religious worship.

The Department of Religion, according to Beratha, has applied the national breakdown of religions in allocating religious aid funds for Bali. "As a result, the amount of money allocated for Hindu religious sites in Bali is much smaller than other religions," the Governor explained.

The comparative breakdown in religious aid funds in Bali, complained the Governor, is one packet of aid for Hindus, five packets for Christians and nine for Moslems. This has reportedly raised issues with local religious leaders in Bali who hope that the allocation of religious aid could reflect the proportionality of worshippers in Bali, where the overwhelming majority are Hindus.

The Central Government's assignment of instructors of religion in Bali is similarly skewed, with more non-Hindu instructors have been appointed than Hindu teachers.

Antara News Agency reports that Bali tourism officials are targeting foreign tourist arrivals to Bali in 2006 to hit 1.6 million in 2006 – an ambitious 27% increase /over the numbers achieved in 2006 (1,260,317).

Antara quoted Wayan Subagiarta of the Bali Government as saying, "We have made various efforts and breakthroughs to improve the tourism industry in Bali. We hope that Bali could become a safe and convenient resort island."

The local government is also projecting some 2.8 million domestic visitors to the island for 2007.

7 Million Foreign Visitors to Indonesia in 2007?

Bisnis Indonesia reports that Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla has called on the Culture & Tourism Department to revise upward their current target of 5.5 million foreign visitors in 2007 to 7 million.

The Vice President reportedly made his request in a meeting with the Minister of Culture and Tourism, complaining that the current target of 5.5 million demonstrates little progress from the 2005 performance when just under 5 million foreign tourists were counted.

Quoted by Bisnis Indonesia, the Vice President said: "Indonesia must be able to capture higher tourist numbers, as does Singapore and Malaysia who are achieving totals in excess of 10 million. Don't tell me that Indonesia can't do better than 5.5 million foreign visitors! In fact, we (Indonesia) are rich in unique objects."

Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, confirmed that the Vice President had called for revised arrival figures, but refused to comment further until his staff had reviewed their current forecasts. The Tourism Minister said revisions to the tourism targets, if any, will be announced in late February.

In balidiscovery.com's continuing look at foreign tourist arrivals for 2006, this installment of Bali by the Numbers examines European arrivals to the Island over a 6 year period 2001-2006.

The Six-Year Perspective: A Very Different Europe

Just how dramatically the European arrival numbers of changed over the past 6 years is underlined in the chart shown on balidiscovery.com:

▪ Overall European arrivals in 2006 to Bali have declined -18.14% from what they were in 2001.

▪ Although still the top producing country in Europe, the U.K. totals have declined -46.04% since the 2001 – a situation that reflects Garuda Indonesia's cessation of London flights.

▪ Similarly suffering from Garuda's European exodus, Germany dropped -25.54% in their production of passengers to Bali over the 6 years 2001-2006.

▪ The Italian market, once served by Bali bound flights and charters is also lagging -48.51% as compared to six years earlier.

▪ On the bright side – The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland have managed to reassert their place in Bali's European arrivals, operating at levels roughly equal to their performance 6 years ago.

▪ With Russia grouped for purposes of comparison as a European nation, the recent introduction of Singapore Airline's regular service from Moscow has resulted in visitors from this market increasing +249.73% over six years.

Bali arrivals from all of Europe in 2006 totaled 352,157 - a decrease of -2.8% from 2005 (362,474).



Related Stories – Bali by the Numbers

[Bali Ends Year Down Only -9.09%]

[Bali’s Top 4 Markets Remain Soft]

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