Bali Buzz #31

Vol. 1/March 26-april 1, 2015

The Royal PuRnama

“New heaven for honeymooners” D-LaBeLs trunk show

the Pirates Bay

Love is in the air

from THE EdiTor

Reinvention

cover photo: coUrTESY oF ThE roYa Y l pUrNaMa Ya

The island’s tourist industry is in a constant state of reinventing itself. Many believe this is a necessity in the face of growing competition from other destinations in the region. Furthermore, the new generations of travelers must be lured with new, rather than old, things. culture and ancient temples are no longer sufficient and must be complemented with glittering hotels and modern leisure facilities. The island needs to keep its edge and, in order to do that, a cosmetic facelift should be undertaken on regular basis.

This edition’s cover story sheds light on a new resort in Gianyar and how it tries to cope with the changing landscape of the tourist industry and the needs of the new breed of travelers. This resort reflects the facelifts that so many regions and tourist establishments across the island have undergone to stay relevant in the current tourist market.

— The Editor

06

Bukit asah

07 08 10 11 12 16

love is in the air

ConTEnTs

04

05

D-labels trunk show

The pirates Bay

The royal purnama health for all Kazuo Shibata Me Sambru Family-style dinner at Soleil

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Board of Directors Jusuf Wanandi, Cherly P. Santoso, Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, Riyadi Suparno I Editor in Chief/Guarantor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat Editor I Wayan Juniarta I Contributing Editor Rita A. Widiadana I Editorial Staff Desy Nurhayati, Bram Setiawan, Anton Muhajir, Alit Kertaraharja, Ni Komang Erviani, Luh De Suriyani, Wasti Atmodjo I Photographers Agung Parameswara, Lukman SB, Zul Trio Anggono, Anggara Mahendra Graphic Designer Budhi Hartono, Sunaryo, Mohamad Soleh General Manager Wiradiatma Wijoga I Advertising Kadek Ita Noviyanti, Ngurah Agung I Circulation Slamet Sunarno I Promotions Mirah Adi

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March 26, 2015

Images

“The island’s first demon parade of the year”

‘Ogoh-ogoh’ W

hile the rest of the island organized its parades of ogoh-ogoh (giant papier-mâché effigies symbolizing demons) on the eve of Nyepi, the residents of Tegalalang customary village, some 10 kilometers north of Ubud, held theirs two days before the Day of Silence.

Words and Photos Agung Parameswara

Over 20 ogoh-ogoh and hundreds of youths from the village’s seven banjar (hamlet-size traditional neighborhood associations) crammed the streets in and around the village as they made their way to the main intersection in a religious parade aimed at warding off evil spirits.

March 26, 2015

3

Sound

D-labels trunk show

“The newest, most stylish collections of young, local designers” WORDS DESY NURHAYATI PHOTOS COURTESY OF ulinulin.com

Y

oung Bali-based designers have collaborated to open their own concept store to raise the profile of the local fashion industry amid thriving tourism on the island.

Located at TS Suites Seminyak, D-labels concept store offers creations by fashion designers, some of whom are members of the Association of Indonesian Fashion Designers and Entrepreneurs (APPMI).

Selling ready-to-wear collections, the newly opened store is expected to promote local materials designed with an international flair for both the domestic and international market.

“The presence of D-labels will hopefully make people aware that local materials used by Indonesian designers can be of good quality and can compete with international brands, but offer affordable prices,” commented Dwi Iskandar, chairman of APPMI Bali.

Last Friday evening, all the couturiers involved in this project presented their newest ready-to-wear clothes and accessories in front of invitees in the Leisure Lounge of TS Suites.

The collections were the works of Ali Charisma, Putu Aliki, Oka Diputra, Dwi Iskandar, Weda Githa, Asti Kaleta, Eny Ming, Neli Gunawan, Dina Midiani, Deden Siswanto, Sofie, Spen Salberg, Selvy, Selfie Bong and Doude Bags.

After this inaugural trunk show, D-labels will hold similar events on a regular basis to introduce trends and new collections from participating designers.

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March 26, 2015

Weda Githa, one of the APPMI designers responsible for managing D-labels, said the clothes would not only be available in the store but also online.

Fashion lovers can take a peek at the newest collections and buy them online at www.dlabelshop. com. Working together with ulinulin.com — an online media focusing on lifestyle, fashion and tourism — D-labels will also be promoted online through portals, mobile apps and geo location, to help customers find out about products.

The ulinulin.com mobile app, Ulin Indonesia, is available to download on Google Play and has an extensive tourism and shopping database, with around 25,000 points of interest in Bali and a total of 500,000 throughout Indonesia.

In addition to improving the portal and mobile app, ulinulin.com also has a solid team working on social media, SEO and its digital campaign to help products become well known through the internet.

For fashion, including D-labels, ulinulin.com, has developed an e-commerce platform to facilitate online transactions with the support of a safe payment gateway using Visa, Mastercard and national banks.

