BALI UPDATE #658 - 20 April 2009

The 10th Annual Bali Nusantara Cup Ultimate Frisbee Championship was held at Lapangan Pegok in Denpasar on April 10 - 11, 2009. Defending champions, Shiok (Singapore), looked very strong, taking out their main competition, Freakshow (Singapore), in the first game of the tournament, winning on a tie-break point and emerging from the round-robin undefeated. Both Singapore teams easily disposed of Vudoo (Vietnam) and Junk and Friends (Hong Kong), together with a whole ranges of international teams in the semi-finals to meeting in Bali for the first time.
The younger and faster Shiok contingent took the early lead with two quick points, but Freakshow showed the same perseverance that has see them win 7 out of 9 past Nusantara Cups and finished the first half with a 7-6 lead. The tension and excitement was palatable when Shiok fought back to a 7-7 tie at the closing whistle; bringing the match into sudden-death. Experience and history prevailed as Freakshow who scored with a snappy forehand to the back corner of the end zone for the winning point and 8th Nusantara Cup.
Defeated, dejected and demoralized Shiok left the field in shock.
Making their debut at this year's tournament, Ultimor (Timor-Leste) made a powerful statement by beating Jiwa (Indonesia) at the close of the first day, securing a berth in day two of play when they finally lost to Discindo(Indonesia).
Myths & Legends
International camaraderie marked a weekend of friendly sporting action and socializing. In line with the theme of "Myths & Legends," host teams were dressed in specially made Majapahit-era costumes by Nanang Fashion when they arrived at the awards dinner at Seaside Restaurant. Finally, as is tradition, a few sorry souls who survived two hard days of sporting competition followed by all-night partying at Bacio and Double 66, emerged gingerly to face the rising sun and play a game of beach ultimate Frisbee at 6 a.m. on Sunday morning at Blue Ocean Beach.
This year's event was co-hosted by Discindo and Ultimor and managed by Pro Motion Events.
Nusantara Cup X was sponsored by Bali International Medical Centre, Heineken, Zone Ultimate, Coke Zero, Powerade, Asian Tigers Moving, AJ Hackett Bungy and Rip Curl School of Surf.

Julia Roberts to Film Next Role in Bali

Best Seller 'Eat, Pray Love' to be Filmed in Bali by Paramount in Third Quarter of 2009.

Variety reports that Hollywood stars Julia Roberts and Richard Jenkins have signed to play in the filming of Elizabeth Gilbert's international bestseller "Eat, Pray, Love."
Directed by Ryan Murphy, the Paramount Production tells the story of the recently divorced author's search for self-discovery during a journey across Italy, India and Bali.
Roberts will play the role of Gilbert, while Jenkins appears as a Texan spiritual seeker Robert's character meets in an Indian ashram.
One third of the story takes place in Bali where the main character finds love, healing and the mentoring of an aging Balinese guru in Ubud.
One of the first-ever Hollywood feature films to be shot in Bali, filming is set to commence in the third quarter of 2009.

The Devolution of Darwin

Garuda Says 'Farewell' to Darwin after 28 Years.

Despite record-setting performance for Australian visitors to Bali, Garuda Indonesia has announced that they will cease all air service to the Northern Territory capital of Darwin with immediate effect.
Garuda commenced flying between Bali and, Darwin in 1980 and just prior to its decision to withdraw its Darwin service, was operating a thrice weekly service.
Travel industry speculation is that Garuda found the Darwin-Bali sector saturated by Jetstar's daily flight schedule operated with and Airbus had created a situation where full-service Garuda could not effectively compete.

Bali Spends $4.2 million on Irrigation

Bali Taking Steps to Preserve its Agricultural Heritage.

Jakarta Post reports that the provincial government of Bali will spend Rp. 46.9 billion (US$4.2 million) in an efforts to salvage and revitalize the island's remaining 2,345 subak traditional water management associations.
Under the scheme, each subak association will receive Rp. 20 million (US$1,800) to be spent on the revitalization and repair of water irrigation systems. According to Ida Bagus Sedhawa, head of the Bali Cultural Agency, "this financial assistance is expected to encourage local farmers to maintain its subak organization and to prevent farmers from selling their lands to outsiders."
Heavy development pressures for hotels and villas is causing Bali to lose an estimated 600 hectares of productive farmland each year.
Bali's subak system has a history spanning thousands of years and embraces both agricultural methods and matters of religious ritual.

Kiwi Visitor Dies in Bar Brawl

Police Arrest 3 Bounty Discothèque Employees in Brutal Beating that Caused the Death of Sean Headifen.

