“Air Force One” carrying U.S. President Barack Obama landed at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport on Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 6:30 p.m following a short flight from Darwin, Australia.

Flights in and out of the airport and traffic between the airport and Nusa Dua where Obama is staying in came to a virtual standstill for nearly an hour to facilitate security measures surrounding the U.S. Chief Executive’s arrival.

In Bali to meet Southeast and Asian leaders attending the ASEAN Summit in Bali, Obama was welcomes at his aircraft’s steps by U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel; U.S. representative to ASEAN David Carden and his wife, Rebecca Riley; U.S. Defense attaché based in Indonesia, Colonel Russell N. Bailey; Indonesian Defense Secretary, Purnomo Yusgiantoro; Bali Chief of Police, Inspector General Totoy Herawan Indra: Commander of the Ngurah Rai Air Command; Col Jumarto; and Indonesian Ambassador to the U.S.A. Dino Patti Djalal.

Obama will end his visit to Bali and Asia on the afternoon of Saturday, November 19, 2011, when he flies back to the U.S.A..

The ASEAN leaders meeting in Summit in Bali have jointly signed the “Bali Concord III” committing to take an active role in facing a variety of global challenges.

The State News Agency Antara reports that the “Bali Concord III,” that is also known as the “Bali Declaration,” was signed in the Nusa Rooms at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) within the Nusa Dua Complex at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

The ten heads of government from ASEAN members signing the declaration were: The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen; Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah the monarchial leader of Brunei Darussalam; the Prime Minister of Laos, Thongsing Thammavong; the President of Myanmar, Thein Sein; the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak; Philippine President Benigno Aquino III; Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong; the Prime Minister of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra; the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dun; and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Reflecting the three pillar of ASEAN, namely political security, economic welfare and culture the declaration encompassed joint action and shared perceptions on:

• Conflict resolution, battling transnational crime, piracy, ending corruption and nuclear disarmament.
• Participation in the global economy, increasing economic capacity within ASEAN, the adoption of production standards, commodity distribution, improving economic access and technological advancement, increasing investment in agriculture, and energy diversification. 
• Natural disaster relief and prevention, climate change, health, education and culture.

Additional agreements concluded in Bali also address the establishment of a coordinating center for humanitarian relief in the management of disasters (AHA Center) and another agreement for solidarity in the defense and promotion of ASEAN cultural diversity.

Sarasvati Art Management presents "

Ubud Young Artists Exhibition" featuring selected 
contemporary traditional Balinese paintings

 December 18, 2011 – January 5, 2012 
at Ulun Ubud Resort & Spa
 on Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, Bali.

12 Balinese emerging artists will exhibit a total of 20 paintings.

Members of the public wishing to meet the artists can do so at the exhiition between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2011.

Among the 12 artists participating are:

• Ida Bagus Alit Putra
• I Made Lanus
• Ngakan Suarbawa
• I Made Awan
• I Nyoman Sana
• I Made Mudra
• I Wayan Warta Yasa
• Bawa Antara
• I Wayan Rumantara

Ubud Young Artists Exhibition
Ulan Ubud Resort & Spa
Jalan Raya Sanggingan
Ubud, Bali

December 18, 2011 – January 5, 2012

For more information telephone ++62-(0)361-975024 or [email] 

[Ubud Young Artist Exhibition Website] 
 

Police in Western Australia are warning high school students headed for Bali to behave or face the sometimes-harsh consequences of the Indonesian legal system.

In a yearly tradition that has become a right-of-passage for many young Australians, new graduates in Western Australia are visiting designated party-zones in the province for four days starting this year on Friday, November 18, 2011.

In order to prevent excesses that are potentially dangerous to young merrymakers, police in Western Australia have set up roadblock and checkpoints to intercept and confiscate alcohol before it makes it way to party sites.

However, cheap airfares and close proximity is seeing an increasing number number of Western Australian school leavers head to Bali to celebrate their commencement.

Quoted in the West Australian, Regional WA Commander of police Fred Gere said Bali was a long way from home and parents needed to remind their children the consequences of getting into trouble in Indonesia were significantly different to home.

