1 Giant Mind – a non-profit global research and educational organization will organize a 2nd Annual Worldwide Meditation Event on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 5:00 pm on the beach in front of the Petitenget temple in Seminyak.

The organizers have committed to coordinating the largest global meditative experiences in human history of “eyes closed silence.” Aiming to generate 100 million people meditating in various locations around the world '1 Giant Mind' will test their hypothesis that the effects of mass meditation on individuals and society can be scientifically measured. To that end, '1 Giant Mind' have gathered together a group of leading scientific researchers to conduct experiments in multiple locations on a scale never before attempted in order to measure and document the empirical outcomes of a global meditative moment.

According to those organizing the event “Eyes Closed Silence (ECS)” encompasses any mental process, including common meditation, prayer, observance of the breath, and contemplation that induces a set of integrated psycho-physiological changes termed as the ‘relaxation response’.

In the world of the co-founder of '1 Giant Mind,' Gary Gorrow: "Leading scientific research has demonstrated that every human being generates a 'thought force'. When a large group of people collectively meditates the thought force becomes unified, creating a wonderfully uplifting and positive effect within and beyond the group. The experience of being in the company of thousands of other meditating minds is something you should experience at least once in this lifetime, but so few actually have the opportunity to do so until now.“

The first Bali experiment, held in September 2011, united local Balinese, expats and tourists in a profound experience of silence that generated, according to those who participated, a palpable effect.

Jonni Pollard, co-founder of the movement, seeks to have the meditative gathering become a permanent part on the Bali calendar.

Similar events have been organized in Sydney and Newcastle in Australia and upcoming events are planned in Los Angeles, New York and again in Sydney.

This year’s Bali event will be held in collaboration with local ‘Bali Usada’ meditation teacher and renowned healer Merta Ada who played a key role in the inaugural meditative event. Teaching meditation at retreats for both locals and foreigners, Merta Ada assists in bringing together Bali’s religious and spiritual leaders, local dignitaries and members of the wider Balinese community to participate in the shared experience on a Balinese beach.

Directors of organizers Vigour and Soul Sanctuaries, and students of Merta Ada’s have joined forces in '1 Giant Mind' to bring the Bali event back for a second time.

Joanne McFarlane of Soul Sanctuaries, said: “I’ve always loved to meditate within a group environment. I drop into a deeper meditation quicker and with less of a ‘monkey mind’ than my regular solo meditations. Last year at this event there were tourists who just happened to be walking along the beach that joined in and meditated for the first time ever and thought it was awesome. Now that’s powerful!”

Expecting over a thousand participants, this year’s event will begin at 5:00 pm with a musical performance followed by introductions in both English and Indonesian. ‘Eyes Closed Silence’ will then begin, followed by a question and answer session.

1 Giant Mind
2nd Annual Worldwide Meditation Event
Eyes Closed Silence

Beachfront directly in front of Petitenget Hindu Temple in Seminyak, Bali,
 
Sunday, June 10, 2012
5:00 pm
[1 Giant Mind Website]

[Follow '1 Giant Mind' on Twitter] 

Alila Villas Soori – the renowned private villa resort located on Bali’s West Coast north of the Iconic Tanah Lot Temple, is hosting a special fine wine and dining experience at their open-air beachside Cotta Restaurant on Saturday, May 26, 2012.
rt’s talented Executive Chef Ashton Hall has prepared an environmentally sustainable menu to pair with the organically produced wines of Naked Range from Jansz Estate based in Yarra Valley, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Calling on his extensive experience at chic and luxurious dining establishments worldwide, Chef Ashton Hall crafts menus that combine the highest quality fresh ingredients in innovative ways. At Cotta, his menus feature delightful local twists to familiar favourites, building layers of flavours that combine in a harmonious balance through his signature “ingredient-driven” cuisine.

Guests will savour in lavish wine pairings – each wine selected to complement the distinct flavours of Chef Hall’s creations.

Jansz Estate, established in 1995, is a 21-acre vineyard with 17-acres planted in Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. With a background in horticulture, Mike Jansz introduced modern growing philosophies and techniques to establish the estate as a sustainable environmentally friendly wine company.

Inspiration for the Naked Range label emanates from the outline of the bare woman’s torso that local resident insist has been sketched by nature in the outline of the mountain range that sominates the horizon of the vineyard’s northwest.

Founders Mike and Brigit Jansz have sent their finest wine selection of Naked Range wines to pair with the "ingredient-driven cuisine" of Alila Villas Soori’s Chef Ashton Hall.

The Premium Estate Labels includes selected parcels of Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Merlot blend, Chardonnay and Sauvignon. The Jansz’s two daughters portrayed on the label inspired “The Duet” branding.

Reservations are essential for this limited seating dining experience. A special menu degustation will be served for Rp. 950,000 ++ (US$125) per person or including Naked Range wine pairing for Rp. 1,250,000 ++ (US$164)

For more information telephone +62-(0)361-894 6388

[Email] 

Of the 275 museums operating across Indonesia, the majority are considered unfit to serve as tourist attractions.