“We aim to support the Indonesian fashion industry in this digital era and make their products widely known in the international market,” said Amie Larasati, founder of Ulin Indonesia.

Savor

ThE Pirates Bay

“ pErFEcT placE To GET lazY“ “a WorDS aND phoToS i WaY WaYa YaN JUNiarTa T Ta

T

here will be (many) times when the monotony of professional life and household chores squeeze the breath out of one’s lungs and all that the out-of-breath person wants to do is simply disappear and be forgotten for a while, not in a suicidal or homicidal sense, of course.

This is one reason why the roads leading to the island’s most beautiful places, and glitzy malls, are always packed at weekends. There are just too many escapees and too few (good) places to escape to. one of those good places is The pirates Bay, a small gem on Nusa Dua’s peninsula beach, a rather quiet shoreline within walking distance of the luxurious resorts that dot the area and, thanks to the Bali Mandara toll road, now only a one-hour drive from Denpasar, providing city-dwellers with a new alternative to Bedugul or Kintamani.

Set on a 4,000-square-meter plot, the place is a dream come true for children and adults, who, after watching hours of the eccentric Johnny Depp’s captain Jack Sparrow, fancy being a pirate but don’t have the stomach, or the time, to do it full-time.

The facility is arranged in a sort of real-life pirate’s hideaway with a huge wooden pirate ship as its centerpiece. Several bamboo tree houses serve as observatory posts, as well as intriguing dining places for weekend pirates, while several dessert tents are arranged around the grounds for more acrophobic patrons.

The tree houses, swings, spacious grounds, long stretch of sandy beach, and the fact that most of the area is shaded with trees, makes The pirates Bay an ideal place for children. running up and down the tree houses alone would be sufficient to keep them unhooked from their ipads or whatever gadgets they

usually glue their faces to. parents can enjoy hours of relaxation time on beach chairs, while watching their kids roam the grounds and explore the beach. Watch out, though, the current and waves can turn unfriendly at times and children must not be left unaccompanied once they hit the water.

The pirates Bay also offers good food and refreshing drinks. From simple hotdogs to more elaborate grilled tuna, weekend pirates won’t have to worry about spending an afternoon with an empty stomach.

The best time to visit is early in the morning, during which the cool water of the sea and the warm morning sun are the perfect buddy for a satisfying swimming session, and late in the afternoon, when, up in a tree house, the shade and breeze give a comforting excuse to take a nap. at noon, the heat tends to be merciless

and going for a stroll without a hat, sun block, and UV-grade sunglasses could end in a nauseating case of heatstroke.

The only thing missing from the place is a horde of saber-wielding one-eyed pirates and a foul-mouthed cockatoo jumping off the ship thirsty for both blood and rum.

But that is probably f fter a good thing. after all, people go to The pirates rates Bay to get a break from precisely the modern version of that greedy mob.

March 26, 2015

5

Sight

“Peaceful, natural beauty in the east” Words and photos Luh De Suriyani

I

t is highly unlikely that Bukit Asah is on your holiday agenda for your visit to Bali.

If you do an Internet search for Bukit Asah as a tourist destination, you will probably only find photographs uploaded from personal Instagram or other social media accounts.

Located in a fairly remote area, near Bug Bug village in the hilly Karangasem regency in east Bali, around 58 kilometers east of Denpasar, Bukit Asah has the potential to become another “jewel” for the island’s easternmost regency.

Despite its dramatic beauty, only a few local people were seen relaxing on Bukit Asah beach. Some teenagers were swimming and splashing water at each other, while a young family took photos with the Lombok Strait in the background.

Few people, even in the regional administration, are aware of Bukit Asah beach, which has now been placed under the responsibility of the Bug Bug traditional village council, who are keen to develop the area into a natural tourist attraction.

So far, limited funding has prevented the village council from providing adequate public facilities. The only access to the beach requires visitors to walk, or ride motorcycles, along a rough, slippery, muddy road for at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Despite the difficult access, once you arrive, there is a small wooden booth where you have to buy a ticket to enter the

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March 26, 2015

area.

Numerous investors have already tried to make their mark with tourist-related facilities, thus far without success.

For locals, this has been a blessing in disguise. This beautiful area, a precious natural asset, will, for some time, remain untouched by developments that could possibly ruin the environment, something already happening in the noisy, busy southern part of Bali.

After the long, hot walk, the view is worthwhile, especially for social-media posters eager to show they have been to this gorgeous, postcard-perfect beach. One Instagram hashtag, #savebukitasah, carries a warning not to litter the area.

The beach has a broad swath of white sand and good swimming in emerald-colored water. Huge trees and bushes provide a considerable amount of shade to escape the scorching sun, while high, rocky hills border the area.

On the other side of the hills is Virgin Beach, which has become the talk of the town. Hundreds of backpackers flock there to go swimming and do water sports.

“We prefer to maintain Bukit Asah in as natural condition as possible. What we need is to improve the access and to develop clean, modest public facilities for visitors,” said one villager.

Only time (and investors) will tell if this wish can be granted.

