Bali Buzz #70

Vol.3 no.18/january 7-january 13, 2016

Reinventing cultural tourism Kintamani floating restaurant

Tjakra 7 Spa at Pullman Legian

from THE editor

Reflection

Cover Photo: Anggara Mahendra

With all the noise, firecrackers, loud music and boisterous parties, it is quite natural that New Year’s Eve was not the best time for reflection. The following day was not the best time either, as most were still dealing with hangovers and leftovers.

Now, however, is the perfect time for soul-searching. To evaluate what went wrong and what went right is the necessary first step in determining our bearing for this new year.

That’s why this edition’s cover story deals with the pressing issues of the island’s tourist industry. To be able to survive the ever-changing landscape of the global market, the industry must be able to learn from its mistakes and to capitalize on its strength. In order to do that, it must first embark on an honest assessment of its failures and achievements in 2015.

Happy soul-searching!

— The Editor

06 Anti-violence event

Contents

04

05 Kintamani floating restaurant

‘Meprani’

07 Amed 08 Reinventing cultural tourism 10 Candidasa 11 Peninsula 12 Tjakra 7 Spa at Pullman Legian 16 Rote

PT BINA MEDIA TENGGARA i Editorial and General Department Jl. Tukad Musi VI/17 Kav.1 Renon Denpasar Bali

(0361) 265 436, 265 437

Fax (0361) 223 698

Jpbali@indosat.net.id, advertisingbali@thejakartapost.com, promotionbali@thejakartapost.com

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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January 7, 2016

Images

Rejang “Earthly angels greet heavenly deities” Words and Photos I Wayan Juniarta

Every religious ritual in Bali is essentially a feast. Some are held for the forces of nature, some for the ancestral spirits and most are for the gods. All are lavish and beautifully presented.

In a banquet for the gods, the Balinese stop at nothing to make the deities happy. Once the deities are invited to descend from heaven to the ritual site, a gong ensemble starts playing a slow-paced melodious composition and a group of young girls wearing floral headgear, dressed in yellow and white — apparently the gods’ favorite colors — enter the stage.

These are the Rejang, the Balinese’s aesthetic take on the heavenly angels. They perform simple movements and hand gestures before approaching the sacred effigies of the deities to welcome them to the feast offered by their mortal subjects.

January 7, 2016

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Sight

‘Meprani’

“A procession to present special offerings” Words and photos Agung Parameswara

D

ozens of women were busy preparing beautiful, unusual rectangular offerings, locally called gebogan, consisting of arrangements of fresh fruits, traditional sweet rice snacks, colorful cakes and other delicious food.

These offerings were for presentation at a temple celebration in the pura dalem at Abianbase village in Badung regency on Dec. 25.

Agung Vera and her sister Agung Istri Mira were very satisfied with their towering gebogan offering. Every woman in their family, along with the women from the four banjar (hamlets) of Abianbase village, would carry her own lavish offering to the temple in a long procession known as meprani. Due to the number of participants, meprani took place over a three-day period.

Vera, who lives in Banjar Satria, said in her banjar it was customary to create rectangularshaped offerings. “This is very special and distinctive; it’s an age-old tradition belonging to our banjar.” In other banjar, women create round offerings. All are beautiful arrangements of fresh fruit, flowers and cakes attached by skewers to a tall banana trunk with a crown of flowers and cakes at the front.

The procession, an important temple ritual, started at 5 p.m. when the rain had stopped drenching the village, for which the participants were very grateful.

The mystical music of the gamelan orchestra created a spiritual vibe in the air and some women fell into trance while walking to the temple.

Meprani is a time for every member of the village to present gifts and express their gratitude for fertility, safety, prosperity and everything that makes their lives so blessed.

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January 7, 2016

Savor

Kintamani floating restaurant

“Enjoying delicious fish at scenic Lake Batur” WORDS DESY NURHAYATI PHOTOS STANNY ANGGA

T

he wonderful scenery of Lake Batur, with Mount Batur in the background, has always mesmerized tourists to Kintamani, the main destination in Bangli regency.

For locals, the thriving tourism in the area has created profitable opportunities and many of them have set up culinary businesses.

