Occupying a 300-meter site and with its own dedicated parking lot, Cubana Bar and Grill has opened in the heart of the busy restaurant and night-spot area of Petitenget, Bali.
g to its management, Cubana draws its inspiration from a decadent retro 1940-1950s pre-Castro style Cuban Bar, grill restaurant and cigar bar concept. The building is located within a small development of trendy boutiques in the Petitenget fine dining and villa area.

Cubana fills the demand for a “themed” rum and cigar bar with a generous range of cocktails. Targeting tourists, expatriates, and fashionable locals for late afternoon, and both pre and post dinner drinking, the concept also embraces a BBQ grill concept for either a full-fledge dinner or a repast of savory tapas.

Decorated to resemble a pub in which Ernest Hemingway would feel at home, Cubana is situated in a colorful, colonial-style building replete with arches and columns and a tropical garden terrace suitable for private parties and function. Interior touches include many photos of classic Cuban art and framed posters. The floors are covered in distinctive colorful tiles. Chandeliers and tobacco leaf fans hang from the ceiling.

The outside terrace provides an al fresco oasis for those intent on sampling cigars and single malt whisky in the freedom of the open air.

Among the cocktail offerings are fresh-fruit Mojitos, classic Rum cocktails, Margaritas, Daiquiris, original Caipirinhas, Roskas and Sangrias – each presented in customized glassware with colorful garnishes. Single Malt Whiskies, Cognacs, fine wine & Champagne are available for the more discerning palates.

Guests can enjoy after-dinner Cuban coffee, liqueurs, Cognac and desserts together with a fine Cuban cigar. Experienced Baristas serve a complete range of espressos and other specialty coffees.

The Cuban grill menu features grilled meat - steaks, fish fillets, chicken and pulled pork - accompanied by signature salsas, crisp salads and fresh vegetables. There’s also a range of tapas acting as ready companions for evening of liquid libations.

A Cuban and Latin Jazzy music mix plays in the background during the day. At night live entertainment includes Cuban-style bands every Tuesday and Thursday nights playing a great mix of Cuban songs, salsa, cha cha cha, Bachata, Boleros, Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz.

Open daily from 4:00 p.m. for happy hours, 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for dinner, and drinking and snacking until 1:00 a.m.

Charlene Fang, the CNNGo city editor in Singapore, recently compiled her list of “Bali’s Best 5 Hidden Beaches”.

Charlene named the following beaches as sufficiently removed from the main tourist thoroughfares to still offer a degree of solitude and relaxation. Whether that remains true after the publication of her list ,remains to be seen.

The CNNGo list of five Bali hidden beaches:

• Balangan Beach – near the developer-defaced beach of Dreamland.
• Geger Beach – located in a increasingly less remote corner of Nusa Dua.
• Bias Tugal – a secluded beach alcove at Padang Bai.
• Ungasan – while Bali’s beaches are set aside under law for public access, try telling that to the people who charge US$27 to enter this area adjacent to the Banyan Tree Resort and the Karma Kandara Resort.
• Amed – Bali’s majestic stretch of black volcanic sand to the North.

For detailed directions and more details, view [the original article on cnngo.com].

Vagabondish.com – a website that describes itself as featuring “Offbeat backpacking and travel news, advice, how-to tips and tall tales from around the world” recently listed “5 Bizarre Things to Do in Bali” on their Website.

Their list included:

• Visiting the Sacred Monkey Sanctuary in Ubud
• Have a dolphin encounter at Lovina, north Bali
• Attend a Balinese cremation ceremony
• Attend the evening kecak dance at Uluwatu Temple
• Watch a Buffalo race in Negara, West Bali

Interested? Here’s the complete article [5 Bizarre Things to Do in Bali] .
 

The mediation process in the legal suit by Governor Made Mangku Pastika against The Bali Post returned to Denpasar’s District Court on Thursday, January 12, 2012. The Governor returned to court for the second time in the mediation process seeking to resolve his claim for US$ 16.6 million in damages against the island’s leading daily newspaper.

The mediation process now underway does not bring the opposing parties together, but, rather, involves separate meetings held between each party with the court-appointed mediator, John Pieter Purba. Thursday’s meeting saw Pastika, accompanied by a team of lawyers, met privately with Purba on the second floor of the Denpasar Courthouse.

Pastika’s entourage reportedly included a large entourage of  muscular young men dressed in black and thought to be members of a local youth organization supporting the Governor’s legal action against the newspaper.

As reported by Radar Bali, this is the second mediation session attended by the Governor following an initial proceeding held on December 19, 2011.

