Rail System for Bali?

by Barrie | December 17th, 2010   Tweet

In the last few weeks there has been some banter about a Bali rail project. Considering you can drive to most places from Kuta in a matter of a few hours, the whole concept of constructing a railway line, supposedly circumnavigating the tiny island seems futile to me. There were a few factors that summoned up this brainwave and the two prevalent were traffic problems and pollution.
Although I am a great lover of train travel, having travelled by rail extensively on the other islands in the archipelago, this whole concept to me I look at from a conservationist point of view.
We already all know that has some of the most stunning landscapes and panoramas in Indonesia but, at what cost will the construction of the new railway be. The ecosystems and the environment will be the victims in all this as they are ripped up to accommodate the railways lines and accompanying infrastructure.
According to the article I read regarding this: The chief of rail transportation at the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, Tunjung Indrawan, told NusaBali that the Japanese government is actively pursuing a role in the Bali rail project via continuing discussions between Indonesia and Japan.
Tunjung confirmed that any eventual rail system for Bali must include private sector participation, saying, “studying from the Japanese transportation system, the participation of the private sector is essential together with support from the central and provincial governments.”
Delightful as an attraction for tourists as it would be, I personally feel that the environment is far more important.
What do you think?

5 Million Foreign Tourists in Bali by 2015?

by Barrie | December 2nd, 2010   Tweet

I can recall back in the late 80’s and 90’s when the amount of tourists inundating Bali became too overwhelming. It seems to be happening now with cheap flights to Bali from Australia and other regions in South-east Asia and for Australian tourists, the exchange rates for the Oz dollar has made an even better reason to visit Bali.
In the last two decades of the last century there was a growing concern as to the point whether or not the tiny island could sustain such a dramatic impact on the environment. Although, up until now, it appears to maintain a manner of status quo there is one big factor causing concern now; water. Can the water table sustain such an influx of tourists? Without building desalination plants somewhere on the island the answer is ‘No’.
And now, according to the article I read in the Bali Discovery, the Governor of Bali wants to double foreign tourist arrivals in four years. This would be great for the Balinese but what concerns me is the amount of land being chewed-up to build hotels and resorts, the drain on water resources and other environmental impacts.
As the article states: Bali’s visionary governor I Made Mangku Pastika remains confident that foreign tourist arrivals will continue to grow, reaching 5 million visitors by 2015. If achieved, this would be a more than 100% increase from the 2.3-2.4 million foreign visitors projected for all of 2010.
Will this prove disastrous for the idyllic island or will Bali become another statistic in global tourist destruction. Let me know what you think.