Sight

N

o one believes in love at first sight until that special person comes along and steals your heart.

That was the feeling of Sukanta, 61, when he first met his sweetheart and future wife, Ni Wayan Latri, almost 40 years ago.

Latri, also 61, was considered quite a catch in their village, Sesetan, in Denpasar. All the boys in the village chased after her with no success.

Among those was Sukanta, who plucked up the courage to ask Latri to be his partner in the annual Omed-Omedan kissing ritual held one day after Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence.

“In the olden days, girls were embarrassed to meet boys. We had to go to their homes to ask them for their company in the ritual. I knew the first time I saw her that Latri was the one. She was my destiny,” recalled Sukanta, who tied the knot with Latri in 1976, when they were 25 years old.

Sukanta had participated in the kissing ritual since 1969, when he was still 18 years old.

“At that time, there were no sophisticated communication tools that allowed boys and girls to interact and meet socially or romantically. Social activities, including finding your soul mate, were limited to members of your banjar [hamlet],” he recalled.

Omed-omedan, which is an annual religious and social gathering to welcome the lunar New Year, was one of the rare communal gatherings for youths, who often used the event as a ticket to everlasting love and a happy marriage, like Sukanta and Latri.

This unique ritual is native to Sesetan village and is found nowhere else in Bali, or even Indonesia.

In the Balinese language, omed means pulling at each other. This year’s OmedOmedan ritual fell on March 22. Hundreds of youth participated with great enthusiasm.

Before the kissing ritual, the Seka Truna Dharma Kerti youth group prayed at the village temple and followed this with a sacred barong dance performance.

After the temple rituals, boys stood on one side and girls on the other, with one young boy, sitting on his friends’ shoulders, successfully managing to land some quick kisses on a girl’s blushing cheek.

Another boy locked lips with a girl in a deep kiss to the roars of laughter of the hundreds of spectators. Other people poured water over the kissing couples.

Love is in the air “The Omed-Omedan ritual”

Words Bram Setiawan Photos Bram Setiawan and Agung Parameswara

“The Omed-Omedan ritual is beyond kissing. The tradition has been preserved since the 17th century as an act of devotion to our ancestors and deities, who protect the village from negative forces and calamity,” said I Gde Anindya Perdana Putra, head of the Seka Truna Dharma Kerti youth group.

“It is a social gathering — mesima krama — that has profound philosophical and spiritual importance,” he added.

At one time, the ritual was banned by the Dutch colonial government and the ban continued under the new Indonesian government following the country’s independence in 1945. A widespread plague then hit the village and many residents suddenly fell ill. Pigs were also found fighting in the village, and no one could understand this strange phenomenon. Blamed on the ban, the kissing ritual was reinstated.

For Putra, the ritual is a precious tradition that must be maintained.

“For many of us, it is the time to meet our special someone,” said Putra, who married his Omed-Omedan partner, Ni Made Sawitri Dewi.

Unlike Sukanta and their fathers, Putra and Dewi live in a digital era.

“During the ritual, our friends took pictures and uploaded them to our Facebook accounts. After that, we were trying to match-make the girls and boys in the photos,” said Putra, smiling.

His wife, Dewi, shared the feeling. “I will always remember the first time he kissed me at the ritual. The picture on Facebook is a memory of our strong emotional bond,” she said.

Both Putra and Dewi believe that their marriage was destined and blessed by their “ancestors and deities” because their love grew in the Omed-Omedan ritual. “We hope that our daughter, Ni Putu Ning Anggun, will find her beloved at the ritual in the coming years.”

March 26, 2015

7

Cover Story

The Royal Purnama “Bali’s new heaven for honeymooners” WORDS DESY NURHAYATI PHOTOS ZUL TRIO ANGGONO AND COURTESY OF THE ROYAL PURNAMA

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March 26, 2015

B

ali has become a special location for honeymooners, thanks to its unique culture and stunning natural landscapes, most famously its enchanting beaches.

There are many accommodations with a romantic ambience available here, giving couples ample opportunity to relax and enjoy their togetherness in pure bliss.

Good news for couples planning to spend their holiday in Bali, the island has a new oceanfront boutique retreat, restaurant, spa and wedding garden, resting beside the shimmering black sands of Pantai Purnama, literally full moon beach, on the southeast coast of Gianyar.

The Royal Purnama art suites and villas has become the pioneer quality property in the area, which is expected to be the next target for tourism development.

Situated on a quiet, safe beach, this haven could be miles from anywhere, yet is only 16 kilometers from the cultural town of Ubud, 25 km from the hip and happening Seminyak and 30 km from the airport.

International restaurants and shops can be found just 15 km away in Sanur, and fun days out can be enjoyed at the nearby Bali Safari and Marine Park. The villages of Mas, Sukawati, Batubulan and Batuan, famous for their traditional handicrafts, are all located within 10 km.

Serving the needs of discerning, sophisticated travelers by combining exceptional hospitality with an above-16-yearsof-age policy, The Royal Purnama presents a rare and blissful lifestyle experience that is perfect for honeymooners, couples and groups of friends seeking tranquility within a refined atmosphere.