Thursday’s session lasted one hour with Pastika refusing comment to the press after leaving the court house, except to say, “the agenda today, is a continuation of the mediation process in the effort for a peaceful settlement."

The Governor refused to answer reporters who asked him to estimate the chances of a peaceful settlement with the Bali Post, saying it would be improper to comment while the mediation process is underway.

Related Articles

[Governor Pastika Prepared to Fight 'Till the Death]

[Press Freedom Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry ]

Reflective of a deepening economic crisis in Europe, Asia’s leading low-cost airline, Malaysia-based AirAsia has announced that they will cease flight services to Europe and India in February 2012.

• Kuala Lumpur-Mumbai four-time weekly flights will be suspended on January 31, 2012.
• Kuala Lumpur to New Delhi daily services will cease on March 22, 2012. Flight in March will be reduced to four flights per week.
• The six weekly flights Kuala Lumpur to London end on March 31, 2012.
• The four weekly flights Kuala Lumpur to Paris end on March 30, 2012.

The airline has followed up the announcement of flight cessations by emphasizing they will continue to focus its low-cost long-haul service on its existing services to Australasia, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea “where we have built up stable, profitable routes within an infrastructure that supports low cost services."  The airline says services to these areas will be enhanced in the near future.

Meanwhile, AirAsia is blaming the end of service to Europe on high jet fuel prices, declining demand for air travel and exorbitant government taxes have made it impossible to offer their extremely low fares between their Kuala Lumpur base and Europe.

The Indian government’s restrictive, complicated and expensive visa restrictions between Malaysia and India together with escalating handling and airport charges were cited by AirAsia as “not conducive to the low cost model.”

Since the commencement of flight to London by AirAsia in March 2009, oil prices of US$40/barrel have since tripled. Fuel costs are estimated to represent 50% of operating costs on long-haul flights.

The cancellation of flights can not also be divorced from plan to increase the U.K. Air Passenger Duty from the current £92 per departing passenger to £184, effective April 1, 2012. This follows an increase in carbon taxes on the Emission Trading Scheme introduced by the European Union on January 1, 2012.

The Bali chapter of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) is predicting that the value of exports for a number of Bali-based commodities will continue to decline in 2012.

Quoted by the National News Agency Antara, the chairman of APINDO-Bali, Panudiana Kuhn said, “I predict a decline in export values this year due to the global economic crisis which has yet to recover.” Kuhn says the crisis is affecting several key export destination markets for Bali.

In the APINDO-Bali chairman’s view, the destination markets for Bali exports will focus more on basic commodities in difficult economic times, spending less on items such as handicrafts.

Kuhn claims that in addition to an unfavorable economic climate, Bali’s ability to export to the United States and Europe is also being affected by competition from other countries, including China. He sees China as dominating world export markets at this time.

“This situation is a big challenge that must be confronted by Bali exporters in the coming year. At this time, we are all depending on the government to provide a solution to retain export levels so they do not decline further,” said Kuhn.

The Trade and Industry Service of Bali places the value of Bali exports from January to November 2011 at US$462 million. That figure declined 1.6% from the US$469 million achieved during the same period one year before.

The Bali Post reports that the Bali office of the State-owned Oil Company PT Pertamina views plans by the government to control the distribution of subsidized fuel as, at this stage, remaining just an “idea” to the extent that the mode of introduction of the policy change in Bali has yet be finalized.

The area manager of Bali and NTB for Pertamina, Iin Febrian, told the Bali Post of Thursday, January 12, 2012, “indeed the implementation is planned for April 2012 for Java and Bali, but there’s no legal framework for its implementation, so it still remains very conceptual.”

Febrian said that Presidential Decree No. 55 of 2005 and Presidential Decree No. 9 of 2006, neither of which discusses subsidized fuel, govern fuel distribution. He contends that without a legal framework and another presidential decree it will be difficult for the government to move ahead with plans to limit the use of subsidized fuel.

He said Bali is attempting to prepare for any coming change in distribution policies by surveying the supply and distribution of fuel in Bali in order to smooth any massive transition from the use of premium fuel to Pertamax. “In addition, we are pushing ahead by making sure pertamax is available at all gas stations in Bali,” Febrian added.

From the 178 gas stations (SPBU) operating in Bali, only 83 (46%) are equipped to supply Pertamax non-subsided gas. Efforts are now intensively underway to bring this level to 80%.

Related Article

[Are Fuel Prices Due to Increase in Bali?]

The State News Agency Antara reports that Indonesia’s national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has revealed an unaudited income of Rp. 19.5 trillion (US$2.2 billion) in 2011, an improvement of 39% over 2010.

