Another Thousand-Years-Mystery Revealed at the Indonesia Pavilion, Expo Zaragoza

Kris, an exotic form of traditional Indonesian war armor, could possibly pour water from heaven, at least according to the legend. Kris artist-maker at the time were regarded as holy and together with thousand villagers experiencing drought prayed to gods and goddesses for rain. Lo and behold, rain poured thanks to their unswerving faith.

Today it is not the case. Ministry of Public Works creates dams and reservoirs, maintains river courses, directs streams, builds bridges, etc. The myth was recreated as the Organizing Committee of the Expo Zaragoza determined the theme ‘Water for Life; Reassessment of Tradition, Art, Culture and Identity related to Water’ for interested participating pavilions. Nations and countries manifested the theme differently and are now for the public to see.

One of the many artifacts exhibited in the Indonesia Pavilion are several krises (or “keris” in the native language) from Java. For some with eyes for details, the handles are visibly made with decorative pattern. The curator of the pavilion chose some with watery decoration, waves and flows, droplets and streams. “It was not carved on the surface”, said Mr. Wagiono, the curator. “It was whacked, bent and fire-burnt wholly up to the deepest layer of the iron and ore. The result is the wavy pattern symbolizing water. Water has been and always is the symbol of life and prosperity. It is believed that whoever owns and keeps the kris will be prosperous and blessed with good life”, explained him. For him, that is the obvious interpretation of the theme determined by the Organizing Committee. And for many curators in other pavilions, traditions are being re-lived thanks to the Zaragoza water wisdom.

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'Gambuh,' the classical dance drama of Bali

Originating in the royal courts of 17th century Bali, gambuh combines dialogue, music and dance to enact romantic tales of courtly life, love and political intrigue based on the adventures of Panji, a historic Javanese prince.

Gambuh requires a large cast of dancer-actors and musicians and is distinctive and difficult to perform for various reasons, including its Kawi (an ancient form of the Javanese language) text, which few people understand today, and the unusual meter-long, end-blown bamboo flutes of its orchestra, which take years to master.

In gambuh, the dance-drama is accompanied by a small gamelan group consisting of about 17 musicians. The dancers can number anywhere from 15 to 25 depending on the lakon (story) and the availability of performers. Formerly, gambuh casts could number 60 to 70 performers and crew, made up of all levels of society. Contemporary performances typically last two to three or more hours; in the past they could last a few days.

The heart of the dramatic spectacle of a gambuh performance is not so much the plot unfolding as the continuous presentation of its illustrious dramatic personae, always preceded and accompanied by their attendants, who translate the ancient Javanese court language, Kawi, into Balinese for the audience.

Gambuh is performed in only a pocketful of villages today, including, Batuan and Pujung in Gianyar, Pedungan in Denpasar, Anturan in Buleleng, Budakeling in Karangasem and Tumbak Bayu in Badung.

Surabaya mangrove forests home to 140 species of Java`s biggest birds

The mangrove forest conservation area in Wonorejo on Surabaya`s east coast has 140 species of Java island`s biggest birds.

Bambang DH, mayor of Surabaya, said here last week end of the 140 bird species, about 84 are categorized as sedentary , 12 species as protected and 44 as migrant species.

Surabaya`s east coast also constitutes a mangrove conservation center area and a buffer zone in the seaside ecosystem which is protected by the provincial government.

If the mangrove conservation center area can be maintained well, there will be an added value, for instance, as a tourist object, he said, adding his office was preparing to implement the so called family tourism concept in the area

Returning Aussies drive Bali tourism to record

Bali is enjoying a resurgence in tourism, thanks partly to an increasing number of Australians rediscovering the Island of the Gods.

Australians are flocking to the resort island in droves, despite the Australian government maintaining its travel advisory warning tourists against visiting Indonesia.

The US government recently lifted its travel warning for Indonesia, saying the security climate in the country no longer warrants such a warning.

Australia is Bali's second biggest source of tourists, with the 78,500 Aussie visitors making up more than 13 per cent of the island's foreign tourists in that period, slightly closing the gap on Japan on close to 20 per cent.

Responding to the rebound in Australian tourism, Garuda Indonesia has added a third Darwin flight a week, effective June 25.

From July 22 a fourth service will be added from Melbourne, followed by two more services on the Australian network from September 2: a sixth flight on the Denpasar-Sydney route and a fifth from Melbourne.

The additions mean flights from Melbourne will depart daily except Monday and Saturday, while the Sydney service will be daily except Thursday.