That’s the conclusion of a senior National tourism official as reported by Beritabali.com. I Gde Pitana, the Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy’s Deputy Minister for Resource Development bemoans that most Indonesian museums are not tourist-friendly, uncapable of providing accurate information needed by tourist visitors.

This situation, according to Pitana, will not change until such a time as the current level of unprofessional management of these attractions is improved.

Adding to the woes of Indonesia’s museums is the low level of attention provincial governments brings to their operation. “Local governments are not yet interested in taking their museums into hand, viewing such institutions only as cost centers, not profit centers. One of the (chief) indicators for regents and mayors is how much any project will increase local revenues. But, increasing local government revenues via museums is difficult,” Pitana explained.

Pitana said the government is trying to increase visits to government museums by revitalizing the current range of museums. To date, 26 museums have been revitalized both in terms of management, physical structure and the use of technology.

The government is targeting that by 2014 the total number of revitalized museums will total 150.

Reacting to mounting protest and criticism, the Forestry Minister Zulfiki Hasan has promised to cancel plans to give a use concession to a private firm for a 100-hectare tract of National Forest Reserve near Lake Buyun, Buleleleng regency, North Bali.

As reported by Balidiscovery.com, PT Nusa Bali Abadi (PT NBA) obtained an initial permit to develop a luxury resort in the National Forest in 2007. Bali’s governor immediately objected to the plan, writing to the Minister of Forestry urging that the permit be withdrawn. Five years on, the governor had yet to receive a response from the Ministry.

Emboldened by their ability to bypass Bali’s governor, PT NBA requested that their concession be expanded to 102 hectares, a request that unleashed a renewed hailstorm of criticism from Governor Pastika, environmental activists and local community groups.

Visiting Bali to attend a Cabinet Meeting held at the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace, Minister Zulifli Hasan, told the Bali Daily that he would respond to the strong objections of Balinese society and promptly cancel permits for use of the National forest in Bali by PT NBA.

Hasan further pledged that without the agreement of the Buleleng administration and Bali’s governor no project would be allowed to be built in the forest reserve.

Related Article

[It’s a Jungle Out There] 

Bisnis.com reports that the firing of the CEO of Merpati Nusantara Airlines by the Minister of State-owned Enterprises (BUMN) precipitated the resignation of a number of upper management members at the government-owned airline.

Protesting that the termination of Sardjono Jhonny Tjitrokusumo (Jhonny Sardjono) was not done in accordance with the law, the senior vice president for corporate planning at Merpati, Erry Wardhana, told Bisnis on May 14, 2012: “I, and around 8 people at my level of the company, have handed their letters of resignation to the new CEO. I hold an official receipt (for the resignation).”

Wardhana said the process of firing Sardjono, which was not in accordance with agreed procedures, prompted his resignation. Moreover, he complained that the reason for the termination has not been made clear.

“Captain Jhonny was not given the right to defend himself in an open forum before the BUMN Ministry, despite such a forum being scheduled for May 21, 2012,” said Wardhana.

The former SVP of Merpati said that Captain Jhonny received a letter advising of his replacement on Monday, May 7, 2012, which he was asked to counter-sign. That letter granted the dismissed CEO 14 days to respond to his firing. That deadline for that response fell on May 21, 2012.

Wardhana continued: “This was in keeping with the rules. What’s more, I prepared a response for Captain Jhonny for him to read on May 21, 2012. But, heh, on Friday night, May 11, 2012, another letter arrived ordering him (Captain Jhonny) to hand over his position as CEO on May 14, 2012.”

In Erry’s view, the airline’s management is capable of answering the accusations made against Captain Johnny as the basis of his firing, namely issues related to a lack of financial synergy.

Sardjono Jhonny regretted the process of his sudden replacement. Adding: “It will be regrettable if the baton in the next leg of relay race falls to the wrong hand. I am also unhappy if the BUMN Minister claims I resigned because the financial synergy of Merpati showed no signs of improvement.”

Jhonny admitted that he had expressed his intent to resign on January 30, 2012, in connection with a refused request for additional working capital from the government. “I was forbidden from adding Rp. 200 billion in state funds as working capital in the Company’s Working Budget for 2012,” he explained.

However, Jhonny said that in February 2012 all the employees of Merpati gathered at the Bank Mandiri Building. “There, Dahlan Iskan, the BUMN Minister, refused my resignation as CEO. This clearly underlines that my resignation was refused and rendered null and void, so I continued with my assignment,” said Jhonny.

The dismissed CEO told the press that during his appointment as CEO on May 26, 2010 until December 30, 2011, he had never received supporting funds for the airline from the government. At the time of his employment, Merpati only had five aircraft.

“How can the restructuring and revitalization (of the airline) go forward without funding? During the subject period is was already an achievement that Merpati managed to survive,” Sardjono complained.

The interim CEO of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Rudi Setyopurnomo, who previously served as Chief Commissioner of the airline, said Jhonny was replaced because of the poor financial synergy within the company.