According to the Airline’s CEO, Emirsyah Satar, the stellar performance of Garuda was made possible by the expansion of operations, the “quantum leap program” to reposition the airline’s operations, efficiency and asset utilization.

In 2011 Garuda carried 17.1 million passengers comprised of 13.9 million domestic and 3.2 million international travelers. This is a total that is 36.8% more than the 12.53 million passengers carried in 2010. This corresponds with an 26% increase of availability of seats per kilometer that increased 26% to 32.5 billion in 2011.

System-wide seat load factor improved by 5% in 2011 with 74.7% occupancy levels recorded on Garuda flights.

In 2012, Garuda flew 130,043 flights, 27% more flights than that flown in 2010.
 

The “Godfather of Australian Cuisine” – Tony Bilson is making a special guest appearance at the InterContinental Bali Resort February 17-19, 2012

During his 3-day appearance, Bilson will bring is signature “down under” dishes developed over a long and distinguished career as an award-winning chef, celebrated author, food consultant and successful restaurateur

Tony has a special affinity with the InterContinental Hotel Group having worked as the Chef at The Treasury – the prestigious dining venue located at the InterContinental in Sydney. Over the past 20 years he has conducted food and wine promotions around the world. The February visit to Bali will represent Tony Bilson’s second visit to the InterContinental Resort.

Bilson’s 3 days of outstanding cuisine will kick-off a yearlong agenda of exclusive culinary events planned at the InterContinental Bali Resort for 2012.

Tony Bilson’s appearance begins on February 17, 2012 with a gourmet wine dinner at the Bella Singaraja Restaurant. This one-off event will commence at 7:00 p.m. with cocktails on the terrace accompanied by a selection of canapés. Dinner follows with a five-course menu specially prepared by Tony that will pay tribute to the integrity of quality ingredients.

The following day Tony will share some of his favorite recipes with a master cooking class, during which he will share his insights and secrets. The class culminates with a private dinner at the Bella Singaraja.

A final opportunity to sample Tony Bilson’s cuisine in Bali happens on Sunday, February 19, 2012, via a special Sunday Brunch at the Resort’s Jimbaran Garden.

Space is limited for all three culinary events and reservations are essential. For more information and bookings [Email Bali InterContinental] 

The National News Agency Antara says that Balinese exports made from woven fibers and plant material have generated US$2.33 million in the period January – November 2011, an increase of 88.52% compared to the same period in 2010 - when exports for these items totaled US$1.23 million.

I Ketut Teneng, the spokesman of the Province of Bali, said, “valuable foreign exchange was earned from sending 1.83 million pieces of handicraft from January-November 2011, an increase (in quantity) of 105.22% compared with the same period in 2010 when 893,810 units were produced.”

He said the significant increase in volume and income is due to market opportunities and increased production of handicrafts in a wider range of designs that are unique and appealing to foreign markets. Because of this, Teneng thinks that woven handicrafts from Bali have good prospects in the years ahead considering the foreign exchange they create for Bali.

To grow the market further the provincial government is urging exporters to continue to widen their market penetration and distribution.

Teneng estimates total handicraft exports from Bali have the potential of contributing US$ 182.95 million or 39.39% of total Bali exports which totaled US$462.16 million for the first eleven months of 2011.

InterContinental Bali Resort has announced the appointment of Peter Foster as Director of Sales & Marketing. He also assumes responsibility for the role of Area Director of Sales & Marketing InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) Bali Resorts. Peter replaces Bryan Gabriel who has relocated to Hong Kong as a General Manager with IHG at a soon-to-be-opened property.

Peter has spent the past 25 years working for a number of leading hotel chains in Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Specializing in sales and marketing, he has a strong understanding of luxury hotels & resorts.

Peter commenced his career in Food and Beverage positions in Europe, UK and Australia before joining InterContinental Sydney as a Sales Manager. He furthered his career in Abu Dhabi, Jakarta and Hayman Island.

No stranger to Bali where he worked from 1999 to 2003 as Director of Sales & Marketing for Oberoi Resorts Indonesia and Mauritius. He later accepted a position with Oberoi Resorts in London. Peter has held other senior sales and marketing positions in Dubai and Thailand. Prior to joining InterContinental Bali Resort, Peter worked with Raffles Cambodia.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Peter to our team," said Tom Meyer, General Manager of InterContinental Bali Resort. "His expertise, drive and leadership skills will be a valuable asset to the Resort given the high level of competition in today's business environment. As Peter is already well acquainted with Bali and its unique culture, I am sure that he'll embrace the challenges of this new role."