On a Western Australia police website, the Leavers WA Project Manager Lisa Clack said leavers celebrations are a known time for risk taking.

Said Clack: “Why would you want your child to be taking those risks in an unfamiliar and unmanaged environment? The consequences of something going wrong overseas could last forever.”

“If your son or daughter wants to go overseas to celebrate finishing school, remember that in some overseas locations they have completely unrestricted access to alcohol. They could be drinking for more hours during the day, not eating or resting, may get in a car or on a motorbike to drive and be around water. The combined risks are enormous,” Clack added.

These warnings comes as a 14-year-old New South Wales boy awaits sentencing in an Indonesian juvenile court after being arrested with marijuana in his pockets on the streets of Kuta, Bali in early October.

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[Editorial: The Parent Trap]

During his visit to Bali U.S. President Barack Obama happily presided over a contract signing ceremony between Indonesia’s Lion Air and Boeing Corporation for the purchase of 230 aircraft worth US$21.7 billion.

Sweetening the deal, Lion Air has also taken an option on the purchase of an additional 150 planes worth a further US$14 billion.

Lion Air, an established and important customer of Boeing, currently operates 178 Boeing Next Generate B-737s.

Welcomed news to a faltering U.S. economy, President Obama called the transaction signed in Bali the biggest commercial transaction in the history of Boeing Aircraft.

At the signing ceremony between Boeing and Lion Air at the Grand Hyatt Resort in Bali, Obama lauded the historic importance of the deal for the Chicago-based aircraft maker that employs more than 100,000 people in the United States.

Lion Air which started operations with a single aircraft in 1999, has received financing from the U.S. Ex-Im Bank. Obama said the deal was part of his long-term plan to double the value of U.S. exports.

Lion Air has become Indonesia’s largest air carrier, controlling 38% of the passenger market carrying 20.5 million passengers. Growth is dramatic with 15 million passengers flown by the airline in 2009. Meanwhile, the national flag carrier Garuda carried only 12.3 million passengers in 2010.

Aviation experts in Indonesia are calling on Lion Air to meet the challenges of managing rapid growth in an airline that has received official warnings from the Ministry of Transportation for sub-standard on-time performance below 70%.
 

Recent suggestions to change provincial zoning laws to allow the construction of buildings taller than 15 meters in height in order to reduce growing pressure on limited property resources in Bali, is earning comments, both for and against the proposed change, from various elements of Balinese Society.

Bali’s vice-governor A.A. Ngurah Puspayoga, told the Bali Post that he was committed to opposing any efforts to allow taller buildings in Bali, viewing desires for skyscraping buildings as threatening Bali’s endemic culture.

Puspayoga said that Bali has earned the world’s respect for its strong cultural identity. According to the Vice-Governor, the style of building and architecture in Bali is a cultural tradition handed down from past generations and now forms an intrinsic part of Bali’s unique identity.

Puspayoga said: “Because of this, I remain committed that buildings in Bali should not be higher than 15 meters high. If this happens, for whatever reason, Bali will no longer be Bali. Bali will lose is charm and have lost its pride.”

Responding to those who insist new regulations to allow taller buildings in Bali is necessitated by Bali’s interests projected one hundred years into the future, Puspayoga said it was better if future generations deal with the dynamics of their own time. He said a more pressing issue of the current era was how to achieve a more equitable distribution of development between the north and south of Bali.

In the vice-governors scale of priorities, he also sees the need for infrastructure improvement, as a much more pressing need than a new building code in trying to improve the public’s welfare.

Other opinions from across Bali regarding the need for higher buildings in Bali:

Nyoman Parta, S.H. – PDI-P Politician

“I have observed development over the past three years in which 3,400 hectares of agricultural land has had its function diverted. Because of this, I have begun to think that buildings of more than 15 meters are needed in certain areas. I hope the experts can create a comprehensive plan where buildings can be higher than 15 meters. Unlike other regions rich in natural resources, Bali has only its land and culture. In order to protect agricultural lands, building of more than 15 meters should not be allowed on agricultural lands, buffer zones, protected forests, city forests and areas surrounding religious temples. For specific area dedicated to government projects, such as hospitals, it should be considered whether or not buildings of more than 15 meters should be allowed.”