“In 2011 the company lost Rp. 750 billion (US$81.5 million), while in the first quarter of 2012 the company lost a further Rp. 250 billion (US$27.3 million),” said Rudi.

He estimated that the bad financial synergy of Merpati is due to the poor management of the airline’s operations. He cited the thrice-weekly flight service between Jakarta and Bandung. That flight is operated with a plane with 56 seats, but according to Rudi, only four seats are filled and, moreover, the service has flown on occasion without any passengers at all.

“This has to be addressed. The load factor is zero, but the route is still flown, not to mention other (similar) routes. This clearly results in the corporation losing Rp. 2 – 3 billion every day,” Rudi added.

Related Article

[Strikes Looms at Merpati Nusantara Airline]

The Jakarta Globe reports that the Bali police have established special task forces for rapid response whenever foreign tourist visitors are involved in crime or accidents.

Initially limited to just Bali’s capital of Denpasar and the regencies of Badung and Gianyar, Senior Police  Commander Adi S. Putra, in charge of tourism security, said, 
“We want to be proactive and not have to wait for reports when something happens to tourists.”

The special task force is comprised of 20 officers, carried around the island in a new van bearing the motto “To Serve and Protect.” The vehicle carries office equipment, computers and printers that will permit the police to file police reports without compelling the victims of crime to come to a local precinct station.

A separate beach task force has 10 officers who use motorcycles for patrolling beach areas.

Those assigned to the task force were selected based on their professional records, foreign language skills, knowledge of information technology and general tourism knowledge.

Over the last year, 177 tourists were victims of crime in Bali. According to statistics kept by the Bali police, most crime involved theft, robbery, manhandling, pick pocketing and sexual harassment.

A monkey run amuck on Monday, May 14, 2012, reportedly killed Nyoman Gunung, a 66-year-old Karangasem man in the village of Tengah Nongan.

The man’s naked body was found along the side a local river riddled with animal bites. The man was reportedly taking a bath in a local river at the time of his death.

Bali Post verified on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, with the spokesman for the Karangasem Police station, Made Wartama, the discovery of the man’s body the previous day. The body had already undergone a post-mortem examination. That examination concluded the man’s many wounds were due to animal bites. There were bites on the man’s two hands, chest and legs. No bites were found to any vital organs. There were, however, indications that at least one of the bites severed an artery, causing the man to bleed to death.

The dead body was discovered by a fellow villager, Nyoman Dana, at 5:30 pm while the man was on his way to the river to take an evening bath. Dana told the police that Nyoman Gunung was already dead when he first saw the man’s body.

Raising the alarm with fellow villagers, the nearest police precinct at Rendang was also called to the scene.

Dana told the press that the area along the river is home to hundreds of monkeys. To date, however, the monkeys have never bothered or attacked the local human population. “This is the first time this has happened. I don’t know. Did the victim bring food that caused the monkeys to attack?” Dana querried.

The State News Agency Antara quoted another villager from Nongan, Komang Semara Yasa, saying: “The victim Nyoman Gunung was found in a critical condition by a villager around 50 meters from the river with severe wounds all over his body, injuries caused by monkey bites. Before he could be given medical help, the victim died.”

Yasa said local villages suspect the monkey that killed the man was infected with rabies, because several weeks earlier the same monkey had attacked a dog. After the attack the dog then exhibited symptoms of rabies causing its owner to put the animal down.

The monkey had also attacked a villager bathing the river necessitating the villager’s hospitalization for a several days.

Semara complained that village officials and the police failed to urgently act upon the initial reports made by villagers and forwarded on to the police. Semara said a more serious handling of the initial complaint might have prevented the man’s death.

If rabies is confirmed to have now spread to the monkey population at the Karangasem village, it will represent the first case of primate infection in Bali and raise a myriad of concerns on what to do with the thousands of semi-sacred monkeys that populates temples and tourist spots across the Bali and how to protect the thousands of tourists who visit these locales ever day.

BIZNET Networks is celebrating the expansion of its high-speed Fiber Optic Internet network in Bali with a party celebrating the opening of the BIZNET Branch Office in Ubud, offering high-quality and reliable Internet connections for people in the cultural heart of Bali.
ET Networks is the leading fixed-line and multimedia telecommunication provider in Indonesia, providing network, Internet, data center, cloud computing and Pay TV service. Established in 2000, BIZNET Networks operates the latest Fiber Optic network and the biggest data center in Indonesia.

Building on Bali’s role as the gateway of National tourism and Ubud’s popularity as a getaway for family vacations, corporate gatherings and honeymoons, BIZNET aims to deliver the best service of internet connection and high-quality multimedia entertainment. As part of its cutting-edge approach, BIZNET will soon be launching max3 - the latest Internet connection and pay TV service in High Definition (HD).

“Since the end of 2009, we’ve been seeing tremendous increase in Internet penetration and we predicted that people’s needs of Internet will increase in the years to come. In-line with the growing technology and also the fast-growing information sharing through the internet, we are committed to continue expanding Fiber Optic networks in Indonesia, and not to forget, meeting people’s demands to have a high-quality and reliable internet connections,” said Adi Kusma, President Director of BIZNET Networks.