“We are targeting people looking for something new and different, who want to

get out of the traffic and get the feeling that they are in Bali,” said general manager Mark Stanford.

Making guests feel at home with all the little touches, carefully selected details, as well as modern amenities and, most importantly, impeccable and friendly service, is the philosophy of The Royal Purnama.

To suit the resort’s concept, The Royal Purnama is focusing on attracting honeymooners and couples, especially with its no children policy.

The property boasts 35 villas and suites, with one, two and four-bedroom pool villas and pool or Jacuzzi suites, defined by romantic, contemporary Balinese architecture and an open tropical living concept that creates a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors.

The exclusive accommodation has been elegantly designed to blend with the environment, reflecting the rural destination, and is positioned with genuine intention to support local Balinese culture and arts.

The one bedroom villas are the perfect setting for couples, featuring modern amenities and complete privacy, not to mention a private pool with plush cabana that invites guests to lounge in luxury.

The bedroom beckons with canopied kingsize beds, a modern bathroom with semi-openair monsoon showers and decadent soaking tubs; the perfect end to a day of rejuvenation and certainly a recipe for romance.

The entire resort is styled masterfully with traditional wood furnishings mixed with bursts of color creating a sense of comfort and calm.

Putting a strong emphasis on food and beverage, The Royal Purnama provides a

gourmet restaurant offering fine Balinese, Asian and continental cuisine, with various fusion-style dishes combining traditional and modern, made of freshest ingredients from local suppliers.

The Stonehenge wedding garden offers couples a unique experience of a sunrise wedding ceremony against the dramatic backdrop of towering megalithic stones brought from Flores and the glittering black sands of Purnama Beach.

The resort’s Black Sand Spa offers blissful rejuvenation through curative treatments, celebrating the rich healing tradition of Bali that will surely give honeymooners the ultimate invigorating start to their new life.

It provides two designer couple suites with oversized bathtubs, a single suite, aroma steam, four rooftop spa gazebos with panoramic views for Thai massage and Bali’s first healing volcanic sandpit.

In addition to promoting the property, The Royal Purnama is also working to put Purnama Beach on the map, since it remains relatively unknown among the island’s visitors. Stanford, however, was optimistic that the beach could be as popular as Seminyak or Kuta.

Located on the beach, where religious Balinese ceremonies often take place, is the historical Erjeruk Temple, a big plus for the property, giving guests the opportunity to glimpse the local culture.

The Royal Purnama’s restaurant For the sake of guests’ happiness, The Royal Purnama is extremely focused on ensuring its guests have a good night’s sleep and good food.

Since the resort is quite remote from other dining outlets — unlike in Kuta, Seminyak or Sanur, guests will eat in the restaurant most of the time.

“Therefore, we need to make sure our guests eat well. We advertise world-class F&B, and that’s what we are going to deliver,” general manager Mark Stanford said.

Prices here are lower than normal five-star prices and have guaranteed quality and taste.

Executive chef Made Sujaya and his team are strict about the concept of everything being freshly made and using local ingredients.

Facing the infinity pool and wedding garden, with a stunning view of the Indian Ocean, the restaurant offers guests a great culinary experience with fusion-style Indonesian dishes incorporating Western methods.

There are also quick, simple meals, like pasta and burgers, but around 80 percent of the food is served with a touch of art to the plate.

The restaurant serves a la carte breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Eggs Benedict is the signature breakfast.

Guests also have the option to dine in their villas, since breakfast is served anytime, anywhere.

“For lunch, we serve light and quick meals, like burgers, wraps and tortillas, without putting heavy emphasis on how it is served and decorated,” the chef said.

Meanwhile, for dinner there is a different set menu offered every day. From appetizers to dessert, guests can enjoy a wide variety of fusion-style cuisine.

In addition to serving in-house guests, the restaurant will also be open to the public on a reservation basis.

March 26, 2015

9

Soul

h t l a e H l l a r fo “

V test Free HI

F

nd AR ing a

ive young people sat in a shady corner of Puputan Park in the Renon area of Denpasar last Sunday.

These teenagers are volunteers at Gumitir Kisara Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), part of the Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (PKBI) Bali office. Two offered counseling, two others took blood samples and one provided administrative support, to make a solid team.

Unlike most medical professionals, these dynamic young people were dressed in jeans and colorful T-shirts. There was no special medical equipment, just a paper sign saying Tes HIV Gratis (Free HIV testing).

From the time the booth opened at 9 a.m., around 15 visitors were willing to be tested.

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March 26, 2015

tment V trea

Words

a

”

h De S tos Lu nd pho

uriyan

i

In Bali and other parts of Indonesia, HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, which can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), is something to avoid thinking about.

Being HIV positive is still considered a death sentence by many people, with treatment believed to be difficult to obtain and expensive. Acknowledging being HIV positive is likely to lead to stigma and discrimination within the family and society.

