Bali's Waterbom Park to Close for Repairs
Waterbom Closed November 17-30 for Routine Repairs.
Bali's popular Waterbom park will close its door from November 17-30, 2008, to allow major refurbishment and maintenance work to be carried out.
The General Manager of Waterbom, Maman Lingga, said the difficult decision to completely close the park for two weeks was made to ensure the safety of guests during repair period and to avoid any possible inconvenience to the park's customers.
The Superbowl
Among the many attractions awaiting guests both before and after the maintenance period is the exciting superbowl ride.
The Superbowl presents the fun of riding an inner-tube into the core of a bowl slide measuring 34 meters long and 14 meters high for an exhilarating 12 seconds.
Using patented revolutionary technology, participants can ride the tube alone or in tandem. Suitable to all ages, the ride starts with a thrilling drop through the Aqua Tube before the riders are launched into the Superbowl where centrifugal force sustains the riders high on the wall for several rotations before exiting into the splashdown pool.
BABGOC (Jakarta) - Mrs. Rita Subowo, President of the Indonesian NOC (National Olympic Committee) as well as the Director General of BABGOC (Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee), talks about her optimistic view in having the first Asian Beach Games in Indonesia.
Q: Whose idea was it to organize the Asian Beach Games?
A: The idea came from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), now under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah from Kuwait. He thinks there should be more multi-sport events held in Asia. At the moment, there are three multi-sport events in the Asian region, the first one is the already well established Asian Games/Summer Asian Games, which was held in Doha, Qatar in November 2006; then there will be the Winter Asian Games which will be held in Cancun, China and the Indoor Asian Games. From these events he has observed that there are still a lot of sports not being included in those events so that’s why they’ve come up with the fourth Asian Games, the Asian Beach Games, the sports event which will focus on beach and water-related sports.
Q: Did the Olympic Council of Asia suggest the event to be held in Bali?
A: The idea of Indonesia hosting this event to be held in Bali was borne out of the misfortune that Bali had ever since the two terrorist attacks on the Island which subsequently resulted in the downfall in their economy. Bali now belongs to the world. We are hoping that the Asian Beach Games can further revive the situation in Bali. Therefore, the OCA members unanimously chose Bali to host the first Asian Beach Games. For the next event the usual bidding process will be put into play because there are countries like Yemen, China, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines who have shown a lot of interest in hosting the event. So we are really grateful that OCA is giving us this great opportunity. That’s why we have to make the best out of this trust that they’ve given us.
Q: Do you have any major concerns in hosting the Asian Beach Games in Bali?
A: Of course there are, but ... then again I reiterate that we have to use this opportunity the best that we can. We have to work hard and under the leadership of Mr. Djoko Pramono we are motivating the athletes and relevant sport bodies to participate and give their all in this competition. I think there’s reason to be optimistic since we have seen major improvements in sports like beach volleyball, beach sepaktakraw, sailing, paragliding, and dragon Boat which has shown promise in Sea Games. It’s just a shame that there is no such sport as beach badminton (laugh)...
Q: What is the collaboration with the government?
A: We have yet to officially give a clear picture to the government concerning how we’ll be organizing the 1st Asian Beach Games. I intend to invite one of the delegates from OCA to meet with our government because this is very important. I don’t think we can have this event without their participation.
Q: Is there a problem in the limited number of athletes in Indonesia compared to other Asian countries?
A: I think our problems are similar to other countries. Maybe we are a bit behind in sports like triathlon, handball, and woodball. But then again handball is not really that popular in the Philippines and although it’s popular in Malaysia, but woodball is not a popular game in Japan. To me personally, it doesn’t matter whether we are lacking in talent in certain sports. What matters is that spirit of friendship and unity we’ll be celebrating amongst Asian Countries through the first ever implementation of Asian Beach Games and once again I’m very grateful that OCA entrusted Indonesia with this huge and historically-significant event.
Teheran-Bali Air Connection December 2008?
Bi-Lateral Air Agreement with Iran Clears the Way for New Air Service Connection Teheran and Bali.
(9/15/2008) Iranian air carrier Mahan Air is reported to be considering opening passenger flights between Teheran and Bali, perhaps as early as December 2008.