Made Sudana, S.H. - PDI-P Politician

“Buildings of more than 15 meters high need to be discussed now in order to anticipate developments 20-50 years into the future. Because of this, buildings of more than 15 meters should be allowed and zoned to specific areas, “ said Sudana.

Sudana is of the opinion that tall buildings should not be allowed near agricultural fields, but should be allowed in areas of former excavation to allow low-cost apartments to be built.

I Made Arjaya – PDIP Politician

“In principle, I have yet to agree with changing regulations to allow taller building because we need to take a holistic approach, considering the historical, sociological and rules-of-the-game implications. Remember, Bali is a tourism destination based on the Hindu cultural values of ‘Tri Hita Karana.' Bali is different from Hawaii, Thailand, and Cebu in the Philippines. I ask, who is it that is actually leading the call for taller buildings? Is it investors, contractors or the Balinese? If buildings of more than 15 meters are allowed, how many Balinese will be able to build houses of more than two storeys? I am not yet in agreement for a change to the rules on building heights.”

Tjok Kertiyasa - Golkar politician

“I agree with studies to allow buildings of more than 15 meters to provide an opportunity to the public to innovate in anticipation of the future. Nonetheless, buildings of more than 15 meters must retain Balinese building styles. On one hand taller buildings should be allowed but problems on the ground, such as sewage, need to be intelligently handled. Meanwhile, criterion of balance and Hindu religious values must be accommodated. Developments above 15 meters should be directed to areas that are sparsely populated. Secondly, the public seeking to have better-organized neighborhoods need the taller buildings. Because of this we need to create a new zoning reguation.”

In addition to at least 5 Indonesian warships deployed off Bali’s shores during the ASEAN Summit and the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama [See: In the Navy: You Can Put Your Mind at Ease]  two U.S. Navy ships were also stationed off Bali to bolster a massive security umbrella put in place during Obama’s 2-day visit.

The USS Essex - a wasp-class amphibious assault ship carrying a crew of 1,800 and the battle ship USS Strethern carrying 281 personnel were also patrolling within striking distance of Nusa Dua where the U.S. Chief executive was attending the summit.

Indonesian Navy Commander Sulaeman Banjarnahor told the Jakarta Post that three military officers from the national armed forces were traveling with the USS Essex to monitor and coordinate the operation of the foreign vessels while in Indonesian waters.

On Saturday, November 26, 2011, Mozaic Restaurant in Ubud, Bali will host the next in its series of premier culinary events with a menu celebrating the white truffles of Alba, Italy and wines of the Batasiolo Winery of the Piedmont region of northern Italy.

In Bali and participating in the Mozaic’s showcasing of Batasiolo Wines will be the winery’s owner, Fiorenzo Dogliani.

Here's the menu specially prepared by Chefs Chris Salans and James Ephraim from the Mozaic:
BATASIOLO WHITE TRUFFLE DINNER

AMUSE BOUCHE
Oscietra Caviar and White Truffles

+ + + +

SLIPPER LOBSTER POACHED IN WHITE TRUFFLES
Croutons, White Asparagus and Truffle gel

+ + + +

LOW TEMPERATURE ATLANTIC COD AND SWEET CLAMS
Ragout of Tapioca, Artichoke and Iberico Ham with White Truffle Butter

+ + + +

HOUSE CURED DUCK HAM
Foie Gras Tortellini and White Truffle Consommé

+ + + +

SLOW ROASTED WAGYU BEEF TENDERLOIN
Shaved Celeriac, Tempe Crumble and White Truffle Infusion

+ + + +

WHIPPED FOIE GRAS ICE CREAM
Nashi Pear Crouton, Jasmine Reduction and Shaved White Truffles

OR

NEW SEASON “VACHERIN” CHEESE
Shaved White Truffles and Pine Nut Butter

+ + + +

WHITE TRUFFLE ICE CREAM
Roasted Chestnut Espuma, Apricots and Shaved White Truffles


