Traveling wiTh The experTs a real diving holiday ‘loloh kayumanis’
THURS 23
Vol.3 no.32 / www.thejakartapost.com
from THE EdiTor
epicurean journey
cover photo: stannY anGGa
It seems that each week there is a new restaurant being opened on the island. Bali has turned into a culinary mecca with its own food festivals — yes, there is more than one food festival on the island —, a throng of world-renowned chefs and restaurants, dedicated foodie publications, as well as an increasing number of food bloggers and instagrammers. For an island heavily dependent on the tourist industry, this is surely good news. It means the business climate is good and visitors will surely love the freedom to choose from a wide array of available foods – from street food to gourmet, from traditional to global cuisine. this edition’s cover story focuses on Fire, a casual grill restaurant at seminyak’s marvelous w retreat and spa Bali–seminyak. the restaurant exemplifies the efforts taken by many restaurateurs across the island to stay relevant in the increasingly crowded market: offering delectable food with a unique twist in a distinctive setting. For us, the food connoisseurs, Bali has grown into not only a cultural destination but also an epicurean one.
06 Blessings of ramadhan
—The Editor
ConTEnTs
04
traveling with the experts
05 ‘legong muani’
07 Bali tattoo expo 2016 08 Fire up the grill 10 pemuteran 11 ‘loloh kayumanis’ 12 taman mumbul 16 a real diving holiday
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Board of Directors Jusuf Wanandi, Cherly P. Santoso, Endy M. Bayuni & Riyadi Suparno I Editor in Chief/Guarantor Endy M. Bayuni Editor I Wayan Juniarta I Contributing Editor Rita A. Widiadana I Editorial Staff Desy Nurhayati, Bram Setiawan, Anton Muhajir, Alit Kertaraharja, Ni Komang Erviani, Luh De Suriyani, Wasti Atmodjo I Photographers Agung Parameswara, Lukman SB, Zul Trio Anggono, Anggara Mahendra Graphic Designer Budhi Hartono, Sunaryo, Mohamad Soleh General Manager Wiradiatma Wijoga I Advertising Kadek Ita Noviyanti, Ngurah Agung I Circulation Slamet Sunarno I Promotions Mirah Adi
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Images
“Farmers work under the sun to reap the golden harvest�
Words and Photos Pande Parwata
P
ayangan, an idyllic region north of Ubud, enters the harvest season this month and the local rice field owners have called on the help of the pajegan to do the harvesting. Pajegan are groups of travelling harvesters for hire. Each group usually comprises four people and they split the fee equally among the members. The payment is around Rp 550,000 (US$41.42) per ton of paddy harvested and on one single day a pajegan could harvest up to 2 tons. When the harvest season ends, the pajegan members return to their respective villages to tend to their own paddy fields.
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Sojourn
O
perating in Bali since 1989, Smailing Tour has been a strong player in accommodating the needs of inbound travelers on the island. Now with the rising trend of outbound travelers from the island, the company is expanding its business with the recent opening of Smailing Tour Ticketing and Outbound Center in Sanur, which caters to the needs of people traveling to other places in Indonesia and overseas. Thanks to the increasing number of direct flights from the island to many cities worldwide, the outbound market in Bali has shown strong growth. Smailing Tour Ticketing and Outbound Center provides one-stop solutions for both corporate and leisure travelers, fulfilling every need during their trip to ensure a wonderful travel experience. To keep up-to-date with the changing trends in travel, the Bali office is also a Destination Management Company (DMC), providing services for travelers who would like to explore places in Bali and beyond. As the inbound division of Smailing Tour, DMC has the exceptional strength of creating
Traveling
with the experts “Award-winning travel agency opens its outbound center in Bali”
WORDS DESY NURHAYATI PHOTOS COURTESY OF SMAILING TOUR
the right products for each client, whatever the purpose of their visit to Bali, be it for a business conference, wedding, honeymoon, holistic retreat, sporting adventure or family holiday — as well as accommodating trips to many destinations nationwide beyond Bali. The inauguration of this new facility also marks the company’s 40th anniversary. President director and CEO Anthony Akili remarked that as one of the largest tour operators in Indonesia, Smailing Tour continued to develop while facing the
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opportunities and challenges in the industry. “This transformation allows us to be more competitive in the future and always able to accommodate the needs of every client, while supporting the government’s program to welcome 20 million tourists by 2020,” Anthony said. Following the opening of its Yogyakarta office last year and Bali this year, Smailing Tour will launch new facilities in Bandung, Surabaya, Lombok, Balikpapan, Medan, Batam, Makasar, Manado and Labuan Bajo.
