Showing posts with label Bali Bombing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bali Bombing. Show all posts

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Kuta Beach, The Most Famous Beach in Bali

Kuta is a town in southern Bali, Indonesia. A former fishing village, it was one of the first towns on Bali to see substantial tourist development, and as a beach resort remains one of Indonesia's major tourist destinations. It is known internationally for its long sandy beach, varied accommodation, many restaurants and bars, and many renowned surfers who visit from Australia. It is located near Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport.

Kuta is now the center of an extensive tourist-oriented urban area that merges into the neighboring towns. Legian, to the north, is the commercial hub of Kuta and the site of many restaurants and entertainment spots. Most of the area's big beachfront hotels are in the southern section of Tuban.

Legian and Seminyak are northern extensions of Kuta along Jl. Legian and Jl. Basangkasa. They are somewhat quieter suburbs with cottage-style accommodations, where many of the expat crowd live. Also to the north are Petitenget, Berawa, Canggu, and Seseh - new and quieter continuations of Kuta's beach. They are easy to reach through Abian Timbul or Denpasar and Kerobokan. Several large hotels are located in this area: the Oberoi Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, the Intan Bali Village, the Legian in Petitenget, the Dewata Beach and the Bali Sani Suites in Berawa.

To the south, Kuta Beach extends beyond the airport into Jimbaran. Other nearby towns and villages include Seseh (6.4 nm), Denpasar (4.5 nm), Ujung (1.8 nm), Pesanggaran (2.0 nm), Kedunganan (2.9 nm) and Tuban (1.0 nm).

The Balinese Provincial Government have taken the view that the preservation of the Balinese culture, natural resources and wildlife are of primary importance in the development of the island. To this end they have limited tourist development to the peninsula on the extreme southern aspect of the island; Kuta beach is on the western side of this peninsula and Sanur is on the east. To the north of the peninsula no new tourist development is supposedly permitted.


BALI BOMBING MEMORIAL

1st Bali Bombing in 2002 at Kuta: A permanent memorial was built on the site of the destroyed Paddy's Pub on Legian Street. (A new bar, named "Paddy's: Reloaded", was reopened further along Legian Street). The memorial is made of intricately carved stone, set with a large marble plaque, which bears the names and nationalities of each of those killed. It is flanked by the national flags of the victims. The monument is well-maintained and illuminated at night.

The memorial was dedicated on 12 October 2004, the second anniversary of the attack. The dedication included a Balinese Hindu ceremony and the opportunity for mourners to lay flowers and other offerings. The Australian ambassador and Indonesian officials attended the ceremony as most the victims were Australians.

The Balinese mark their commitment in a nine-day long event. After major cleansing ceremonies, establishing a memorial for the lost lives, and paying respect to those who left loved ones behind, the people of Kuta look forward to restoring Bali’s image through an event named "Kuta Karnival - A Celebration of Life”. The community event consists of traditional art performances such as Balinese Sunset Dances, sports on the beach as well as in the water for young and old plus rows and rows of culinary displays along the one kilometre of sandy beach.

In line with the return of tourism to Kuta, Kuta Karnival has grown into a tourism promotional event with major coverage from television and newspapers from across the globe. Companies, embassies, Non-Government Organizations, associations and even individuals come forth to get involved in the various events such as a Balinese dance competition presented by a surf-wear company, an environment exhibition presented by an embassy, a fun cycle presented by a group of individuals, a seminar presented by an association and a parade on the streets presented by an NGO. Tourists and locals alike, more than ninety thousand people participates in the numerous events, year after year.

A repeated tragedy in Bali in 2005 did not reduce the Kuta community’s determination to carry out this annual event. Kuta Karnival is conducted to commemorate and give respect to the victims of human violence and show the world the true spirit of local community survival despite terrorism attacks.

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Monday, February 23, 2009

Komang Jumena, The Right English and Russian Speaking Guide for You to Choose for Your Holiday in Bali.

Komang Jumena was born and grew up in Banyuatis (a small village in the north of Bali Island, lies at Buleleng District) with the unique Balinese charm and hospitality as most of all Balinese do have.
He start to work as an English Guide since 1995 in Tour East Indonesia, a Travel Agent service unrivalled in Bali based on its policy of discipline, efficiency and attention to every detail.
After the "Bali Bombing" in 2002 which cause a collapse in Bali's tourism industries, he start to learn Russian Language that brought him to work with VISI TUR, a Tour Operator and Incentive Program.
Now, Jumena proudly wears the coveted 'Golden Bird of Paradise ' badge as member of the Indonesian Guide association.

As he was born to an agricultural life, his village of Banyuatis specialises in growing cloves, and the picture on the right shows cloves drying in the road near his village and Jumena showing the growing cloves on the tree.
Since Balinese farming was famous by the "Subak" irrigating system, Jumena could give you all the information you need about the island's farming culture. Jumena knows most of the "English" names for the plants, but not the latin. So for your English and Russian speaking guide to explore this varied agriculture, choose Jumena Komang.

Jumena and his family were brought up in traditional villages. Although now living near the city of Denpasar, they continue the traditional practices and often return to their own villages for family ceremonies. That is why Jumena is so understanding about the temples, and he can answer your questions. "Why do the entrance gates have flat inside faces?" (See the picture on the left of the gate at Batuan Temple) "Because if an evil spirit tries to enter, they will be squashed!"

For your own English speaking guide, Jumena will introduce you to the culture, the many temples, ceremonies on the island, as well as giving you detailed knowledge of the farming techniques, economy, the fruits, crops and trees of the island. He can even take you to either a Catholic Balinese-style church or Protestant churches at Palasari, situated at the extreme West of the island. He is a Tour Coordinator and can also provide a "Meeting Service" and discuss with you, one or two days after your arrival, a suitable itinerary. You can discuss NOT just sightseeing but also accommodation ( for those who still have free days at end of the pre-booked package.) and flight reconfirmations. He can take you 'off the beaten track' and can, obviously, include the established 'tourist tours'. On your own, in pairs or large groups; as an experienced and trained official guide, Jumena can satisfy all your requirements.


Quote: "When Jumena took us to the temple at Tanah Lot and to view the sunset, there were thousands of people. He carefully took us down to the beach and made us walk away from the crowds. "Please will you stand on this piece of sand" he instructed. We stood alone, away from the crowds. When the sun set, it passed in a line just behind the temple ,we were standing on exactly the correct spot, within one/two metres! " He knew the spot - the picture confirms it.

That's why Jumena Komang is not just any Bali Guide; he has the knowledge and the experience.

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