In 2006, retired judge Wayan Rena Wardana and his wife Nyoman Sudarmi established Resto Apung Kedisan, one of the most visited places in Kintamani.

Blessed with magnificent views and a unique restaurant concept, this is a great place to enjoy freshwater fish dishes.

Customers can choose whether to take

a seat inside the restaurant or eat on the floating platform on the lake.

For a more relaxing ambience, sitting on the open-air area of the pier under a clear sky is a perfect choice. While waiting for the main dish to be served, customers can enjoy a light snack of fried bananas and sip on hot coffee or tea to stay warm in the cool weather.

The restaurant always serves freshwater fish caught in the lake. “It is more delicious than frozen fish,” Wardana said.

Ikan Nyat-Nyat Bumbu Kedisan — tilapia cooked in Balinese spices — is the main dish here. It comes in three choices: fried, grilled or with savory sauce. Balinese sambal matah — chopped raw shallot and chili in coconut oil

— is the perfect accompaniment.

A single portion, which is approximately 1 kilogram of fish, can be enjoyed for only Rp 80,000 (US$5.78), while a smaller portion of about half the size costs Rp 40,000.

All of the recipes have been created by Sudarmi, who loves to cook. Her experience of living in many places across Indonesia as she followed her husband’s appointments as a judge has enriched her culinary skills and knowledge. She is happy to customize the menu to suit everyone’s palates.

Enjoying this local specialty while basking in the wonderful atmosphere of Batur is certainly a pleasant culinary experience.

January 7, 2016

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Soul

N

i Wayan Kardila drew a picture of a young girl picking a flower. The caption below the picture said: “Don’t be mad at girls who pick flowers. Give her the flower sincerely.”

She was telling the story of herself and her friends in Songan village. Their elementary school teachers kept asking them to bring fresh flowers to school. The girls had to pick flowers along their way to school and the house owners were often angry with them.

Another girl, Ni Putu Kadiyani, expressed her feelings in a harrowing picture portraying a young girl with woman holding a broom. The picture was her attempt to tell the story of a girl who was hit with a broom when she played at a friend’s house.

Kardila’s and Kadiyani’s art won the drawing contest jointly organized by the Legal Aid Foundation for Women’s Association for Justice (LBH APIK) and Songan village.

The contest was part of activities held in the village, located in Kintamani, Bangli, to observe the global day to raise awareness of violence against women and children.

Ni Nengah Budawati, chair of the LBH APIK, said that Songan village had been chosen for the event as, “There are many reports of domestic violence here,” adding that the village head and local leaders were willing to address sensitive issue.

Anti-violence event “Education and awareness brought to Songan village” Words and photos Luh De Suriyani

Domestic violence against women and children, as well as polygamy, are crucial issues in the village.

Jro Lanang, Songan’s village head, said, talking to a packed audience of 2,000 people, that efforts had been made to prevent violence against women and children in the village.

“If the women are empowered, educated and have work, they will be treated equally.

No man will have the courage to undermine

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January 7, 2016

women with these capabilities,” said Ni Putu Yeni Darmani, a nurse appointed as a paralegal to help the village’s women obtain their rights.

With greater awareness of the importance of protecting women and children, it is hoped that cases of violence against this vulnerable group of society will lessen in Songan village and elsewhere in Bali.

Savor

Amed

“Beaches, diving and snorkeling off the beaten track” Words and photos Anggara Mahendra

F

or devout Balinese Hindus, beaches are where various religious ceremonies take place, including scattering the ashes of cremated bodies into the sea.

For non-Balinese, however, the beach is a place where they can relax and have fun away from their busy lives, while the shallow seas are enjoyed for the waves and underwater life.

Unlike Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua, Amed is relatively unknown to many tourists.

Located around 84 kilometers northeast of Denpasar, perched in the rocky hills of Karangasem, Amed is popular among divers and snorkelers, as well as being an ideal location to view Bali’s most sacred mountain, Gunung Agung, and to enjoy the area’s famed

sunrise.

During the 2015 Christmas and year-end holidays, Amed beach was packed with local and foreign tourists eager to explore its rich marine assets.

There are seven good diving spots in Amed — Pyramid, Jemeluk, Bunutan Lipah, Deep Blue, Japanese Shipwreck and Gili Selang.