Sight
‘Legong Muani’
“A cross-dressing take on the Balinese classical dance” Words and Photos Luhde Suryani
L
egong, arguably the most famous of Balinese classical dances, is the epitome of feminine grace and beauty. It appears that the dance, created in the 19th century by a local prince after experiencing a “vision” of heavenly angels dancing in the sky, employs a set of intricate gestures and choreographies aimed at emphasizing the paramount exquisiteness of Balinese women. It is no wonder that the dance is usually performed by female dancers. A recent performance at the ongoing 38th Bali Arts Festival (PKB), however, showed that Balinese men were quite capable of emulating that feminine loveliness. Male dancers from the Ardhanareswari troupe of Sading village presented their Legong Muani, literally male legong, to a packed and clearly amused audience. “It is not a new thing. In its early days, legong was performed by male dancers,” the troupe manager, Gusti Made Agus Wira Aditama, said. Yet, the troupe’s recent performance added a new perspective to the ongoing hostility that surrounds the public debate on LGBTs in this
country. “Yes, some [of the dancers] are gay, but the majority are not,” the performance’s song coordinator, Nyoman Wija, said. “We are often teased as being transvestites,” dancer Nyoman Sukama said, with a wide grin on his face. A 50-year-old man, Sukama is the most senior dancer in the troupe. He and the other 14 dancers spent the last three months in intensive rehearsals for the performance. It is no easy feat for a male dancer to dress and perform a feminine dance. “Donning this heavy and complicated costume is excruciating,” he said. But all the hard work paid off handsomely. The audience loved them and never failed to show its appreciation through booming applause. “The legong we perform is the authentic and complete repertoire,” Aditama said of the twohour long performance.
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Sight
Blessings of Ramadhan
“Handicraft producer reaps big bucks during Ramadhan”
WORDS AND PHOTOS BRAM SETIAWAN
B
ahrul Ulum was busy coloring ketupatshaped accessories made of sponges. Every year during the fasting month of Ramadhan, he receives orders from hotels, restaurants and companies to create handicrafts related to Ramadhan and Idul Fitri, such as ketupat (steamed rice wrapped in young coconut leaves), bedug (huge drums in mosques usually beaten to summon believers
to prayer) and colorful dome-shaped lanterns. At his home, Bahrul has operated an advertising enterprise called Warna-Warna for the last 37 years. In 2007, he tried his luck being a seasonal handicraft producer, and, beyond his expectation, started to cash in. He also handles a lot of orders to create accessories for Christmas and New Year, as well as Chinese New Year. Ramadhan and Idul Fitri
is the best time to reap extra income, however, because the celebratory period lasts for a month, longer than other festivities. “I am always busy making these handicrafts and only have two hours to sleep every day, from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m.,” said Bahrul, who gets help from two assistants. His busy days started a month before Ramadhan. “I receive most of my orders from hotels, as well as offices, malls and the airport,” said the father of seven. The prices range from Rp 25,000 (US$1.90) to Rp 100,000, with the larger accessories usually selling for Rp 350,000 to Rp 400,000; some of the bedug even sell for up to Rp 3.5 million. His loyal customers are not only from Bali, but also neighboring areas like Lombok.
