International travelers continue holidaying in Bali Island

The school holidays are ending and domestic traveler arrivals are dropping. This is also in observance of the month long celebration of the Muslims called Ramadan. However, it is the international travelers that are still flocking the island to see and experience the Bali luxury villas, Bali villas resort, and private villas in Bali, as well as the many sites to see on the island.

It is between June and July that many locals are flocking Bali. However, according to Perry Markus, secretary of the Bali chapter of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association, the Indonesian population is mostly made of Muslims and they do not like to holiday while they are fasting. As a result of this, most starred and non-starred accommodations that are caters to the locals have seen a 30 percent decline occupancy.

But the good side is that until August, the rise of international traveler arrivals will continue.

“In the coming Idul Fitri holidays, domestic tourists will again come to Bali on short holidays,” said Markus.

According to Djinaldi Gosana, Executive director of the Bali Hotel Association, many four- star and five-star member hotels of the association are still enjoying occupancy rates of about 60 percent.

“They [foreign tourists] are still here for their summer holidays,” she said.

Additionally, the coordinator of Bali Rasa Sayang, Makiko Iskandar, has shared his optimism on Bali island’s Japanese markets.

“The Japanese market is actually stable as Japanese tourists come to Bali during any season — starting from January until the end of December,” he said.

It is not going to be a difficult time for the owners of luxury villas in Bali as the island has not been affected by the financial crisis. Of course, Bali continues to be a top tourist destination in the world.

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Ganesha Bookshop continuously provides free books for the children of Bali

Unfortunate children in Bali are very honored and blessed to continuously have access to free books throughout these years. Thanks to Ketut Yuliarsa and his wife Anita Scheeres who is Australian born.


Ganesha is the book store run by the couple. It now has three stores which are located in Ubud, in the front foyer of Bike Restaurant in Kerobokan, and in La Taverna in Sanur.


According to the husband, Ketut, it was in 1996 when his wife first thought about donating books to local children. Eventually, it turned into the Books for Bali Project wherein Ganesha continues to be a donor and also facilitates how other people and organizations can help and donate their books.


“We are looking for books that the Balinese children could digest and comprehend, and the content should be appropriate for children,” said Ketut.


According to Ketut, much of the donors are actually foreigners, expatriates, and visitors. In fact, there was one tourist who even thought about initiating the renovation of a school in Bali since he was thinking that the bookstore also catered to activities beyond book donation. To date, the bookstore is a permanent donor to about 11 schools.


“Our reach is limited, but we are doing this consistently. We are doing the best of our ability. Interest in books seemed to slump because of online media. But on the other hand, not all of our people have the opportunity to buy books,” said Ketut.


In 1986, the first Ganesha book shop was established and it was able to donate 200 books from the couple’s collections.


With this, it can be seen that Bali is not only a place of Bali luxury villas, Bali villas resort, and private villas in Bali. It is also a place of warm and kind hearts.

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An Interview with Dr. Michael Bishopp of Bali Chiropractic

A graduate of Macquarie University in Australia with work experience as a private practitioner in Australia before moving to Bali in 2012, Dr. Michael Bishopp from Bali Chiropractic was recently interviewed about his growing chiropractic practice in Bali.

Bali Chiropractic has first opened in Bali in 2000. Since then, it has been offering island residents as well as Bali villas resort guests therapeutic natural healing and wellness nurturing to those seeking to avoid drugs or surgery.

With a total of four clinics established in both Jakarta and Bali, Bali Chiropractic clinics offer chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, podiatry and personal training.

During the interview, when asked of the role of chiropractor and his practice play in personal and family health for people living in Bali and noting that Chiropractic, though a major health practice in places like Australia, is still relatively unknown in Indonesia, Dr. Bishopp answered that Chiropractic is for everybody, of any age and stages of life. He added that infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women carrying a developing baby, adults to seniors can benefit from a properly functioning spine and nervous system.

With Bali Chiropractic’s state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, along with its chiropractic specialists, physiotherapists and personal trainers, the Bali clinic can help so many people, not only the locals but also the many Bali luxury villas guests.

Dr. Bishopp explained that Bali Chiropractic have a gymnasium that can meet all health goals from acute care to elite athletic performance.

In fact, Dr. Bishopp revealed that most of their patients look forward to their treatments as many experience instant relief immediately after their treatment and care which is always gentle, safe and non-invasive.

Bali Chiropractic, according to Dr. Bishopp, commonly treats back and neck pain. But, Dr. Bishopp also revealed that chiropractors also treat a broad range of complaints, such as back and neck pain, headaches, arthritis and more.

Dr. Bishopp also revealed that people don't need to have a specific complaint to benefit from a visit as chiropractors also focus on on-going preventive and wellness care.

A chiropractor can also make an assessment of someone’s problem, working to realign posture, improve core muscle strength, and improve the overall health of the spine.