A Prix Fix Menue of Rp 1.450.000++ (US$195) with Batasiolo Wine pairings available at Rp. 450,000 ++ (US$60.50) per person

A special Chef’s Table experience allowing a very limited number of guests to watch their meal be prepared personally by Chef Salans while enjoying wines presented personally my Fiorenzo Dogliani is available:

Chef’s Table Rp. 1,700,000 ++ (US$229) per person
Wine pairings at Rp. 450,000++ (US$60.50) per person

For reservations telephone ++62-(0)361-975768 or [Email] 

The sixth running of the BIZNET Bali International Triathlon is now sets for Sunday, June 24, 2012 with registration now open on-line at [www.balitriathlon.com] .

With registration growing each year, the race dubbed the “Triathlon for the Soul” attracted over 700 participants in 2011 in the Olympic Distance event, the shorter sprint distance and the 5 km run.

Sponsored by Indonesia’s leading fiber optic Internet provider BIZNET Networks, the race will get underway at  early dawn with a swim in Jimbaran Bay, followed by a bicycle race down the Nusa Dua Peninsula, ending with a foot race through the village of Jimbaran. The Olympic distance is comprised of a 1.5-kilometer swim; a 42-kilometer bike race and concludes with a 10 kilometer run. The Sprint Distance course covers a route that is only half that of the Olympic event.

The race continues to receive widespread support from the island of Bali and its surrounding communities of Jimbaran and Nusa Dua, traversed by the racers. In addition to the invaluable main title sponsorship by BIZNET Networks, the race has a long-standing record of support from the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay, InterContinental Bali Resort and AYANA Resort and Spa Bali. In addition, the Bali Hotels Association, an organization representing all starred hotels on the island, has also given enthusiastic support to the race, which has won numerous international race and destination awards.

Over the past six years interest and participation by Indonesian athletes has grown dramatically reflecting the surge in interest in cycling and running in Indonesia generally. Beginning national participants, opting for the shorter “sprint distance” event or entering as a member of a corporate team challenge, oftentimes return in subsequent year to participate as individual athletes in the fully-fledgedOlympic distance triathlon.

Improved Bike Course

Based on detailed post-race surveys conducted among 2011 race participants, the 2012 bike course will reflect a number of significant changes to improve flow and overall safety on the bike and running courses.

Advancing the starting time for the race in 2012 and working with the regional and provincial authorities in Bali, plans are under way to offer a more sanitized course with sections of the course closed to vehicular traffic during the race.

The bike course this year will forsake the busy side streets of Ungasan in favor of multiple circuits through the Nusa Dua Complex, where racers will urged on by the thousands of tourist staying a luxury hotels located along the route.

“The new bike course will be a flat and fast course guaranteed to offer new excitement to the race next year,” explained Fathur Rozi, Race Director for the 6th BIZNET Bali International Triathlon.

Returning Partners

Returning to support the race are our loyal partners from Jenggala Keramik who will provide all winners with their custom-designed ceramic trophies and Jari Menari providing post-race massage to event participants.

BIMC Hospital continues to supply a team of dedicated medical team providing emergency medical assistance to the race, as required. In 2012 BIMC Hospital will open have “both ends” of the BIZNET Bali International Triathlon covered with the opening of their new medical facility inside the Nusa Dua Complex serving the outer limits of the bike course while their hospital at Simpang Siur in Kuta provide a state-of-the-art medical facility in close proximity to the start and finish line of the race.

The award-winning Bali Safari and Marine Park has come up with a unique and innovative way of dealing with the large quantities of organic waste produced by elephants and other selected animals from among the 400 animals representing over 60 species that call Bali Safari Park home.

A factory situated within the Park, recently inaugurated by the regent of Gianyar, Tjokorda Artha Ardhana Sukawati, processes animal waste into high quality paper products. The hand-made paper is made into a unique range of gifts and souvenirs available for purchase by the public from gift shops at the Park.

Impressed with the new project Tjokorda cited the “Safari Poo Paper” factory as an exciting approach to waste management that should be emulated by the entire world.