Bali's recovery is good news for surrounding islands like Lombok, which were also hit hard by the tourism downturn after the bombings.

Dominique Duvivier, the general manager of Accor's Novotel Lombok on the island's south where a new mega-tourism project is being planned by a United Arab Emirates-based developer, says business is much busier this year.

Indonesian President to attend tourist event at Borobudur Temple

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to attend the "Trail of Civilization" (TOC) event featuring the journey of Budha at Borobudur Temple in Magelang district of Central Java province, on Saturday evening, Antara news wire reported here Saturday.

As part of ASEAN countries cooperation, the event would be an annual event at Borobudur Temple to attract tourists to the world's civilization site in Magelang district, spokesman of the event's organizing committee Totok Lestiyo said.

Besides President Susilo, the event will also be attended by foreign ambassadors in Jakarta, and the culture and tourism ministers of ASEAN countries, he said.

Lestiyo said that the organizers had invited members of the ASEAN countries, including Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia since 2006.

He said that the event is expected to attract more tourists from 12 Asian countries including Japan, South Korea and China.

Official Holidays for 2009

(7/19/2008) The Government in a joint decree issued on June 9, 2008 by the Minister of Religion, Minister of Manpower and Transmigrations and the Minister, and the State Minister for Administrative Reform declared the following official holidays for 2009:

● 01 January 2009 – New Year's Day

● 02 January 2009 – Shared Holiday by Government Decree

● 26 January 2009 – Chinese New Year (Imlek) 2560

● 09 March 2009 - Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad

● 26 March 2009 – Hari Raya Nyepi Tahun Baru 1931 (Bali’s Official day of Silence – Hindu New Years Day)

● 10 April 2009 – Good Friday

● 09 May 2009 – Hari Raya Waisak

● 21 May 2009 – The Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven

● 20 July 2009 - Isra Mi'raj Prophet Mohammad SAW - Celebrating the Ascension of The Prophet Muhammad

● 17 August 2009 – Indonesian National Independence Day

● 21-22 September 2009 - Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1430 H

● 23 September 2009 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree

● 27 November 2009 - Idul Adha 1430H

● 18 December 2009 - Islamic New Year 1431H

● 24 December 2009 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree

● 25 December 2009 – Christmas Day

© Bali Discovery Tours. Articles may be quoted and reproduced if attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com. All images and graphics are copyright protected.

Indonesia's puppet art out of the shadows

Indonesia's shadow puppetry performances are steeped in tradition but one artist from the country's cultural heartland is giving this ancient art a modern makeover by translating it in English.

Shadow puppetry, or wayang, has been drawing crowds for over half a millennium with its distinctly Indonesian music, intricately carved protagonists, riot of color and plots based on ancient fables with their moral messages or stories from religious texts such as the Ramayana.

Now, puppet master Ki Sigit Sabdo Prijono is hoping to promote this age-old tradition, which has been recognized by the U.N.'s cultural agency UNESCO as a masterpiece of humanity, across borders by making it more understandable to foreigners.

He is also hoping to reach a younger, more Westernized generation of Indonesians who often turn to television, video games and the Internet for entertainment.

"We still use a Javanese wayang story but we tell it in English," explains 41-year-old Prijono, who first performed in English at the University of Michigan in the United States, where he has worked as a lecturer since 2003.

"There is no problem at all as far as communication as long as people know what wayang is and they know who is Rama and who is Sita," he added, referring to stories in the sacred Hindu text, the Ramayana, which he enjoys performing.

Full article by Tommy Ardiansyah

Mayestik market: Treasure trove of fabrics and more

When you're talking about Mayestik market in South Jakarta, the first thing to mention is fabric.

All types of fabrics can be found here, from those at the low end of the quality scale right through to luxurious silks.

Shoppers are free to choose among various colors and patterns to create that perfect dress for a wedding or party. Prices are low for great quality and a range of options.

Brocade, for example, costs from Rp 10,000 (US$1.06) per meter, while French lace is priced from Rp 250,000 per meter. You can also find various silks with prices starting from Rp 30,000 per meter.

Already found the perfect fabric for your dress? You can take it to one of the dressmakers or tailors who occupy Block C of Mayestik market.

When the updated Mayestik market was opened in 1981, garment vendors began to dominate the 6,500-square-meter market.

Today, the market has become not only a place for fabric fans, but also for cooking lovers.

In Blocks A and B of the market, you can find a wide range of cooking utensils.