To voluntarily undergo HIV testing is the last thing many people want to do, even those in high-risk groups, such as sex workers and their clients, young gay men and people with multiple sexual partners.

However, last Sunday’s activity showed a

more recent health phenomenon, that people are beginning to be less reluctant and ashamed of taking an HIV test; and most surprisingly, this testing was offered in a public area.

Dewi approached the table shyly and said she wanted to get tested. “I already participated in an HIV awareness program at school but I was curious to know more. I want to get tested because the atmosphere here is so relaxed, friendly and informal. People are reluctant or even afraid of going to a hospital or health facility for an HIV test […] it is too scary for us teenagers,” admitted Dewi.

A young father followed Dewi’s steps to get his blood sampled and examined. The results were given only five minutes later.

This activity run by Kisara was part of Sunday programs being held in Puputan Park, which include sports, health and community programs, such as Bali Bebas Bicara (Bali’s Free Speech Forum) and musical performances.

Yuda, a counselor, eloquently provided information on how people contracted HIV and the possible health impacts, delivering the information plainly and clearly, with no judgment.

More traditional healthcare workers often deliver HIV information in a rigid and critical way, making those listening reluctant to approach them for testing and treatment.

“HIV is a sensitive but important issue.

People deserve to have clear and accurate information about symptoms and available treatments,” said Yuda.

In addition to providing free HIV testing, the provincial and regional administrations are working alongside NGOs dealing with HIV/ AIDS to introduce easy access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.

When this treatment was unveiled at the 1996 International AIDS Conference in Vancouver, Canada, AIDS was transformed into a treatable and manageable disease.

Rondy Jaenuri from Bali Health Foundation (Yakeba), said that his foundation has been campaigning for the strategic use of ARV to provide fast and easy access to ARV treatment for people living with HIV. “HIV cases are increasing steadily in Bali, although AIDS cases are falling because of the availability of ARV treatments,” Rondy said.

But there are concerns that many people living with HIV are stopping treatment because they live too far away from healthcare facilities that provide ARV. Badung regency is serving as the pilot project in the government’s strategy to decrease cases of HIV. The Bali Health Office has recorded 11,000 cases of HIV between 1987 and 2014 affecting people in the productive age group of between 20 and 29 years old.

Farewell

Kazuo Shibata “Goodbye means ‘see you soon’” Words and Photos Eka Juni Artawan

G

ood friends never say goodbye, they simply say “see you soon,” a wise man says.

The Balinese people will never say goodbye to Kazuo Shibata, they will just wait for his return to the island he loves so much.

Last Thursday, Shibata, former consul general of Japan in Bali, bid his farewells at a party held at Grand Nikko Bali in Nusa Dua. “I have been so grateful to be able to be stationed in Bali as Japan’s consul general for two years. Bali is a beautiful island with warm and friendly people,” said Shibata in his farewell

speech.

Hundreds of distinguished guests, including Bali’s governor, I Made Mangku Pastika, attended the gathering.

“During my term here, a lot of friends came for support and help. The relationship between Japan and Indonesia grows stronger every year. I remember former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono flew to Japan right after the massive earthquake and tsunami to give his genuine support. Governor Pastika also organized a special prayer here at Pura Uluwatu temple for the Japanese people affected by the

disaster.”

Shibata said he had worked hard to strengthen relations with Indonesia and other countries represented in Bali. “Bali always hosts numerous international conferences and highlevel government meetings and Japan will always support such important events,” he said.

Pastika commented that he hoped the present relationship between Japan and Indonesia, Bali in particular, could benefit more people.

“I expect to develop strategic relationships in the fields of human resources, technology and investment, especially in relation to the

development of the island’s tourism sector,” he said.

As a token of appreciation, Pastika handed over an intricately carved traditional Balinese three-curved short dagger as a symbol of wisdom and prosperity and a piece of endek woven cloth.

The gathering closed with a shot of sake, a traditional Japanese beverage and a symbol of friendship. Shibata has returned home, but the sweet memory of a true friend will last forever.

Sayonara Shibata San!

March 26, 2015

11

Savor

me SambRu “50 YEarS oF DEDicaT ca ioN To BaliNESE cUiSiNE” caT WorDS aND phoToS luH De surIYAnI

i

t was 3 p.m. when Me Sambru arrived at her spot on the sidewalk of Jl. Gajah Mada in amlapura, Karangasem regency in east Bali, to set up her temporary food stall.

The 73-year-old grandmother has been selling traditional Balinese food, especially specialties from the eastern part of the island, for more than 50 years. looking fresh and healthy in her old age, Me Sambru had prepared a large variety of dishes, which she displayed on a plain wooden table.

“My real name is Made resti but many people call me Me Sambru,” said the kindhearted woman, smiling. a number of food containers were placed based on the type of dish, ranging from chicken, fish and vegetables, to rice and tipat (rice steamed wrapped in young coconut leaves).

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March 26, 2015

Every day, Me Sambru cooks and sells at least 15 different dishes, such as tipat belayag, garang asem, urab (mixed vegetables served with spicy grated coconut) and steamed fish.