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Sight
Bali Tattoo
Expo 2016
“Showcasing traditional and modern tattoos from all over Indonesia” WORDS AND PHOTOS BRAM SETIAWAN
D
ozens of tattoo artists participated in Bali Tattoo Expo 2016 last week, showcasing their ability to create ethnic tattoos from across the
country. David Hornbill, from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, was one of the ethnic tattoo artists taking part in this first-ever expo on the island. He joined the event in support of his mission to preserve traditional Indonesian tattoos. “In the past, people with tattoos were associated with criminals. In fact, tattoos have nothing to do with crime. It’s part of Indonesian culture,” David said. David, a native Dayak Paser, has been in the tattoo business since 2004. He loves to make tribal motifs and adheres to the traditional technique of hand-tapping tattoos until now. He also preserves the special Dayak motifs
shaped like eggplant flowers, which are renowned globally among tattoo lovers. Held for the first time, Bali Tattoo Expo received a good response from tattoo communities and had 68 booths. “We plan to hold the event regularly,” said Bagus Ferry, a representative of the organizing committee. “We hope we can hold this event once a year, or once every two years,” said Bagus, who also manages Magic Ink Tattoo magazine. In addition to tattoo booths, the event also presented tarot reading and music performances by a number of local bands, including Jangar, Lucky Cats, Garden Grove, Rainbow and Cloud, The Balitones, The Sneakers, The Bullhead, Peach Town and Rombong Reggae. There were also booths selling clothing and merchandise.
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Fire up the grill “Modern bistro grill with a playful twist” WORDS DESY NURHAYATI PHOTOS STANNY ANGGA
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Cover Story
T
ucked neatly below and to the left of the lobby area of the vibrantly cool W Retreat and Spa Bali — Seminyak, Fire is a stunning casual grill restaurant known for its carnivorous menu. Overseen by internationally renowned chef Jack Yoss, Fire’s concept is a modern bistro grill with a playful twist. Its vibrant décor is inspired by the Balinese fire-themed kecak dance, a ritual in which a group of men chant rhythmically around a roaring fire pit. Deep red and bright yellow highlights pop from the restaurant’s charcoal black surfaces and the giant hanging centerpiece evokes a ball of flames just above your head. This is the signature Venetian glass fire chandelier. Another symbolic touch is the traditional Balinese black and white checkered motif. Patrons can watch the open kitchen where chefs take the spotlight and prepare the sizzling culinary sensations. The steaks from the wood-fired grill are undoubtedly the stars here; this restaurant serves the finest and widest selection of meats on the island and cooks them to absolute perfection. For the main attraction, patrons experience a tableside meat board showcasing signature cuts, such as the dry-aged Irish ribeye, Australian Kiwami wagyu with a marble score
of 9, and the grain-fed Black Angus prime beef. Sourced from Australia, Ireland and the Netherlands, the various cuts on offer are all aged a minimum of 21 days. As patrons take a seat, they are introduced to Fire’s own meat sommelier, who will show them the finest cuts of beef. Before getting into the steaks, we checked out a couple of starters in the form of the grade A+ tuna ceviche with red onions, Thai chili, lime juice, tomato and coriander. This dish is served in a unique way using dry ice in a teapot to create a smoke effect. We also tried the creamy sweet onioncauliflower soup with spiced lamb and feta cheese. The classic beef tartare with red onions, capers, mustard, quail egg and grilled bread
was among the best we’ve ever tried, but the tuna ceviche was the winner. For mains, we settled on the Fire signature beef tasting for two, featuring top sirloin wagyu, Kiwami wagyu beef, and tenderloin center cut Black Angus, which was simply out of this world. Having left just enough room for a sweet treat, we ordered the Pod 64 percent chocolate melting sphere, featuring white chocolate mousse, passion fruit jelly, lemon popping candy and almond streusel — a flawless example of how to do dessert right. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating and the choice of two private dining rooms for patrons who want to stay out of the limelight and make the occasion more intimate. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Fire also offers an Asian Street Hawker-style Sunday brunch and four- and seven-course tasting menus from around the world. Covering all the bases, it even has its own impressive signature cocktail list on top of all
the usual tipples. Sipping on some serious cocktails prepared with fire, smoke and charcoal, with some lighter cocktail options to balance out the distinct food selections, will definitely be a great experience. The Fire Ritual Cocktail is served in a particularly exceptional way; the waiter soaks tamarillo and pineapple in honey-infused bourbon while it’s actually on fire, creating one of the most unique aperitifs going. For non-meat eaters, the restaurant serves extensive options and, upon request, the chefs will be happy to accommodate dietary restrictions. Enter Fire and feel the heat.
