Bali Travel Newspaper Vol. II No. 32 English Edition

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COVER STORY

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No. 32  April 25 - May 10, 2012

World Hindu Summit 2012 in Bali AN INTERNATIONAL Hindu forum that to supervise and give resolu on based on Dharma and implement it as a real ac on for issues that affect the World Hindu community and all the human beings need.

World Hindu federa on that centered in Nepal in few decades ago, has already been seen as a capable organiza on to bring the vision and mission of the World Hindu. The changes in governmental system in Nepal caused poli cal chaos to the country moreover with the winning of Maoist people that take over the government so the a en on they gave to this forum lacked.

The forum was weakened and can’t run the main func on properly. For that reason in every mee ng and conference, especially with some of ex-commi ee (Vice president of WHF) there’s an ini a ve to con nue the vision and mission of World Hindu Federa on with a mee ng of figure of World Hindu 2012 (World Hindu Summit 2012).

The mee ng is properly to be held in Bali, as the island that known as the Island of Gods with mo o “Harmony to the World, from The Island of God, Bali Indonesia”. Through the World Hindu Summit 2012 (WHS 2012) in Bali Indonesia, it will be possible to realize a World Hindu organiza on that has a new power on the way to save the human beings based with the Dharma way.

The message and various solu ons will produce an effort to par cipate to make a more peaceful future to the world.

World Hindu Summit 2012

What is Hinduism Summit?

1. Introduc on The Hinduism Summit mmit (Hindu Dharma Sabha) aims to foster an educa on about Hindu u Dharma by bringing forth the unique ique science behind concepts and prac ces ng in Hinduism, and bringing together Hindu lead-ers across the world to spread the message of Hinduism. One of the main reasons that we need these summits is that the majority of us Hindus have forgo en or are unaware of the true wealth of Hindu Dharma.

2. Current state of Hindus Quite o en Hindus find themselves aping different cultures and are unable to explain to people from other religions the basic concepts in their own religion. Their knowledge is quite limited and o en based on hearsay tales from their elders with no a empt on their own part to understand the breadth, depth and glory of Hindu Dharma. As a result Hindus lack the pride in their religion and dare we say even feel apologe c at mes when challenged about its venerable concepts and way of life.

Our genera on holds the responsibility of passing this great Sanatan Hindu Dharma on to the next genera on, but how can we do it

if we have not studied and prac ced it do feel deeply about it. and hence don’t 3. Uniqueness Uniquenes of Hindu Dharma In a world wor threatened by divisions (with deadly consequences) d in religions and race, the rel age ag old universal principles of Hindu Dharma c are a a beacon of light, that if understood and followed would bring peace to our world.

Only Hinduism accepts all people as the same. While we may be different on the outside, while we may have different natures, it explains that we all have the God principle (Ātma) in each of us. Hence Hindu Dharma sees the a empts to convert anyone from one religion to another as just a superficial exercise in fu lity because whatever the conversion, we remain intrinsically embodied Souls (jivas). Yet these religious conversions do happen and mostly from Hinduism to some other religion. What religious conversions do at best is put labels on embodied Souls and forces the segrega on of humankind 4. Hinduism Summits – a catalyst to understand, to awaken, to live and to preserve Hindu Dharma Even in Hinduism, we are being threatened

by becoming too sect orientated. In fact we as Hindus, even though we are some 900 million strong, are a conglomerate of various minority sects and isms. As a result even though we are born into this great way of life, we short change ourselves by being sectarian and less expansive.

Along with this, it has many more deleterious consequences. As there is less unity amongst Hindus and most Hindus are enveloped in a “everyHindu-for-himself” syndrome, we are also more prone to being under a ack. The conversion of Hindus and their persecu on is rife all around the world. Denigra on of our dei es and religious symbols go unabated and when this is brought to the no ce of the perpetrators, instead of being apologe c, they display a certain “as-if-I-care” bravado. But today Hinduism is facing a more insidious onslaught i.e., from its own people. An example of this is when ar st M.F. Husain drew Hindu dei es in the most vulgar posi ons and poses; on talk shows in India, it was the so called Indian (Hindu) intelligentsia and secularists that defended his work as art.

Let us as Hindus join together from this day forth and make a stand for Hindu Dharma.