The General Manager of the Park, Hans Manansang, heads a “Green Team” at his facility constantly seeking ways to make Bali and his park environmentally sustainable.

In addition to recycling animal dung into paper, the zoo also has a large scale compost processing system providing natural, organic fertilizer that keeps the Bali Safari and Marine Park both clean and green.

[Visit the Bali Safari and Marine Park]

U.S. President Barack Obama left Bali on Air Force One at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2011, part of an even larger exodus of world leaders departing Bali following the ASEAN and East Asia Summit.

Earlier in the afternoon, at 1:45 p.m., U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton left Bali on a U.S. government Boeing 757.

During a joint press conference on Friday with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the U.S. President reminisced about his earlier visit to Bali 18 years ago and the rapid development that has taken place on the island since. During that last visit, Obama spent an extended holiday on the island while he penned  his best-selling autobiography Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. That book was later published in July 1995 as Obama prepared to embark on a political career.

The Bali trip was also something of an Indonesian homecoming for Obama who spent several years as a young boy living in Jakarta with his American Mother and Indonesian step-father.

Numerous Delays

Security personnel sterilized the road leading from the Nusa Dua Complex (BTDC) to the Bali airport in the hours leading up to Obama’s departure. Hundreds of military personnel were also stationed in all areas of Bali’s airport, including the apron areas.

The State News Agency Antara reports that flight schedules were disrupted at Bali’s airport on Saturday afternoon, with many flights delayed by as much as three hours as all attention shifted to facilitating a safe departure for Air Force One.

Other, more serious delays, occured when inbound international flights were diverted to Surabaya or Jakarta. In the worst cases, some passengers scheduled to land in Bali on late Saturday afternoon only arrived in Bali the following morning, after an overnight wait in Jakarta

Bidding Obama farewell at Bali’s airport was the Indonesian Minister of Defense Purnomo Yusgiantoro and the Indonesian Ambassador to the U.S. Dino Patti Djalal.

Confusion and public anger with disrupted flights were exacerbated by a breakdown of the flight information system that tracks arrivals and departures for display on monitors around the airport. The system reportedly broke down four days prior to the start of the ASEAN Summit.

W Retreat & Spa Bali Seminyak – one of the island’s newest luxury hotels, continues to win international accolades.

On November 9, 2011, Asia Spa Magazine named the AWAY Spa at W Bali as the “New Spa of the Year.” Earlier, in New York on November 15,2011, the 31st Annual Gold Key Awards were presented with W Bali chosen as having the “Best Guest Room” design.

Asia Spa Magazine held their 7th annual Asia Spa Awards at The Mira in Hong Kong to honor the industry’s top spas, personalities, destinations and products. AWAY Spa, the branded spa concept for W Hotels Worldwide, received the accolade as “New Spa of the Year”.

With stylish architectural design by Indonesia’s A.W. Lake, to the indulgent menu of signature services, AWAY Spa captures the playful, unique W experience, infusing it with Balinese elements to create an ‘escape within an escape’ for guests and visitors alike.

The 31st Annual Gold Key Awards held in New York honors innovation and excellence in hospitality design. The Hong Kong-based architects of W Retreat & Spa Bali Seminyak, AB Concept, earned the “Best Guest Room” category.

AB Concept designed the Retreats, public spaces and Villas at the W Retreat & Spa Bali.

Opened only since March of 2011, W Bali has also been named among the top 25 leisure resorts & top 25 spa resorts in Asia by Smart Travel Asia (September 2011) and won the Best Design Trophy for Hotels with over 200 Rooms.

Craig Seaward, the general manager of W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak said: “I am very proud and excited to see the property evolve and receive these recognitions at such an early stage of our inception. Our team works hard to create something unseen in Bali and the acknowledgement proves that all our efforts and hard work has and will continue to make W Bali a success.”

[Book a Stay at W Retreat and Spa Bali – Seminyak]

Described by Bono of U2 fame as “he best pop group in the world.” Scissor Sisters is scheduled to perform at the Hard Rock Café in Bali on Saturday, January 7, 2011.