The Director of Air Transportation for the Indonesian Department of Transportation, Tri S. Sunoko, made the announcement following the signature of a bilateral air agreement between Iran and Indonesia.
According to Bisnis Indonesia, the Iranian airline will operate wide-body aircraft on the new route with the Indonesian authorities lobbying for a daily flight service connecting the Iranian capital with the island of Bali.
Sunoko added: "If the Iran carrier only flies as far as Bangkok, we hope they will enter into a code-share arrangement with Garuda Indonesia and other Indonesian airlines."
Mahan Air currently operates flights from Teheran to Dubai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. The agreement signed with the Indonesian Transportation Department permits Mahan Air to operate flights transiting in Dubai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
Pacific Blue to Fly Oz to Bali 11 Times a Week
Pending Regulatory Permission, New Services Set to Start in December 2008.
(9/20/2008) As reported by Balidiscovery.com [Two New Foreign Airlines to Serve Bali], Pacific Blue - the international brand of Virgin Blue have now formally announced plans to commence direct services from Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth to Denpasar before Christmas 2008.
Laying waste to a report in the September 12, 2008, edition of the Bali Times which sought to refute the earlier balidiscovery.com coverage, Pacific Blue Airlines have formally announced that their new services will start in December "subject to regulatory approval."
The Airline will operate 11 direct flights from Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, the new flights will complement the 62 international Virgin Blue Group flights currently by the Airline operated from east coast ports to New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, "Venturing into a brand new market is tremendously exciting for our Group of airlines, particularly given the new flights to Indonesia will be our first foray into Asia."
He continued, "Our Pacific Blue brand has a strong focus on leisure markets and Bali is a natural fit and an obvious choice for Pacific Blue services. It will bring increased competition and a high quality, affordable and importantly, a direct flying option between these three Australian cities and Bali."
"Gnarly Bali"
To help get the ball rolling, Pacific Blue have launched a “Gnarly Bali” sale fare. Flights are on sale now until 26 September 2008 for travel from 1 December – 14 December 2008 and 1 February - 31 March 2009.
? Adelaide-Denpasar – 2 direct flights per week. Sales price from AU$299 one-way.
? Brisbane-Denpasar - 5 direct flights per week. Sale price start from AU$$299 one-way.
? Perth – Denpasar - 4 direct flights per week. Sale price from AU$199 one-way.
Holiday Inn Baruna Bali to Open in Early 2009
Holiday Inn Brand Returns to Site of Former BaliHai Resort & Spa in South Kuta, Bali.
(9/20/2008) Following the closure of the BaliHai Resort & Spa on May 20, 2008, that popular hotel in South Kuta will re-open its doors as the Holiday Inn Baruna Bali in early 2009.
The Resort will be largely refurbished with upgraded public areas, restaurants, departure lounge and guests rooms.
All rooms will boast 32-inch satellite TVs and broad-band Internet access.
Overseeing the refurbishment and re-launch of the Holiday Inn brand in South Kuta is the property’s General Manager Stéphane Varoquier. A nine-year veteran of the IHG Group, Varoquier has worked as the Regional Director for Hotel Finance & Business Support in Southern Asia and Korea.
 
Contiki Resort in Bali to Close
Low Occupancy in a 'Bull Market' at 18-35 Year Old Only Property Precipitates a Change of Name and Management for 133-room Bali Resort.
PT Mountbatten Resorts Indonesia will soon assume management of the 133-room Contiki Resort Bali located in the Seminyak area of Bali's famed Kuta Beach.
The new managers of the property have declared their intention to renovate and rebrand the Resort, currently operated as an 18-35 year only 4-star resort. Quoted in Bisnis Indonesia, the Assistant General Manager of the Contiki Resort, Martinelly said that while the Contiki concept has worked in a number of countries, it is apparently not appropriate for Bali. The newspaper also reports that while hotels throughout Bali are running at 90% plus occupancy levels the Contiki Resort is only averaging 60% occupancy.
David Hosking, Director of PT Mountbatten Resorts Indonesia said the new resort would offer a new range of services and operated under the brand Breezes Resort and Spa. The target market for the new hotel would be family oriented and aimed on the mid to high market segments. Certain to go, as well, is the current age restriction of 18-35 years.