Our prayer is that these kind of Hinduism summits, will act as a catalyst to light a lamp in our hearts to understand, to awaken, to live and to preserve Hindu Dharma and to light the flame of Dharma, inherent in every Soul, in people around us.  BTNewspaper/ forumforhinduawakening.org

Un l this me, the support from many places to realize this forum comes, from: Maharaja Jayatpataka Vice President World Hindu Federa on (USA). He gives his approval to con nue the vision and mission of World Hindu Federa on no ma er with the same name or with a new name.

There’s 24 le ers already sent to 24 leaders of World Hindu Federa on and 22 come from the Hindu spiritual leaders that a ended the Parliament of the World Religions 2009 in Australia Support from Commi ee of the Bali Pasraman Union, that consist of 44 pasraman from all over Bali.

The Support from the Governor of Bali Province; The Support from Office of Tourism Bali Province; Support from the University Rector Forum posi oned in Bali; Hope while me is moving, another support will be given to the idea to make Bali as the permanent secretary of World Hindu Parisadha.  BTNewspaper/DP

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Chief Editor : Wisnu Wardana; Publicist: Jan Hendrik Peters, KG. Dharma Putra, Journalists/ contributors: Torsten Thierbach, Gung Man, Krisna; Marke ng : Made Yudha ; Secretariate : Dewi ; Address : Jl. Mela 43 Denpasar, Bali-Indonesia ; Phone/ fax: (0361) 227610 Email : info@ www-balitravelnews.com ; Jakarta : Bambang Hermawan, Villa Pamulang Mas, Blok C9/4, Pamulang, Tangerang Selatan ; Yogyakarta : Titah Pratyaksa (083 1190 19410); Bank : BPD Bali KCP. Kamboja No. 0370115000510 A/N Biro Promosi & Pengembangan Pariwisata Budaya.

Bali Art Center:

The Venue of World Hindu Summit 2012 WORLD Hindu Summit 2012 will be held in Bali Art Centre, Jalan Nusa Indah Denpasar.

Here is some info about Bali Arts Centre in Denpasar. Taman Budaya or Bali Art Center is the culture building complex with the best style of Balinese tradi onal architecture.

It is featuring the good lay-out building of amphitheater to be a place/hall of show performance purpose. It is symbolizing the twiddling of Mandara Giri mount in the milk ocean and spa ering the Amerta holy water

for the life of endless as according to nature of dynamic culture and stayed alive during the human being s ll dwell the earth planet.

This amphitheater can accommodate up to 6.000 audiences for the show of colossal both for modern and also tradi onal. This Taman Budaya (Cultural Park) is opened in 1978, togetherness to the Bali Arts Fes val (Pesta Kesenian Bali) within one month fes val.

During this fes val, there are full of entertainment amusement tradi onal dance,

exhibi on, and other cultural ac vi es. At the opening ceremony enlivened by ar s c parade started from Puputan Square (Lapangan Puputan Badung) and finish at the Bali Art Center, Jalan Nusa Indah Denpasar.

Its distance is about 2 Km and this parade is followed by en re regencies and towns in Bali by delivering their ar stry mission. This event is o en followed by other provinces in Indonesia as well as from outside country like Japan, Korea, Europe, and America etc.

In this Culture Parade is presented in so many forms those are from the sacral un l contemporary tradi onal. There are also type of marry and custom clothes from each area, instrument of music or gamelan, forms sesajen (offering) and others Un l today, this event (Bali Art Fes val) becomes famous, not just for tourists, but also local resident always take a en ons to this annual event. The person who is propose in this yearly culture event is Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra (who has been a Bali Governor from 1978-1988). 

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No. 32  April 25 - May 10, 2012

III

Classification of Star Hotels in Bali  Certificate of THK Awards Plays Important Role in Classification THE Indonesia Hotels and Restaurants Associa on (PHRI) of Bali Chapter took the Central Execu ve Board of the PHRI Jakarta to organize the star classifica on or re-classifica on 2012. The ac vity taking place on

April 9-20 posed one of the mandates of the Act No. 10/2009 concerning tourism.

On Wednesday (Apr 11) was held the official opening ceremony for the classifica on/

re-classifica on of star hotel 2012 in The Royal Beach Seminyak as well as directly re-classified The Royal Beach Seminyak.