PT Angkasa Pura I (PAP), the management authority of Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport, estimates the total number of passengers increased dramatically through November 2011.
esman for PAP, Sherly Yunita, told Bisnis.com that the Ngurah Rai Airport was overloaded and expected to have serviced 6.6 million domestic passengers when the final tally is counted at the end of December. This figure exceeds the 1.5 million passengers official carrying capacity of the domestic terminal by 340%.

“For this reason we are enlarging the airport,” explained Sherly. She said there are 175 domestic flights each day to and from Bali bringing around 18,000 domestic passengers. “With these figures,” she continued, “there is an urgent need for development (of the airport).”

Adding to the overloaded condition of Bali’s only airport is the approximate 2.75 million foreign tourist who passed through the international terminal. The international terminal is now handling an average 17,000 passengers each day coming and going on some 108 international flights.

“To overcome this problem,” said Sherly, “Ankasa Pura I is targeting the completion of the expansion of the airport by March 2013. The expansion will utilize all the land owned by the state-owned company at the airport complex." 

Separately, the spokesman for the airport expansion project, Hari Budi Waluyo, told the press how the airport’s expansion is divided into four phases. PT Jaya Construction Management is the leading and supervising contractor on the project to upgrade Bali’s airport. They are leading a team of four contractors. The first phase covers access roads leading to the new passenger and cargo facility being undertaken by PT Nindya Karya. The second phase, encompassing a parking building, catering facilities, and a promenade to connect the international and domestic terminals is being handled by PT Pembangunan Perumahan. A consortium of PT Adhi Karya and PT Wijaya Karya is undertaking the third phase covering the international passenger terminal and parking apron for aircraft.

Meanwhile the packet for the construction of the Gate Handling System is still under tender. “This phase has not had the tender winner announced,” said Shirley.

When the airport expansion program is complete it will include 16 enclosed passenger bridge-ways and 32 tunnels connecting waiting rooms to aircraft doors. This will be a significant increase from the current four bridge-ways.

The entire airport redevelopment will cost an estimated Rp. 1.94 trillion (US$ 215.5 million). These fund are coming from PT Angkasa Pura I. Construction is scheduled to be completed before the start of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference (APEC) happening in Bali in 2013.

The Subak Art Festival runs from January 14 – 28, 2012 in Tabanan, West Bali in a collaborative effort involving four Balinese artists, three Australian artists, and 210 primary school children from the Tabanan Regency in Bali.
g forces for a common cause, Balinese and Australian artists will exhibit work to raises awareness of the importance of the Subak –the tradition irrigation and water rights system that has sustained the growing of rice in Bali over the centuries.

Artists I Gede Made Surya Darma (Bali), Made Ngurah Sadnyana (Bali), I Gede Putu Setiawan (Bali), Gede Suanda aka Sayur (Bali), Christine McMillan (Australia), Margaret Brooks (Australia) and Adrian Symes (Australia) will work with photography, installation art, video, painting, sculpture and printmaking to create a dynamic visual arts exhibition.

Rotary Denpasar, working through their [Bali School Kids Project]  are coordinating the participation of 210 primary school students in the Festival. The children have created 210 hand-made coconut bowls to promotes the sustainable use of traditional materials.

The Festival organizers said, “We are thrilled to work with children who are so keen to participate in arts activities like drawing, installations, photography, painting, story telling, kulkul, okokan music and games that celebrate and honor the Subak.”

Serving as project leader for the Festival, Christine McMillan is an artist, arts educator and project manager with community arts projects. Christine has exhibited in solo shows in regional art galleries in Australia, and participated in artist in residences in Australia, France and Indonesia. She has developed and delivered arts education programs for the National Gallery of Australia, regional galleries and museums in Australia and the Subak Museum in Indonesia. Her work in hospitals and the health sector has seen her develop and manage programs with community groups, schools, hospital clients, staff and volunteers.

Also assisting in bringing the Subak Festival to reality are Dr. Margaret Brooks, Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood Education, University of New England, Australia. Margaret teaches the Creative Arts, researches how drawing can assist young children’s learning and is a practicing artist.

Invaluable local support and participation is provided by I Gede Made Surya Darma, an Internationally recognized artist who has worked collaboratively with other artists and communities to raise

Subak with Art Festival
January 14 – 28, 2012

Subak Museum
Jl Gatot Subroto
Tabanan, Bali, Telephone +62-(0)361 810315
 

Radar Bali reports that the National Prosecutors Office has issued instructions to thoroughly investigate the case of fugitive businessman Joko Tjandra’s involvement in the Mulia Resort Project at Nusa Dua, Bali.