Wayan Mangku, who rents out diving equipment, said shops renting out diving and snorkeling equipment were easy to find along Amed beach.

“In the low season, there are usually around 10 to 20 people coming to Amed. But during the recent holiday season, Amed welcomed hundreds of visitors,” Mangku said.

If you stay in Amed, you can also easily visit Tulamben, about 12 kilometers away, to dive at the famous USAT Liberty shipwreck.

As Amed gains popularity, non-starred

and star-rated hotels, villas and resorts are mushrooming in the area, making a stay in Amed easily available to people on any budget.

January 7, 2016

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Reinventing cultural tourism

“Preserving the island’s authentic culture is the very key to attracting tourists to this magical island” WORDS DESY NURHAYATI PHOTOS ANGGARA MAHENDRA

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January 7, 2016

Cover Story

B

ali’s tourist industry got a boost to start this year thanks to recently being named the second best island in the world by Travel+Leisure magazine in its World’s Best Awards 2015.

The island was also chosen as the best island in Asia, defeating the Maldives and Phuket.

Bali, the gem of the Indonesian archipelago, remains a favorite destination for both domestic and foreign visitors. It not only embodies the natural splendor of tropical landscapes but is also attractive thanks to its enchanting culture.

The beauty of its Hindu temples, the friendly and tolerant reputation of its native inhabitants, who remain tied hand and foot to their daily rites, make Bali a magical place compared to other “dream” destinations in Asia.

Culture-based tourism is what the industry’s stakeholders seek to promote this year, with more effort to be put into promoting local potential, while developing infrastructure, tackling safety issues and improving the quality of human resources in the industry.

“Cultural tourism will remain this year’s trend as it is our main asset that differentiates us from other destinations,” said Tjokorda Artha Ardana Sukawati, also known as Cok Ace, a senior figure in Bali’s tourist industry.

To further develop Bali as a cultural tourism destination, the government and local communities need to promote the island to its fullest potential. One of the problems, he said, was that many tourist spots representing the face of Balinese culture still lacked proper management.

Local administrations in each of the island’s regencies should pay more attention to improving the management of places of interest, such as temples and museums.

Providing clear and accurate information and guidance was crucial to ensuring visitors glimpsed the island’s genuine culture, Cok Ace pointed out.

Meanwhile, experts warned that tourism should not cause Bali’s authenticity to be washed away by capitalism and global influences.

Amid massive tourism-related development, locals fear that Bali could quickly lose its originality and no longer be recognized as an idyllic destination with a mesmerizing living culture.

Cultural experts and natives have criticized Balinese ritual packages that offer tourists tailored and “standardized” culture as a form of merchandise, simplifying the diversity of local cultures and the specificity of rituals for the

sake of tourism, eliminating its essence.

Many are also worried that overdeveloped areas have become very capitalistic, putting aside the crucial role of the local community in development.

“Bali should be developed based on the principles of community-based tourism by prioritizing its people and culture,” senior hotelier Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya commented.

“Bali’s assets are its people, culture and traditions, so it cannot be developed in the same way as other destinations. Bali without its culture would just be another Singapore,” he stated, expressing his concern that Balinese culture was being diluted in the island’s overdeveloped areas.

“Tourism is a reality that is linked to the attractiveness of our culture. If mass tourism evolves in a way that threatens this culture, our specificity will disappear,” he warned.

Echoing comments from the tourism experts, head of Bali provincial tourism agency Anak Agung Yuniartha Putra, said the authority aimed to develop more villages that could be ready to welcome tourists without eliminating the village’s own identity.

“Tourism should really benefit local people in all areas, not only in the southern part of the island where the industry is more advanced.

Developing tourism villages in each regency across the island is the best way to realize this concept,” he said.

Opening up traditional Balinese villages as tourist destinations would mean allowing tourists to encounter the natural daily life of the local people, to have unique experiences they would not find anywhere else. The distinctive culture in each village would be the main attraction.

This year, Bali’s tourism authority is targeting 4.2 million foreign tourist arrivals and 7.8 million domestic visitors.

At the national level, the Indonesian government is targeting attracting 20 million foreign tourists by 2020 to the entire archipelago. As a popular destination for foreigners since the 1930s, Bali has been receiving special attention from the government.