“Internet users nowadays are using the internet to send text, images, and even videos, which require large bandwidth to support that, especially if they require live streaming. Those activities can only be supported by Fiber Optic technology in order to have the best quality,” Adi added.

Come Join the Party in Ubud on Saturday, May 26th

Adopting the theme – “BIZNET Networks – Connecting Ubud to the World” BIZNET is throwing a party in Ubud on Saturday, May 26, 2012 to celebrate the expansion of its Fiber Optics Network to Ubud and the opening of their office there.

Businesses, hotels, restaurants and residents of Ubud wishing to learn more about BIZNET are welcome to attend the afternoon cocktail reception from 5::00 – 8:00 pm at the Arma Museum – Water Garden.

A number of exciting door prizes, including an iPad, digital photo frames and bottles of wine will be given away as door prizes.

Wine for the event will be sponsored by [Cape Discovery Wines]

BIZNET NETWORKS
Connecting Ubud to the World

A Celebration of BIZNET Fiber Option Service to Ubud
And Opening of the BIZNET Network Ubud Office

A cocktail Reception
Saturday, May 26, 2012

5:00 – 8:00 pm

ARMA Museum – Water Garden
Jalan Raya Pengosekan
Ubud, Bali

Alll are welcome but RSVP is required for attendance by responding to [On-Line BIZNET RSVP Ubud Party]

[Email BIXNET RSVP Ubud Party] 

Or RSVP by telephoning Jeffrey (Bali Discovery Tours) at +62-(0)361-286283.

National tourism leaders are asking why Bali has failed to establish a Regional Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD), despite the advanced state of development of  Bali tourism and the requirement by law for the island to create a BPPD.

Bisnis.com quotes Ngurah Wijaya, the chairman of the Bali Chapter of Indonesian Association on Tourism (GIPI) as said on Sunday, May 13, 2012: “The reality of the situation is like that, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has yet to decide the names of those proposed to sit on the board of BPPD-Bali. So, there’s been no inauguration.”

Ngurah said the names proposed to sit on the BPPD Bali have been handed to the governor of Bali, including the travel agent and hotelier I Wayan Sudibya; the hotelier Cok Ace who will soon retire as the regent of Gianyar; and his own name in his capacity as the chairman of GIPI and the chairman of Bali village.

Ngurah said the failure of Bali to form a BPPD was a topic of discussion at a meeting held last week by the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (BPPI) at the Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy in Jakarta.

To the GIPI Chairman’s view is that while the tourism mindset is perhaps more advanced in Bali, it remains a mystery why the provincial government of Bali has failed to keep pace with other provinces by establishing a BPPD as mandates by the tourism law of 2009.

While Bali tourism traces its roots back decades, to times far earlier than the development of tourism in neighboring areas, such as West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). At the same time, Bali has failed to match NTB by setting up its own BPPD, despite such an organization now established and operatiing in NTB. 

The Bali branch of Bank Indonesia records that revenues earned by the government from visas on arrivals in Bali grew 19.89%, totaling US$14.41 million during Q1 of 2012, as compared to the same three month period in 2011.

Bisnis.com quotes the head of Bank Indonesia in Denpasar, Dwi Pranoto, as saying the amount collected between January-March 2012 represents a modest increase from the US$14.33 collected in Q4 of 2011. Said Pranoto, “that increase indicates the increase in tourists during that period (Q1 2012).”

As reported by Balidiscovery.com, the first quarter of 2012 closed with 695,239 foreign tourists coming to Bali creating a 14.76% increase in number of arrivals over Q1 2011.

While citizens of ASEAN member nations are exempt from purchasing a visa on arrival, much of the growth in revenue from visa fees comes from Australians who represents 26.75% of all foreign visitors to Bali. A surge in Mainland Chinese visitors have also increased quarter-on-quarter by a whopping 82.54% - representing a major contributor to higher visa fees.

Bali is targeting a record 3 million foreign tourist visitors for all of 2012, contributing substantially to the national goal of 8 million foreign tourists.

Related Article

[Bali By The Numbers: Strong March Arrivals Put Bali On Track to Exceed 3 Million Foreign Visitors in 2012]  

A shipped owned by the State-owned oil company Pertamina has been stranded on the reef off Sanur’s beach since November 2010 with little indication that any effort is being made to remove the vessel that is both an eyesore and a continuing environmental threat to Bali’s southern coastline.
icials seem reluctant to either comment or move against the ship, despite a range of legal remedies available to them. Port authorities could free the ship and make claims against the vessels insurers or offer it up to salvage as an abandoned vessel. But these steps have apparently not been done.

Clearly its high time for Pertamina or Benoa port authorities to take steps to remove the ship which has greeted guest staying at the luxury resorts along Bali’s Sanur Beach for nearly 2 years and continues to pose an environmental hazard.

Information on whether the ship contains  fuels representing a further environmental hazard to the beach is difficult to obtain.

