Bali news and events (page 5)
Tourism news, weather reports, festivals and sporting events.
Windy Nyepi in Seminyak Bali
Writing this post I am sitting in my upstairs bedroom. The internet connection is working well, thank goodness and I can be somewhat productive.
Balinese Hinduism co existing peacefully with westerners
Yesterday was Melasti, the Balinese day of cleansing temple objects in the rivers or ocean. Thousands of Balinese people were on Kuta beach attending the ceremonies.
Nyepi Day approaching in Bali
Nyepi Day, the 'Day of Silence is fast approaching. Nyepi occurs on Thursday March 30th and Balinese people are getting ready for the day.
Bali closed on March 30th
Attention all tourists. Bali will be closed on March 30th due to the Nyepi celebration. That sounds like an overstatement but its totally true.
AFP commissioner say 'do the crime serve the time'
AFP (Australian Federal Police ) commissioner Mick Keelty has come in for criticism ever since the Bali Nine were arrested.
Steaming hot day in Seminyak Bali
Sunday March 26th is a steaming hot day here in Bali. Everyone at Cafe Seminyak was wilting in the heat and complained they could not sleep last night.
Peace building exercise in Bali
Indonesia is rich with culture and religion. Bali too, although predominantly Hindu, is home to a sizable Muslim community that is a getting bigger every year.
Be careful when swimming in Bali
Bali offers sunny skies, friendly people and the ocean. Going surfing or swimming are attractive propositions, but are not without risks.
Sanur to build a cyber village
Sanur is build a cyber village with broadband internet access. Sanur is a expat place and a resort area, so I'm sure people will appreciate it.
Internet Outpost on Poppies Lane II in Kuta Bali
Sitting here in Internet Outpost in Kuta I am in spot 1, next to the desk. U2 is Playing (Rattle & Hum), memories from the 80's.
Weather in Kuta Bali
Diane and I were hoping to see the sunset from our beachside vantange point at La Cabana.
Garuda spending big bucks to get Bali back on track
Garuda Indonesia are spending bug bucks to update their fleet of aircraft. The Jakarta-Bali-Perth route is crucial to Bali's economy and Garuda have responded by ordering new planes from Boeing.
China: Hungry for Indonesian fish
China and Indonesia are working together on a plan to build a fishing facility somewhere in Indonesia. China is like a hungry teenager , gobbling up wood, oil, steel and fish.
Kuta Beach Bali
Kuta Beach was windy and partially deserted today. Steeping across the street from McDonalds, I was careful not to get hit by a taxi or a stray motorbike.
Bali bikinis: A spark of light in Nusa Dua
All the talk of censorship and Sharia Law got you down? Fear not, a shaft of light just came to Earth in Nusa Dua.
Bali weather
Saturday was a steamy day with sunshine all round. Heading into the evening the clouds came over and we have enjoyed a 10 minute shower.
Dobbing in your mates in Kuta Bali
Some people will do anything to make money. The economy is down after the October bombing, and it will take time before everyone is flush with cash again.
Up in smoke in Denpasar Bali
Denpasar District Court was the scene of a little bonfire on Friday. Part of the fuel was the bag of marijuana Schapelle Corby carried through Customs way back when.
Steaming bloody hot in Seminyak Bali
'Bloody'. Now there's a good word for you. But bloody oath mate, it can get you into some trouble, especially if you are the Australian Tourist Board. Here in Seminyak its steaming bloody hot.
Kuta Beach morning
Kuta Beach is the first thing many Bali tourists wake up to. We're spoilt here, imagine waking up in Hong Kong, Tokyo or Bangkok. Traffic, noise, fumes, everything you don't want.
No power in Seminyak
No power this morning in Seminyak. Things heat up pretty quick out here and without a fan or AC people are going to be sweating.
Michelle Leslie: Back in the headlines
Australian model Michelle Leslie is back in the headlines after claiming she was set up by Bali police. Michelle was arrested at a party at GWK cultural park close to Kuta, last year.
Kuta Beach Bali
Riding home today after a couple of hours in Kuta, I swung by Kuta Beach. The weather today is gorgeous, blazing sunshine, not too much wind and a bit of swell, though nothing big.
Sunny day in Seminyak Bali
Sunny today in Seminyak Bali. We went to Nusa Dua and it was equally sunny there, as was it it Tuban, Kuta and Legian.
World Cup 2006 in Bali
The World Cup soccer tournament in taking place in Germany in June. The World Cup happens every 4 years and features 32 nations competing over a month.
Earthworms may help the preserve the land in Bali
Over the last 35 years years Balinese farmers have been using pesticides and fertilizers to maximize their crop yield. It worked for a while, but you can only whip the horse so far.
Australian generosity helps Balinese
Australian tourists from Busselton WA (I know where it is, I tried to hitch hike through there), have been helping local Balinese by donating money and being positive.
Legian Beach Bali
After the rain came sun. This afternoon was a wonderful present for all those tourists trapped in their hotels the day before.