This development  was confirmed by Public Prosecutors and officials from Bali Police Headquarters who admitted to Radar Bali that they have “received a mandate from headquarters” to thoroughly investigate Tjandra’s involvement in the ongoing construction of the huge hotel and villa project.

The prosecutorial and police officials confirmed the order when meeting the Commission I of the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali). In a hearing held at the House, the Central government’s commitment to investigate claims of manipulation and malfeasance by Joko Tjandra in the building of the Mulia Resort Project on Geger Beach in South Bali.

Political leaders from various factions in attendance at the House heard the Deputy Chief of Police for Bali, Brigadier General Untung Yoga, and an Assistant in charge of Intelligence from the Prosecutor’s office, Made Parma,  tell of ongoing investigations into how land, supposedly controlled by a wanted fugitive, managed to secure permits for a major tourism project in Bali.

Provincial legislators were surprised to hear the Deputy Chief of Police confirm that a team of investigators from National Police Headquarters has twice visited the island in order to investigate the Hotel Mulia Project. He also confirmed that the police were serious in their intent to investigate case, saying: “We are currently in the phase of collecting data. This was the job of the teams from headquarters who came to Bali.”

The explanation offered by Bali prosecutors was more detailed. Prosecutorial intelligence office Parma confirmed that two formal written instructions have been issued by Jakarta ordering the collection of evidence and data for review by a team of investigators from Jakarta. He also confirmed that five different institutions had been summoned for explanations in the case including the Badung Regency Tourism Office, the Environment Agency, Public Works Department (Bina Marga), Zoning Officials (Cipta Karya) and the Research and Development Section of the Badung Administration (Lutbang Badung).

After those interviews were completed a report was sent to the National Prosecutor’s Office with the appending code “R” barring publication of the results locally in Bali.

A member of Commission I of DPRD-Bali, Dewa Nyoman Rai spoke to the officials and the House, saying the main problem rests with the Regent of Badung, A.A Gde Agung, who he insisted must also come under official investigation. Rai told the House that law enforcement in Bali was in disarray and he doubted the case can be finally and definitely resolved.

Rai used the platform to launch a personal attack on Made Parma from the prosecutor’s office, claiming Parma mishandled a  former case involving the legislator in the Bulelelng regency. Rai said at that time Parma threatened to incarcerate him without any proof, relenting finally and admitting there was no case to be brought. Dewa Nyoman Rai challenged Rai to call the Regent of Badung and investigate his involvement in the Mulia case.

Made Parma did not respond or react to Rai’s verbal attacks except to say Rai’s case in Buleleng was inherited from a former prosecutor in Bulelelng who was eventually "transferred" to a new locale. He said he welcome any suggestions and input from legislators.

Another legislator, Cok Budi Suryawan, used the occasion to raise questions about the supposed “loss” of a building owned by the Badung regency worth Rp. 39 billion (US$4.3 million).

Suryawan also raised objections to illegal fees charges by police for “favorite” car registration numbers known locally as “plat cantik.”

Related Article

[Rising Indignation Over Mulia Hotel Project]

[Brouhaha at the Mulia]

[The Mulia Comes to Bali]

Governor Made Mangku Pastika has officially set 18 days in 2012 as “local holidays” celebrated by Balinese Hindus in addition to the 13 national holidays established by Jakarta.

The National News Agency Antara, quoted the provincial spokesman for Bali, I Ketut Teneng, who announced the following local Bali holidays for 2012:

• January 22-23, 2012 - Hari Siwa Ratri - two days set aside for reflection, the personal absolution of sins and rededication to the Almighty.
• January 31, 2012 – Penampahan Galungan I - the day before the official days of Galungan on which the Balinese “slay” their six personal daemons (Sad Ripu) of lust, greed, anger, drunkenness, confusion and confrontation.
• February 1 - 2, 2012 - Hari Raya Galungan and Umanis Galungan – the days to celebrate the victory of Goodness over evil.
• February 10- 12, 2012 – Hari Kuningan I, Hari Raya Kuningan I and Umanis Kuningan I – three days marking the end of the 10-day Galungan-Kuningan cycle.
• March 22, 2012 – Hari Tawur Agung Kesanga – A day of purification ceremonies marked by a night of festive merry-making and ogoh-ogoh parades.
• March 23, 2012 - Hari Suci Nyepi Tahun Baru Saka 1934 – The day of absolute silence in Bali to celebrate the Balinese New Year. Bali becomes a ghost town with airport, ports, business and traffic coming to an absolute standstill.
• March 24 – Ngembak Geni – the day of Nyepi used for friends and family to gather to ask and give forgiveness to one another. Also used as a day of traditional religious ceremonies. 
• June 16, 2012 – Hari Raya Saraswati – the Balinese Day in honor of learning and education.
• June 20, 2012 – Hari Raya Pagerwesti – a day of meditation and prayer in which Balinese build internal “walls” or defenses against the distractions and problems of daily life.
• August 28, 2012 - Penampahan Galungan I
• August 29 -30, 2012 - Hari Raya Galungan II and Umanis Galungan II
• September 16-18, 2012 - Hari Kuningan II, Hari Raya Kuningan II and Umanis Kuningan II

