Big Increase in Tourist Fees for Kintamani

by Barrie | November 16th, 2010   Tweet

You will notice that just about anywhere you visit in Bali whether it’s a temple, museum or other cultural attractions a fee has to be paid before you can enter. In fact, there are very few places in Bali that are tourism-related that don’t incur a fee.
If you intend visiting Kimtamani to see Gunung Batur then you are in for a bit of a rise in the fees. There are several roads up to the mountain to try and get around these scoundrels and on my last three trips using different roads but they seemed to have covered those as well. The latest situation is that there is now a 200% increase in tourist fees at Kintamani.
The article I read regarding this was in the Bali Discovery and according to the article: In an effort to increase tax revenues earned from its tourism sector, the regional government of Bangli have suddenly decided to increase by more than 200% the “tourism retribution fee” charged to visitors to area tourist attractions from Rp. 3,300 (US$0.35) to Rp.10,000 (US$1.09) per visitor.
This might seem trivial to some folk but when you have watched over the years how prices have increased just to ‘make a buck’ out of tourists is erring on greedy. At one time, decades ago, visiting Kintamani for a relaxing lunch was a great day out. Now, it’s costly hassle.

Feeding Squirrel Named the Best Photograph

NUSA DUA as a luxurious tourist resort in Bali turned out to have tremendous appeal. Do you want a proof? Simply have a look at the photograph contest held in the series of Nusa Dua Fiesta (NDF) 2010. A lot of uniqueness remained to be hidden in this tourist resort. They were ranging from natural beauty, beaches, water sports, activities of seaweed farmers, sea birds, community activities on the beach, local animals up to clean-up the environment and so forth.

From the photograph contest, 63 participants were recorded to present their best photographs whose number reaching 229 pieces. Such amount increased from 31 participants last year. They perfectly immortalized a variety of objects around Nusa Dua area. Participants were from the circle of students of photography and pupils. “These participants were from various photography community, general public, students and pupils. It is remarkably encouraging,” said the jury panel of the photograph contest in the series of NDF 2010, IB Putra Adnyana who is familiarly addressed Gustra.

Proximity of wild squirrel to foreign guests in the resort hotel was also captured by photographer as an interesting object. The photograph by I Made Gede Suherman entitled ‘Feeding the Squirrel’ won the first winner. Meanwhile, the second and third winners were respectively achieved Made Adi Darmawan entitled ‘Going Home’ and I Putu Gede Ardi Dinanta with the work entitled ‘Environmental Conserver.’ (BTN/bud)

View the original article here

The Sasak of Lombok

by Barrie | November 15th, 2010   Tweet

There were many interesting aspects with the culture of Lombok that I wanted to experience on my last visit to the island. As with the Bali Aga in Bali, you will also find the almost equivalent on the island of Lombok; the Sasak people. Although the Sasak are predominantly Muslim while the Balinese are Hindus, they are related to the Balinese in both language and race. It’s interesting to know that 85% of Lombok’s population are Sasak.
Very little Little is known about Sasak history except that Lombok was placed under direct rule of the Majapahit prime Minister, patih Gajah Mada. During the late 16th century to the early 17th century the Sasaks converted to Islam under the influence of Sunan Giri and the Muslim Makassarese. Thus, basic Islamic beliefs and Hindu-Buddhist beliefs were ‘merged’ creating the Wektu Telu religion.
The term Wektu Lima is used to distinguish them from the Sasaks who are practitioners of Wektu Telu or three times who only pray three times a day. Orthodox Islamic teachers generally instruct adherents to pray five times a day. Large numbers of people adhering to the Wektu Telu faith can be still found throughout the island, especially in the village of Bayan. This is where the religion originated. A small minority of Sasaks called the Bodha – an estimated population of 8000 – are mainly found in the village of Bentek and on the slopes of Gunung Rinjani.
There are a few Sasak villages set up for visitors to the island wishing to see this fascinating culture and I was fortunate to see such this at a place called Desa Wisata Dusun Ende. It is fascinating to see the Sasak going about life as they have done for centuries and I was most impressed by their outgoing attitude to visitors. If you do get a chance to go to Lombok then having a visit to a Sasak village must be on top of the list.