A 23-year-old New Zealand man, Sean Headifen, died on Sunday, April 12, 2009, after being brutalized by 6 men at the Bounty Discothèque in Kuta.
The man died from head injuries in the early morning hours of Sunday after being set upon by staff of the discothèque after reportedly throwing a bottle at a staff member. The attack that followed took place both inside the popular night spot and on the outside premises. Hedifen's female companion, also from New Zealand, suffered hand injuries in the incident.
Following the attack, the couple somehow managed to make it back to their Kuta hotel where Headifen drifted into unconsciousness and was dead when an ambulance arrived at the hotel later in the morning.
Preliminary results of an autopsy performed in Bali show the man suffered numerous wounds to his body and face, including a blow to his head with a bottle that drove part of his skull into his brain.
Six Men Questioned
Bali police questioned six men in connection with the attack, all believed to be employees of Bounty. One of the attackers, Andreas Seran, employed as a security guard at the entertainment venue, is also professional boxer who has trained both in Bali and Perth.
Numerous witnesses, including the victim's companion, saw the fatal attack. Police also reviewed footage from CCTV cameras in operation at Bounty when the fight occurred.
Following an initial review of the case, police have charged 3 employees of Bounty in the felonious assault that resulted in the man's death: Doni a guard at the venue; Nengah Suastika a bartender; and Andreas Seram.

Stopping the Modern Slave Trade

60 Nations Meet in Bali to Discuss How to End International Smuggling and Trafficking of Human Beings.

Representatives from more than 60 countries participated in a meeting with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration at Bali's Nusa Dua.
The two-day ministerial conference, held on April 14-15, 2009, is part of a continuing "Bali Process" first commenced in 2002 to curb people smuggling, people trafficking and other forms of transnational crime.
Co-chaired by the Governments of Indonesia and Australia, the Bali meeting was financed by Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States.
Among the topics discussed at the Bali meeting were the development of cross-national information and intelligence systems; cooperation between law enforcement agencies in order to combat people smuggling; cooperation on border and visa systems; heightened public awareness of people trafficking crimes; creation of legislation to empower those trying to stop these forms of trans-national crime; and facilitating the legal migration of people between participating countries.
Also discussed at the Bali conference, if perhaps only on the sidelines, was the growing problem of Rohingya migrants from Myanmar. The Rohingya are a Bengali-speaking Muslim minority from Myanmar who have landed illegally in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia in their attempts to escape alleged repression in their homeland.
Also discussed was the increasing use of Bali and eastern parts of Indonesia as a staging point for smuggling Afghani and Iraqi nationals into Australia.

Garuda Flies Daily Bali – Kupang

New Eastern Indonesia Service to Commence May 1, 2009.

Garuda Indonesia will commence daily service between Bali and Kupang, effective May 1, 2009, the latest addition in the national carrier's "look eastward" following the launch of its flights between Bali and Lombok in April 2009.
Bucking the worldwide trend of shrinking airlines, Garuda is opening 18 new domestic routes in 2009.
The new Denpasar-Kupang route is a continuation of a Jakarta-Denpasar service will be operated with Boeing 737 aircraft on the following schedule:
• DPS-KOE GA438 DEPT 13:35 ARR 15:05
• KOE-DPS GA439 DEPT 15:45 ARR 17:20

Bali: An Island that Makes You More Beautiful

Seven Miss Universe Contestants Train in Bali Before Competing to Be Named the Cosmos' Most Beautiful Woman.

Western Australia Today reports that seven Miss Universe finalists will leave Perth on Monday, April 20, 2009, to vie for the Miss Australia crown.
And, if these already stunning ladies appear tanner, fitter and are perhaps radiating an extra glow on the Sydney catwalk that may be attributable to a four-day Bali beauty boot camp provided them by the Western Australia organizers of the competition.
The Bali beauty regimen included pampering spa sessions, intense physical workouts, tanning and boxing lessons (a new event introduced at beauty pageants in the event of a tie-breaker).
During their Bali stay, the contestants luxuriated at the [Karma Kandara Private Villas].
While in Bali, the lovely ladies also polished their knowledge of current events and public speaking skills.
The ladies will compete in the Miss Australia finals on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

Celebrate Earth Day April 22, 2009

ROLE Foundation Opens an Eco Learning Park at Sawangan, Nusa Dua.