Related Article

[A Ship That's Going Nowhere] 

Australian tourist, Edward Norman Myatt (54) has seen Denpasar prosecutors call for the maximum penalty of death to be imposed for trying to smuggle 1.1 kilograms of hashish and methamphetamines concealed in 72 capsules ingested and concealed in his gut when he arrived in Bali of a Thai Airways flight on February 27, 2012.

Citing the amount of drugs and the method of concealment as indications that Myatt is a member of an international drug syndicate, prosecutors are seeking the ultimate punishment that can be imposed under the law.

Myatt, who has worked as a hairdresser, was a frequent visitor to Bali fueling suspicion that he may have carried drugs into Bali on past trips.

The man’s trial will continue on May 24, 2012 as witnesses are called in the case.

Related Article

[It All Comes Out in the End]

Many young Balinese continue to travel abroad in search of lucrative employment and career opportunities otherwise not available in Bali. Bali’s inability to absorb all the its job seekers coming into the employment marketplace each year necessitates that the young seek jobs further afield.

The Bali Manpower and Transmigration Office calculates that on the average 150 Balinese job seekers depart the island for abroad each day.

Radar Bali reports that the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) estimates the success achieved by Balinese in securing work overseas has tangibly reduced the island’s unemployment rate. In February 2011, the official rate of unemployment stood at 2.86%, reducing to 2.32% in August 2011 and dropping further to 2.11% in February 2012.

Because of the growing demands for Balinese workers in the international tourism and cruise industry, manpower officials continue to focus on preparing young job seekers to fill these overseas positions.

The government is also working to train spa therapists to meet the strong demand for workers in that sector. Approximately 40% of all young people receiving government job training at this time are being trained for the spa sector.

Because the growth in labor demand in Bali is still insufficient to absorb all the new job seekers, the government is compelled to provide training for positions abroad.

Manpower officials are expressing concern that the uncertain world economy at the moment may curtail the number of opportunities available to Balinese workers in Europe, the Middle East and the international cruise industry.

After being hunted for five days, the enraged monkey thought to have killed Nyoman Gunung (65) of Nongan, Karengasem was shot and killed by police from the Rendang police precinct on Saturday, May 19, 2012.

Luring the suspected homicidal monkey with poisoned bananas, police says the monkey was unaffected by the toxins compelling police snipers and other police officers to dispatch the animal with multiple shots to the monkey's head and abdomen.

According to Radar Bali, villagers gathered to view the corpse of dead primate that had aggressively hospitalized one village and killed another.

Villagers expressed their relief that the monkey had been killed and thanked police for ending the animal's reign of terror that saw villagers frightened to even bathe in a local river or work in their rice fields.

In keeping with local traditions, the dead monkey was given a funeral ceremony before being buried in the forest at a place near the location of its shooting.

Press reports did not, however, confirm that tests were performed on the dead monkey's remains to determine whether or not the animal had been infected with rabies. Such tests would have ended speculation that Bali’s rabies epidemic had extended to include its primate population.

Related Article

[Concerns of Widening Rabies Epidemic in Bali]
 

Perhaps foreshadowing the growing world economic crisis, Singapore Airlines is cancelling its thrice-weekly flights to Abu Dhabi and twice weekly flights to Athens, Greece due to poor passenger loads.

The termination of the service to Athens brings to a close an air route served by Singapore Airlines since 1972. The airline commenced flights to Abu Dhabi in 2006.

Singapore Airlines is a major “connection” to the world for Bali, operating four daily flights from the airline’s Singapore hub to Bali. As such, Singapore Airline is a major carrier of European, Middle Eastern and American visitors to Bali.

A world airline, despite its local branding, with a world-wide service network second to none, the well-run Singapore Airlines arguably serves as a barometer of the general health of world travel. The airline island republic’s year-on-year profits through the end of March slumped 69%, blamed largely on high oil prices and global economic instability.

The BIZENT Bali International Triathlon to be held on Sunday, June 24, 2012 has partnered with Ecozine – a Hong Kong-based environmental group.

Working in tandem with race organizers to implement a multi-year program to achieve a cleaner and greener triathlon event, Ecozine’s and the organizer’s shared goal is to create a zero-impact race.

To this end, this year will see several new initiatives initiated, including:

• Providing educational materials for athletes and guests.
• Conducting eco-education briefings and a beach cleanups prior to the competition
• Consulting with organizers on concrete steps to reduce the event's environmental impact.

Race Director, Robb Strom said, "We are extremely excited to develop our partnership with Ecozine. Their involvement will support the greening of the Bali Triathlon, which continues to be one of our annual goals."

Nissa Marion, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of Ecozine, added, “We are deeply inspired and grateful to the organizers for their commitment to making the race more environmentally friendly, and look forward to a long term partnership.”

Greening the BIZNET Bali International Triathlon represents not only a commitment to caring for the fragile ecosystems and local communities in Bali where the race takes place, but also a vision for a cleaner, lower-impact future for the world of multisport competition.