While saying the Resort would be renovated before the new launch, Hoskings refused to divulge the total amount of additional investment.
The new management contract for the property was recently signed between Mountbatten Resorts Indonesia and the hotel's owner, Made "Kadek" Wiranatha.
Plans are for the hotel to be re-launched under its new brand by November of 2008.
Best Western to Open in Bali
Three New Properties in Bali Part of 20 Hotels Planned Throughout Indonesia Over the coming 3 Years.
(8/16/2008) The 188-room Best Western Premier Kuta Kedonganan completed its "topping off" ceremony in early August, clearing the way for the opening of the first Best Western Premier hotel in Indonesian, started for February 2009.
A 343-room Best Western New Kuta Condotel will also open in December 2008, together with four more hotels with Best Western branding: Best Western Bakso Hotel, Padang, Sumatra (November 2008); Best Western Mangga Dua, Jakarta (December 2008); Best Western Premier Solo, Surakarta (February 2009); and the Best Western Grand Seminyak, Bali (September 2009).
The 188-room Bali "Premier" project is pitched as a luxury property by its developers. "We are very excited about the prospect of opening The Best Western Premier Kuta Kedonganan next year both because it is a stunning property in its own right and it will be the first Best Western Premier Hotel in Indonesia," said Jusuf Sawirin, Chief Area Development, Best Western Development – Indonesia. "The resort is ideally located in the heart of Bali's leisure locale and as a Best Western Premier branded property, it embraces the superior amenities and cutting-edge facilities that are demanded by the most discerning world travelers."
Best Western is targeting to open 20 properties across Bali over the coming three years. "We are confident that we will reach our goal of 20 hotels within the next three years in targeted locations, including Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, all Javanese provinces, Makassar, Kalimantan, Riau and Batam, which will ultimately make us the largest hotel chain in Indonesia," added Jusuf.
Fried Rice – Rp. 6 Million a Plate
Bali's Chief of Police Cooks Nasi Goreng for a Good Cause and a High Rice.
(8/16/2008) While fried rice or nasi goreng is typically a poor man's feast in Bali, the price tends to vary depending on the pedigree of the chef behind the work. This certainly was the case recently when a plate of nasi goreng prepared by Bali's Chief of Police Inspector General T. Ashikin Husein was auctioned off for Rp. 6 million (US$652). For comparison purposes, a delicious plate of nasi goring from a Bali street vendor can cost between Rp. 5,000 to Rp. 10,000 (US$0.54-1.10).
The auction took place as part of the celebration of the Indonesian Police Force's 56th anniversary with proceeds going to a officer's relief fund.
The party attended by police officers and their families at police headquarters in downtown Denpasar saw Husein and a group of other senior officers don aprons and start cooking their version of fired rice for the fund-raising auction. The first bid for the Chief's cooking came in at Rp. 500,000 (US$54), however, the bidding quickly escalated with the gavel going down following a bid of Rp. 6 million (US$652) made by Chief of Denpasar's Metropolitan Police (Kapoltabes), I Gde Alit Widana.
One might argue that an individual's cooking skill is a prerequisite for promotion in the police force. At least that seems to be what was demonstrated by the lower bid prices for the fried rice cooked up by junior officers of the Bali police force; the nearest high bid coming in only at Rp. 3 million (US$326).
The family day was organized by the wife of the Chief, Ibu Husein, and included numerous prizes and a fun bazaar.
When we called to wish Chief Husein and his force a "happy birthday" he refused to divulge his recipe for Rp. 6 million nasi goring, insisting the exact ingredients are a well-guarded family secret.
Kuta Karnival Announces Program
Kuta Karnival – 9 Days of Fun on the Beach October 18-26, 2008.
 (8/16/2008) Graha Wicaksana, the head of Community Development for Kuta, Bali's most famous beach area, has confirmed that the Kuta Karnival returns for nine days from October 18-26, 2008.
Initially organized as a response to the Bali terrorist attack of October 2002, the event has now become a regular fixture on Bali's busy calendar of yearly events. This year’s event has been given the motto of "A Celebration of Life" reflecting the nine days of traditional art performances, sunset dances on the beach, sports activities, and an entire bazaar of culinary kiosks located in tents up and down the beach.