It rained in Bali
Riding around this afternoon searching for internet, I stopped to snap a few photos. This wasn't easy as the rain was torrential and my camera / clothing took a soaking just firing off a single shot.
Wet Monday in Seminyak Bali
Sitting in my room with no internet access, I am typing and listening to the rain pounding on the roof. I can tell this is going to last for a while because we have a solid slate-grey sky.
Protests greet anti-pornography legislators in Bali
Large protests at Ngurah Rai airport in Bali and at Puputan Square in Denpasar greeted the arrival of 8 anti-pornography legislators.
American arrested on drug charges in Bali
American James Kling aged 40, was arrested in his Bali hotel room on Wednesday with a quantity of drugs .
Weather in Kuta Bali
Kuta's weather today was cloudy and overcast. I went out in the morning, midday and late afternoon and felt a few drops of rain, but nothing else.
Schapelle Corby Tours in Bali
JED is a organization offering Ecotourism Village Tours in Bali, a worthy cause. There are all kinds of tours you can take during your holiday in Bali.
Storms on the horizon in Kuta Bali
The weather this afternoon was cloudy, threatening to rain. That was okay with my as I was on my motorbike.
JED and the future of Bali tourism
The future of Bali tourism. That's the $64,000 question and you get a different answer depending on who you talk to.
Who would like an ecotour with JED in Bali
Talking with Gin I really like her motives and what JED is trying to do. They are looking big picture, long term.
The 4 JED Balinese Ecotourism Villages
JED has a unique idea, of choosing 4 distinctly different Balinese villages, and help them to make a success of village ecotourism.
JED Village Ecotourism Network Bali
JED Village Ecotourism Network is an organization set up to promote sustainable ec tourism in 4 Balinese villages.
Evening rain in Bali
As I sit writing this the rain has just started. The time is 8.54pm so that's not unusual. Today we started off with a small shower at 7am, followed by splashes, then sunshine for most of the day.
Bali Security gets tightened again
Tourists visiting Bali often worry about security, especially after the Oct 2005 bombing.
Viva the Green Sea turtle in Kuta Bali
A great thing happened in Kuta today. A hundred Green Sea turtles, the ones used for satay at Balinese ceremonies, were released into the ocean.
Media vs. public opinion in Bali drug cases
Bali drug cases have been in the news for the last year a and a half and have earned different levels of media coverage and public support.
Bali Police: Call 0361 224111
Responding to some complaints of street crime and other minor stuff, the Bali police have given a phone number that is specially for tourists.
Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran to appeal in Denpasar Bali
The convicted kingpins of the Bali Nine drug gang, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, will appeal their death sentences .
Bali style has to be included in Kuta
Unrestricted building with butt-ugly design is a feature of Bali. The locals in my mind, have a genius for creating beauty, and a passion for destroying it.
Bali weather forecast
Sitting here in an internet cafe on Jl. Benesari in Kuta, the sun is blazing. Before coming in here I took the sarong that was around my nech and placed it on the seat so I don't get blisters when I…
Kerobokan jail Bali
Coming back from Warung Gossip I passed the Kerobokan jail. If you've missed it, the jail is the big white building with guard towers. Around 1.30pm on Saturday the place was fairly quiet.
Weather in Seminyak Bali
Checking the 10 day weather forecast for Bali it looks like rain. Outside my window it looks like sun, so you take what you believe I guess.
Bali tourist industry to get financial boost
Bali's tourist industry is going to get a shot in the arm in the form of cash, from the Indonesian government.
Renae Lawrence sentenced to life in Bali
Bali Nine drug trafficker Renae Lawrence was today found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Bali slowly coming back from the tourism slump
Bali is quiet now, no doubt about that. The thing is the weather is awesome, there are new restaurant and lounge bars all over the place (Buddha's Belly, D'Glow etc.) and new villas.
New airport for Bali.
Anyone who has been to Bali is probably like me and loves the approach over the Kuta Reef, onto the runway at Ngurah Rai.
Weather in Bali
This might sounds like groping for an article, but I reckon its important to everyone who comes to Bali. The weather right now is a scorcher!
Raja's reopening in Bintang in Seminyak Bali
Raja's restaurant, the site of the October bombing in Kuta Square, will reopen at Bintang supermarket in Seminyak.
Renae Lawrence's dad comes to Bali
The father of Bali Nine member Renae Lawrence came to Bali today to be with his daughter. Renae and her fellow Bali Nine members will be told the verdict and sentenced on Feb 14th, Valentine's Day.
The weather in Seminyak Bali
The weather today in Seminyak and Kuta was hot and sunny. I saw plenty of toasted tourists, including Japanese girls hanging off the back of Balinese guy's motorbikes and 6ft tall Dutch retired…
Alpha Smart and Customs in Bali
Today I rode down to Jimbaran via the Bypass. My quest wasn't fish, but the FedEx office right there on the main road.