9 Great Reasons to Visit Bali Now

by Barrie | December 10th, 2010   Tweet

Bali has been rockin’ n’ rollin’ big time of late with visitor numbers to the island increasing beyond all expectations. Now is a great time to visit with so much on offer for the traveller. The weather is perfect with sunny days and cool breezes off the ocean.
Not only that, Bali and its beautiful people are glowing. Everywhere you go in the countryside the jungles are lush-green and the padi fields aglow with colour. There is so much to see and do that at times one is spoilt for choice and fitting it all in for the period you are on the island. Right now is the right time to visit Bali. Airlines are offering fabulous deals and it is their competitiveness that is a winner for all of us.
Cheaper than Ever to Visit: With the US Dollar in decline it has made most major currency rates rise to great value; especially for Australian travellers. More Rupiah for your hard-earned means more to spend! One thing to note, when changing money at a money-changers only use those that are authorised. The others offer a high rate of exchange and that’s a sure sign you will pay a hefty commission. So, get out there and spend, and…enjoy!
Good Shopping: In Bali this and can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. It seems that everywhere you go all the vendors have virtually the same products for sale but, at different prices. Besides local markets there are several shopping centres and handicraft outlets for you to visit and enjoy. Always make sure you bargain ther price. Unfortunately this is not allowed in the major shopping centres as the prices are harga pas or fixed price.
Good Range of Accommodation: There are hotels all over Bali in one form or another, but the greatest concentrations are in the main tourist cities in the south of the island. When searching for a hotel in Bali it’s first very important to make sure that’s what you are, in fact, looking for. The great thing about Bali is that no matter what your budget there is a place for you. Of course those with the money have on offer a great selection of luxurious hotels and resorts spread around the island.
Amazing Culture: The numerous facets of Balinese culture are truly amazing. Religion plays a dominant role in the lives of the Balinese and is an integral part and includes every aspect from birth to death, life-cycle and daily rituals. Balinese Hinduism is animistic at core. It lacks the traditional Hindu emphasis on cycles of rebirth and reincarnation, but instead is concerned with a myriad of local and ancestral spirits. Visitors to Bali will be immediately aware of the strength of the local culture and its Hindu based religion.
Jumping Off Point Base: Bali is ideally located within the archipelago of Indonesia to afford tourists the opportunity to visit other regions such as East Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan and Java. In fact, there are virtually flights going to most of the islands from the domestic terminal making it possible to add a few days experiencing another culture. There are so many other islands that you will find interesting and, they are all reached easily by local air carriers such as Garuda Indonesia, Mandala Air, Lion Air and many more. So, if you are in Bali and want to experience a different culture or just want a couple of days in another part of Bali, do so because you won’t regret it.
Travel is Easy: Around town there are many taxi companies and the best being Blue Bird, which has light blue cars. They can also take you around up country for a price but you can find better. Perama Tours are one of the best and affordable companies to get anywhere you want on the island. Or, if you like, rent a car or a motorbike. Everywhere you walk along the tourist areas you will be offered a Bemo for rent. This is one good way of getting around but bargain the price.
Best Food: Travellers to Bali are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to food. There are a multitude of international restaurants serving all manner of scrumptious food. In reality, tourists never have to veer too far away from relatively safe eating, that is, unless they wish to immerse their palate in the savoury foods that Indonesia has to offer. In this case you will find a superb array of foods from around the archipelago in various places. My favourite place is Jimbaran Bay for a seafood feast. Definitely must be on your list of things to do.
Adventure Tourism: There is a virtual plethora of adventurous things to do in Bali besides the great surfing. On offer are kayaking, canyoning, deep-sea fishing, water rafting and paragliding. There are several reputable companies that organise these activities. If these are a tad too adventurous for you then take a leisurely cycle ride in the countryside or a camel ride along the pristine beaches. Climbing a volcano is another popular activity but it is highly advisable that you obtain the use of a local guide for this venture.
Diving Paradise: Among the reasons why Bali has a few dozen scuba diving companies is that they are set up for all skill levels, from the absolute beginner to the lifelong expert looking to combine some diving with an unforgettable trip to an island paradise. The crystal clear waters off the coast afford some spectacular view of coral and a range of colourful fish that will astound you. Also on Bali you will a few great