ROLE Foundation (Rivers, Land, Oceans, Land & Environment) will officially open its 1.5 hectare Eco Learning Park on "Earth Day 2009" Wednesday, April 22, 2009.
The Eco Learning Park is an integrated learning facility allowing visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn about various eco-systems and how human behavior affects the symbiotic balance crucial to the long term health of the earth. The Park is also a training facility for disadvantaged people to receive practical, eco-friendly skills training that will enable them to earn am income without resorting to practices which are destructive to the environment.
The fun on April 22nd starts at 3 p.m. followed by sunset drinks on the hilltop and eventually ending around a roaring bonfire and sing-a-long. Exciting games and activities with prizes will be on offer together with raffle prizes.
Food prepared from ROLE'S organic garden together with other food items will be available. Liquid refreshments from Heineken, Red Island, Bali Moon and Coca Cola will also be on sale.
The park is located at the bottom of the hill, past the Nikko Resort at Sawangan, Nusa Dua.
For more information telephone ++62-(0)361-778149 or visit their website at [ROLE Foundation].

Kuta – Bali's Wild Wild West

Editorial: Recent Death of New Zealand Man Underlines Lack of Rules and Official Security Presence in Kuta-Seminyak Night-Life Corridor.

The death on a New Zealand man April 12, 2009, at the Bounty Discothèque in Kuta after being brutalized by three employees has created a chorus in the local press calling for the closure of the venue now blamed with having damaged Bali's reputation.
The Badung regency's tourism service has responded via comments publlished in Radar Bali saying the it is difficult to close the fully-licensed entertainment venue established under rules of the National Investment Board in 1995.
Despite receiving a "silver" certification issued in September 2008 by the Bali police for its security precautions, Badung tourism officials condemned the bar's poor service and employment of "thugs" (preman) as security staff. Badung tourism official, Nyoman Suardana, quoted in the local press said: "Many of the security staff are thugs. So, the thuggery becomes part of the company's profile. What's more, while there is a police post at the locale, the police will only get involved after things get out of hand."
Local observers and long-time residents know that violoent physical altercations are not uncommon at Kuta's nightspots, often involving assaults on guests by employees or fellow revellers. By virtue of existing security arrangements between pub owners and the authorities, police only become involved when death, serious injury or an official police complaint results.
This unhappy state of affairs in which many night spots "are a rule unto themselves" is fueling calls for stronger regulation of Bali's nightlife industry, including regulating the number of entertainment venues allowed to operate, stricter operating hours, general security standards, limiting sound amplification, age limitation requirements for guests and limiting service provided to intoxicated customers.
While reminding the press that three men have been charged and are awaiting trial in the death of the New Zealand man, tourism officials point out that the current rules allow them them only the right to send a reprimand letter to the owners of Bounty.

New Investments in Bali Drop

Ambitious Invetsments Targets Unlikely to Be Achieved in 2009. Calls for Stronger Sanction in New Zoning Law to Protect Bali's Environment.

During the first quarter of 2009, the investment picture in Bali became stagnant with no new applications for domestic projects and only Rp. 53 billion (US$4.7 million) in foreign investment applications.
According to Kompas, the Chairman of the Bali Investment Board (BPM), Nyoman Suwirya Patra, is pessimistic that Bali will be able to meet its investment average of Rp. 850 billion (US$75.9 million). In 2008, Bali recorded investment applications worth Rp. 1.1 trillion (US$97.2 million) against a targeted Rp. 11.1 trillion (US$991 million).
Nyoman Suwirya blamed the lack of investment activity in Bali on the worldwide financial situation, explaining that his office would now focus on events and improving its website. He also told the press that the licenses approved in the first quarter of 2009 were spread over 15 projects in textiles, construction, hotels and restaurants. 57% of these new investments are in the Badung regency, followed by Buleleng, Gianyar and Denpasar.
New Zoning Regulations
Suwirya is not confident that the new zoning regulations for Bali (RTWT) will be realized, as planned, by June 2009.
The Chairman of the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD), Ida Bagus Wisnawa, said, "we are still carefully studying (RTRW), following input provided by the public." In response to those who feel the new RTRW lacks proper sanctions against violators, he said they would bring the new rules into conformance with the existing policies.
Governor Pastika has rejected claims that the RTRW now being socialized to the public lack clarity on sanctions. Said Pastika: "We are bringing sanctions into conformance with the current rules."
Separately, the chief of the Regional Center for the Environment in Bali, Ir. R. Sudirman, told the press he hoped the new zoning regulations would not only consider economic factors but also address preserving the environment. He stressed the need for a balance between the economy and nature conservancy.
Sudirman called for the prevention of an interpretive application of the rules by bureaucrats, insisting the new RTRW must contain sanctions for regional and provincial leaders who commit errors in the licensing and recommendation process.
An expert in geomorphology from Udayana University, R. Suyarto, said he hoped that the public in Bali be given an opportunity to contribute their opinions in creating local regulations. He explained that Bali, as a small island, has a delicate eco-system and any change in land use must be carefully considered and made clear. "Thus far, there's a perception that science has not been employed in considering the feasibility of a given investment. There is a tendency that economic considerations are given precedence over preserving Bali's environment."