Sunny weather in Seminyak Bali
Looking out my window I see a few white clouds and ton of blue sky. We've had scorching days recently and the beach scene came back to life in an instant.
Superbowl coming up in Bali
For all us pseudo-Yanks here in Bali an important event is almost here. Superbowl Sunday is an institution in the US with bbq's get together's and a general shut down of the country.
Tourism going through a rough patch in Bali
Bali's tourism market generates $4 billion annually. That's a decent chunk of change a small part of that would make me a happy man. Right now though tourism is down 60% and some people are hurting.
Seminyak weather Bali
The wet season is going strong and this morning we had a short, but powerful downpour.
Security at jail shakey in Kerobokan Bali
Kerobokan jail is not the most up to date facility in the world. For the prisoners that can be good and bad.
Gong xi fa chai from Tejakula Bali
Gong xi fa chai (Gong hay fa choy) means happy new year in Chinese. Today is Chinese New Year and many visitors are expected in Bali.
Kuta Karnival: How we can help improve it
The 2006 Kuta Karnival has been cancelled due to various reasons including security. For me this is a great opportunity to take a look at the Kuta Karnival and see how it can be improved.
Andrew Chan in line for death penalty in Denpasar Bali
Bali Nine kingpin Andrew Chan was in Denpasar District Court today to hear the prosecutions sentencing request for him if he is found guilty.
Renae Lawrence gets a 20 year break in Denpasar Bali
Renae Lawrence, the only female member of the Bali Nine caught a break today. Appearing in Denpasar District Court to hear the sentencing demands from the prosecution, Lawrence was told they were…
Sunny day in Seminyak Bali
A lovely sunny day we had today in Seminyak and Kuta. It was not too windy and for those winter season people hoping for a chance to get a suntan, you got your money's worth.
Balinese farmers selling land for development
Land in Bali is precious. Locals guard it as their highest possession and foreigners are always on the lookout for land that is choice.
Interview with expat hotel manager gives insight into Bali
Living in Bali for a while and then leaving, gives people a great insight and understanding as to what they have, and what they are leaving behind.
Schapelle Corby to appeal Jakarta court ruling
Australian drug trafficker Schapelle Corby will appeal the decison by the Supreme Court to reinstate a 20 year jail sentence.
Poppies Lane II quiet in Kuta Bali
A stroll down Poppies Lane II today confirmed that its the slow season. New Years is over, the Indonesian school kids have gone back to Java and the wind, combined to make this a slack period.
Tidak ada uang: Schapelle Corby sunk in Kerobokan Bali
Indonesia's Supreme Court has overturned a decision to reduced the sentence of Schapelle Corby. Originally Schapelle was sentenced to 20 years, which was reduced on appeal to 15 years.
Bali weather: Breezy right now in Seminyak
Bali in the wet season gets some great downpours. The rain usually hammers straight down and I can walk in a storm armed with just an umbrella and stay mostly dry.
Michael Czugaj sentencing demands delayed in Denpasar Bali
Denpasar court today was not super busy, but the tensions for 2 young men were obvious.
Myuran Sukumaran: Court hearing at Denpasar Bali
The atmosphere at the court was surprisingly relaxed. There was little security, no one giving orders and I was free to wander where I wanted.
Michael Czugaj: His sentencing demands
Denpasar criminal court Bali. Chatting to one Aussie journalist off the record, he told me he thought Michael will get 20 years and the 2 head guys will get death.
Visiting the criminal court in Denpasar Bali
Tuesday morning I decided to make a trip to the criminal court in Denpasar to check out the latest on the Bali Nine. I live in Seminyak and there are a couple of ways I can get there.
Kuta Beach scene Bali
The scene on Kuta Beach right now is busy. Who would think there is a lull in tourism with a beach full of people?
Bali hotel security improving
Bali has a ton of accommoation options from cheap guest houses to the Ritz Carlton.
Cars in Denpasar Bali
Driving in Denpasar is always something I loathe to do. Heavy traffic. pollution, crazy one-way streets and drivers from hell.
Bali Peace Park: Stepping things up in Australia
Since I first came to Bali in Jan 2003 I kept running into this larger than life guy.
Megawati asks the Balinese to value land and environment
Former President Megawati was in Bali recently visiting the highlands and discussing Bali's problems.
Links you might enjoy from Bali
Here are 3 links about Bali you might find interesting. Bali Nine kingpin Myuran Sukumaran claimed he had amnesia and could not remember meeting other members o the Bali Nine. Good strategy I reckon.
Tropical downpour in Kuta: New drains can't cope
Anyone who was in Kuta about 18 months ago remembers the extensive storm drain project that was going on.
Rainy January in Bali
Wet season in Bali (Nov-Mar) is a time of rejuventation, washing away the past and reloading the water systems of the island in readiness for another year.
Wet Season means garbage on the beaches in Bali
An annual source of conversation and frustration is the garbage that washes up on the beaches in the wet season.