[Public Holidays for 2012]

InterContinental Bali Resort is Joining the Increasing “wave” of Hotels in Bali winning certification as being “Tsunami Ready.”
ccessfully completing a series of intensive simulation exercises and evacuation drills, the hotel has won the right to claim this impressive certification. This certification was recently carried out by ‘Tsunami Ready’ – a private certification company that has won the support of the Bali Hotels Association (BHA) in cooperation with Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy.

The Resort’s team leaders now possess specific skills needed in the event of a tsunami event. These exercises involved the detailed processes and procedures for the evacuation of guests to safety and securing Resort assets.

"As a beach-front property on the beautiful shore of Jimbaran Bay it was imperative for us to achieve this certification. All of our colleagues conducted themselves in a most professional manner and did us all proud throughout the evaluation process. In the event of this type of emergency guests can rest assured that they will be in safe hands and in a safe location at the InterContinental Bali Resort," said Tom Meyer, General Manager of InterContinental Bali Resort.

InterContinental Bali Resort is the first International Hotel Group (IHG) Property and the third hotel in Bali to receive “tsunami ready” certification. It hopes to set a positive example for other hotels within the region, especially island based resorts that are close to the sea in high-risk coastal locations.

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[Catching the Wave Before it Catches You]

[Kiss the Wave Goodbye]

Since the arrival of the first wave of young surfers in the late 1960s, Bali has become not only a major international surf destination but also a creative centre of surf culture and art. It was the surf that first brought German artist Olli Fraenkel to Bali and has kept him here ever since.
tling designs that typify surf culture and art as seen on surfboards and clothing trace their origin to several diverse sources. Graffiti started as a way for urban youths to express themselves in neighborhoods like the Bronx in New York. It rose to prominence during the rise of hip-hop culture.

The first real graffiti artist was Taki183. He worked as a foot messenger in New York City and wrote his nickname (also called tag) around the New York City streets that he frequented during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Another important inspiration is tribal art including Indonesia’s own dynamic tribal heritage – the Dayak of Borneo, Toraja of Sulawesi and other minority groups from Sumba, Flores, Timor and New Guinea.

As a dedicated graffiti artist producing works under the pseudonym of asie.one, Olli explained is youthful urge to spray paint the dull grey Predictability of his birthplace with vibrant colors and designs. After working on corporate design and websites during the day, wandering the world on surf trips during his free time, the multi-talented Olli settled in Bali where he designs for surf wear, works on 3-D computer art as well as photographs.

His passion for spray-painting murals remains but of late he has begun painting on canvas as well as concrete. The dynamic results show yet another face of his alter ego asie.one and in a sense unifies his diverse disciplines into one. Using mix media to great effect his works such as “Sunshine” is surprisingly complex yet refined without losing movement.

From the viewpoint of large murals these works are Olli’s equivalent of graffiti miniatures. The connection of his persona and Indonesia are eloquently summed up in the comment, “The vast cultural similarities and divides between the islands of Indonesia truly inspired him to venture deeper into his love of the world of art, and to share his style of artwork with communities”.

The 3 Dimensions of asie.one
Art by Olli Fraenkel

February 9 – April 2, 2012
Ganesha Gallery
Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay
Open Daily 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The construction of the suspended toll way connecting Benoa and Nusa Dua is expected to create new traffic burdens in the area immediately surrounding the community of Tanjung Benoa. As a result, according to The Bali Post, local residents in that part of South Bali are urging the government to build a ring road in anticipation of the new toll way construction.
Kuta community leader and member of Commission B of the Badung House of Representatives, I Nyoman Karyana, said on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, the traffic conditions on Jalan Pratama are already critically over-loaded. Moreover, during holiday periods, traffic congestion on that road is inescapable, creating traffic jams he estimates at 3 hours over the relative short stretch of narrow road in and out of Tanjung Benoa.