Carla Parengkuan of the Central Execu ve

Board of the PHRI Jakarta and Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawa (Cok Ace) as Chairman of the PHRI Bali officially opened the event accompanied by the assessor team of the PHRI

Bali. It was resumed with the conferment of assessor cer ficate for non-star and star hotel to 12 par cipants deno ng the administrators of the PHRI of Bali Chapter and regency chapter across Bali.

reclassifica on was regularly implemented every 2-3 years, “It remains a common challenge because we serve many members, while the number of our assessor has not been sufficient,” said Cok Ace.

A total of 20 members of the PHRI Bali joining the event represented the region of Denpasar, Badung, Tabanan, Karangasem and Buleleng. Meanwhile, the assessors par cipating in the classifica on program consisted of Rio Kondo, Carla Parengkuan, FX. Soejatno Wardojo, Perry Markus, I Gus Made Sudjana and I Made Kornelius.

According to the data of the PHRI, so far there had been 165 five-star hotels that had met the classifica on of the PHRI.

Implementa on of the classifica on aimed to provide an overview to poten al tourists about the grade or level of the hotel to be visited. In addi on, it was also intended to meet the customer sa sfac on and the owner or management responsibility to improve quality.

The assessment included 20 percent related to management, services (50 percent) and physical aspect (30 percent). As for the

Agro-tourism for Sustainability of SUBAK Institution in Bali (1)

Besides, the Tri Hita Karana Award was also a recommenda on for a five-star classifica on. “We strongly support the THK Awards.

Similarly, we directly assess the hotels that have already implemented the Tri Hita Karana concept and become the aspirant of our classifica on,” said Perry Markus confirmed by Cok Ace. According to Perry Markus, the Tri Hita Karana Awards posed an important recommenda on for the classifica on. By par cipating in the THK Awards, the hotel concerned had been harmonious and showed off spiritual care for the environment, social and natural sustainability.  BTNewspaper/Krisna

By Wayan Windia

Subak Functions in Bali SUBAK ins tu ons (and the tradi onal village) are two of the Balinese cultural heritage ins tuons. As a cultural heritage, both ins tu ons are o en regarded as Bali’s cultural bamper (Geriya, 1985 and Windia, 2006). Subak func on manages the irriga on and agriculture systems, and tradi onal village func on manages the tradi onal village customs and religious acvi es in rural areas are concerned.

Both ins tu ons that manage the different regions. Subak manage the rice fields with the hydrologic boundaries, and tradi onal village manage the area with administrave boundaries.

Besides doing basic tasks, the two ins tu ons have one of the same ac vity. Among them, connuously perform ritual ac vi es, in a variety of ins tu onal ac vi es.

Subak conduct religious ceremonies at Subak Temple (Pura Bedugul), at every level of agricultural ac vity.

The ceremony performed, ranging from water-calling ceremony will begin at irrigate their fields, un l the harvest. Meanwhile, tradi onal village conduc ng ceremonies on

pretending that exist in the area of the village cultures, and managing the ac vi es of religious ceremonies conducted by local residents. For example, when conduc ng public may crema on ceremony (crema on), when allowed to do the ceremony at the temple, etc..

Existence of the tradi onal village will s ll be considered safe.

Because of the tradi onal village will con nue to exist, as a shelter community of concerned members of the village. But the existence of subak considered very alarming.

That’s because the existence of rice fields and irriga on run Subak, connue to experience reduc ons. Vast reduc on in the rice fields of Bali, in the last five years (th. 2005-2009), an average of more than 1000 ha / year (BPS Prop. Bali, 2010). All this was generally due to the development of tourism sector in Bali is very fast. Furthermore, causes the development of the popula on is also very fast, due to factors such as migra on. In the census of 2010, recorded a very high popula on growth in Bali, which is 2.15%. Even in the heart of the tourist areas in

Bali in Denpasar and Badung regency popula on growth reached respec vely 4.0% and 4.63%.

If the vast rice fields con nue to narrow, and irriga on increasingly disturbed, then the existence of Subak as one bamper Balinese culture will also be disrupted. Therefore, required by various studies for sustainability of subak in Bali. Due to the development of the tourism sector is very rapid, then the Subak system needs to get into the tourism sector. Including by developing agro Subak (agrotourism) as a region. This ac vity will be able to (i) improving farmers’ incomes and Subak, (ii) generate pride among farmers, (iii) increase employment, and (iv) reduce the interest to sell the rice fields.