Spawned from the underbelly of New York’s skuzzy, gay nightlife scene and named in honor of an alternative sexual position, Scissor Sisters chart-topping ways is based in infectious dance floor anthems.
as a responsibility to be music for all people, the Scissor Sisters vocalists Jake Shears and Ana Matronic, multi-instrumentalist Baby Daddy and lead guitar Del Marquis have made that type of pop music experience their battle cry.

After the B-side to the band's first single, a jacked-up disco version of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb," became a mainstay in nightclubs worldwide, their eponymous debut album became an international smash winning a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Record and was the top-selling album of 2004 in the UK. The follow-up, "Ta-Dah," topped the UK charts for 27 weeks and their single "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" was the fourth best-selling single in the UK in 2006. Their latest effort, "Night Work" debuted at #2 on the UK Charts, #1 on the US Billboard Independent Album charts, and in the top 10 in several international territories.

Entertainers at heart, Scissor Sisters have earned a reputation for their humorous, controversial and outright transgressive, live performances that have filled venues from New York's Bowery Ballroom to London's O2 Arena. There's really nothing the band won’t do to make an audience dance and get lost in the beat. They've infamously collaborated with Jim Henson's Muppets for their opening performance at the Brit Awards in 2005, and in 2010, stole the show at Glastonbury when they performed a duet  with Kylie Minogue for their single "Any Which Way."

Tickets for the one-night Bali performance on Saturday, January 7, 2011 are now on sale with early bird special prices available until November 30, 2011.

Early bird tickets cost Rp. 350,000 (US$39) rising to Rp. 550,000 (US$61) on December 1, 2011.

Telephone ++62-(0)361-755661 or [Email] ).

A giant on the Balinese contemporary art scene for decades, Pande Gde Supada needs little introduction. As always, the newest series is a cause for celebration of the evolving creativity of this talented artist and influential teacher.

In his latest, “Spiritual Dialogues,” Supada turns to meditation, a theme that stands at the heart of Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, religion and art. Ironically, although a dialogue (an act that requires interchange between at least two parties) would seem an impossible task while engaging a discipline that demands solitary contemplation, in practice, meditation sparks inner dialogue with the greater whole – the cosmos, if you like.
ts aim is the obliteration of the wall of illusion between the natural and supernatural worlds resulting in unification - an experience known as enlightenment or realization in the West or moksa and nirvana in the east.

While the concept is simple, as anyone who has attempted meditation knows, the path to inner peace is more easily conceptualized than manifested. In Supada’s case, the difficulties and joys of his own convoluted inner-dialog has provoked a series of images that serve both as a form of documentation of a very personal exorcism of doubt and fear.

Remarkably the images themselves dwell upon the human condition, especially the relationship between mother and child. In a traditional agricultural society like Bali, motherhood is of special relevance that is associated with fertility and cornucopia. His images may also be references to the Balinese folktale of Men Brayut, a poor but loving peasant mother with full breasts and countless children. While the Madonna-like image may seem beneficent, like dreams and the underworld it also harbors a dark secret for Men Brayut traces her origin to Hariti, a child-devouring ogress converted by Gautama Buddha into a saintly guardian of children.

Supada’s sophisticated, ambivalent journey to achieve unity and balance between the inner self and the oftentimes raw and dangerous forces of nature is also mirrored in his composition and style. While the lines that delineate the pleasant rounded forms are curvilinear and fluid, the textured surfaces and hues are mysterious and even challenging. Are these archetypes dredged up from ancient cave walls within the artist’s mind or latter-day graffiti full of pathos and vinegar? While the answers to such questions may never be answered, the artist has achieved great success in shining a light upon a dark and lonely path.

Spiritual Dialogues

Paintings by Pande Gde Supada

Ganesha Gallery at the Four Season Resort at Jumbaran Bay

December 1 2011 – January 9, 2012

PT Bakrieland Development is reported by Bisnis.com to be preparing a five-star condotel project in cooperation with the Langham Hospitality Group.