Temples of Bali: Pura Sakenan

by Barrie | November 9th, 2010   Tweet

Visiting any Balinese temple during your stay in Bali is an experience but when you visit during a temple celebration of festival; it is an amazing and colourful one. Located on the Bypass between Kuta and Sanur, just after the turnoff for the port of Benoa you will find a road bridge that spans 1km of the Benoa Strait and this will lead you to Serangan, or Turtle Island. It is on this island you will find an interesting Balinese temple, Pura Sakenan.
This is an important temple for Balinese people. The temple was built in the 16th Century by a Javanese priest named Nirartha. During the Galungan festival, particularly the closing day of Kuningan, the temple is very busy. Pura Sakenan is a public temple, meaning Balinese people from all over the island can come and receive blessings.
Visiting this temple at any other time than when festivals are being held could, to most travellers, seem a waste of time. But, it is a serene temple and one worth visiting. I was fortunate to visit the temple during the Galungan festival. Tourists can also enter the temple, even during Galungan, as long they are wearing a sarong and sash. This is a great photo opportunity. During the ceremony you will find many food and drink sellers outside the temple; it is quite an amazing scene.

Photo of the Day: Dusk at Candi Dasa

by Barrie | November 13th, 2010   Tweet

I absolutely adore Candi Dasa. It is a peaceful enclave that once was a tourist stronghold and is without a doubt the most underrated part of Bali. It slipped as a tourist destination after the terrorist bombings and unfortunately never really recovered. It’s a shame because Candi Dasa has so much to offer the traveller.
Candi Dasa has some excellent accommodation in all the price ranges and some of the best restaurants on the island, and it is ideally located for visiting some of the greatest attractions Bali has to offer. The great thing now of course is that the area is gradually recovering and no doubt, in the future, great deals will be available at al the hotels in the area. For an alternative to the tourist hype of Kuta escape to the peace of Candi Dasa.

Gunung Batur Closed to Climbers

by Barrie | November 9th, 2010   Tweet

There is so much volcanic activity across the archipelago at the moment. As more and more earthquakes occur the higher the chances of usually dormant volcanoes coming to life. In the last ten day Gunung Merapi in Central Java has unleashed its fury on the city of Yogyakarta. This afternoon I received yet another phone call from Yogyakarta informing me of an earthquake in progress!
The two main dormant volcanoes in Bali are Gunung Agung and Gunung Batur. I can well remember talking with some locals a while back about the volcanic activity of Gunung Batur. One of the fishermen told me that if the lake’s water gets warm then this is a good sign the volcano is coming to life.
I was reading an article today in the Bali Discovery about Gunung Batur being closed to climbers. According to the article: One of the volcanoes placed on alert is Bali’s Mount Batur which, as a result, has been closed to mountain climbers and other activities on its slopes until further notice. 19 volcanoes across Indonesia are currently classified at a “Waspada” alert status, the second highest danger level just short of a “Siaga” status reserved for mountains at an elevated level of tectonic activity.
It’s a worrying time for Indonesians across the archipelago at the moment and one can only hope that recent disasters like those in Sumatra and Central Java never occur in Bali.

What is the best gift for yoga lovers?

by Cristina | November 8th, 2010   Tweet

With Christmas only six weeks away, it’s definitely time to start looking into gifts for your friends. I’m guilty of doing my shopping online and… usually a bit too late.
We all have at least one friend who is into an active lifestyle. And many friends who love to travel. If you want, you can combine the two hobbies into one interesting gift: a vacation in Bali.
First step? Ask your friend when their next vacation will be. Then, look up flights to Bali . It’s a bit harder to figure out cheap options when you’ve got a limited time frame to work with, but it’s not impossible. It just requires time. And patience. Just remember that a ticket will definitely set up back about $1200 (round trip, from New York). If you fly from Europe, round trip flights start at $1500 (from London).
Next step… look for accommodation. Cheap hotels in Bali are not that hard to find, especially if you spend a bit of time looking for good options. A room (for two) in a 4-star hotel starts at $300 (for 6 nights). Facilities typically include AC, tea/coffee making facilities and phone in room.
Oh, and by the way, Bali travel packages are excellent choice for you and your loved one.
Vouchers are also excellent choice. Whether you opt for a flight or hotel voucher, a spa treatment or a gift card, your friends will definitely love them.
And if your budget is not exactly accommodating such a gift, then you can always get one of the eco-friendly yoga mats and , maybe, a gym membership.