Bali Bali Daily
Supardi and the Kerupuk Business
It is an irrefutable fact that Indonesians love their kerupuk — just ask Supardi, the owner of a successful kerupuk business. Kerupuk - crunchy fried or baked crackers made from flour - are everybody’s favorite snack and can be found at most sidewalk food stalls. Supardi, 55, is not an economist or a business analyst. He did not graduate from elementary school and he struggles to read and write well; he asks his son Mulyandi, the third of four of his children who is studying economics at a private university, for help with any written documents. Supardi, who was born to a farming family in Gemulung, Sragen regency, Central Java, became an orphan at the age of eight after both his parents died from an unknown illness; due to economic hardship, they could not afford medical treatment. Following the death of his parents, Supardi stayed with a relative. But his relative was also poor and Supardi was forced to drop out of school.
Date: May 13th, 2008 |
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Garuda Going Public in 2009
Would you buy shares in Garuda Indonesia in a public float of the company?. Currently, most certainly I would, provided the share options were right. The latest news is that the national airline intends to do just that but only a small proportion will be offered to the public. If you look at past history with airline company floats [or even businesses if it comes to that] more often than not the price of air tickets rise. At the moment Garuda Indonesia is a sound investment but I am not rushing to smash open my piggy bank with a hammer. Anyway, I think you will find that the public shares were be predominately offered to Indonesian citizens. Here’s more from Bali Discovery.
Date: May 12th, 2008 |
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Saving the Elephants
Indonesia currently has 16 or more species on the verge of extinction. A further 30 are classified as endangered. On the critically endangered and endangered lists are the Sumatran tiger, the Bali starling, the Javanese wild dog, the orangutans of Kalimantan and Sumatra, the Sumatran gibbon and the Sumatran elephant. Some claim the number of Sumatran elephants remaining in the wild is around 1,500, while the more conservative believe 1,000 is more likely. A further 900 or so are found in Sumatra’s elephant camps; once known as elephant training centers, the camps are now called elephant conservation centers and are designed to save the species. However, these camps have become death camps for far too many elephants, according to elephant conservationist Nigel Mason of the Elephant Safari Park in Taro, Bali.
Date: May 9th, 2008 |
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Travelling the North-East Road Pt. 2
Waking to a glorious sunrise bursting over the ocean is one of those special moments and although reluctant to move on towards Singaraja along the north-east road, it was the adventurous side that took over and it was not long before we found ourselves driving along the road out of Tembok bathed in glorious sunshine and with some stunning mountain views on our left, and, the vast still sea to our right spread out like a rich blue carpet. The ride was a tad rough and having to avoid the potholes in the road and the trucks was no mean feat, however, once past Bondalem we found the smooth bitumen highway much more to our liking, well, at least out butts did!. What impressed me about this stretch of road were the surprising panoramas with each bend we engaged. Rocky outcrops jutted out into the sea, small bays where fishermen trolled for a meal and the constant brilliance of the never ending sea stretching to the horizon dotted with prahu’s coming into shore after a night’s fishing.
Date: May 6th, 2008 |
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Foreign Arrival Statistics
The foreign arrivals statistics for Indonesia are out courtesy of the Central Statistics Agency and they are showing a marked increase for the first quarter. Naturally, Bali remains the number one destination for travellers to Indonesia although arrivals from Europe are on the wane and this is probably due to the Indonesian Airlines ban imposed there. The quarterly statistics are great news for the country that is currently in their celebration year of Visit Indonesia, although I would liked to have seen more arrivals in the larger outlying islands like Sulawesi. It seems that most foreign tourists prefer the relative safety of Bali as compared to the larger Muslim dominated islands.
Date: May 4th, 2008 |
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Culinary Map to be Released
So often when my stomach reminds me that it is time to eat, I ponder for at least half an hour in making a decision on a destination for my choice of repast. Of course, in the main, I am never disappointed with my final choice. When I at home in Yogyakarta it is easy because I hit the street stalls of which there are many. But, in Bali one is spoilt for choice. Do I eat upmarket, warung or from the kaki lima. I was pleased to read today that a culinary map is due to be released and will be available at most places. This is an excellent idea for first-time visitors who are often bewildered by the island’s number of eateries and where to go. But, it’s not only the greenies that will benefit. Often people have said to me ‘Have you been to such-and-such a place. It’s near that other place’. Now all I have to do is look at a map!.
Date: May 12th, 2008 |
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Kafe Batan Waru: Tuban
As a great lover of Javanese food I am a regular patron at Kafe Batan Waru in Tuban. The sister restaurant to the one in Ubud, the cuisine is just as delicious and although not in a garden setting, the décor more than makes up for this. Located opposite Waterbom Park in Tuban and a stone’s throw from the Discovery Mall, Kafe Batan Waru is not your ordinary open-air warung. Adorning the walls on one side are beautiful collection of flora and fauna prints, and the other, classic prints of Indonesia during the colonial era. The décor is practically simple with polished, long wooden tables and benches giving the place that touch of class. I particularly like the ‘feel’ of the restoran, warm and comfy. And, as with all upmarket restoran the service is first-class.
Date: May 10th, 2008 |
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Desecration in Bali
Like most people in Bali and travellers alike were disgusted with the development years back around Tanah Lot temple. There really is no need for this type of development that encroaches upon sacred ground and sacred places. It is unjustified greed. If any of you have recently visited Tanah Lot then you know what I mean. And now, developers have their eyes on the sacred temple of Pura Uluwatu. There are currently many development projects for new villas in the Bukit area in Jimbaran, including in the sacred area around Uluwatu shrine. This condition has triggered a public uproar with some of Bali’s noted intellectuals declaring the constructions illegal. But some locals and developers argue the constructions are legal because the developers acquired the necessary licenses from the Badung regent. There has to be a cut-off point as far as blatant development is concerned. It seems to me that this desecration of Bali will continue unless it is curbed and fast.
Date: May 7th, 2008 |
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Flights to Sabah from Bali Confirmed
Although not a part of Indonesia, the province of Sabah in northern Borneo (Kalimantan) is still one of the most desired destinations for the adventurous traveller. Having only been there once and also to Sarawak, it is one place that I would highly recommend. If you are in Bali or Jakarta and wish to explore the neighbouring islands then good news is at hand. AirAsia has reaffirmed, officially, its direct flights to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah from Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia. Jakarta-Kota Kinabalu’s first flight commenced on 30 March 2008 and Bali-Kota Kinabalu’s had …
Date: May 4th, 2008 |
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Anantara Spa Resort: Seminyak
When you talk about pure luxury in a resort then you can’t go past the newly opened boutique property Anantara Resort in Seminyak. This place eclipses most of those flash places in Nusa Dua. Actually the resort was designed by Anthony Liu of the TonTon architectural firm, responsible for the Bale Resort in Nusa Dua. Located on absolute prime beachfront at the end of Jl. Abimanyu, the resort has 59 suites each with plasma screen TVs, contemporary Asian-inspired furniture, broadband internet connection and spacious baths. But it is more than just another resort. The Anantara has everything you would need without even having to leave the place unless of course you wanted to cruise around the area checking out the locals. Heck, you can do that from your balcony overlooking the beach.
Date: May 2nd, 2008 |
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