It is noteworthy that subak is basically a system of socio-cultural character. That is, since its existence in the 11th-century ago, Subak ac vi es only cooperate, and conduc ng ceremonies. However, in the progress Subak has undergone changes in accordance with the socio-cultural development of the

surrounding community. Among them, start doing ac vi es that are economic. Pusposutardjo (1996) and Lansing (2006) states that any changes that may occur in Subak is essen ally a process of transformaon of an irriga on system, to adjust to developments in the surrounding environment. As it is known that subak records began its existence

in the eleventh century. In the year 1072, or about 393 years a er the farm system began to be found in Bali. Throughout this period, Subak con nued to experience the process of transforma on.  *) Wayan Windia, Professor of Agriculture at Udayana University and Assessor THK Awards

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FOOD & BEVERAGE

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No. 32  April 25 - May 10, 2012

A Unique Chef with Natural Capability

THIS cook of the Harris Resort Kuta always has innova on and humor when we meet and now know him more closely.

I Wayan Karmana is the full name of the Execu ve Chef of the Harris Resort Kuta. He has 4 children and a hobby of playing football.

Mr. Kar, his short address, only took formal educa on up to the level of secondary school, but his experience and aesthe c taste in the culinary field can be paralleled to professional chef graduated from tourism voca onal school. Everything was gained through experience and ini ated from becoming a cook helper in the kitchen of New Korean up to learning skills in the Discovery Kar ka Plaza and Kuta Paradiso. Subsequently, he was a Sous-Chef at The Wave, and recently in the Harris Kuta Beach Hotel.

Cooking is a hobby and inseparable from the daily life of Mr. Kar. He started it by helping open a food stall run by his brother. Through the food stall, then all the capabili es were deepened and improved. Later on, such capability drew an admira on and emo on because he was a self-taught person and can now gain a strategic posi on in the management of a 4-star hotel in Kuta.

The only Execu ve Chef having a secretary can only be found in the Harris Kuta Beach. It is unique because he has not well experienced yet in the use of informa on technology, but in the culinary field is no longer doubted. On that account, we need to give high apprecia on for the natural capability possessed by Mr. Kar.  BTNewspaper/Krisna

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No. 32  April 25 - May 10, 2012

V

Activities at Bali Mandira

Located on the Best Beach REGARDED as a Classic Balinese hotel with modern facili es, Bali Mandira Beach Resort & Spa is an Oceanfront paradise. Expansive grounds, a white sandy beach and panoramic ocean views are the se ng for a relaxing holiday in the most beau ful surroundings. Located on Legian Kuta Beach and surrounded by spectacular lush tropical gardens, the Resort is truly a haven of paradise.

In a strategic loca on, just steps away from all that which Kuta and Legian are famous for: excellent shopping, tradi onal art markets, dining, clubbing, water sport and more. Bali Mandira offers world class dining and spa facili es to cater to your every need. Well known for its friendly staff and the warm Balinese hospitality, we ensure a truly wonderful stay for every guest.  BTNewspaper/PR

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AROUND BALI

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No. 32  April 25 - May 10, 2012

Easter Celebrations at Melia Bali EASTER is the me for Chris ans to celebrate the resurrec on of Christ at the end of Holy week. A me to enjoy the end of rainy season and embrace the blooming of tropical flower. A me for chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks and colored eggs!

On Sunday (8/4), the resort’s arranged an Easter Celebra on at Kids Club filled with Easter decora ons, exci ng games and lot of prizes.

Sumptuous buffet of Easter special es also had been prepared by our Execu ve Chef, I Gus Ngurah Kanca at Sorrento and Sateria Restaurant.

Everyone was delighted by all games during the a ernoon of celebra on.

Easter celebra on at Meliá Bali is a state of mind, an opportunity to cherish peace and love with the whole family.  BTNewspaper/PR K12-III.26-12

A New Team Event Organizer O R G A N I Z I N G an event involves a en on to details that somemes is just too much to handle alone. Even the simplest event can be the worst nightmare for some. This is one of the reasons why people would rather hire an event or party organizer to take care of these ‘li le things’ to ensure success.