June 23, 2016
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sojourn
pemuTeran “one oF BalI’s FaVorIte DIVe locatIons” worDs anD photos eka JUnI artawan
B
efore pemuteran became one of the island’s most important coral reef preservation and conservation areas, it was a remote, barren far-flung village. located in Buleleng, north Bali, the local villagers fished using destructive practices, including bombing the coral reef to stun the fish and bring them to the surface. “I was very sad and very concerned seeing the fishermen ruining the coral reefs and disrupting the marine habitat,” recalled I Gusti agung prana, a renowned environmentalist. In the early 1980s, prana had made a lifechanging trip to pemuteran, a place where he felt deep spiritual vibrations. Based on the Balinese concept of nyegara gunung, the village has an ideal location sandwiched between the sea and the mountains. as the village is around 90 kilometers north of Denpasar, or about a three-hour drive, prana thought it was a great location for a tourist destination.
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the first step he had to take, however, was to involve the local community in the rehabilitation of the damaged coral reef and marine habitat. “It was really difficult to change people’s habits and ways of thinking,” he recalled. the local fishermen were in a dire situation. their small catches forced them to take dramatic shortcuts, which critically damaged the marine habitat. “we are poor. we often fail to catch fish. our families only eat once a day. how can you stop us from doing what we are doing?” the fishermen often asked him in the early days. prana never gave up hope, patiently encouraging the local people to understand the importance of rehabilitating coral reefs and that it would be beneficial for them. at the time, pemuteran’s coral reef was nearly dead from bleaching, changing sea temperatures, sedimentation and reef bombing. the coral reef restoration program started
in 2000 with the help of two scientists — the late wolf Ililbertz and tom Goreau. together with the locals, they developed the first biorock reefs in pemuteran. the biorock coral restoration technique provides an environment for the coral reef to recover and become vibrant, where fish swarm freely. this community-based marine conservation project earned prana and his Yayasan karang sari foundation numerous national and international accolades, including the equator prize 2012, the United nations Development program (UnDp) special award for marine and coastal Zone management and the UnDp equator award for community Based Development, which was presented at the Un conference in rio
de janeiro in Brazil in 2012. the village has an education center for marine and conservation study and has become a sustainable eco-tourism site, a favorite place for european tourists. prana himself invested in the area early on by building taman sari home stay. the tourism ministry has put forward pemuteran village as an alternative marine and conservation-based tourist destination in the upcoming United nations world tourism organization (Unwto) conference in madrid, spain, which will take place in january 2016. “conservation and tourism can go hand in hand with a new paradigm of preserving nature,” noted I Gde pitana from the tourism ministry.
Savor
‘Loloh kayumanis’ “Traditional Balinese herbal drink” WORDS AND PHOTOS ANGGARA MAHENDRA
E
very time Kris has a sore throat, she picks some kayumanis leaves from her backyard garden in Buleleng and makes a concoction with them. She mixes the leaves with water and a sprinkle of salt, squeezing until the leaves yield a thick, dark green extract and drinks this in the morning before meals. This traditional beverage always works wonders for her, relieving fevers and inflammation in her throat. For generations, the Balinese people have turned to loloh, the local name for traditional herbal drinks commonly called jamu in Indonesia. Loloh have also been written about in the ancient Taru Pramana lontar manuscript that talks about plantbased medicines. According to myths, the plants could talk and disclose their efficacies, so that humans would be able to make concoctions out of them to prevent and treat different ailments. Kayumanis leaves, also known as katuk, are called the green multivitamin by the US Agriculture Department due to their rich vitamin content. In Thailand, the leaves are used to make soup, mixed with other vegetables or cooked with meat and coconut milk. This plant is easily found in Southeast Asia. It is called star gooseberry in English, phak waan baan in Thailand, cekur manis in Malaysia, binahian in Filipina and dom nghob in Cambodia. In fact, it is one of the most popular leaves in Southeast Asia due to its high level of calcium, known to be able to prevent osteoporosis, as well as being a good source of iron. It is also believed to improve the flow of breast milk and to relieve influenza. It allegedly can also improve cell growth, strengthen the immune system, prevent eye disease and has the ability to stimulate and improve the quality of reproductive hormones. In addition to loloh kayumanis, other popular herbal drinks in Bali are loloh cemcem and loloh kunyit. Loloh cemcem was introduced in Penglipuran village in Bangli and is made of cemcem or kloncing leaves with salt, sugar, honey and coconut slices. It tastes a little bit spicy, salty and sweet, but is refreshing and improves the digestive system and decreases blood pressure. June 23, 2016