Ecovision offers the following “Top Five” tips for athletes to do their part during this year's BIZNET Bali International Triathlon:

1. Bring your own reusable water bottle(s), filled, on race day for your use.
2. When reviewing the course and on race day, stay on the marked routes and avoid disturbing the local flora and fauna.
3. Ensure all your trash is disposed of properly, including packaging and products used during your race experience. Separate recyclables wherever possible.
4. Consider purchasing offsets for your air fare if flying in to attend the event.
5. Support local communities and lower your carbon by buying and eating local when in Bali.

In addition to their environmental activities, Ecozine will be sponsoring a team of competitors and providing media support and coverage for the event.

Registration remains open for the 2012 BIZNET Bali International Triathlon on Sunday, June 24, 2012. As in the past, this year's race includes an Olympic Distance event, a Half-triathlon and a 5 km fun run.

Related Sites

[BIZNET Bali International Triathlon]

[Email for More Information] 

A long-standing commitment by The Bali Dynasty Resort to assist Bali’s underprivileged children is reaping genuine dividends by opening a world of opportunity for a young man from one of Bali’s poorest communities.
rom 2000, The Bali Dynasty Resort has provided generous support to a small remote hamlet in Northeast Bali. Funds provided to the award-winning East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP) have played a critical part in providing schooling to the children of Cegi and surrounding hamlets.

Educational assistance, agricultural guidance and a sustainable supply of fresh water have combined to help break the chain of poverty. Children attend school, illiteracy that was the norm among the areas young is now becoming a rarity, and a better diet grown by the children in school gardens is producing a generation of robust and healthy young children.

As part of efforts to provide intellectual stimulation for the children of EBPP visiting artists have regularly visited to teach art skills. Books on “Learning by Doing” and illustrated by the students have been published; fund raising auctions of children’s arts have been held; and exceptional artistic aptitude has been uncovered among the students of Cegi.

One such student, I Wayan Lias, a young man from Cegi has graduated from high school and has recently won a coveted place in the Fine Arts Faculty at the Undiksha University in Singaraja, North Bali.

A gifted painter, Wayan Lias built a small studio in Cegi that he shared with other children interested in art and underlining his long-term goal to become an art educator.

A selection of Wayan Lias’s painting is on display at the Bali Dynasty Resort where they are on sale. Proceeds from the sale will be set-aside in a special education fund for Wayan.

To celebrate his scholastic achievements and acceptance into university – still very much a rarity for anyone from Cegi, Lias was invited on his birthday to celebrate in Golden Lotus Chinese Restaurant at The Bali Dynasty Resort to share his joy and excitement with the hotel’s managers and members of the EBPP team.

Focused on the road ahead, Wayan said: "I can only hope to give back in the way that the Bali Dynasty Resort have done for me to the next young generation in my village and I will never forget the Bali Dynasty Resort graciousness."

Wayan Lias’ plans after graduation are to go back to his village to share the knowledge gained during his studies for the betterment of his community.

The Bali Dynasty Charity effort has supported the integrated education projects of the East Bali Poverty Project initially supporting Cegi and Pengalusan schools and now fully supporting the Pengalusan School. The program concentrates on educating more than 60 children learning the basics of reading, writing, mathematics, arts and crafts, health, hygiene and organic farming.

Since 2000, the Dynasty has raised over Rp. 2 billion (US$217,000) for the project making the Bali Dynasty Resort a leading sponsor of the East Bali Poverty Project.

Shown on Balidiscovery.com is Wayan Lias with Robert Kelsall, General Manager of Bali Dynasty Resort, showing some of recent paintings now on display at the Resort.

Related Site

[East Bali Poverty Project]

The Laguna Resort & Spa continue its series of fine dining experiences with the wines of Chateau Le Puy paired with a six-course degustation dinner specially prepared by Executive Chef, Made Putra.

Jean Pierre Amoreau, the owner of Chateau Le Puy will be on hand to guide diners through an array of his outstanding wines that have been paired with each delectable course.
Chateau Le Puy

The Amoreau family has been producing quality wines on the unique terroirs of Chateau Le Puy since 1610.

Chateau Le Puy lies on the same rock plateau as Pomerol and Saint Emilion, a place known in ancient times as “The Plateau of Wonders” because of the excellence of its wines.

Today, the family runs the 25 hectares of the Domaine following practices learned from generation to generation of the Amoreau family. The wines are produced without sulphites. While Barthelemy and Marie-Cecile are made by “dynamization” - following the moon cycles, gives a unique flavor to the wines, with refine tannins, delicate and elegant aromas

Chateau Le Puy Wine Dinner
Arwana Restaurant - Laguna Resor & Spa, Bali
Friday, June 8, 2012

Amuse Bouche
++++
Deep-sea scallop Carpaccio
Ceviche marinade, organic greens, fresh salmon roe, red pepper confit, lime rock salt

Marie Cecile Chateau Le Puy, Saint Cibard, Bordeaux 2010 Sémillon
++++
River lobster tail
Crab meat raviolo, sautéed young spinach, shimenji mushroom, light fennel and mussel broth