There are also some pregnant mothers who find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for both mother and baby.

Dr. Bishopp explained that adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age, and condition of health.

As for common conditions that occur more frequently on a holiday island like Bali, Dr. Bishopp reveals that tourists on holiday staying in the many luxury villas in Bali often undergo treatment due to prolonged sitting on the plane and the lifting of heavy luggage.

Also, because these tourists and private villas in Bali guests often engage in exercises and are not used to such as water sports, as a result, activities such as simply walking around more than normal and also sleeping in different postures have put stress on their delicate spines.

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Indonesia Suggests "Bali Communique" in South-South Conference

Bali Communique, which stresses how important it is for countries to share knowledge with each other, has been recommended for implementation in the South-South conference by Indonesia.

"The recommendation accommodates collective willingness, shows approval of cooperation on knowledge sharing between South-south countries," said Lukita Dinarsyah Tuwo, National Development Planning Deputy Minister of Indonesia.

Democracy implementation in every nation, development of governments as well as peace, and macro and micro economy policy making are recommended to be among the knowledge that should be shared by developing countries joining in the bloc.

According to Tuwo, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are supporting the said recommendation.

If pushed through, such will be offered to a total of 300 delegates who come from the 46 participating countries in the current South-South Conference being held in Bali.

Lukita emphasized that such recommendation will entice the middle-economy countries and set up their own knowledge centers. This had already been done by the Mexican, Brazilian, and Indonesian governments.

According to the report of the Antara news agency, it is Indonesia who is gearing up to becoming the coordinator of sharing of knowledge in bloc. In relation to this, it has already been preparing since 2009.

"We had drafted the blue print to do so. The construction of the coordination office has started this year in the capital city of Jakarta," he said.

It may already be said that Bali is already rising. Aside from its Bali luxury villas and Bali villas resort, it can also be proud of its knowledge sharing center. Indeed, it is already more than just a place of luxury Bali villas.

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Mozaic Beach Club opens on Batubelig Bali Island

A new addition to the Bali luxury villas and Bali villas resort is the Mozaic Beach Club which recently opened on Batubelig Bali Island. This elegant resort is the result of the imaginative and creative mind of its chef, Chris Sales. Mozaic Beach Club is the ultimate experience for drinks and some pool-side fun and chills. It is also perfect for lunch dates and fine dining as one can stay under the swaying leaves of the tropical palms.


The Mozaic Beach Club takes pride in its large deck as well as its poolside bar and lounge. These are just a walking distance from the W Retreat and Spa. No wonder it has been added to Bali most hi and chic beach clubs.


Chef James Ephraim is also helping out Chef Sales. He is the chef who is responsible for Mozaic modern Balinese cuisines served at Ubud Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique. Chef James Ephraim is a native of England and has learned his amazing culinary skills from the kitchens of Grosvenor Hotel. He has also worked in the South Pacific and Australia.


Such team up of both chefs just speaks about how tasty and delectable the Mozaic Beach Club’s dishes will be. And for those who want to try the cuisine as well as the resort, they can always come to Batubelig and enjoy not only the scenery and facilities but the food and drinks as well.


With this latest addition to the luxury villas in Bali, more and more tourists, both local and foreign will definitely want to visit the island of the gods. So what are you waiting for? Book now and enjoy your vacation!

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An interview with a Balinese Composer "Yudane"

Bali is a place of varied arts such as music, dances, and stage plays. Moreover, it is a place of talented people who represent the Balinese culture and arts. Among these people is Yudane, a leading talent among the younger generation of composers of Bali, Indonesia.


Yudane is becoming quite popular as he produces works for concert performances, theatre, as well sound installations.


The Melbourne Age Critics Award for Creative Excellence as well as the Helpmann Award for Best Original Music Score were won for the 2000 Adelaide Festival production, The Theft of Sita, which had Yudane’s score.


Apart from those, Yudane also has been the recipient of the annual award for the Best Composition for Balinese gamelan not only once but 9 times. He also won the 1999 Adikara Nugraha Award for the Creator of New Musical Composition which was awarded by the Bali government.


Gamelan remains to be Yudane’s passion as he currently teaches it at the New Zealand School of Music and has also composed some pieces for the Gamelan Padhang Moncar. And right now, he is a resident part time of Wellington and is co-director of the Balinese ensemble Gamelan Taniwha Jaya.


"Paradise Regained, a work dedicated to the victims of the Bali bombing, is succinct, dramatic and technically ferocious and was beautifully executed by pianist Sarah Watkins and I Wayan Gde Yudane on an Indonesian xylophone-like gangsa. Rhythmically fevered fragments were exchanged between the players on and off the beat, framed within a mercilessly driving pulse. The quickfire exchanges and emphatic unison points seemed to represent not only a powerful interaction between two discrete cultures, but also a successful example of fusion." This is a statement from Yudane as a review of Encounters II.