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Sojourn
Taman
Mumbul
“A sacred spring offers a tranquil break� Words and Photos Agung Parameswara
S
ome 500 meters south of Sangeh forest, a tourist destination known for its population of long-tailed macaques, a large tranquil pond lies by a narrow asphalt road. The pond and the rustic temple complex on its northern edge are a popular recreational site for the residents of the surrounding villages. Lately, the area, known as Taman Mumbul Beji temple, has started to draw an increasing number of domestic tourists. Much of this is due to a considerable effort put in by the local administration to revamp the area around the pond, including widening the road and expanding the parking facility. Huge banyan trees offer cooling shade in the area in front of the pond. Next to one of the trees is a statue of a woman, a tiny tribute to the mythological origin of the pond. One of the temple’s custodians, Ida Bagus Alit Saskara, recalled local lore about an old woman who traveled across villages selling drinking water. Carrying a large jun (earthenware vessel), filled with water on the top of her head while walking many kilometers
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on a daily basis was clearly an exhausting job. One day, the lore says, the woman took a brief break. She sat underneath a tree and drank from the water to quench her thirst. A few moments later, she felt refreshed and, in an act of gratitude, she used the remaining water in the vessel to water the tree that had provided her with shelter. Miraculously, a spring appeared precisely at the spot where she poured the water. The water from this spring turned the surrounding area into a large pond, which the locals now use for melasti (ritual to purify temple effigies) and melukat (bathing ritual to purify the body and soul). It also provides the water for rice fields in several villages in Abiansemal district.
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English private tutor offers English/Math tuition for children 5-12yrs. 7 years experience as a classroom teacher in UK & Australia. Call 0817 470 3070
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Baby sitter services. Contact me 0852 3810 0025 Bahasa lessons for foreigners. Tutor: Nika Wirawan, Master degree in Translation Studies with 10 years experience teaching Bahasa to foreigners. For free trial class please phone 087861637555 or email nika.wirawan@ gmail.com or visit bahasalesson.wix.com/bali Bahasa lesson with Juli, years of experience. Master degree in Translation Studies. For free trial class, please contact 088219135161, email madejuliarta330@gmail. com or visit Bindo14.wix.com/bali Blue Med Bioresonance theraphy in front of Pecatu Graha. Please contact 087860133047 for more information. British photographer services available. Specialist in product & culinary photography. Fully equipped modern studio facilities. Call 08123 883532 CV Yazna Villa Management. Professional service for all needs. Located at Jl. Majapahit No.76 Kuta. Office 0361 767 108. Mobile 0812 382 3731 Do you need a consultant for your F&B outlet? Contact Fokus Hospitality for one-stop solution. 0361 274 0619 Driver, speaks English, freelance, honest. Good price. Contact: 081 797 81005 English lessons, prounounciation. Native tongue. Private and group classes. Improve your spoken english. Contact 08776152284
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Private Indonesian language classes for foreigners. Call Dwi 0813 3870 5158 Private piano lessons for kids. Contact Steven, 0813 393 21615 / 089 651 434612 Private yoga lessons: in a studio, in a villa or in the comfort of your home. British teacher. All levels catered for. 0817 470 3070
Ticketing & Tour Packages. Contact Ohana Tour Bali on ohanabali.com or 0821 4402 1005 Web design, SEO, and video editing service. Portfolio : creativewebdesign.com Contact : 0819 9938 5206 Wood & composite decking specialist & carpenter. Email : woodworking.bali@yahoo.co.id 081999857305