Narudi Surachman, President Director of the Hotel and Resort division of Bakrieland describe the new project as a continuation of the four-star Eaton Luxe Nirwana Bali Condotel Project that goes on the market in November 2011.

At a ceremony launching a marketing lounge for the Eaton Luxe Nirwana Condotel Bali on November 19, 2011, Surachman said, “I will launch the five star condotel by embracing the Langham Hospitality Group.”

Based on the success of the Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana Condotel Project, Surachman remains optimistic that the business prospects of a five star condotel project are strong. Adding, “the market may not be booming at the same level as Jakarta, but the market is nonetheless very strong.”

The Eaton Luxe Nirwana Bali Condotel Project is comprised of 178 condotel units built on a 20,000 square meter segment of the Bali Nirwana Resort in Tabanan, West Bali. This is further broken down in 133 standard units, 24 one-bedroom units and 21 two-bedroom units.

The Eaton Luxe Nirwana Bali will commence construction in February 2012 and is scheduled for full operation two years later in February 2014.

Diversifying its tourism portfolio in Bali, Bakrieland operates the Pullman Legian Nirwana in Kuta, Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort in Tabanan and the Ubud Nirwana Villas in Gianyar.
 

Bali’s strong tourism-based economy is expected drive economic growth for the island ending the year at 6.65%. But concerns persists that expectations of robust growth may be tempered by rising inflation and other deleterious factors.

Jeffry Kairupan, the head of Bank Indonesia in Bali, said interim figures for Q4 of 2012 remains strong, reliant primarily on the transportation and service sectors. Current indications are that Bali will end the year achieving growth  of between 6.16-6.65%.

According to Kairupan, Q3 2011 economic results for Bali improved slightly over Q2.

Q3 2011 also saw strong consumer demand, albeit slightly reduced from Q2. Consumers spent well in Q3, driven to do so by the high number of religious festivals and holidays. Celebrations tied to the end of the academic year were also seen to have stimulated people in Bali to go shopping.

Meanwhile, the vice-chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) in Bali, Dolly Sutajaya, sad that the macro-economic woes in Europe and Greece, although worrisome, have yet to had any effect in Bali.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) for Bali, Panudiana Kuhn, told the press that Bali’s economy continues to expand in concert with the development of the island’s infrastructure. Adding, “at this time, Bali’s economy is impeded by delayed infrastructure development, particularly as regards public facilities.”

Public facilities, such as roadways and airport are frustrating efforts to expand Bali’s economy, claimed Kuhn. He said roadways in Bali are too small and cause traffic jams. “The airport for Bali, found only in the south, is hampering the economic expansion of Bali’s north,” he explained.

Kuhn also complained that a complicated and confusing regulatory environment make it unclear who can authorize major infrastructure projects, citing problems encountered by toll ways and airport projects currently being pursued in Bali.

Preliminary domestic airline numbers broken down by major airport are now available.

Based I data supplied by the National Statistic Agency, Bali ranked third among Bali’s airport through the end of September for the number of domestic air passengers. The 2,366,800 domestic passengers flying into Bali January-September, Bali trailed Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta (12.975.500) and Surabaya’s Juanda (4292,200).
de domestic passengers are up 22.7% through the end of September with 38,248,700 passengers carried.

Projecting through the end of 2011, it appears that approximately 5.4 million total passengers will pass through Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport, with approximately 50% domestic air passengers and the remaining 50% traveling on International flights.

A report in the Jakarta Post said research shows that unlicensed tour operators, lack of financial resources and too many operators have cast a dark cloud over the more than 300 registered travel agents working from Bali.

The study carried out by Bali’s Udayana University’s Center for Cultural and Tourism Research was based on in-depth interviews with agency owners and directors.

In its conclusions, the research called for an end to the issuance of new travel agency licenses in Bali and stern action be taken to close unlicensed agencies.

Al Purwa, the chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agents (ASITA), told the Jakarta Post: “We have submitted the results of the research, including the conclusions and recommendations, to the provincial administration. We have yet to receive any response from the policy makers over there.”

The research said that many local tour operators were under major financial pressure. An over-saturated market has resulted in unfair pricing from illegal tour operators and unlicensed websites.