One of the strategies to reach the national target is by opening up free visa entry to citizens of 30 countries. By waiving visa requirements, foreign tourist arrivals are expected to increase, with Bali being the main gateway, especially to the central and eastern parts of Indonesia.

To boost tourism development in Bali, the government and stakeholders are improving infrastructure on the island. Among the upcoming projects are constructing an international airport in Singaraja, as well as building a toll road connecting Denpasar to the northern part of the island where the airport will be built.

January 7, 2016

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Sight

Candidasa “Still popular despite massive erosion” Words and photos Luh De Suriyani

D

uring the early 1970s and 1980s, the seaside town of Candidasa in Karangasem, eastern Bali, was a quiet paradise far from the hustle and bustle of Kuta in the south.

Its pristine beach with lines of coconut trees was a perfect site for scuba diving and snorkeling and attracted tourists who preferred quiet leisure time rather than the bars and cafés filling Kuta and Sanur.

“Now, Candidasa is different from how it was portrayed 30 to 40 years ago. In my childhood, children used to play happily on the beach,” wrote Suwendra, a citizen journalist from Sengkidu village in Candidasa.

The beauty of Candidasa not only lured domestic and foreign tourists but also massive tourist-related investment. Dozens of resorts, hotels, villas and restaurants were built along the coast and the uncontrolled development caused massive erosion of Candidasa’s beach.

The sand vanished and Candidasa lost

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January 7, 2016

much of its appeal, leaving many businesses deserted.

However, a new study jointly conducted

by Udayana University’s Faculty of Tourism alongside Conservation International (CI) revealed that foreign tourists had started to return to the quiet area because they found the people to be friendly and welcoming.

The study, entitled “The Satisfaction Level: Expenses and Tourists’ Willingness and Ability to Pay for Conservation Initiatives in Padangbai and Candidasa”, was launched in June 2015.

The study showed that in 2002, immediately after the Bali bombings, Candidasa was only able to attract 300 visitors during the whole year.

In 2013, the number of tourists had increased to 1,700, further doubling to 3,400 in 2014.

There were two crucial factors that encouraged visitors to pay for conservation initiatives: the cleanliness and quality of tourist accommodation and the natural landscape and

tourist facilities, which were backed up by the local people’s welcoming and friendly attitude toward both domestic and foreign tourists.

The study showed visitors were willing to pay Rp 42,000 (US$3) in Padangbai and Rp 70,400 in Candidasa for conservation initiatives.

In addition to this study, numerous local and international institutions have presented recommendations to regional, provincial and central governments to include Candidasa and Padangbai in coral reef and coastal development conservation sites, while in 2011, researchers discovered a coral specific to Bali that they named Euphyllia Baliensis.

The average length of stay for most visitors was five days in Padangbai and seven days in Candidasa.

Serious traffic congestion, narrow streets, piles of garbage and limited access to beaches were the most common factors that stopped visitors from spending time in Candidasa, according to the study.

Sight

Peninsula “The lesser-known part of Nusa Dua”

Words and photos Agung Parameswara

I

n 1975, the government decided to designate the area of Nusa Dua as an exclusive tourist enclave. At that time, Nusa Dua (two islets) consisted of two barren islets, Nusa Dharma and Peninsula.

The two islets, once separate from the main island of Bali, had already become reunited with the mainland due to changing tidal patterns.

While the main Nusa Dharma islet has become a luxury resort area that is home to opulent resort hotels, villas, shops and convention centers, Peninsula islet is still open to the public.

Ringed by a white sandy beach, it is a favored public recreational area where people can enjoy the beautiful beach for free.

A spacious public park with green grass and a long jogging track make it ideal even for non-seabased activities. A favorite time to visit Peninsula is in the late afternoon to wait for the glorious sunset.

Under the management of ITDC, a state-owned company that manages the Nusa Dua resort area, Peninsula hosts the annual Nusa Dua Fiesta, a cultural and musical event that promotes art and culture from Bali and other Indonesian provinces. In recent years, statues of Arjuna and Khrisna, characters from the famed Mahabharata epic, have been erected to serve as a centerpiece for the park.