Grand Master, Babaji Maharaj, offers yoga, meditation, shakti healing through the chakras. Experience of a lifetime! Offering private lessons. Ubud area. Email info@ omatrixcenter.com Here is VETERINARY 24/7 SERVICE. VETERINARIAN. Highly experienced and friendly, on call, 24/7 services. Call: 082144509796 Home made jewelry. Silver and gold. Good price with high quality product. Call 081 7477 9129 Indonesian lessons for foreigners provided at your home / office, native teacher. Sms/call: Ms. Asima 0821 468 50175 / email gemilangcourse@gmail.co, balipages.biz.learn.speak.indonesian. Indonesian freelance cook. Text Elok 0813 902 36628 Indonesian lessons, free trial class. Contact: 0878 616 37555, nika.wirawan@gmail.com Jonsen Pet House. Dog boarding and playground. 0361 2727 645 / 0812 6304 5125. jonsenpethouse.com Made to order: bags, wallets, jackets, leather. Pls call 0819 3621 9030
Island Buzz Fairmont Bali adopts corals
Soar to new heights with The Ritz-Carlton, Bali
To celebrate Coral Triangle Day 2016, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) invited Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali to support the vital issue of marine biodiversity conservation by joining its coral transplantation program. The resort management and employees happily took part in this important activity to preserve sea life with each hotel department donating two baby corals each. CTC divers and General Manager Niall Cowan led the Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali team in the planting of baby corals on the Sanur shore. The event helped to promote the importance of conserving marine biodiversity and the sustainable management of marine and coastal resources across the Coral Triangle to both resort employees and guests. Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali is a luxurious all-suite-and-villa resort in four hectares of lush gardens on the palm-fringed beach of Sanur. Artfully blending culture and optimum comfort, the 120 suites and villas are some of the most spacious on the island. Recreational facilities to help guests revitalize and rejuvenate include a spa, gym and a 50 meter infinity pool with eight beachfront cabanas.
In celebration of the annual Bali Kite Festival, running between July and August, families can let their craftsmanship fly with resort’s new cultural offering – the Balinese Kite Experience. The kite festivals are a highlight on Bali’s calendar and this imaginative experience is especially suited to younger guests. Under the expertise of the resort’s specialists, who created this program with a local expert, families at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali are given the materials and framework to create their own custom kite. Parents and children can bond over creating their masterpiece, also writing personal wishes on the tail of the kite, as the locals do at the festival. From the resort’s white-sand beach, families can watch their children pilot kites in the sky while dressed in traditional Balinese attire and follow this by a complimentary brunch at Senses. Additionally, a selection of the kites will be displayed as a special art exhibit at the resort. Families will also have exclusive access to the Bali Kite Festival in nearby Sanur to witness firsthand the aerial art show.
June 23, 2016
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Promote your event with us! Call : 0361 265 436/7 or email to promotionbali@thejakartapost.com Sanur Sunday Market June 26 Starts 10 a.m. Mercure Resort Jl. Mertasari, Sanur Summer Charity Bazaar June 25 – 26 Starts 3 p.m. Grand Lucky Supermarket Jl. Sunset Road No. 9, Denpasar Sunset Beach Bar & Grill Every Saturday Chill-out music, snack-style menu, true Balinese hospitality. Intercontinental Bali Resort Jl. Uluwatu 45, Jimbaran : (0361) 701888
W Bali Presents Late Night Session
with Cats on Crack (SG) & Mendy Indigo (BKK) June 25 From 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. Woobar at W Retreat Bali Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak : (0361) 4738106
Events Adoption Day June 24 From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nat’s Pet Shop Jl. Raya Basangkasa No. 151A, Kuta Bali and Beyond Travel Fair Until June 26 Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center Nusa Dua http://www.bbtf.or.id/
Food & Drinks REStauRant
Denpasar Barong & Keris Dance Everyday Starts 9 a.m. Jl. Waribang No. 11 Kesiman, Denpasar : (0361) 224596
Jimbaran
Kecak & Fire Dance Everyday Starts 6 p.m. Uluwatu Temple Jimbaran, Badung : (0361) 9041163
Kuta Traditional & Modern Performances Every day (Except Wednesday) Starts 8 p.m. Kuta Theater Jl. Kartika Plaza No. 8X, Kuta : (0361) 762750
Ubud
Legong Dance Every Friday Starts 7:30 p.m. Balerung Srinertya Waditra (Balerung Mandera) Br. Teruna, Peliatan, Ubud : (0361) 972124 or 970503
Simple Guidance When Attending a Temple Ceremony 1. Always wear a sarong and sash. 2. Do not walk in front of people when they are praying. 3. Do not use flash or point your camera at the priest’s face. 4. Never sit higher than the priest, the offerings and/or people praying. 5. During cremation ceremonies, do not get in the way of attendees, however perfect that photographic moment might be. 6. Women are not allowed to enter temples while menstruating.