Nikko Bali Resort and Spa is commi ed to ensuring that all its clients’ needs are carried out and exceed their expecta ons. Thus the resort has recently appointed Ieda Puanani as the new Director of Event Sales. I Ketut Gita will be taking charge of the banquet and events opera ons

Scholarship by Melia Bali

as Director of Events.

Ieda literally grew up in the world of events and catering as she started her journey in the industry as Catering Secretary for a five-star hotel in Jakarta. Her hard work and persistence have pushed her forward in her career and took her to managerial level in less than four years. She then joined JW Marrio Jakarta as Director of Event Management and also took care of the Ritz Carlton Jakarta before flying off to Hawaii to pursue her career. She recently took charge of the Conven ons and Events as the Director of Sales at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta before joining Nikko Bali Resort and Spa.  BTNewspeper/PR

MELIÁ Bali sees collabora on with the local community, government organisa ons, other tourism businesses, public associa ons and industry groups as vital to providing a sustainable tourism opera on. On Wednesday (4/4), the resort’s community team on behalf of the resort’s General Manager, Mr. Jim Boyles made a visit to SMPN 4 Kuta Selatan (one of the Junior High Schools in South Kuta).

The scholarship for 10 (ten) students was

given during the school’s 3rd anniversary. Mr. I Wayan Tur Adnyana, the Headmaster of SMPN 4 Kuta Selatan, said that these 10 students are talented students with good achievement but come from unfortunate families.

The parents work as tradi onal herb seller, gardener or re red. It is hoped that by giving the scholarship the school expenses can be lightened and the students can finish their school.

Meliá Bali’s commitment to community initiatives stems from the Balinese spiritual philosophy of ‘Tri Hita Karana’ as included in their environmental and social sustainability policy. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of the balance and harmonious relationship between humans and God, humans and humans, and humans and nature. In the picture, we can see Director of Human Resources Mrs. Frieda Zuther and the resort team together with Mr. I Wayan Tur Adnyana.  BTNewspaper/PR

Publish Asia 2012 718 NEWSPAPER execu ves from over 31 countries gathered in Bali for WAN-IFRA’s 12th annual Asian conference. The event was opened by His Excellency the Vice President of Indonesia, Mr. Boediono.

With the theme of Shaping the Fu-

The 11th Asian Media Awards ceremony has designated the best publica ons from Asia Pacific and the Middle East in seven different categories among over 650 entries received. The Winners list, which includes publica ons such as Star (Malaysia), South

ture of News Publishing, Publish Asia 2012 featured four concurrent conferences: CEO conference, Adver sing Summit Asia, Newsroom Summit Asia and Prin ng Summit Asia The conferences were supplemented by learning workshops and several networking func ons including a welcome recep on and a golf tournament. The presgious Asian Media Awards were presented at the Gala Dinner.

Media Awards 2012 Winners

China Morning Post, Jawa Pos, Jakarta Globe, Mid Day, Malayala Manorama, Gulf News, AP, Kompas Gramedia, Singapore Press Holdings, Asahi Shimbun and many more.

The Asian Media Awards gala dinner has been hold in Bali, Indonesia, at Publish Asia 2012, the annual conven on of the World Associa on of Newspapers and News Publishers, WAN-IFRA, which gathered this year over 700 media execu ves from 31 different countries.  BTNewspaper/*/ Krisna

Anniversary of Sunya Giri Kelasa Temple in The Patra Bali PIODALAN or anniversary of the Sunya Giri Kelasa Temple located in the area of The Patra Bali was held Friday (Apr 6). In the event, all the Hindu employees and management of The Patra Bali ac vely got involved in the devo onal works or ngayah.

The recent piodalan looked different because it coincided with Friday prayers for the Muslim and Good Friday, namely the death of Jesus Christ for Chris ans. Moreover, the Sunya Giri Kelasa Temple is adjacent to the mosque located in the area of the temple outermost courtyard. “It is unique because the fes vity of three religions is coinciding. It

symbolizes a harmony pursuant to the Tri Hita Karana,” said General Manager of The Patra Bali, Nyoman Wiryanata.