These are just some of the people that make Bali proud. And, of course, there are also the many Bali villas, Bali luxury villas, as well as Bali villas resort, and private villas in Bali, that will definitely make your stay worthwhile.

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Bali Island benefits from Fun Run

Breast cancer has become a source of concern for many people today, especially women. It is an illness that is plaguing women regardless of race, color, or religion. As a result, there have been many groups and individuals who are waging a war against this killer.

One of them is Jenny Bevans, a Bendigo resident, who believes that fitness and travel can help fight breast cancer. She currently works as an administration assistant at Bendigo Day Surgery.

Next month, she will be traveling to take part in the Bali Pink Ribbon Fun Run. She says such activity is aimed at raising awareness on breast cancer.

“They need a mobile mammogram machine for the island. At present they’ve only got one so the event is raising money for a second. It’s a great cause,” said Bevans.

She also added to say that her mother also had breast cancer but caught the disease early.

“I think that’s why I wanted to participate in the Bali Pink Ribbon. Apparently in Indonesia breast cancer is the second biggest killer of women. So I really wanted to make a difference,” said Bevans.

“I just read it and thought, ‘I’d really like to do that”, pertaining to how she learned about the 5km run.

“I’m going with a friend from Bendigo. We do the run on May 26 and then we’re also doing a Pink Retreat where we do a 10km bike ride, climb up a volcano and do a lot of boot-camp challenges. We also visit local schools so we’ll be donating shoes to the school kids,” added Bevans.

For those who plan to join the fun run, they can always stay at any of the Bali villas including Bali luxury villas, Bali villas resort, and private villas in Bali.

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Australia and Indonesia work more closely to combat people smuggling

It is good news that Australia and Indonesia have decided to work together to wage a war against people smuggling. This is also because according to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his Indonesian people have also fallen victims of this crime.

“I welcome the strong cooperation we have with Indonesia on people smuggling, including Indonesia’s law enforcement effort against people smuggling syndicates,” said Ms. Gillard.

The Indonesian President and Prime Minister Julia Gillard met in Darwin to discuss the issue. They see people smuggling as those boats loaded with people going to Australia and usually coming from Indonesia.

“In the field of preventing or combating people-smuggling and also human trafficking we have agreed to enhance greater cooperation. Indonesia is also a victim of the acts of illegal people smuggling. We hope that we can prevent, as far as possible, the act of people-smuggling in our region,” said Yudhoyono.

A related incident to people smuggling is the death of about 90 people accommodated in 2 asylum-seeker boats. The boats capsized along Australian territory of Christmas Island.

In the first sinking, about 110 people were saved while 90 drowned. In the other incident, four were lost with 130 people saved.

Some underage Indonesian nationals who have been jailed in Australia as crew of the asylum seeking boats were released and welcomed by their president.

“They are also victims of acts of people-smuggling and no doubt we hope that the release of the remaining underage seafarers can be accelerated,” said Yudhoyono.

“I believe problems which once threatened to divide us now only bring us closer together,” said the Prime Minister.

Even with the booming tourism industry of Indonesia, particularly in Bali, and the very popular Bali villas, Bali villas resort, and Bali luxury villas, it is a positive move for the Indonesian President to still tackle and address the issue on human smuggling.

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Three Little Tigers Take the Spotlight in Bali Zoo

Punja, Delta, and Gangga

The Bali Zoo in Gianyar welcomes its newest additions to the family. Three female white Bengal tiger cubs have been born in captivity in the said zoo.


According to the zoo’s public relations director, Emma Kristiana Chandra, they named the cubs Punja, Delta, and Gangga.


About 18 days ago, the cubs were born normally and are also growing normally in the care of their mother Kartini who is 9 years old. Each cub was weighed at 4 kilograms each.


“We have not really let zoo visitors know about the births because the cubs are still breast-feeding and are at a delicate stage of their growth. We will make an announcement and let visitors know about the presence of the cubs once they are four months old,” said its zoo veterinarian, I Gusti Agung Rangga Wiradharma.


The keepers of the zoo have noted that Kartini has become more aggressive since after she delivered her three cubs. This is especially seen when people come closer to her premises.


The zoo keepers are doing their best to take care of both the cubs and their mother. From 8 kilograms of red meat given to Kartini a day, they have increased it to 10 kilograms a day already. Furthermore, a supplement of calcium tablets has also been given.


“The cubs are feeding strictly on breast milk,” said the veterinarian.


About the arrival of the new cubs, a tourist named Michelle says “It’s really extraordinary to see such a rare animal”.


There is really a need to watch over these creatures as the Bengal tiger is considered an endangered species with a population of only less than 2,500.


With this news, tourists will not only just be visiting the Bali villas and Bali luxury villas but also the zoo. However, it will also draw more people to the island and will increase the occupants of some Bali villas resort and private villas in Bali.

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