For local food enthusiasts, Me Sambru is always their favorite. “i started cooking and selling food in 1963, when Mount agung erupted,” she recalled. “ lll of her dishes are tasty, delicious and “a authentic, things i can hardly find in other places, even in famous restaurants,” said one frequent visitor.

Me Sambru always starts her day before dawn, at 3 a.m., when she procures fresh produce and meat at a nearby traditional market. after ffter ter resting for an hour or two, she heads to the kitchen to start cooking. “cooking is my passion. i can cook for hours,” she said. after ffter ter everything is done, Me

Sambru performs her daily prayer, making a special offering at a family shrine before opening her food stall.

The stall is open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. every day. What makes her especially popular is her dedication to preserving traditional Balinese dishes. “it is not a job, it is my life and my passion,” Me Sambru said, expressing her gratitude for god’s gift — her extraordinary cooking talent.

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Island Buzz ‘Eggsactly’ what you want this Easter

Bali Live 2015 ends on a high note

Come on down to the Rooftop Pool Bar at U Paasha Seminyak on April 5 for an exclusive Easter Brunch and fun and games for all the family – it’s “eggsactly” what you need for a memorable Easter Sunday!

Chef’s pulled out all the stops with fresh salad, bakery, soup and cold selection corners, live carving and pasta stations, all your grilled and international favorites and some devilish desserts, plus a complimentary house-poured beer, spirit or soft welcome drink and an all-day 20 percent discount on beers, spirits, cocktails, sparkling wine and soft beverages.

And after you’ve enjoyed your feast, enjoy an afternoon packed with fun and laughter with a balloon-bending clown and live music, plus sandwich-making and Easter Egg hunting competitions.

Easter Brunch is available from 1- 4 p.m. on April 5 for Rp 225,000 (US$17.40) net per adult and Rp 130,000 net for children between 5 and 12 years of age.

To reserve, call (0361) 8465 977 or email reserve@upaashaseminyak.com.

Bali Live Festival 2015, a week-long extravaganza of jazz, soul and funk, culminated in the finale at Taman Bhagawan on Sunday, March 15. After making a big impact with the first event in 2014, it is safe to say that Bali Live 2015 was a real success.

Attendance was high at all events leading up to the big day, and the week-long gathering of international musicians and industry professionals attracted music lovers of all ages and from all over the world.

The magical setting of Bali provided a welcoming backdrop for a unique union of music, people and creativity that embodied the spirit of a growing Bali Live family. This was more than just a festival. It was a celebration of life through music as an experience to be shared, bringing people together from all walks of life.

There festival included a series of inspired performances by Incognito, Richard Bona, Daniel Von Piekartz, Indra Lesmana, Magnus Lindgren, Maurice Brown, John Primer & the Living History Band, Rio Sidik, Tulus, Jim Larkin, Dice, Nita Aartsen (VAC), Fantuzzi, Trie Utami and Gustu Brahmanta Trio.

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Promote your event with us! Call : 0361 265 436/7 or email to promotionbali@thejakartapost.com Sunset Beach Bar & Grill Every Saturday Chill-out music, snack-style menu, true Balinese hospitality.

Intercontinental Bali Resort Jl. Uluwatu 45, Jimbaran : (0361) 701888 Track 9 Soft Opening March 27 Starts 7 p.m.

Track 9 Jl. Dewi Sri No. 21, Kuta Watch Worldwide Sports Events Live sports coverage at Meads, watch live AFL, NRL, Super Rugby, cricket, tennis, F1.

Meads Boutique Villas Hotel Jl. Pratama No. 99, Tanjung Benoa : (0361) 776604

Bali Spirit Festival Mar 31 – Apr 5 www.balispiritfestival.com

Events Calendar of Events

Bali Play March 24 – 28 Starts 10 a.m.

Five days of fun, circus, juggling, art, dance, yoga, and much more.

Sunrise School Bali Jl. Mertasari, Kerobokan : (0361) 735825 Jazz and Blues Session Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday From 9 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.

Mannekepis Jazz and Blues Bistro Jl. Raya Seminyak, Kuta : (0361) 8475784 The Lights of Faith - Theater show From Monday to Saturday Starts 8 p.m.

A cultural theater show to feel the magic of Bali in every story!

Kuta Theater Jl. Kartika Plaza, Kuta : (0361) 762750 or Robert 0878 617997 Limbo Hip – Where The Night Starts Every Saturday Starts 8 p.m.

Get together with friends, mingle and get down to our DJ’s music.

La Finca Jl. Subak Sari No. 77, Batu Belig, Kerobokan Made’s Warung Live Performances Balinese Dances Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday Live Music Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Salsa Dance Every Sunday Made’s Warung Jl. Raya Seminyak, Kuta : (0361) 755297 Metropolis March 26 Starts 8 p.m.

Live music by Giles Saissi.

BetelNut Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud

Food & Drinks Canggu

La Mexicana The only place for Mexican food in a real Mexican atmosphere.