He went on to explain that Jalan Pratama is the access road to a number of hotels and tourist-related industries. The road is extremely narrow and almost impassable when two large busses meet. Local citizens and tourists alike are complaining of the heavy traffic congestion on the road.

A similar note was sounded by the traditional village head (Bendesa) of Bualu, I Made Retha. He said that the “fact of the matter” is that the road is congested and frequently subject to gridlock. “For instance,” he said, “during New Year’s celebrations or when there are public celebrations (there is congestion). Because the roads are packed, all community activities and local economic activities are impeded. What’s more, imagine the situation if the toll way is realized, I hope the suggestion to build feeder roads is also realized.”

Karyana said the local citizens are worried what effect of the suspended new toll way will have on their community if anticipatory steps are not urgently taken beginning now. The Benoa-Nusa Dua toll way will certainly bring more traffic to Nusa Dua, especially to Jalan Pratama. Because of this, Karana is urging the government to urgently undertake a Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for feeder roads to prepare for the coming growth in traffic. He hopes that the DED can be allocated funds in the 2012 budget.

The need for more roads in the Tanjung Benoa region is very pressing, according to Karyana. He contends that the enlargement of Jalan Pratama - the main thoroughfare, is no longer possible due to the existing development. “My suggestion is for Jalan Pratama to be turned into a one-way street to be connected with a ring road built in or near the mangrove."

Despite still be the early days of the total US$215.5 million renovation, Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport is already coming under criticism for a perceived lack of Balinese architectural elements in the proposed final layout.

Local politicians in Bali are decrying the ultra-modern finishes proposed for the new airport. claiming the final result will be a far departure from the legally mandated Bali architectural elements and end up resembling a European airport.

As reported by Radar Bali, even before the main terminal is built it appears that the airport’s management, PT Angkasa Pura I, is abandoning earlier promises to make the airport look and feel Balinese. A member of Commission III of the Bali provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali), IB Pada Kesuma, told the press that he has seen the final design of the airport and is extremely disappointed. Claiming the final design is not relevant to Bali, he said: “I have seen the design of a round rood shaped like half a ball. What kind of design is this?”

Kusuma continued: “Bali design is defined by roof lines. The other design elements are far from having any Balinese feel.” The legislator said the people of Bali want the airport to have strong Balinese architectural values. What’s more, Balinese architectural values are world-renowned and form part of the natural attraction of Bali tourism. Bali has had regulations in effect since 1974 stipulating the requirement to include Balinese architectural elements in all building design. This requirement was further reinforced with the new provincial zoning law of 2009.

“With these regulations, every building, including both hotels and others forms of business, must create buildings in a Bali style or have or Bali architectural ornamentation, “ insists Kusuma. Saying the new airport must be required to reflect Bali cultural values or it risks contributing to the destruction of the island’s identity.

Kusuma wants both the regional and provincial governments of Badung and Bali to treat this matter seriously. The local legislator said local government must find the courage to issue reprimands to the Airport Authority to ensure the final building when opened has a Balinese flair. To achieve this, he has called for a re-review of the new airport’s permits if Angkasa Pura management does not relent and continues with the current  non-Balinese design plan.

If the airport authority is allowed to stay with its present design, Kusuma is certain that foreign tourists arriving in Bali will have no feeling that they are arriving in Bali. “Foreign tourists to Bali what to see Bali, not a European design. Adding: “The Balinese 'feel' must appear as soon as every airplane lands at Ngurah Rai Airport. If we stay with the present design, arriving tourists will think they've landed in Europe.”

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airlines and U.S. carrier Delta Airlines are both vying to purchase 10.88% of the chares of Indonesian national flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia.

According to Bisnis Indonesia, two executives who are privy to high-level decisions now underway with Garuda confirmed that the two foreign airlines have asked PT Nikko Securities Indonesia to assist them in acquiring the necessary shares for the partial ownership.

“Nikko has approached the guarantors of the initial public offering who still hold shares. At this time the process of negotiating a price continues. However, the IPO underwriters are asking for prices above the current market price,” a source told Bisnis Indonesia.

Information provided by Nikko Securities indicate a strategic investor desires to buy the necessary outstanding shares from the underwriter for Rp. 500 (US$0.05) per share, a price that is lower than the initial IPO offering of Rp. 750 (US$0.08) per share and also lower than the current trading price on the Indonesian Stock Exchange.

The foreign carriers are also seeking one seat each among the directors and commissioners of Garuda Indonesia as part of their share acquisition proposal.

The Deputy Minister for State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Parikesit Suprapto,  was unprepared to make comment when contacted by the press. But he did confirm that discussions had taken place between the IPO underwriters and a strategic investor.