Following the first Kuta Karnival held in 2003, this will represent the sixth year for the festivities which now garners national and international press coverage. The 2008 Karnival will also feature Balinese dance competitions, environmental conservation exhibits, a fun cycle show, seminars and a mass street parade. Based on past years, the Kuta Karnival is expected to draw more than 90,000 people.
Some of the highlights of this year’s Kuta Karnival:
Opening Ceremony - Held on the first day of the event, this day will be marked by a traditional Sekar Jagat dance and "Bali Paddle for Peace" in which 1,000 surfers will take to the ocean to spread flower pedals on the waves. 500 turtles will also be released back into the local seas.
Food Festival - Tentatively set for day 8 and 9 of the Kuta Karnival more than 60 of Bali's best restaurants will set up kiosks along Kuta Beach. A children's play area will be in operation and live entertainment will be on offer from a central stage during these two days when more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend.
Tebs Shocking Games - Tebs will be offering samples of their beverages and a number of adventure activities including rope climbing and rope games offered under the careful supervision of the professionals from Tree Top Bedugul.
Beach Volley Ball Competitions - Volley Ball competitions between both local and international teams at the competition arena on each day of the Kuta Karnival.
Beach Soccer - Held on "Surf Family Day" informal soccer matches for all those who wish to take part.
Sand Creations - School children will have the opportunity to compete for prizes as they display their ability to build sand-based sculptures.
Life Guard Demonstrations - See life-saving techniques demonstrated by the Kuta Life Saving Association.
Surfing and Body Building - Competitions to be held at “Halfway Point” on Kuta Beach.
Skate Ramp - Bali's landmark skate arena located on the beach will allow everyone a chance to try their skill at skateboarding. Day 3 will be dedicated to a final skate boarding competition.
Tug-of-War- See companies, clubs and community groups compete.
Traditional Dance and Music - Scheduled for every afternoon of the Karnival - a different traditional Balinese dance each day.
Surfer Girl Balinese Dance Competition - Traditional dance competition for children.
Traditional Kite Flying - Scheduled for day 2, some 3,200 kites are targeted to participate. at the Bali Garden Hotel.
Arts Attractions - Alumni from Bali's Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) will perform during the Karnival.
Bali Islamic Festival - Islamic-themed activities will be on offer at the Discovery Shopping Mall.
Beach Stalls - Local merchants and organization offering knowledge and goods from their bazaar stalls stretched along the beach.
Suzuki Music Festival - scheduled for each day of the Karnival, see new products and national bands perform.
IndieFez XL - Sponsored by XL on the music stage, Day 5.
Cardinal Awards - A competition between local bands and models. Winners will compete in Bandung, West Java in a national competition later in the year.
Karnival Parade - Set for the last day of the Karnival in the parade will include decorated floats, roller skaters, cyclists, big bikes, antique cars, gamelan orchestras, and horse-drawn carts.
Jalan Santai - A fun walks by more than 2,000 people through Kuta Beach.
or more information contact Mr. Graha Wicaksana at telephone ++62-(0)815575222.
111 Illegal Villas Facing Closure on August 29, 2008.
Badung Tourism Office Promises to Enforce Closure Rule on Villas Who Fail to Meet Regulatory Requirements for Commercial Villas.
(8/18/2008) The Regional Tourism office of Badung, acting on the Governor's August 29, 2008 deadline for the legalization of all commercial villas, is preparing two team to move against illegal or unregistered villa operators. According to BisnisBali there are an estimated 111 illegal villa still operating in the North Kuta and Mengwi areas of the island.
Each of the two teams is comprised of eleven members who have been ordered to work in marathon shifts to call on the 111 villas and urge them to complete all requirements before the late August deadline.
Those villas who have filed all the necessary applications and met the regulatory requirements before the August 29 deadline will apparently be granted some latitude if the government is still processing their applications on the deadline date.
According to the head of the Badung tourism office, Made Subawa, those villas failing to have the proper permits in hand after August 29th will be closed.
In a separate reports in NusaBali, I Wayan Pusa Negara, a member of Commission B of the Badung House of Representatives has called on the regional government to post signs on the entrances of illegal villas in order to discourage tourists from spending a holiday in unlicensed accommodation.
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