Duc Des Nauves Château Le Puy, Côtes-de-Bordeaux AOC, Saint Cibard, Bordeaux 2010 Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
++++
Roasted Peking duck
Szechuan pepper orange compote, wild arugula and coriander leaves, light hoisin vinaigrette

Emilien Château Le Puy Côtes-de-Franc AOC, Saint Cibard, Bordeaux 2007 Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Carménère
++++
24-hours braised beef oyster blade
Parsnip potato purée, leaves of Brussels sprouts, red wine meat jus, shaved summer truffles

Emilien Château Le Puy Côtes-de-Franc AOC, Saint Cibard, Bordeaux 2008 Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Carménère
++++
Brûlée of matured pont leVec cheese
Barthelemy poached pear, young frisée, and crispy walnut bread

Barthelemy Château Le Puy Côtes-de-Franc AOC, Saint Cibard, Bordeaux 2007 & 2008 Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
++++
Tamarillo ice soufflé
Local rhubarb in vanilla Emilien syrup, yogurt sherbet, mint foam

Emilien Château Le Puy Double Magnum Côtes-de-Franc AOC, Saint Cibard, Bordeaux 1995 Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Carménère
++++
Coffee and Tea
Mignardises

This exceptional dining experience commences at 7:00 pm with champagne, cocktails, and canapés at Arwana Terrace Bar followed by the dinner at 7:30 pm.

Cost for cocktails, dinner and paired wine is Rp. 1,100,000 net (US$120)

Reservations are required as seating is strictly limited for this event. For more information telephone ++62-(0)361-3005503 or [email]  

The former head of the Bali Government Tourist Service (Kadisparda), I Gede Nurjaya (58), may be heading back to prison.

Nurjaya, convicted of corrupting funds for Bali’s tourism promotion in May 2011 and sentenced to one year in prison, was subsequently released on appeal in July 2011 after spending 11 months in Jail, including the period leading up to his actual trial.

Prosecutors, however, were disappointed with the decision of the appeal court and brought Nurjaya's case to the Supreme Court. According to Radar Bali, the Supreme Court has accepted that appeal filed by the public prosecutors and affirmed Nurjaya's original conviction for corruption.

The Supreme Court final ruling is that Nurjaya was proven to have stolen RP. 97 million (US$10.540) in promotion funds. It is not clear, however, at this point if, in making its ruling, the Supreme Court has affirmed, reduced or increased the prison penalty for Nurjaya. This information was missing in the preliminary announcement issued by the Supreme Court.

Nurjaya was charged with corrupting promotional funds in collaboration with another provincial tourism official, Gusti Putu Putra Ambara. Tried separately and both sentenced to one year in prison, Ambara accepted the decision of the first court and is now a free man after serving his sentence

Nurjaya was released after spending nearly 11 months in jail due to the decision of the initial appeal court. But, now, due to the decision of the Supreme Court, Nurjaya must prepare for the possibility that he will soon be returned to prison.

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[Free at Last!]

[Bali Tourism Officials Sentenced to Prison]

While the battle against the current rabies epidemic continues in Bali, the list of fatalities linked to the disease continues to mount.

According to Radar Bali, pledges by the government to continue and intensify the vaccination of dogs are being frustrated by a lack of anti-rabies vaccine (VAR). The purchase of anti-rabies vaccine supplies allocated in government budgets is reportedly not progressing due to administrative problems in the procurement process.

The head of the Livestock, Fisheries and Ocean (Kadisnakkanlut) Department for the Badung regency, Made Badra, has admitted the current shortfall in anti-rabies vaccine.

The 3rd phase of anti-rabies vaccination for area dogs was to start on March 25, 2012 for completion on June 25th – a schedule that is clearly not going to be met.

Because of this failure in the supply chain, only 26,000 of a targeted 40,000 dogs have been vaccinated. The unvaccinated dogs are mostly in the areas of Kuta, North Kuta and South Kuta.

Apparently the resupply of VAR is awaiting the completion of a bidding process, which failed to meet administrative muster the first time the procurement bid was conducted. Adding to the shortage of VAR is the failure of anti-rabies vaccine promised from Jakarta to arrive in Bali.

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[Rabies Toll Climbs]

[New Rabies Death Reported in Bali]

[Dogged Determination to Control Rabies]

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa has confirmed that the government is in the midst of developing North Bali and the eastern regions of Indonesia in order to create a more equitable rate of development in comparison with other regions of the Country.

“Bali’s western and southern regions can be said to be experiencing no problem in terms of infrastructure, however the proposed airport to be built in (Bali’s) east and north with a new airport around Buleleng will be done in order that those areas can also develop,” explained Rajasa.

Hatta Rajasa’s comments were made during a limited meeting conducted at the governor’s office for West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) held in Mataram, Lombok on Friday, May 18, 2012 as reported by Kompas.com.