Jl. Raya Canggu, Canggu : (0361) 8450597 Milk & Madu Kid-friendly restaurant with great breakfast menu.

Jl. Pantai Berawa No. 52, Canggu : (0361) 4081872

JImbaRan

Alcedo Restaurant Specialty Balinese and international cuisine. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Gending Kedis Resorts Jl. Karangmas Sejahtera, Jimbaran : (0361) 708906 The Cuisine Toast the sunset and enjoy a seafood dinner in Jimbaran Bay. Kedonganan Beach, Jimbaran : (0361) 8081777

KERoboKan

Delizie Restaurant & Bar Specialist in pork ribs. A must-try while in Bali.

Jl. Pengubengan Kauh, Kerobokan Warisan Restaurant & Bar Bali’s finest French-Mediterranean dining experience since 1991.

Jl. Raya Kerobokan No. 38, Kerobokan : (0361) 731175 or 7492796

Kuta

Bho Bho Thai Thai food in a small comfortable warung at affordable prices.

Jl. Dewi Sri 1 No. 7, Kuta : 0812 387 5200 Bianco Italian and Indonesian restaurant in the Colonial style.

Jl. Padma, Legian : (0361) 760070 Sup Sedap Ikan One more addition to fresh fish restaurants list to try!

Jl. Raya Kuta, Kuta : (0361) 7445586

SanuR

Reggae Beach Party March 28 Starts 4 p.m.

Hard Rock Hotel Jl. Pantai Kuta, Kuta

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Woodcut Workshop March 29 Starts 10 a.m.

Relief printing using wood blocks. Workshop at Rp 275,000/person including materials and merchandise.

Bar Luna (Casa Luna basement) Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud

Bread Basket Home-baked bread. Dine-in breakfast and lunch.

Jl. Danau Tamblingan No. 51, Sanur : (0361) 3688778 March 26, 2015

Char Ming’s Restaurant An exotic fusion of Javanese Joglo and Balinese Wantilan, strong attention to detail, serving culinary delights.

Jl. Danau Tamblingan No. 97, Sanur : (0361) 281948 Warung Pregina Breezy restaurant with wooden décor blending harmoniously with scenic portraits of Bali of yore.

Jl. Danau Tamblingan No. 106, Sanur : (0361) 283535

SEmInyaK

Cali Deli Serving Bahn Mie Vietnamese sandwiches with large choice of fillings and spreads.

Jl. Nakula No. 7, Seminyak (opposite TS Suite)

Fitness

Celebrity Fitness Lippo Sunset Plaza Jl. Sunset Road, Kuta www.celebrityfitness.com

Paragliding

Pencar Seafood & Grill Seafood and grill restaurant in The Haere Villa.

Jl. Beraban, Seminyak

ubud

Caramel Patisserie Cake shop providing a dessert selection with local ingredients and five-star taste.

Jl. Hanoman No. 4B, Ubud : (0361) 970847 Cherry Blossom Healthy snacks in a nice atmosphere.

Jl. Gaotama Selatan, Ubud Jendela House Small French restaurant offering authentic French cuisine.

Jl. Sri Wedari, Ubud : (0361) 7141318

Bali Paragliders Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No. 12 A / 99 Blok A5, Kuta : (0361) 704 769 Email: info@baliparagliders.com www.baliparagliders.com Timbis Aero Club Paragliding operations, flight instructors and tandem pilots.

Timbis Beach, Ungasan : 0812 391 6918 (Ketut Manda)

Shopping

Activities Courses Adjani Bali Learn to prepare a variety of dishes, presentation and garnishing.

Kaliasem, Lovina, Singaraja : 081236232019 www.adjanibali.com Centrestage Music & Drama Music lessons, music studio, drama and musical theater, musical productions and DJ workshops, hip hop and V street dance.

Centrestage Jl. Dukuh Indah, Umalas, Kerobokan : 082144815165 Gamelan Course – Mekar Bhuana Learn more about Balinese culture and music.

Jl. Gandapura III No. 501X, Denpasar : (0361) 464 201 Gaya Ceramic Arts Center Private tutelage for individuals and small groups — potter’s wheel throwing techniques to hand-crafted sculptures.

Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud : (0361) 7451413 or 976220 Nirvana Batik Course Learn the traditional art of batik making.

Jl. Gautama No. 10, Padangtegal, Ubud : (0361) 975415

Perum Dalung Permai Pertokoan A.11 – A15, Kerobokan Kaja Jl. Raya Seminyak No. 17, Kuta Jl. Raya Campuhan No. 45, Ubud

Nirmala Supermarket Jl. Uluwatu II no. 10 Jimbaran - Phone (0361) 81470919 Jl. Uluwatu Ungasan - : (0361) 705454 Jl. Uluwatu Pecatu - : (0361) 7472303 Jl. Uluwatu II no. 10 Jimbaran : (0361) 81470919 Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai 81 Jimbaran : (0361) 4729081

Spa

Eastern Garden Martha Tilaar Spa Luxurious, holistic, and culture blending.