Visitors can also see Hindu rituals taking place at Pura Dalem Bias Tugel temple.

So if you’re looking for a day out in the fresh air with both land and sea activities, why not visit Peninsula while you are in Bali?

January 7, 2016

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Sojourn

A

n excellent treatment at a very good spa is nearly impossible to write about. A dreadful treatment is much easier simply because you are fully awake throughout the process and your mind is recording the regrettable event in highdefinition.

An excellent treatment, on the other hand, dissolves your body and mind with fluid, soothing sensations. Consequently, you cannot recall exactly what kind of massage technique was employed by the therapist, or whether the floor of the relaxation pool was made of locally sourced soft sandstone or imported Italian tiles, or whether said floor is off-white or glistening black.

That is precisely what took place when I descended into the hydro pool of Tjakra 7 Spa at Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana. There were several chair-like and bench-like structures submerged across the warm pool. I was thinking of the structures — what they were

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January 7, 2016

Tjakra 7 Spa at Pullman Legian “A rejuvenating escape at a tranquil spa” Words I Wayan Juniarta Photos Courtesy of Tjakra 7 Spa

made of, what were their functions and combined weight — as my glance turned upward and spotted an opening in the roof with green plants filling the gap and filtering the rays of the afternoon sun. All these thoughts occurred simultaneously as I slowly placed myself atop one of the structures.

Suddenly, my curious, albeit chaotic, train of thought came to an abrupt stop.

The stone chair sprouted jets of warm water that embraced and massaged my torso, creating at the same time both a relaxing and

invigorating sensation. It was a physical feeling so comforting that it put a complete halt to the wild processes of my mind.

So there I was, succumbing to the delights offered by the warm pool, one of only a handful in Bali, giving each chair and bench a try, savoring the physical pleasure in a child-like rush, and refusing to be drawn again by my grown-up, overly analytical mind. A mind that was washed away under the powerful streams of warm water that poured out of a swan necklike fountain onto my bare back. I was free.

With that newly found freedom, I confidently entered the massage room some 30 minutes later. I lay on the bed, my mind relaxed. I did not ask any journalistic questions of the shy female therapist. Instead, we conversed as two strangers, as two human beings. I found out how long she had been a therapist, where she came from and how many children she had, and how her friends were now pursuing careers in Dubai and the Maldives.

I did not know her massage techniques or the ingredients of the sweet scented oil she used on my body or the names of the songs that gently filled the softly lit room with a tranquil atmosphere. All I knew was 20 minutes into the 60-minute massage, my body was so relaxed that it surrendered completely to her hands and my mind was so at peace that it stopped wandering. I fell asleep in an unfamiliar place with a stranger working on my much-abused torso.

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SERVICES Accountant, tax consultant, QuickBooks expert. Call 0878 600 22239 anggra1@yahoo.com Aqua Fitness Courses and Aqua Bike Courses, Seminyak.

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Island Buzz Awards galore for Westin Bali

Fit, healthy and happy

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali has closed 2015 on a high note with a number of prestigious awards and accolades that reinforced its status as one of the island’s leading business and leisure destinations.

Among many others, the resort won a Hall of Fame 2015 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor based directly on ratings and reviews over five consecutive years from guests who had actually experienced the resort and its facilities firsthand.

It also made the list for the Hot 25 Conference Hotels in Asia in the annual Best in Travel 2015 Poll conducted by SmartAsiaTravel.com, as well as being Continent Winner in the Best Luxury Wellness Spa category of the 2015 World Luxury Spa Awards. With this award, Heavenly Spa is now considered to be at the forefront of today’s evolving wellness industry.

During Bali’s Best Restaurant, Bar & Café Awards 2015, the resort’s Velada Tapas Bar & Kitchen took top award as the Best Spanish Restaurant, while Ikan Restaurant & Bar came second in the Best Indonesian Restaurant category.

“Our secured beachfront location, comprehensive meeting facilities and innovative approach to personal wellness are just some of the attributes that define us as an award-winning property,” commented Managing Director Bipan Kapur.

In January 2016, Surfer Girl will hold a sport-themed campaign called Yo! Let’s Go! With the tagline “Feeling Fit, Healthy and Happy Together”, this campaign is aimed at encouraging Surfer Girl fans in Indonesia and around the world to live a healthier lifestyle and be more active.