You'll only be able to experience the traditional market ambiance, though, until the end of the year because PD Pasar Jaya plans to renovate it into a modern shopping center.

So you'd better hurry if you want to experience an adventurous shopping spree in Mayestik.

To get there, take a bus to Blok M bus station and take a bajaj to the market. Don't forget to dress casually and wear comfortable sandals or shoes, as most of the buildings are not air conditioned.

Bali stops for royal cremation

Hundreds of thousands of people were gathering here Tuesday to cremate two Balinese royals in what promises to be one of the largest funeral rites of its kind in local memory.

Ubud royal family head Tjokorda Gde Agung Suyasa, who died in March after a long illness, and lesser royal Tjokorda Gde Raka who also died in March, will be cremated on a massive hand-crafted pyre representing the universe.

The hill town of Ubud, the cultural capital of mainly Hindu Bali, came to life before dawn with women wearing sarongs and traditional blouses carrying offerings of fruit on their heads to the royal palace.

Neighbourhood chiefs exhorted people over loudspeakers to wake up and get ready for the service, as men gathered at the palace to carry the huge pyre that will be paraded through town around midday.

The royal family of Ubud, a hillside town famous as the heartland of traditional Balinese arts, is one of the most revered royal families on the island.

It is descended from royalty from the neighbouring island of Java who fled the fall of the Hindu Majapahit Empire in the 15th century.

At the start of the funeral procession, the bodies will be brought from the main temple where they have been lying in state since Saturday.

The bodies of 68 commoners, many also dead for months, were dug out of graves on the weekend and cremated in preparation to be included in the procession.

The royal remains will be loaded via bamboo and wood gangways into colourful papier-mache towers called bade. The multi-tiered, demon-covered towers symbolise the three levels of the Balinese Hindu universe.

Is Lombok the next Bali?

For years it has lived in the shadow of its more famous neighbour Bali. Now Indonesia's pristine Lombok Island is making a concerted effort to build itself up as the next Bali, while trying to maintain its natural charm.

Slower to catch the tourism train than its neighbour to the west, Lombok has been promoted as an "unspoiled Bali".

But a future $US600 million ($NZ802.35 million) development may see it emerge on par with Bali as a world-class tourism destination, according to the United Arab Emirates-based developer.

Tourists visiting Lombok typically treat it as a side-trip to Bali, staying just a few days.

The Japanese and Australians, Bali's top two groups of tourists, come to Lombok for the surfing.

The Koreans come here to honeymoon, the Europeans see it more like an extension of Bali, and expats come from Jakarta for the relaxation, explains Dominique Duvivier, the general manager of Accor's Novotel Lombok.

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Lombok posts

A fashionista's high tea with Alta Moda

The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place, together with leading fashion house Alta Moda, are hosting a series of high tea and fashionista shows Thursday afternoons at the Pacific Restaurant & Lounge.

Each will feature different collections presenting a fashion show as guests enjoy high tea.

Guests will savor an elegant menu of fresh orange Madeleine's, lemon curd, espresso chocolate, sago ivory, pineapple tart, chocolate truffles, bite-sized sandwiches such as the Chicken Brie Quesadilla Panini and the Tuna Caper Mayonnaise.

Indulge in these weekly tea times with a show of the latest collections by Alta Moda for Rp 128,000++ per person for a classic high tea or Rp 168,000++ for high tea with a glass of champagne.

Shows take place every Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m

Scuba Seraya Resort in Bali Unveils New Online Reservation System

To meet the demands of the increasing number of travelers opting to book online, Scuba Seraya Resort now makes use of a faster, more efficient, and more convenient online reservation on its website, http://www.scubaseraya.com.

With this innovative feature, guests can secure instantly confirmed online reservations without any hassle. All they need to do is check out the resort's website where they can find a 14-day calendar displaying real-time room availability with corresponding rates.

Once they have chosen their room type and date of stay, guests must pay a minimal deposit of 10% deducted from the total room charge as a reservation guarantee. This reasonable fee assures guests that their room of choice is ready and available when they arrive at Scuba Seraya Resort. Upon receipt of payment, guests will receive an automated e-mail confirming the transaction.

Scuba Seraya Resort in Bali, Indonesia is a 3-star resort hotel that enjoys a prime private beach location. It offers the best diving facilities, comfortable accommodation in a peaceful and inviting setting, and other amenities that complete the ultimate resort experience.