In conjunc on with the temple anniversary, also was performed an inaugural ceremony for the compound wall that had just been restored and enhanced. As seen in the picture, all the employees were working together and helping one another in each division of The Patra Bali. It indicated the implementa on of Tri Hita Karana values undertaken with sincerity in the anniversary of Sunya Giri Kelasa Temple, The Patra Bali.  BTNewspaper/Krisna/Photo by Angga

GREEN CORNER

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No. 32  April 25 - May 10, 2012

VII

The Curriculum Vitae of Bali Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a giŌ, that’s why it is called the present (Bill Keane)

By Jan Hendrik Peters Strategic Advisor THK Founda on History as a piece of the puzzle of Bali

One of the pieces of the puzzle of Bali as the Island of the Gods is history. History is important, because it explains how it was, how it is now and how it will be. Without the knowledge of history, the puzzle is incomplete. Many places, statues and tourism highlights are named a er heroes from the past and many names of hotels refer to historical events from long me ago. However, asking people for more historical details they mostly do not know; they just know the name and some other data, but no more than that.

Apparently, Balinese people are not interested in history and that is as such amazing, because the Balinese history is fantas c and it is absolutely challenging to explore, not only as something that has happened in the past, but even more because we can learn from the past in developing Bali for the future. In this respect you could say that Bali without history does not exist. History is linked to Bali and you will never succeed to amputate history from Bali today. All history from the very beginning of civiliza on belongs as heritage to Bali and has always to be men oned in the curriculum vitae of Bali.

Some mes I am thinking that Balinese do not like to remember their history. They probably do not want to remember nega ve events in the past, but that’s incomprehensible for different reasons. History always consists of both posi ve and nega ve events and developments. That’s reality and just closing your eyes for nega ve aspects of history is illusion. It has no sense to behave as the ostrich that is hiding his head into the sand believing that if he does not see it, it does not exist. For animals understandable, but for humans who are of a higher order, absolutely not logical.

Forge ng history is also clearly in conflict with the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana. Essen al in this philosophy is that the extremes are meeting and have to be balanced. To this philosophy the extremes of good and bad or posi ve and nega ve belong to each other, are linked to each other, need each other. That’s the message of the Barong Dance, that’s the message of Nyepi, that’s the message of the holy books of Ramayana and Mahabharata and so on. In other words it would be illogical to live on one hand with the concept of God and Devil and on the other hand to close your eyes for the nega ve events and developments of history.

Tell me who your friends are and I shall tell you who you are. The meaning of this saying is clear. The choice of a close friend or partner reflects much about your own values, a tude and lifestyle. People who love to go to the opera or to listen to a classical concert, will do wise to choose a close friend or partner with more or less the same a tude and lifestyle. If people would differ too much from each other, it would be be er to forget about friendship and partnership. This is of course the golden rule but that doesn’t mean that the golden rule has to be the standard for everyone. In general I would say that when two people have not enough in common and do not match sufficiently, they be er do not begin a rela onship. But I have to admit that I have seen that even conflic ng characters have chosen for each other and are happily living together. It is a golden rule that people are convinced that their characters are matching before they decide to live together for the rest of their life. At the same me is a golden rule that excep ons always exist. But again, this is more excep on than rule and happens only if both par es are respec ng that each will have his or her own life within the concept of marriage, while in most marriages the common ground is much bigger than the individuals own life.

Thinking about history and Bali today, the symbolic of the puzzle seems applicable. If you compare Bali with a puzzle, consis ng of many pieces and each piece represen ng a specific aspect of Bali life, history becomes interes ng for study. Interes ng for scien sts to explore what has really happened in their country in the past, but also interes ng for all Balinese to know what has happened in the past and where they themselves come from. Interest in history would jus fy all the efforts of Balinese in the past; both posi ve and nega ve efforts. This kind of interest is also doing right to the Balinese ancestors. Worship of ancestors is one of the spiritual elements of THK. This worship is not limited to the last genera on of ancestors but includes all genera ons. Showing interest in the history of the ancestors is an important obliga on of the Balinese. Through history the spirit of Bali has blown from the past to the present.