Agung Suryawan Wiranatha, a senior tourism lecturer and researcher said, “the government must act to ease the pressure on the local tour operators.”

The research said that 58% of local tour operators have limited financial capital with investment values of less than Rp. 500 million (US$55,000). He said tour operators handle an average of 400 tourists per month generating less than Rp. 500 million per month.

The study counted 307 registered tour operators in Bali, estimating that another 500 operators were unlicensed but active in the market place.

A complaint filed by Bali’s Governor against The Bali Post newspaper seeking US$11.1 mullion in damages for misleading reporting and incorrectly implicating the Governor in a call for the dismantling of all traditional villages (Desa Pakraman) in Bali has resulted in an initial ruling against the newspaper by the Press Council.

Nusa Bali reports that the Press Council found in favor of a complaint filed by the Governor alleging The Bali Post violated the journalistic code of ethics in publishing an incorrect report misquoting the Governor calling for the dissolution of all traditional villages.

In a press conference held in Renon on November 16, 2011, the legal team for the Governor shared the decision of the Press Council. The decision was rendered after two mediation sessions held in Bali and Jakarta between the Governor and the newspaper on October 9 and 31, 2011.

The Governor's lawyers issued a joint statements at the press conference stating that the Press Council had determined there were weaknesses in the news published by The Bali Post when it failed to obtain confirmation from the Governor before publishing the incorrect report.

The Press Council also determined that The Bali Post had also failed to publish balanced reports in their coverage of the Governor’s alleged statement and failed to provide the mandatory “right of response" to Pastika.

With the finding from the Press Council in favor of the Governor, it remains unclear if efforts to secure US$11.1 million in damages from The Bali Post will continue. Governor Made Mangku Pastika had earlier said that any damages obtained in his suit against The Bali Post would be donated to traditional villages across Bali.

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100 students from the Bali International Tourism Institute (STPBI) and the Bali Hotel School (SPB) will soon be embarking for the U.S.A. for a period of training at the Four Seasons Resort at Jackson Hole in the state of Wyoming, U.S.A..

Using a special work-study JI class of visa, the students are able to work at train in one of America’s leading boutique properties

The successful program saw 30 students from Bali train at the hotel last year, paving the way for an expanded program in the current year.

A similar program has recently sent 24 Bali hospitality students to a period of work training at The Setai Hotel in Miami, Florida, U.S.A..

Quoted in The Bali Post, the chairman of the STPBI and SPB, Made Sujana, lauded the program, saying: “We urge the students to train abroad. In this way they get added international experience and earn a work experience certificate from a starred property."

The clock is ticking down on the first –ever Bali Wine Auction.

Set for Sunday, December 11, 2011, the fun gets underway at 3:00 p.m. at the AYANA Resort and Spa Bali with a one-hour "brown bag" wine tasting of six different wines. Guest will be encouraged to “rate” the wines, with the secret identities of the featured wine revealed during the actual auction between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m..

24 lots of wines, merchandise and luxury life-style items with a retail value exceeding US$20,000 will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Bid on Line

A website featuring all the items on offer and providing an opportunity to enter a bid on-line is now in operation at [www.baliwineauction.com]  

In addition to celebrating wine, the event will raise funds for a special fund to be administered by the Bali Hotels Association to be used for wine education for Balinese hospitality workers.

The event is sponsored by Lotus Food Serves, the Gourmet Garage and AYANA Resort and Spa Bali. In keeping with the “island spirit of Bali,” leading beverage distributors, hotels, and wine producers have generously joined in by supporting the event with luxury merchandise and services.

Admission to the wine auction is limited and costs Rp. 250,000 per person (US$27) which covers:

• Admission to the Wine Tasting of six wines from 3:00 – 4:00 pm on December 11th at the AYANA Resort and Spa
• Admission to the Wine Auction from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.
• A chance to win interesting door prizes, including a portable wine cellar sponsored by Lotus Foofd Services.
• A copy of a lavish auction catalog

Order your tickets to the Auction at Rp. 250,000 each on line by [email]

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