Bali's Coming Clean Water Crisis

By 2020 Bali will Have a Severe Shortage of Clean Water Due to Overexploitation of Ground Water Resources by Hotels.

BeritaBali.com reports that Bali's Environmental Protection Agency (BLH) has recorded salt water intrusion into the ground water supply at distances between 39 and 330 meters from the shore line. The BLH is blaming this development on the high usage of ground water, particularly by the hotel sector.
The worst affected areas are in Sanur, Kuta, Candi Dasa and Nusa Dua. Meanwhile, the use of ground water in Denpasar is now approaching 3 million cubic meters per month.
The head of the technical laboratory division of BLH, Gede Surjana, said he is concerned by the degree of salt water intrusion into Bali's water supply and the level of salinity measured in ground water samples. He further warned that if something is not done soon to limit the over-use of ground water, Bali will face a clean water crisis by 2020.
He estimates the maximum permissible use of ground water for all of Bali stands as 300 million cubic meters per year.

Join the Pink Ribbon Walk to Fight Cancer

Join Bali's War on Cancer by Wearing Pink and Walking the Pink Ribbon Route on Friday. May 8, 2009.

Bali International Women's Association is spearheading the first Pink Ribbon Walk on Friday, May 8, 2009.
The Bali event, part of a world-wide movement to raise funds and awareness of the battle against cancer, will start at 4 p.m. pn May 8th at the Amphitheatre of the Nusa Dua Complex (BTDC) and have participants "walk the pink ribbon" down the paths and beachside broadwalks of Nusa Dua. Entertainment and a mini-bazaar will be held in conjunction with the walk.
Cost of participation is Rp. 250,000 per person (US$22.50) which include snacks and a pink t-shirt.
Participants are encouraged to walk and honor the memory of their own battle with cancer or the struggle against cancer by a friend or family member. All are being asked to write a message of the pink ribbon memorializing their participation for eventual display on a "washing line" at Nusa Dua.
Funds raised will be used to fund a new digital mammography unit to provide more effective screening and a mobile screening unit for cancer prevention.
The Bali Pink Ribbon Walk is being organized by Bali International Women's Association (BIWA), Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) and the Public Relations Officers Association of Bali Hotels.
For more information telephone BIWA at +62-(0)361-288686 or +62-(0)361-7469607.

Harris Hotel & Residence Kuta Opens

Kuta's Newest Address Bali Holidays and Business Travelers.

Harris Hotel and Residences Riverview held its soft-opening on Monday, April 13, 2009.
Centrally located in Kuta, the property is positioned to appeal to both holidaymakers and businesspeople. The property has 135 rooms and 52 Residences.

click images to enlarge

Employing a minimalist and thoroughly modern design concept, the hotel boasts 4 swimming pools along with a host of other facilities intended to make family stays memorable. All rooms have air-conditioning, in-room safes, tea/ coffee making facilities, free in-room Wi-Fi, LCD and Satellite TV, min-bars, en-suite bathrooms, IDD telephone and laundry services.
The hotel also offers 6 meeting rooms, on-site medical services and complimentary shuttle service to central Kuta.
Public facilities include 4 separate swimming pools, restaurants, and a spa.
Guests are certain to find the Harris Hotel and Residence Riverview's location a plus: 15 minutes away from the Airport, 10 minutes from Kuta Beach and 5 minutes from Legian's principal shopping district
For more information: [Harris Hotel & Residences Riverview Kuta Business-Hotel, Kuta].

Wining & Dining Spanish Style

Spanish Wine Dinner at InterContinental Bali Resort on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.

A limited number of seats are still available for what promises to be an exceptional evening of fine Spanish cuisine and wine at the InterContinental Bali Resort's Bella Singaraja restaurant.
A tasteful journey through the regional wines and wines of Spain starts at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21st when a six-course dinner with carefully paired Spanish wines will be presented. Mr. Jorge Padilla of the Spanish Wine Group will be the featured guest, acting as an expert guide to the world of Spanish wines.
The cost for this evening, including six-courses of outstanding cuisine and accompanying wines is only Rp. 598,000 ++ (US$64.70) per person.
For reservations call now to ++62-(0)361-701888 (extension 7083).

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