The roaring 17th ll 19th century This period implies three centuries from roughly 1600 ll 1900 and can be characterized best as roaring. The Balinese kingdoms were constantly involved in internal conflicts and hosli es between each other, waged the Balinese Javanese wars and were from 1846 ll 1908 also figh ng against the Dutch colonial power to defend their rela ve independence. The Dutch finally conquered all of Bali by applying successfully the tac c of ‘divide et impera’ (divide and rule), which was especially effec ve on Bali

with eight jealous, compe ng and independent kingdoms. With the defeat of Klungkung in 1908 all of Bali was brought under Dutch rule.

Although the Indies were colonised by the Dutch from the 16th century, Bali was ll 1846 hardly involved in the Dutch coloniza on. Unlike other islands such as the Moluccas (spices) and Java, Sumatra (coffee, tea and rubber) Bali had nothing to provide that was commercially interes ng for the Dutch colonial government.

This meant that the Balinese kingdoms were rela vely free in ruling their kingdoms in their own way un l halfway the 19th century, when the Dutch a empted to exert control over the Balinese kingdoms star ng with Buleleng in the North. Moreover Bali was too small for exploitaon of large planta ons and last but not least was that surrounded Bali Island. This made it difficult for large ships to land, thereby excluding Bali from interna onal trade. During this roaring period of conflicts, hos li es and wars, the Hindu religion remained the dominant and central focus of the people in their daily life.

Slave and opium trade Although slave trade and opium trade were prac sed intensely in the period of the 17th ll 19th century and were very profitable for both the Balinese kings and princes and later on for the Dutch colonial government, s ll li le is known about these prac ses. Recently a study has been done and published by A.A. Gde Putra Agung including three essays on widow burning, slavery and opium trade. Of these three items I shall just men on the slavery and opium trade, which have been important sources of income in Bali economy during 300 years.

Slavery was Bali’s main export product during 300 years. Yearly thousands of slaves were shipped from Bali all over the world to Batavia (Jakarta), the West Indies, the Pacific and Indian Ocean islands and South Africa. Then, like now in Indonesian business, the middlemen were Chinese. But in those days the Balinese kings recruited slaves from their own popula ons.

The Dutch hired many of these slaves to serve as labourers on the planta ons in their colonies or as soldiers in figh ng the Javanese who revolted against Dutch rule.

The slave trade was officially been abolished in 1904. However, slave trade has not stopped.

Today it is the poor rural Javanese who go and work as labourers and domes c workers in the big urban centers, or overseas to the Middle East in slave-like condi ons. Poor young country girls are sacrificed to meet the demand for pros tutes domes cally and interna onally, because they have no alterna ve to survive and to help their poor families financially. In this respect there is only a thin line between slavery and the working condi ons of all young Balinese who are recruited to serve on cruise ships for the lower jobs as dishwasher or cleaner. Mostly these young men have no perspec ve on a job on Bali, so their only chance for a job is working on a cruise ship, although the working condi ons are far from ideal: small salary, long working

hours, temporary employment, long absence from home. Balinese never forget their family back home and feel always obliged to help their family financially.

The opium trade is in many aspects comparable with the slave trade. A large part of the opium bound for Bali was re-exported to Java, where the Chinese middlemen ran opium farms for their Dutch colonial masters and supplied every layer of society from the aristocracy to the farmers, who consumed a poor quality of opium to escape the bleakness of their daily lives.

More than 100 years later the picture has not changed that much, although the abuses are no longer legal. Opium has been replaced by all kinds of drugs, the opium pipes by syringes and the poor without any perspec ve on a human life replaced by the urban slum dwellers reflecting the urbaniza on from rural to urban society.

These drugs are readily available in all major urban areas, including shopping center, school, university campus, bar, café, disco and nightclub.

People usually are resor ng to drugs for fun or to escape the pressures of life.

Differences between people with and without perspec ve Much more could be discussed rela ng these two hot items of slavery and opium trade during 300 years in the past. Both have been prac sed world-wide and s ll do, but only camouflaged in other shapes. Of course government can punish those who are trading or using drugs with the death penalty, but the only effec ve remedy will be to build a society where everyone has the right to a decent life and can develop his talents. This is the message of the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana. Slave trade and opium trade, although packed in a new coat, are clearly in conflict with this life philosophy that promotes living together in peace and harmony.

As long as the differences con nue to exist in society, as between the haves and have not’s or between people with or without perspec ve, there is much to do in improving the welfare of all Balinese, nobody excluded. Tourism could be helpful in this obliga on or ambi on.