Seven cafes with the finest pancakes in Ubud and Seminyak. The Fat Turtle Open daily, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Jl. Petitenget No. 886, Seminyak : 0813 373 74766 Atman Kafe Open daily, 7 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Jl. Hanoman, Ubud : (0361) 8620505
Topeng Jimat Every Wednesday Starts 7 p.m. ARMA Museum & Resort Jl. Raya Pengosekan
Calonarang Dance Every Thursday, Sunday Starts 7:30 p.m. Mawang Village, Ubud
Livingstone Café & Bakery Open daily, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak
Free Pizza Event Every Thursday From 2 – 10:30 p.m. Ristorante Spaccanapoli Jl. Pengosekan, Ubud
The Coffee House Open daily, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Jl. Basangkasa No. 3A, Seminyak
Google I/O Extended June 25 From 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rumah Sanur Jl. Danau Poso 51A, Sanur http://kmpl.co/io16bali
Shopping
Yellow Flower Café Open daily, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Jl. Penestanan, Ubud : (0361) 8899865
Jazz and Blues Session Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday From 9 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. Mannekepis Jazz and Blues Bistro Jl. Raya Seminyak, Kuta : (0361) 8475784 Kul Kul Farm Bali Open Day Every Thursday From 8 – 11 a.m. Come and join workshops and the fun of sharing farm duties. Kul Kul Farm Bali Jl. Raya Sibang Kaja, Br. Saren, Abiansemal, Badung E-mail: kul@kulkulfarm.com Limbo Hip Every Thursday Starts 8:30 p.m. Lacalita Jl. Raya Batu Bolong No. 68, Canggu Made’s Warung Live Performances Balinese Dances Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday Live Music Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Salsa Dance Every Sunday Made’s Warung Jl. Raya Seminyak, Kuta : (0361) 755297
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Watch Worldwide Sports Events Live sports coverage at Meads, watch live AFL, NRL, Super Rugby, cricket, tennis, F1. Meads Boutique Villas Hotel Jl. Pratama No. 99, Tanjung Benoa : (0361) 776604
ART & CULTURE CORNER
June 23, 2016
Delta Dewata The first supermarket in Ubud Jl. Raya Andong No.14, Ubud : (0361) 973 049, 978 071
Seniman Coffee Studio Open daily, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Jl. Sri Wedari, Ubud
Silversmithing Classes – Studio Perak Explore your creativity and make that piece of silver jewelry you’ve been dreaming about! Jl. Hanoman, Ubud : (0361) 974244 E-mail: info@studioperak.com
Copper Kitchen & Bar Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. – 11p.m. and Sun 12 – 11 p.m. Jl. Bisma, Ubud : (0361) 4792888 Listed by,
Nirmala Supermarket Jl. Uluwatu II no. 10 Jimbaran, Phone (0361) 81470919 Jl. Uluwatu Ungasan, Phone (0361) 705454 Jl. Uluwatu Pecatu, Phone (0361) 7472303 Jl. Uluwatu II no. 10 Jimbaran, Phone (0361) 81470919 Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai 81 Jimbaran, Phone (0361) 4729081
aCtIVItIES Tour & Travel Agent
Perama Tour & Travel Bali, Lombok, Flores, all over Indonesia. Easy and safe at a reasonable price, all for your convenience. Head Office. Jl. Legian No. 39, Kuta : (0361) 751551, 751875, 750808 peramatour.com
Bintang Perum Dalung Permai Pertokoan A11 – A15, Kerobokan Kaja Jl. Raya Seminyak No. 17, Kuta Jl. Raya Campuhan No. 45, Ubud
Courses Gamelan Course – Mekar Bhuana Learn about Balinese culture and music. Jl. Gandapura III No. 501X, Denpasar : (0361) 464 201 Gaya Ceramic Arts Center Private tutelage for individuals and small groups. From handcrafted sculptures to potter’s wheel throwing techniques. Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud : (0361) 7451413 or 976220
Papaya Fresh Gallery Jl. Mertanadi, Kuta
Where to go 2
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POOL PARTY