Suprapto said: “We have put everything in the hands of the security underwriters from the initial IPO. This process includes PT Danareksa Sekuritas, PT Bahana Securities and PT Mandiri Sekuritas.”

Harianto Solichin, the President Director of Nikko Securities was out of town and unavailable to comment on this developing story.

In the financial report of Garuda Indonesia for September 2011, the three underwriters of the Garuda IPO together with PT Danareksa hold 10.88% of the company shares or 2.46 million shares.

At the time of the IPO, the three underwriter were compelled to pay out Rp. 1.85 trillion (US$205.5 million) for the block of 2.46 million outstanding shares.

The Chief Director of Danareksa Sekuritas, Marciano Herman, said he had no information of specific strategic investors, but did continue that discussions were ongoing with potential strategic investors. The Chief Directors of Mandiri Sekuritas and Bahana Securities, refused to discuss specifics of any discussions with potential strategic investors.

The underwriters for the Garuda were, to some extent, left holding the bag when the IPO for Garuda Indonesia was launched. Because the asking price of Rp. 750 per shares was deemed too high, the public take up of available shares was lackluster, requiring the underwriters to step up and purchase Rp. 2.3 trillion (US$255 million) in unsubscribed share certificates.

As a precautionary step and in the event a private investor cannot be found, a State-owned insurance company is being groomed to potentially purchase the share certificates from the underwriter.

Rumor of a possible takeover of the outstanding shares by a private investor has precipitated a rally in the share price of Garuda Indonesia on the Indonesian Stock Exchange.

Bisnis Indonesia reports that competition in the hotel and condominium (condotel) sectors in Bali is expected to become more intense due to the thousands of new hotel rooms and condominiums entering the market in 2012-2013.

Hasan Pamudji, Senior Research Manager for Knight Frank Indonesia, said Bali will remain a popular tourist destination, buoyed by steady growth in the Indonesian economy as a whole.

Said Pamudji: “Total additional new rooms in 2011-2013 equal 4,362 rooms from 24 separate projects. Of that total 49% will be rooms in starred hotels.”

He said that Kuta the largest number of new rooms will be in Kuta with 1,207 rooms, dominated by budget-priced three-star hotels.

In Sanur, 881 new hotel rooms will be dominated by four-star properties. Meanwhile, five-star hotel rooms dominate the 351 new hotel rooms being introduced into the market in Legian.

Pamudji sees the large number of new hotel rooms in Bali as translating into heightened competition and an impetus among existing hotels to upgrade and renovate their properties.

“Competition will also be heightened because of new rooms coming on line in the condotel sector,” said Pamudji.

Condotel Sector

As regards growth within the condotel sector, Fakky Ismail Hidayat, Senior Associates at Knight Franks Indonesia, counted the new condotel units from semester II of 2011 through 2012 as coming to 1,755 units, spread across 12 projects.

Kuta will dominate the new Condotel units with 672 units with the highest “sold” level reported among competing projects at 62%.

In addition, pre-sale units will hit 36% with 82% of construction of these units to be completed in 2012.

“The condotel market will continue to grow because of the uniqueness of Bali as a destination. Other destinations commencing on the condotel business will grow at slower rates than Bali,” observed Fakky.

He also projects that condotel units located near the beach, shopping areas and restaurants operated by branded companies will record the highest sales figures.

According to Fakky, Kuta will become the center for these projects with escalating price competition between competing condotels to be expected.

The Jakarta Post reports that health authorities in Bali are warning people to be on guard against a new outbreak of dengue fever, a disease cyclically tied to the onset of the rainy season.

Bali recorded 12,000 cases of dengue fever in 2010, linking the outbreak to 34 deaths.

“Rainy season often trigger a spike in the number of dengue fever cases. In 2010 we had to declare an outbreak because reported cases had reached 12,500,” said Bali Health Agency head, I Nyoman Sutedja.

He went on to warn: 

“We are asking the public to pay attention to puddles formed after the rain because those will provide perfect breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector of dengue. The puddles should be drained immediately.”

In recent weeks, local hospitals in Bali have recorded an increase in dengue fever cases. Sanglah General Hospital recorded 29 dengue cases in the first two weeks of 2012.

One hospital official in Denpasar said that traditionally, cases reach their peak by the middle of the year. This year’s exceptionally heavy rainy season is expected to add to the possibility of an increase in dengue cases followings last year’s reported decrease.

An anti-malarial officer from east Denpasar said that new housing developments may be a hidden source of new cases. Unattended puddles of waters at construction sites may be breeding grounds for mosquito larvae.