A Few Balinese Ceremonies

by Barrie | December 12th, 2010   Tweet

Bali is renowned as being the island of the Gods. There are countless ceremonies at whatever time you visit the island throughout the year and you will have many opportunities to see religious ceremonies; at temples, in house compounds and even on the streets. Being in Bali lets you experience the endless series of offerings, purification, processions and dozens of other religious rites that Balinese devote their lives to.
Balinese culture revolves around Agama Hindu, the local version of Hinduism. The highlights of this culturally religious observance are the upacara (ceremonies) that are colourful and frequent. The most important ones are Galungan, Kuningan, Tumpek and Nyepi to name a few.
There are those ceremonies that a majority of travellers to Bali are unaware of. Here are just a few.
Bersih Desa: This ‘ritual’ is an expression of appreciation to the fertility Gods such as Dewi Sri. Subsequently, this ritual takes place around the period of the rice harvest. I suppose you could call it a ‘village spring-clean’! Roads and paths in the village area are repaired. Houses and other buildings of importance are cleaned, as are most of the garden areas within the village. Whatever needs painting gets painted, and in general, the whole village is renewed in appearance.
Hari Raya Sariswati: Batari Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful goddess, was the wife of Brahma. She was the goddess of the arts, sciences and learning. This day is to commemorate her and nobody on the island is allowed to write or read for the day. Special ceremonies are conducted by a pedanda early in the morning at the Pura Jagatnatha temple in Denpasar. On this day, books are offered to be blessed by the Gods. Hari Raya Saraswati is a day of appreciation when wisdom was brought to the world by the Gods.
Pagerwesi: Literally interpreted means ‘iron fence’. It is a day when man should fortify the space around himself to fend off evil spirits – the continuous battle between good and evil. Pagerwesi is a day of offerings requesting spiritual strength when confronting the life-cycles of suffering and worldly fulfillment. It is also a day of offerings for the protection of the village and families and the world around them. On this day, villagers take offerings to cemeteries for the un-cremated dead. As on the day Galungan, on the day of Pagerwesi ‘penjors’ are raised which makes it a day as almost as important as Galungan. You will find this ceremony almost strictly observed in the regency of Buleleng – the northern regions of Bali.
Melasti: The day before Nyepi. Everybody knows that the day of Nyepi is a day of silence, but, the day of Melasti is far from that and especially at night. It is a day when the villagers purify the deities – known as ‘Pratima’ – with water. This is the day when the villagers, dressed in their finery and carrying long-poled umbrellas, proceed in lines towards a source of water – a holy spring or the sea. In this procession, the women carry offerings of fruit and sweet cakes and flowers, and the men carry the sacred family statues on bamboo litters. Upon arriving at the water source (generally the sea), the pedanda prays and rings his small bells whilst the men carrying the litters rush the sacred figures into the water symbolically washing them and thus purifying the statues.
On the day of Melasti, you will also find the offerings of the flesh of domestic animals at crossroads – the haven of the evil spirits ‘bhuta‘ and ‘kala’. The offering of flesh is to placate these demons. Later in the evening, all hell breaks loose with all manner of noise and din created to awaken all the evil spirits and demons. This is the most spectacular part of this day.
There is also another very important ceremony called Eka Dasa Rudra. It is a ceremony to restore balance in the world and, is the most important and biggest religious ceremony on the island of Bali.

Image of the Day: Lombok Sunset

by Barrie | December 5th, 2010   Tweet

It had been a fourteen year hiatus since I last visited Lombok; properly, having only passed through there on my way to other islands in the archipelago. The sister island to Bali hadn’t really changed that much apart from the Senggigi area; the tourist mecca on the island where most of the five star hotels are located.
Considering my visit was a relatively short one the decision was obvious as to my choice of accommodation; the upmarket Senggigi Beach Hotel. Okay, it was going to cost for a few nights but compared to Bali it was cheaper and, I had all the luxury amenities at hand [not that I used them].
After hectic days of travelling around the island, researching and photographing, it was delightful to return to my small cottage on the beach and lazily soak up the sunset from the perfect view of my balcony.

Jalan Legian in Kuta Becomes a Mall

by Barrie | December 8th, 2010   Tweet

The idea of creating a Mall in the heart of Kuta, Bali by sealing off sections of Jala Legian has been bantered around for the past few years. The greatest objection to it was that it would be difficult to funnel the already heavy traffic around the Mall area. Now, the idea has become a reality and I am pleased.
In an article I read, Jalan Legian – between Bemo Corner and the Jalan Patik Jelantik intersection – was closed on Saturday, November 27, 2010, from 10:00 pm until 5 am. For those of you that know this section of road then you will know how excessive the traffic is. It’s always been a cough-spluttering walk along there!
So, if you are heading to Bali then look forward to a relaxing Saturday night along this stretch of road where you can walk in relative safety, enjoy the several nightclubs along this stretch or shop to your heart’s delight. Personally, I would like to see this ‘car-free’ zone nights on a Sunday as well as the Saturday.

Photo of the Day: Lombok to Bali

by Barrie | November 28th, 2010   Tweet

As anyone one will tell you that has regularly taken photos when thousands of feet up in the air is quite a hit-and-miss venture. There is a lot to deal with when you are composing the frame; engines suddenly appearing, wingtips or fuselages that annoyingly spoil your fabulous capture, and many other unforseen circumstances. But there are times when everything ‘clicks’ and the image you want is secured.
The last time I flew back from Lombok to Bali it was a strange trip. There was I thinking a straight east-west flight was in order flying over the eastern parts of Bali. Much to my surprise this was not the case. No sooner were we ten minutes out from Lombok the plane banked left and headed out into the Bali Sea. We approached from the south cruising over the Bukit Peninsula. It was delightful as I had never seen the Bukit Peninsula from above or that far south before.