There will be a photo contest on the Surfer Girl website and fun mini quizzes on all Surfer Girl social media platforms, which fans are encouraged to participate in.

The two participants of this Yo! Let’s Go! contest with the most unique types of sport and the highest amount of votes will be chosen to win the Fun Trip to Bali, along with their exercise partner, to take part in an exercise package with professional trainers.

Further information about the Yo! Let’s Go! campaign is available on the Surfer Girl website, www.surfer-girl.com.

January 7, 2016

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Promote your event with us! Call : 0361 265 436/7 or email to promotionbali@thejakartapost.com Petani Restaurant Special Performances Live music every Friday Starts 7:30 p.m.

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W Bali Presents Monkey Safari (Hommage Musik/Ger) Jan. 9 From 10 p.m. – 4 a.m.

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Events Gourmet Market Jan. 9 From 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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Untitled: Photo Exhibition Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday From 9 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.

Mannekepis Jazz and Blues Bistro Jl. Raya Seminyak, Kuta : (0361) 8475784 Watch Worldwide Sports Events Live sports coverage at Meads, watch live AFL, NRL, Super Rugby, cricket, tennis, F1.

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Denpasar

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

Kerobokan

Black Canyon Amaris Jl. Teuku Umar No. 139, Denpasar : (0361) 9378042 / 9378043

Bumbak Coffee Authentic Umalas coffee.

Jl. Bumbak No. 170, Kerobokan

Kuta Traditional & Modern Performances Every day (Except Wednesday) Starts 8 p.m.

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Mangku Murti + Teja Astawa “Eternal Line” Exhibition Dec. 3 – Feb. 3 Sudakara Art Space Sudamala Suites & Villas Sanur Jl. Sudamala No. 20, Sanur : (0361) 288555 Email: artspace@sudamalaresorts.com sudakaraartspace.com

Jimbaran Kecak & Fire Dance Everyday Starts 6 p.m.

Uluwatu Temple Jimbaran, Badung : (0361) 9041163

Calonarang Dance Every Thursday, Sunday Starts 7:30 p.m.

Mawang Village, Ubud Legong Dance Every Friday Starts 7:30 p.m.

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ARMA Museum & Resort Jl. Raya Pengosekan

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Kul Kul Farm Bali Open Day Every Thursday From 8 – 11 a.m.

Come and join workshops and the fun of sharing farm duties.

Kul Kul Farm Bali Jl. Raya Sibang Kaja, Br. Saren, Abiansemal, Badung E-mail: kul@kulkulfarm.com Limbo Hip Every Thursday Starts 8:30 p.m.

Lacalita Jl. Raya Batu Bolong No. 68, Canggu 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 Monday Blues Jan. 11 Starts 8 p.m.

The Parlour Kitchen, Bar & Lounge Jl. Petitenget 15 XX, Seminyak

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Denpasar Barong & Keris Dance Everyday Starts 9 a.m.

Jl. Waribang No. 11 Kesiman, Denpasar : (0361) 224596

Food & Drinks

Hot Swing Jazz Jan. 9 Starts 9 p.m.

Casablanca Jl. Danau Tamblingan No. 120, Sanur

Jim Larkin Soul & Blues Jan. 9 From 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Laughing Buddha Bar Bali Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud

ART & CULTURE CORNER

January 7, 2016

Activities Courses Dance Lessons Dance for life.

Jl. TangkubanPerahu No. 100x : (0361) 7452045 Gamelan Course – Mekar Bhuana Learn more about Balinese culture and music.

Jl. Gandapura III No. 501X, Denpasar : (0361) 464 201

Perama Tour & Travel Bali, Lombok, Flores, all over Indonesia.

Easy and safe at a reasonable price, all for your convenience.