Bangkok replaces Florence as world's best city

Bangkok was voted the world's best city for 2008 and the Galapagos were picked as the best islands in an online poll by Travel + Leisure magazine, trumping last year's winners Florence, Italy and Bali, Indonesia.

It was the first time that Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador topped their respective categories, said Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure.

Last year, Bangkok was ranked number 3 and the Galapagos number 8. The 2007 winners of best city and best island — Florence an Bali — fell to number 5 and number 2 respectively.

The results were complied from votes by magazine subscribers in an Internet poll which went live between January and March.

Travel + Leisure will honor winners on July 24 in New York City.The complete "World's Best Awards" is available on travelandleisure.com

Golfplan's New Kuta GC Debuts on Bali

The course is centerpiece of a resort development that will eventually contain hotels, villas, restaurants and shops. The Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay are already nearby; both have arrangements for guests to play New Kuta, which will serve as the site of the 2009 Indonesian Open.

Golfplan partner David Dale believes that New Kuta, with its native vegetation sitting along the edges of fairways, will remind many of another tournament venue, the Plantation Course at the Kapalua Resort in Hawaii, where the PGA Tour holds its Mercedes Championship each January.

"It has a quasi-links feel to it, though it generally plays along cliff tops rather than down near the shore," Dale said. "This tableau has a real appeal, of course, as places like Kapalua and Pebble Beach exemplify. At New Kuta, there are holes that run right along the sea. The par-4 14th and par-3 15th play right down to the water and travel along ocean's edge. They are very memorable, but the holes that sit higher on the property have water views that are longer and, in their own way, are more breathtaking.

"We are very happy with the final product," Dale continued. "Many local events have already taken place there and the owner seems very pleased. It would have been difficult to build a golf course on this site that wasn't drop-dead gorgeous. New Kuta is all that, but it's also got real strategic integrity."

The par-72, 6,812-yard layout features native grasses, vegetation and a handful of trees bordering its seashore paspalum fairways, tees and roughs. The greens are planted with smooth-rolling ultradwarf bermudagrass.

Dutch choir lights up arts festival with Indonesian songs

"Nina bobo, oh nina bobo Kalau tidak bobo digigit nyamuk." ("Nina is sleeping. Oh, Nina is sleeping. If you were not sleeping, you'd be bitten by the mosquito.")

Taken from a popular Indonesian lullaby,"Nina bobo", the above was sung by the Colorful City Choir from Nijmegen in the Netherlands during its concert at the Denpasar Art Center's Ksirarnawa Theater.

Monday night's performance, part of the 30th annual Bali Art Festival, drew huge applause from an audience clearly amazed by the foreign troupe's ability to sing an Indonesian song perfectly.

The singing group won the heart of the crowd with three Indonesian songs, "Nina Bobo", "Burung Kakaktua" (Cockatoo), and "Naik-Naik Ke Puncak Gunung" (Climbing the Mountain).

Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo Returns To Makassar

Meet Indonesia's Travel Trade in Makassar October 14-17, 2008.

(7/7/2008) This year's Indonesia's annual travel mart Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) or Pasar Wisata Indonesia returns to Makassar, South Sulawesi. The only official Indonesian-wide tourism and travel mart will be held on October 14-17, 2008 at the Celebes Convention Center (CCC). Now entering its 14th year, TIME is organized by the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (ITPB) and supported by all tourism components in Indonesia.

The Chairwoman and Steering Committee of TIME 2008, Meity Robot, said TIME also supports the government program of "Visit Indonesia Year 2008" which is targeting 7 million foreign visitors to Indonesia for 2008.

TIME is an international travel mart in Indonesia organized on a business to business (B2B) basis providing a meeting place for those who sell Indonesian tourism products and services (sellers) and international buyers.

"Adopting the theme of Eco-Tourism and Maritime Tourism, TIME 2008 will present all tourist destinations, including popular travel destinations, tourism objects, and new product development particularly those which relate to Eco-Tourism dan Maritime Tourism," Meity explained.

The Mayor of Makassar, Ilham Arief Sirajuddin, who is the Organizing Committe Chairman of TIME 2008, has welcomed the appointment of Makassar as host of TIME for the second time.

Local Organizing Committee Chairman of TIME 2008, Niko B. Pasaka, said that Makassar is ready in host TIME 2008. "Presently, a number supporting facilities are close to completion. This includes the 11 kilometer of highway connecting Makassar city center to airport as well as the completion of Hasanuddin International Airport. We hope these facilities could finish on time to support TIME 2008," Nico said.