Every day From 5 – 7 p.m. Sunset drinks and DJ performance IP Bar, 3rd floor Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana Jl. Melasti No. 1, Legian : (0361) 762500 pullmanhotels.com/6556
Pandan War (Mekare-kare)
June 25 Tenganan Pegringsingan, Manggis, Karangasem
Menjangan Island SINGARAJA Pulaki
LOVINA
Gilimanuk
Mt. Batur
Mt. Sangiang
West Bali National Park
Besakih Mt. Agung
NEGARA Pura Rambut Siwi
AMLAPURA Sangeh
Ubud
BANGLI
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KLUNGKUNG
TABANAN
GIANYAR Tanah Lot Kerobokan Canggu Seminyak Legian Kuta
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Ngurah Rai Int’ Airport
Jimbaran Pura Luhur Uluwatu
3 DENPASAR Sanur
1 4 Benoa Nusa Dua
Pura Batu Madan
Penida Island
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Bali Art Festival
June 11 – July 9 Bali Art Center Jl. Nusa Indah No. 1, Denpasar
Live EURO 2016 Until July 10 Stadium Cafe Jl. Kartika Plaza, Kuta : (0361) 763100
June 23, 2016
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Sojourn Savor
A real diving holiday “Underwater macro photography in Ambon” Words and Photo Wiradiatma Wijoga
L
ocated on one of the easternmost islands in Indonesia, Ambon is a worldfamous name among underwater macro photographers, but less so among mainstream divers and, unfortunately, even less among Indonesians other than those who love to travel. Situated in the very heart of the Coral Triangle, Ambon, the capital city of Maluku, together with North Maluku province, are geographically the closest neighbors to the world-renowned dive site Raja Ampat in Papua. The recent emergence of popular spots on the islands, including Ora Beach, serves as a pleasant reminder of how beautiful this part of Indonesia is. The main diving sites in Ambon, where
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June 23, 2016
most of the dive operators are, are a very comfortable 10-15 minutes’ drive from the airport. On my two visits there, I chose to stay first at the main Ambon bay and then around 40 minutes away to get closer to other great dive sites. In both places, underwater photographers have the real luxury of accessing a secure camera room with special facilities, including high pressure air nozzles to help dry camera rigs, as well as camera bags that staff will take back and forth to the dive. On each dive, it is immediately noticeable that, as with other great small critter (macro) dive sites in the continent, most of the Ambon bay sites have black or dark sandy bottoms, which sets quite high expectations as to what critters might be encountered. Nobody had to wait long as, within the first minutes of the first dive, two rare rhinopias, famously dubbed the “gem of Southeast Asian
diving”, were sighted sitting close to each other. Within three diving days, apart from the all-impressive Weedy and Paddle Flap Rhinopiases, the dives were graced with the presence of almost all rare critters an underwater photographer could dream of, such as Harlequin shrimps, countless Bumblebee shrimps (yes, countless), Imperator Shrimps hitching a ride, coconut octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish and nudibranchs in all colors and sizes, including Pikachu nudibranchs. Besides these encounters, the abundance of other specific critters reminded everyone of the richness of Ambon’s waters. Frogfish of
different types were encountered on almost every dive, such as Painted, Warty, Clown and Hairy Frogfish. Underwater photographers can really have a field day in Ambon; the topography of most sites is gentle slopes with little or close to no current, and they are typically less than 10 meters deep. The whole experience was a fuss-free indulgent diving holiday during which almost all of the non-relaxing diving routine was taken away from divers, making it relaxing not only mentally but also physically. The first class services offered by the dive operators made the trip a real holiday.