Archive for April, 2008
New Zealand to Bali Flights Needed
One thing I never knew and that was Garuda Indonesia had stopped flying to Bali straight from New Zealand and Brisbane in 2007. New Zealanders are amongst the nicest people in the world and I say that after spending a year there riding around the islands on a motorbike. Kiwis wanting to visit Bali have to connect through an Australian city. How stupid. Wouldn’t it be far better if the straight flights from the main cities in New Zealand to Denpasar and Jakarta were to be restored, then surely this would significantly contribute to …
Date: April 28th, 2008 |
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Ecotourism and Development in Bali
In a world where travellers are increasingly aware of the environment and the places they visit and the impact they will have upon that society, ecotourism is booming in most countries. Indonesia is no different. On the island of Bali there are a few tour groups that are geared towards ecotourism. Basically, ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. This also might be in a volunteering capacity. Choosing to use local tour operators, buy from the locals so that the money goes back into the community and utilising local transport. There are others. But, on the island of Bali where responsible ecotourism is needed, the development is not progressing as much as it would be hoped.
Date: April 28th, 2008 |
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Sea Conservation Area Established in Bondalem
It always pleases my heart to see that villagers are participating in caring for the environment, whether it’s on land or in the sea. And, it seems just this is happening in Bondalem in north-east Bali. Recently I was looking around the area of Tejakula not far from Bondalem. Actually I was a guest at the Poinciana Resort in Tembok, along the same stretch of road. This whole area is pristine and well worth a visit albeit off the regular tourist tracks. The pebblestone beaches are a challenge underfoot but this is outweighed with the stunning backdrop of the mountains bowing to the sea and the crystal clear waters of the Bali Sea. It is an area where it is understandable that the friendly villagers have this desire to preserve their surroundings. Basically they make a living from the sea and so it’s only natural that you would want to preserve the waters and the coral reefs.
Date: April 25th, 2008 |
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Bird-Flu Handling Exercises in Bali
No, I’m not talking about chickens running the marathon along Ngurah Rai Bypass or down Jalan Legian but rather bird flu handling exercises to be held in Bali on April 25-27th. These exercises will be conducted in three places. They are at Ngurah Rai Airport and at Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar as well as the general hospital in Tabanan. What’s it all about you ask. Simple, the Indonesian government wants to show the world that it is getting a handle on the bird-flu situation in the country. So, they invited 42 representatives of international health agencies and foreign governments …
Date: April 24th, 2008 |
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Tourist Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing
A helicopter carrying tourists has been forced to make an emergency landing on the resort island of Bali. You see them all the time during the day, helicopters ferrying tourists on a bird’s eye view of the island. I have never actually had the desire to fly in one although I must admit I do harbor a desire to do so. Perhaps it’s the worry they might drop out of the sky!. It had to happen eventually and the Indonesian news website Detik.com said the Bali Air helicopter was forced to land at Lebih Beach, in Gianyar, in the island’s south east about noon local time today. It wasn’t a helicopter crash but only an emergency landing. According to a Bali police spokesman AS Reniban said the five passengers, thought to be American and one Indonesian, escaped with only minor injuries. These were mostly bruises and suffering from shock.
Date: April 23rd, 2008 |
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Delicat Restaurant: Ubud, Bali
I don’t get much of a chance to get up to Ubud as I am usually bypassing it on my way to other parts of the island, but when I do it is usually to Casa Luna or my all-time favourite, Kafe Batan Waru. Ubud is one of those places where you need a week or so to explore everything – the galleries, museums, coffee shops, and of course the restaurants and warungs. I was reading a restaurant review recently about a restaurant that has achieved great notoriety, the Delicat Restaurant.
Date: April 28th, 2008 |
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Kuta restaurants: Apache reggae bar
Just like Raja’s on Jl. Legian, I have passed by the Apache restoran and bar more times than I can remember. I have always been dubious about eating establishments that are a part of a club, but it was worth a gecko I thought. Sure am glad I did.
Date: April 27th, 2008 |
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Bird-Flu Handling Exercises in Bali
No, I’m not talking about chickens running the marathon along Ngurah Rai Bypass or down Jalan Legian but rather bird flu handling exercises to be held in Bali on April 25-27th. These exercises will be conducted in three places. They are at Ngurah Rai Airport and at Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar as well as the general hospital in Tabanan. What’s it all about you ask. Simple, the Indonesian government wants to show the world that it is getting a handle on the bird-flu situation in the country. So, they invited 42 representatives of international health agencies and foreign governments …
Date: April 24th, 2008 |
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Bali Wins Another Readers’ Choice Awards
It seems lately that every time a travel or lifestyle magazine does a reader’s poll then ultimately Bali comes out as a favourite. Bali has won the Best Leisure Destination and the Ritz-Carlton Bali the Best Hotel Recognition in Readers’ Choice Award in DestinAsian. And, rightly so because it is a beautiful island with beautiful people and has a unique and ancient culture. There is so much to offer the traveller or holidaymaker with its terraced rice fields and spectacular beaches. Then there is the excellent range of hotels, activities and the vast array of restaurants to choose from. What I find amazing is how the Balinese themselves even manage to preserve their traditions and culture in the continual onslaught of ever-growing tourism. But, they do.
Date: April 23rd, 2008 |
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Earth Day
Today across the world it is Earth Day and this is day each year that marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Actually the first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This in turn led to the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts. Earth Day became a global event in 1990 and gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide. From previous Earth Days a lot of progress has been made to protect our planet. For instance, the1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, the Global Summit in Bali. On the island of Bali today it will be a day of cleaning up.
Date: April 21st, 2008 |
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