The question on everyone's mind--visitors and residents alike--is the riots, looting, shooting of six student activists, death of more than 500 looters and burning of 5,000  buildings, which occurred in Java in mid-May--could it happen in Bali?

        The answer is a resounding, "No!"
        Despite the tremendous social unrest in Jakarta in May, Bali remained very peaceful and calm with no single incident reported in which political protests caused any disruption in the delivery of tourism services to the islands visitors, said Bali tourism chief Luther Barrung.     
    Anak Agung Gede Rai underscores the point. "Bali has a very strong cultural and religious community, bound together by the traditional "desa adat" and "banjar"--traditional law and community organisation. These very strict rules have been practiced for centuries, and through this system the Balinese people are communally bound," said Rai, president of the Bali Tourism Development Corp., and himself, a descendent of Balinese royalty and a strong community leader and member.
    "This prevents the indigenous Balinese from doing anything outside the common interest of their people. Even outsiders (workers and residents from other islands) are under this jurisdiction. Even the large city of Denpasar is divided into strong "banjar" communities which can, to a large extent, minimise the possibility of things getting out of hand.
      "Even in Kuta, look inside the hustle and bustle and you will find a very strong village life, with rules and regulations observed by everyone. When there was frequent crime in Kuta a few years ago, it was the community which took public punishment to the street to end the problem.
        "We can't guarantee 100 per cent that there are no problems. Who is perfect?  There is crime and problems everywhere. The difference is the Balinese community certainly is capable of warding it off," said Rai.
        With 526,000 family heads deriving their income from tourism in Bali, they certainly have a vested interested in protecting the butter that is spread on their bread.
        A trip into the island's interior shows no sign of outside interference. Rice is still harvested, Balinese women are still dressed in brilliantly coloured sarongs, carrying baskets of offerings on their heads as they gracefully stride to the Hindu temple in religious ritual. It's life as usual for the Balinese and tourists to Bali, and the Balinese have a vested interest in keeping it that way.

 

BALI BOUNCING BACK CUP

Attention Bali-based Hotel and Travel Industry Staff.

THESE ARE THE WARNING SIGNALS:  You know all your guests by their first names; You're considering having housekeeping staff wear civilian clothes and hang around the lobby just to improve the atmosphere; You're so happy to see a new guest check-in that you fight the Hotel Porter  for the privilege to carry their bags.

RELIEF IS AT HAND! Nirwana Bali Golf Club & Le Meridien Nirwana are inviting all frustrated management and hotel staff and all other travel industry members to a travel industry sunset game of golf on Wednesday, 24 June at the Nirwana Bali Resort. Tee times will start from 12.00 and prizes will be awarded during a relaxing buffet dinner over drinks at 18.00.

Cost for the day is Rp. 350,000 net inclusive of green fees, cart fee, caddy fee, tax, prizes, buffet dinner and beer. Local Rule #1: Each time your mobile phone rings you will incur a one shot penalty.  Local Rule #2: Scream "booking" instead of "fore" when hitting a drive - everyone is sure to pay attention.

Contact Steve Lamerton, Golf Club General Manager at (0361) 815 960. Bookings can be made by facsimile to (0361) 815 961.

 

BALI ARTS FESTIVAL CONTINUES THROUGH JULY

       Visitors to Bali from mid-June to mid-July have the unique opportunity to experience the world of Balinese art and culture, all in one spot. The 20th Annual Bali Arts  Festival is ongoing at Taman Budaya culture centre, through July 15. This vast "living museum" is ablaze with colourful traditional dances, local musicians,  handicraft exhibitions, artistic competitions and cultural life in bloom--from the young to the young at heart.

        Among participats are students from the School of Dance and Music. These young artist are preserving traditions handed down over the generations, learning classical dance, music and art. Besides traditional disciplines, these students master standardised dance movements for dance drama but produce new types of Balinese dances for tourism and modern village entertainment. Students return to their villages to carry on the cultural tradition--carrying both traditional standards and new versions.

        At Taman Budaya, visitors will find a huge cultural complex in the capital's centre, constructed in traditional Balinese architecture. Grand theaters and small performance halls make for a variety of venues, the largest ampitheater holding up to 6,000 spectators.

        There are opportunities to witness little known dances from  distant villages--something other visitors may never be able to experience. There may be trance dances from remote mountain slopes, recently revived spiritual dances, sacred offering making contests or carving competitions.  These events are not staged for tourists. Many of the competitors already have won competitions at their village and regency levels. What's on display is the best of the best. Visitors just get the benefit of a local phenomenon.

        No where in the world can anyone experience such a range of traditional arts, and for such little cost. And what better place to seek out handicrafts made on the spot by artisans. Buying directly from the artist, you know he or she receives 100 percent of the earnings.

        Each festival day is divided into two programs. Midday performances, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., usually include music, traditional games and craft contests such as cooking or offering making. Evening performances begin at 8 pmand last late into the night. The Arts Centre is oppen all day until midnight with an array of exhibitions, food stalls and commercial outlets.

 

SPORTS ON THE RISE AT BALI RESORTS

        Watersports always have been a natural for the Indonesian archipelago. But the range in diversity of new sport activities for tourists is on the rise. On Bali, particularly, there is everything from rafting to parasailing, elephant trekking to cycling, diving to kayaking.

    Among the most exciting new activities is elephant safaris. Bali Adventure Tours has 18 elephants in Taro village, 20 minutes north of Ubud, available for jungle treks or short rides. Adventure now packages the elephant safari with its 8-year-old rafting program on the Ayung River. Combined with lunch, this makes an exciting, full-day excursion. Adventure also offers mountain cycling, jungle or rice paddy trekking, tandem paragliding and team building programmes.

        Hotel Intan Bali adds full spa facilities to its resort sports club, from July 14, due to increased interest in health and relaxation.

        The Oberoi Bali released a golf package featuring the Le Meridien Nirwana Golf Club. A minimum three night stay features one day of golfing, with prices per night from US$320, including limousine airport transfers, golf course transfers, full breakfast, aromatherapy body massage and dinner with cultural dance performance. Nirwana Golf Club's Greg Norman-designed golf course is believed to be among the world's most challenging.

        The Oberoi Lombok reduced prices on diving package, minimum two night stay,  per night from $225, including airport transfers, PADI discover scuba dive, full breakfast, complimentary use of watersports equipment, Jacuzzi, mountain bikes, gymnasium and tennis court.

        Sol Elite Paradiso in Tuban, Bali, offers a three night diving package in Pemuteran. It includes airport and diving transfers, dive equipment use, two dives with a PADI dive master and lunch, daily breakfast and extras.

        Newly opened Four Seasons Bali at Sayan offers hiking and biking excursions plus stretching and aerobics. At Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay there's a morning beach walk, biking trips, aerobics, tennis and various beach sports, all complimentary.

        Nikko Bali Resort & Spa guests have an opportunity to work out in the new Nature Cycle Tour, enjoying adventure trails and off-rode cycling in the uninhabited surroundings of the hotel. Leading guests on a guided tour, recreation manager Tamara shows them the "real Bali' as it was 20 years ago, with natural landscape, sounds of nature and clear air.

J.M. Daniels
Editor/ Vice Chairman PATA Bali Chapter

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