Jl. Camplung Tanduk No. 5A, Seminyak : (0361) 731648

Diving Absolute Scuba Dive paradise in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago and at the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Jl. Pantai Silayukti, Padang Bai : +62 (0363) 42088 Email: info@absolutescubabali.com absolutescubabali.com

Papaya Fresh Gallery Jl. Mertanadi, Kuta

Where to go

IALF General Indonesian Course

Course dates: April 20–May 18 May 27–June 24 Email ils@ialf.edu now to book a placement test.

IALF Jl. Raya Sesetan 190, Denpasar : (0361) 225243 www.ialf.ed

W presents

A Guy Called Gerald March 26 From 10 p.m.-4 a.m.

Woobar at W Retreat Bali Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak : (0361) 473810

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Family Style Dinner at Soleil

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Every Friday, Saturday Family-style dining for intimate gatherings of family or friends.

The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas Nusa Dua : (0361) 3017777

Menjangan Island SINGARAJA LOVINA

Pulaki Gilimanuk

Mt. Batur

Mt. Sangiang

West Bali National Park

Besakih Mt. Agung

NEGARA Pura Rambut Siwi

Ubud

AMLAPURA BANGLI

Sangeh

KLUNGKUNG

TABANAN

GIANYAR Tanah Lot Kerobokan

1 DENPASAR

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Canggu Seminyak Legian Kuta

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Ngurah Rai Int’ Airport

Jimbaran Pura Luhur Uluwatu

Sanur

Benoa

Pura Batu Madan

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Nusa Dua

Penida Island

MÉTIS Restaurant, Lounge & Gallery Bali

French Mediterranean dining in a heavenly setting, an uber-chic lounge serving scrumptious tapas and cocktails, complemented by top-notch entertainment.

Jl. Petitenget no.6, Kerobokan : (0361) 4737 888 E-mail: info@metisbali.com www.metisbali.com

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Pullman Exhibition:

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Interior Journey by I Made Mahendra Mangku Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana Jl. Melasti no. 1, Legian : (0361) 762500 www.pullmanbalilegiannirwana.com

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Savor

C

ulinary enthusiasts now have more weekend dining options at Mulia Resorts Nusa Dua Bali.

After the success of the Soleil Sunday Brunch with free-flow wine, the Mulia recently launched its Family-Style Dinner at the resort’s beachfront restaurant.

Every Friday and Saturday, an exquisitely prepared Mediterranean menu or an exotic Asian feast of Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine is offered to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, served family style, with large portions enabling families to share every dish.

There is an impressive blend of fine local seafood and produce cooked in Italian or Pan-Asian style, while for Asian cuisine, guests have a range of Thai, Indonesian or Vietnam appetizers and main courses.

Appetizers include spicy Thai green papaya salad with soft shell crab, Vietnamese fresh rice-paper rolls with grilled beef and Indonesian chicken or wagyu beef satay with pickled vegetables and peanut sauce. From the soups, Indonesian Soto Ayam Lamongan is a great choice.

Six dishes are available for the main course, from phad Thai noodles with prawns, to Vietnamese grilled and sliced beef with shaved herb salad, wok-fried whole snapper with Thai chili sauce and sautéed kailan with oyster sauce. Other offerings include the popular Balinese braised pork in soy sauce and Indonesian-style fried rice.

An assortment of desserts ends the delightful epicurean journey, including frozen nougat, cheesecake with mango sorbet and the delicious signature coconut pudding with ice cream.

To refresh your palate, the Mulia Garden mix of kiwi, honeydew melon and lychee juices is a perfect choice, or you can also try the Mulia Delight of mixed pineapple and orange juice.

In addition to Asian food, Soleil’s FamilyStyle Dinner also presents an Italian menu that includes beef cheek filled ravioli with sugo d’arrosto and thick handmade spaghetti with fish and seafood ragu.

Children also have a varied menu to choose from including starters and soups, burgers and sandwiches, and kids’ specialties like junior fried rice, grilled chicken breast or sea bass fillet. Sweets include homemade ice cream and banana fritters.

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March 26, 2015

Family-style dinner at Soleil “Weekend WORDS DESY NURHAYATI PHOTOS COURTESY OF MULIA RESORTS

Specializing in delectable dishes with a Mediterranean touch, as well as exotic cuisines from Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, the internationally acclaimed chefs at Soleil are prepared to pamper their guests’ senses.

With a magnificent view of the tranquil Indian Ocean, the two elegant marbled dining areas with outdoor spaces are warm and inviting. With plush seats, Soleil is the perfect dining venue for those who appreciate the

finest things in life.

On Sundays, guests can still indulge in the extraordinarily generous Sunday Brunch buffet featuring a generous spread of meats, grilled seafood and an all-inclusive a la carte menu, as well as daily chef’s selections. The freeflow wine will surely enhance the gatherings of families and friends on their epicurean journeys.

family treat at Mulia’s opulent beachfront restaurant”