Head Office Jl. Legian No. 39, Kuta : (0361) 751551, 751875, 750808 www.peramatour.com

Shopping

Papaya Fresh Gallery Jl. Mertanadi, Kuta

Delta Dewata The first supermarket in Ubud Jl. Raya Andong No.14, Ubud : (0361) 973 049, 978 071

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 Sherrat Gallery/ BCAC Surrealism painting and art class with Bruce Sherrat Jl. Raya Andong Gg. Sawah, Ubud (between Gangga Sukta and BSA cargo) : (0361) 978617 baliartclasses.com

Bintang Perum Dalung Permai Pertokoan A11 – 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, Phone (0361) 705454 Jl. Uluwatu Pecatu, Phone (0361) 7472303 Jl. Uluwatu II no. 10 Jimbaran, Phone (0361) 81470919 Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai 81 Jimbaran, Phone (0361) 4729081

Simple Guidance When Attending a Temple Ceremony 1. Always wear a sarong and sash.

2. Do not walk in front of people when they are praying.

3. Do not use flash or point your camera at the priest’s face.

4. Never sit higher than the priest, the offerings and/ or people praying.

5. During cremation ceremonies, do not get in the way of attendees, however perfect that photographic moment might be.

6. Women are not allowed to enter temples while menstruating.

Where to go 2

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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 metisbali.com

Sunday Mostly Jazz Live on The Beach Jan. 10 Starts 7 p.m.

Griya Santrian Jl. Danau Tamblingan 47, Sanur

Menjangan Island SINGARAJA LOVINA

Pulaki Gilimanuk

Mt. Sangiang

Mt. Batur Mt. Musi

West Bali National Park

Besakih Mt. Agung

NEGARA Pura Rambut Siwi

AMLAPURA Sangeh

BANGLI

Ubud

KLUNGKUNG

TABANAN

GIANYAR Tanah Lot Kerobokan

DENPASAR

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Canggu Seminyak Legian Kuta

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Ngurah Rai Int’ Airport

Jimbaran Pura Luhur Uluwatu

1 Sanur

Benoa

Pura Batu Madan

Penida Island

Nusa Dua

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UNIVERSO BEACH & LIFESTYLE STORE

Official retailer for Havaianas sandals, Seafolly swimwear and Universo resort wear.

Jl. Laksmana No. 5 Seminyak : (0361) 733036 E-mail: support@universo.co.id universo.co.id

All You Can Eat at The Deli Restaurant Every day Starts 6 p.m.

Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana Jl. Melasti No. 1, Legian : (0361) 762500 pullmanbalilegiannirwana.com

January 7, 2016

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Sojourn

Rote “An island rich in natural and cultural beauty”

Words Ni Komang Erviani Photos Lukman SB and Ni Komang Erviani

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s an archipelagic nation of more than 17,000 islands, there are many places to visit in Indonesia besides Bali; Rote island is one alternative.

Located in eastern Indonesia, part of East Nusa Tenggara province, Rote is one of Indonesia’s outer islands and has an area of only 1,200 square kilometers. This small island, however, can provide a lot of fun experiences for travelers.

From Bali, Rote can be reached via Kupang with a number of airlines providing daily flights. The flight from Bali to Kupang takes around one hour and 40 minutes. From El Tari Airport in Kupang, a short 20-minute flight is provided

by Wings Air daily to Lekunik airport in Rote. Other airlines provide chartered flights.

Alternatively, you can travel from Kupang by either fast ferry, reaching Rote in just two hours, or the much slower public ferry, which takes around six hours.

Rote island is arid and hot, although in the rainy season it is much greener. Rote Ndao regency comprises the islands of Rote and Ndao; the capital city, Ba’a, is located on Rote and

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January 7, 2016

is home to a lighthouse that makes a great foreground for sunset photography.

Around 30 minutes from Ba’a, you will find Batu Termanu, a huge rock believed to have magical powers and which inspired the motif found in traditional Ndao hand-woven textiles. While Rote has no weaving tradition, the women on Ndao believe every woman should be able to weave their black, gold and red cloth.

In Rote, these traditional textiles can be found in Seberang Kali village, where many Ndao people live. They hang their hand-woven cloths in front of their houses, where you can also watch the women weaving.

Rote is also well known for the traditional tiilangga hat, which is made of palmyra leaves and only used for customary activities.

“It was originally a hat for the kings,” said one maker, Markus Oto, who claimed it took several days to make just one hat.

The most popular part of Rote, however, is Nembrala, a beach that is very popular for surfing and diving.