TIME 2006 attracted 110 international buyers from 21 countries and 124 sellers from 20 provinces in Indonesia.

"The number of buyers attending TIME over six consecutive years have increased steadily over time," explained Meity.

[Official TIME Website]

For more information contact Ms. Tiara Hasibuan at telephone ++62-(0)21-5705800 – Extension 214.

© Bali Discovery Tours. Articles may be quoted and reproduced if attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com. All images and graphics are copyright protected.

Paradise beneath the surface

Most visitors to Indonesia’s Komodo National Park think only of its famed giant lizards but an equally fascinating wonderland lies beneath its aquamarine waves.

YOU may have read my column last week when I wrote about photographing “dragons” in Indonesia’s famed Komodo National Park. The trip was not just about the giant lizards since scuba diving is another highlight of the region.

This area is rich not just in terrestrial flora and fauna but its marine life is equally fabulous.

In most places, it is pristine and virtually untouched, thanks to the remoteness of the area.

The Komodo National Park is situated in West Flores of the Indonesian Province of Nusa Tenggara Barat. It consists of the three main islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar.

The park was established in 1980 to protect the unique Komodo Dragon that is found only here and nowhere else.

In 1986, the park was also declared a Unesco World Heritage Site as well as a Man and Biosphere Reserve. These declarations are indications of the unique and sensitive biodiversity found here.

Full article by Lai Voon Long

Bali tourism at record levels

Bali is enjoying a resurgence in tourism, thanks partly to an increasing number of Australians rediscovering the Island of the Gods.

Australians are flocking to the resort island in droves, despite the Australian government maintaining its travel advisory warning tourists against visiting Indonesia.

The US government recently lifted its travel warning for Indonesia, saying the security climate in the country no longer warrants such a warning.

The number of Australians visiting Bali has continued to grow this year, after a big jump in 2007, prompting Garuda Indonesia to add extra flights from Darwin, Melbourne and Sydney.

The airline also expects to boost capacity from Perth.

It says the number of Australians travelling to Bali rose by more than 57% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to last year.

Australia is Bali's second biggest source of tourists, with the 78,500 Aussie visitors making up more than 13% of the island's foreign tourists in that period, slightly closing the gap on Japan on close to 20%.

Little Bali Hotel & Resort Company (LBHRC) founder Mike Parker-Brown says Bali is now receiving more Australian visitors than at any other time with hoteliers anticipating their best year ever, building on the boost in Australian business last year.

Alila Hotels and Resorts Sets its Sights on Bintan

PT. Nusa Pacific Island Investment has announced that boutique hotel and resort operator, Alila Hotels & Resorts, will be appointed to operate its new luxury resort and villas to be constructed on Bintan Island, Indonesia.

Alila Hotels and Resorts, which currently manages hotels & resorts in Bali, Jakarta, Laos, Thailand and a medical and wellness centre in Philippines, will be introducing its innovative, luxury, eco-driven design brand to the growing Bintan destination. Its close proximity to Singapore will attract visitors looking for a natural break after enjoying the fast-paced urban attractions of Singapore which continues to attract increasing numbers of visitors.

The property at Lagoi Bay will follow imminent openings of Alila's new Alila Villas luxury brand in Bali, Maldives, Vietnam and Oman.

The Lagoi Bay site borders on a natural forest reserve and a secluded beachfront yet accessible within 20 minutes from the ferry terminal. Visitors arrive at a cliff side setting with panoramic 240 degree sea views harnessing both sunrise and sunset on a promontory 30 m above sea level.

In Indonesia, Alila Hotels & Resorts currently manages popular resorts Alila Ubud, and Alila Manggis in Bali. Alila Villas Uluwatu is expected to open by year-end in Bali introducing the first of the new ultra-chic Alila Villas brand. Additionally, Alila manages the Alila Jakarta and Kemang Icon by Alila in Jakarta.

Indonesia May tourist arrivals up 10.9 percent from April

The number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia in May rose 10.85 percent from April to 509,000 and was up 13.9 percent from a year ago, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics released on Tuesday.

In the first five months of this year, 2.37 million foreign tourists visited the country compared to 2.1 million a year earlier .

Resort island Bali remained the biggest entry point, with 789,005 tourists arriving via its Ngurah Rai airport during the first five months, up 25 percent from a year ago.

Last year, 5.51 million foreign tourists visited Indonesia, up from 4.87 million in 2006.