Bali tourism has gone too far The image of Bali as Island of the Gods, where people live together peacefully and in harmony with each other, has been created from the 1930’s of the last century, when Bali opened the door to the world. This was the beginning of the development of cultural tourism on Bali. In a record me of no more than 80 years this development of tourism has grown so fast that Bali tourism now is completely out of balance. This development has gone so far that mass tourism is killing cultural tourism and that materialism and opportunism are replacing values such as togetherness, balance and harmony. Tourism on Bali has landed into the cri cal phase that without government interven on, based on a clear strategy of saving Bali as a heavenly island, Bali will lose its iden ty, which would be a tragic mistake especially for the Balinese people who have no perspec ve in life. 

A GREEN REPORT

A New Environmental Audit Took Nikko Bali Resort and Spa to the Top of the Class BEING cer fied as an ECO HOTEL resort does not mean that Nikko Bali Resort and Spa le it at that; con nuous efforts and improvements are s ll required to maintain that status and responsibility. In truth, being ‘green’ is not easy at all, it’s a never-ending mission, especially for a huge organiza on like Nikko Bali.

inspected, from energy saving, waste management, hazardous material handling all the way down to the policies and procedures. The result? A significant improvement has been achieved and Nikko Bali Resort and Spa now holds the highest point ever from all of the audits done by TUV Rheinland Bali.

TUV Rheinland Bali, the appointed cer fica on company for ECO HOTEL, has recently conducted another audit at Nikko Bali Resort and Spa on April 4th and 5th to see how within the past one year - since the resort was officially cer fied in April 2011 - ‘green’ efforts are s ll carried out. The audit took two days, during which each and every aspect was

Within the last year, investments were made to ensure that more energy is saved and less waste is produced. Some of the ini a ves done consist of the use of LED lights in public areas, gardens as well as 150 guest bedrooms (and more is planned to be replaced), the use of biodegradable materials, water recycle, installment of security and safety regula ons

Nikko Bali Resort and Spa managed to save electricity usage up to 732.000 KWH (equal to 56 household consump on per year), water consump on at 39.000 M3 (equal to 100 household consump on per year), fuel at 53,000 litres (equal to 30 cars consumpon per year) and wastes produced were also reduced by more than 300 kg (equal to 5 household waste produced per year). e.g. assembly route signs. These ini a ves have immediate impacts on the resort’s performance in rela on to energy consump on and cost. Compared to the previous year and the budget set for the energy consump on

Such ini a ves only prove that Nikko Bali Resort and Spa really cares about the environment and take its status as a cer fied ECO HOTEL seriously. A green move for a resort, a huge STEP UP for the Island of the Gods.  BTNewspaper/PR

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hotel has now been completely refurbished and we are focusing on further enhancing this with this new kids facility as well as a new day spa due to open in June 2012”.

Commen ng on the new facility, Robert Kelsall, General Manager said “it is important that we constantly improve and innovate in order to remain ahead and a market leader in our niche. The

The new ‘Kids Water Fun Zone’ is located in the newly renovated kids pool area adjacent to the already popular 56 meter waterslide and the Kupu Kupu Kids Club. The fun zone highlight is the Butterfly painted pping bucket but it also features two waterslides, water curtains, water cannons, pping cone, bubbler jets, hose jets and a pping trough to keep those young at heart entertained for hours!  BTNewspaper/PR

HE new ‘Kids Water Fun Zone’ is the very latest in many improvements that have been taking place at the Bali Dynasty Resort over the past couple of years. The Bali Dynasty Resort has been recognized for five consecu ve years by readers of holidays with kids in the top ten family resorts in Asia and was recently recognized by the Indonesian Tourism and Travel Awards as Indonesia’s Best Family Resort.

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Nirwana Bali Golf Club and Mission Hills NIRWANA Bali Golf Club affilia on program gives our members access to some of the best golf courses around the World. Our program provides special rates and playing privileges to over one hundred golf courses.

The big news is that we have signed an agreement with Mission Hills China giving our Members special privileges, greens fees and booking reserva ons at the World’s biggest golf resort. If you’d like to make a reserva on, a le er of introduc on and handicap card will be required.

Please contact our membership office. For the up to date list of affiliated clubs please go to www.nirwanabaligolf.com  BTNewspaper/PR