That meeting, chaired by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, discussed three main agenda items, namely the activities of West Nusa Tenggara, Bali and East Nusa Tenggara in support of the Masterplan for the Acceleration and Expansion of the Economic Development of Indonesia (MP3EI); poverty eradication programs being carried out on the regency and municipality levels; and efforts to integrate new immigrants from East Timor into East Nusa Tenggara.

In addition to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa and the President, the Lombok meeting included a number of cabinet ministers, the governor of West Nusa Tenggara M. Zainul Majdi, regents and mayors from across West Nusa Tenggara, Bali’s governor Made Pastika and the Vice-governor of East Nusa Tenggara Esthon Foenay.

In that meeting, Bali’s governor Pastika cited the need for a more equitable effort on behalf of the government to spread tourism development across all sectors.

Hatta said that if development in Bali’s east and north was done in a planned manner that would reduce current pressure on Bali’s south and west. “In this way, there would be equity achieved in the development of Bali tourism which, until now, remains the mainstay of the island with tourist number now almost reaching 7 million,” explained Hatta.

Hatta said that President Yudhoyono has already given instructions that Bali’s must continue to be developed in order that more international and domestic tourists can visit the island.

He said the President wants visitors to Bali to increase significantly reaching 20 to 30 million people by 2025. “It is hoped that in 2010 the number of tourist visitors will reach 20 million and 30 million by 2025.

Bisnis Bali reports that that foreign and domestic visitors to Bali staying at starred hotels in March 2012 stayed for an average 3.76 days – an increase of 0.15% when compared to March 2011.

Gede Suarsa, the head of the Central Statistic Bureau (BPS), said, “Specifically for foreign tourist, the length of stay is four days, longer than domestic tourists who stayed for only 3.09 days.”

The length-of-stay figures are based on data collected from starred hotels operating in Bali.

Foreign tourists, broken down according to the number of stars awarded to their accommodation choice shows that those staying at five-star hotels stayed 4.05 days, 4.07 days for four-star hotels, 3.94 days at three-star hotels, 3.45 days at two-star hotels, and 3.71 days at one-star hotels.

Meanwhile, domestic travelers staying at five-star hotels stayed 3.8 days, four-star hotels 3.07 days, three-star hotels 2.31 days, two-star hotels 2.67 days and one-star hotels 2.19 days.

Other information provided by the BPS reveals that average occupancy at starred hotels in Bali for the month of March 2012 averaged 59.39%, an increase of 3.87-percentage points from the 55.52% reported in February.
The highest hotel occupancies are reported in starred hotels located in the Badung regency of South Bali that averaged 62.13%, followed by Denpasar at 55.66%, Tabanan at 42.80%, Gianyar 40.52% and Karangasem at 28.93%.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) Matt Brown has filed a thoughtful story under the title “They Paved Paradise” for it regular program Foreign Correspondent.

Matt Brown shares his personal recollections and notes the many changes Bali has undergone since his first visit to Bali decades ago.

Center stage in his report is the rampant and uncontrolled development taking place on the island and the impact that development is having on the island’s culture and its environment.

Matt speaks with local Balinese, environmental activities and Australian expatriate Mike O’Leary of the R.O.L.E. Foundation who provides graphic evidence of the decline of the local environment and talks about his group’s efforts to achieve that distant goal of making Bali an environmentally sustainable destination.

[Link to Foreign Correspondent – “They Paved Paradise] 

[R.O.L.E. Foundation] 

Radar Bali reports that Bali's efforts to have the “Bali Cultural Subak Landscape (BCSL)” entered into the list of World Cultural Heritage Sites maintains by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have borne positive results.

The recognition of Bali’s unique water distribution and rice cultivation “subak system" by UNESCO was announced to the press by the head of Bali’s Cultural Service, Ketut Suastika on Sunday, May 20, 2012.

Suastika said he was contacted at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning by I Gede Pitana of the Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy confirming the appointment to the Unesco’s list of “World Cultural Heritage Site.”

Said Suastika, “This is a wonderful achievement, because he have managed to realize our dream to be recognized as a part of the world’s heritage.”

He explained the BCSL is an organization of a number of subak under the shared philosophy of Tri Hita Karana – the Balinese view that a careful balance must be maintained between Man, Nature and the Almighty. The BCSL incorporates 14 different subak in the region of Penebel and encompasses Lake Bratan, Lake Buyun and Lake Tamblingan. Also included are the areas surrounding the Taman Ayun Temple, the Pekerisan River system, the Gunung Kawi Temple, Mengening Temple, Tirta Empul and the 3 subak of Suluban Atas, Suluban Bawah and Suluban. The iconic Ulan Batur Temple also forms a part of a total area that covers 7,000 hectares now known as the Bali Cultural Subak Landscape (BCSL) entered onto the books of UNESCO.

The fight for UNESCO recognition has consumed 12 years, including past refusals by UNESCO citing poor preparation and planning needed to World Heritage Site status.

A November 2011 visit by the Secretary-General of UNESCO finally paved the way for the official recognition confirmed on May 20, 2012.

A formal ceremony marking BCSL’s recognition as a World Heritage Cultural Site will take place in St. Petersburg, Russia on June 20, 2012.