Underpass To Be Constructed To Parse Congestion in Southern Part of Bali

When you are riding motorbike from your hotel in Kuta to tourist destinations you will notice that the road is so crowded. Even you often moan because you need to struggle with the congested road. Bali government besides launching Bus Trans Sarbagita also proposes to build underpass at Dewa Ruci Junction to solve this problem.

On November this plan which cost the government IDR 300 billion will start to be executed. The land acquisition will be finished on October and the land owner has been given understanding that this project is for sake of infrastructure. As described by detikNews.com, the government has acquired 6200 sqm land around Dewa Ruci area for the sake of upcoming underpass construction.

This underpass which will be 450 meters in length, 18 meter in width, and 5,2 meter in height will be located exactly under the current by pass. Based on the schedule this Dewa Ruci underpass in Badung-Bali is targeted to be finished on November 2013 before the date of APEC International Conference in which Bali will be the host of this big event. Since this underpass will be one of supporting accommodations of APEC Conference.

Balinese especially youngsters welcome positively this idea since it can minimize the congestion. Though they also think that underpass is not a solution if it is not followed by the activation of public transportation, they wish underpass will work to parse the congestion.

Let’s see in 2013, whether or not the congested road especially in southern part of Bali can be minimized by the existence of Dewa Ruci underpass. What do you think?

source:http://blog.baliwww.com

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Tanah Lot, To Open 24 Hours

Tanah Lot still has the allure that this sacred sea temple is never empty of visitor. From morning till afternoon, this magical destination is flocked by tourists, locals and foreigners. And after exploring the sea temple standing on the water and watch the golden sunset they will return home. Night is not so attractive. But it will change soon.

The management will give opportunity for those who want to experience Tanah Lot at night. Thus, they plan to install 100 lamps in several spots. “This year we focus on the lightings and we predict this project will cost 1 Billion Rupiah,” said Tanah Lot Operational Manager, Made Sujana. Further he said that this project will give the option to the travelers who have no time in the morning to visit Tanah Lot.

“If the visitors usually enjoy the sunset only but after the lightings is installed, they can watch the show of Kecak dance or savor the dinner at restaurant situated around the beach,” Made Sujana added.

He also mentioned that the installation of 100 lamps will be done into two areas; each will have 50 lamps. 50 lamps will be installed around the beach to lighten up the exotic temples. When the temple on the rock is lightened it will give dramatic effect. In the meantime another 50 lamps will radiate the parking area. Hence from the first spot of this destination, the visitors will feel enthusiastic and it will last when they leave this place.

Tanah Lot’s Management also urges the local government to install the lamps along the entrance way to Tanah Lot. “Especially the long road Mungu-Beraban, it needs more lightings and maintenance of the broken road,” Sujana explained.

This refurbishment will result in the new Tanah Lot. This sacred temple for Hindu community to pray as well as majestic destination that will hypnotize more tourists will be planned to open for 24-hour nonstop.

source:blog.baliwww.com

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Bali Predominate Craft Export

The creativity of Balinese craft in creating various artistic craft to fulfill the demand of international market has already well known by the overseas importer. Kasubdin of foreign trade of Bali Trading department, Ni Wayan Kusumawathi said “various craft of Bali have a great demand in international market, especially in Uni Eropa, United States, Japan and some other Asian countries”

She affirm that realization value of various craft of Bali on January to July 2007 period was 138.814.257,19 US dollars, it raised 14, 20 percents from the same period at 2006 which was only 121.548.851,09 US dollars. Further, she tells that these acquirement of exchange foreign come from 17 commodity. Silver ornament, wood statue, ceramics, bamboo craft, waxy craft and painting sold to 79 countries in the world. Various commerce of art goods made in Balinese craft maker still predominate crafting export to international markets. As a prove, the average of Bali export commodity value keep increasing.

She explained more that the commodity of music equipment increasing until 105,73 percent and the value of wood craft export increase 29,18 US dollars from 43.445.011,81 US dollars. While commodity of silver craft in form of rings, necklace, circle and ear stud during January to July 2007 period have yielded foreign exchange 1.403.018,70 US dollars or rising 3.3210,03 percent compared to the same period in 2006which only yielded foreign exchange 41.011,60 US dollars. PT

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Tourism is The Commander; Sound from Behind of Bali Shimmer

By IBM. Dharma Palguna
Tourism is commander. That is what people said, not us. We listen what people said then we imitating. If we want to honest, Bali is leading to The Commander inauguration. And we proud of it, cause we have been desperately waiting a leader figure for along time. Without a leader in our life, we are like an orchestra without conductor. Our music life is no other that chaos it self. The tourism commander, we hope could lead us out of this multidimensional crisis. 

And for that purpose, we are all ready to sacrifice more for the commander. Besides sacrificing is the point/core of our school education, tourism has given us international identity as human with high culture, unique custom, paradise of the world, island of thousand deities, natural artist, and more other remarkable epithet. Those international identities that w-e got, and we used as a basic to build a new civilization which is unclear of the form. But we stand up proudly. We are ready to become a teacher for other region in this country which is still working hard to build their tourism business. Except tourism, what else we still belonging to be given to the world?

We owe imagery to the glorious tourism. Because before tourism coming, our ancestor known as savage society, which were burning widows remained husband death, exile or separate a mother bearing twin baby of boy and girl, throwing member of a village out of the village, burning other people’s property and also war between country sides in physical and mystique. Alhamdulilah (thanks god), tourism has scraped off that bad imagery. So, with all the potencies we have been increasingly saleable to sell. We must pay that imagery debt at this present. And we will. Because paying our debt is part of our teaching from our parent since we were child through various ritual method.

For us, tourism has become a teacher. It’s a real teacher, not just an imaginary teacher. We learn foreign language, new culture; new standardize ethics and manner until new taste of tongue. Tourism also often offers a new sight of life, a kind of adventurer spirituality. Whereas our original spirituality is a spirituality people live permanently, with a clear space of boundary and very tightening. The adventurer spirituality has enriched our agrarian spirituality. It can be seen from the changing of our perspective in life. We start thinking now. But no matter how far our thinking has flied, finally we must return to custom den. It was where we born and we are thought to choose our die. And before death, we will surely pay our debt to the tourism teacher.

According the custom, a debt to a teacher must be paid with devotes which the point is making the teacher happy. Ethically, relation between teachers his student based on affection and obedient. Teacher gives us affection abundance and mind protection. We feel safe under teacher’s protection. Because all responsibilities we could easily give it to the teacher wisdom. Such as; environmental damaged and ethics declines is not our responsibility, it is the responsibility of the teacher.

Student pays his debt with a total obedient. We show our obedient by not stepping across his authority. If he wanted more amount of land, wet or dry, we will deliver it without thinking twice. It is really harmonious relationship. its hardly in harmony and doesn’t leave space for con- flict. Coincidentally, we are men who love peace very much and living avoids conflicts. There for, our relationship with tourism as a pair of lover who has just made love for the first time. Everything is beautiful. Nothing could separate both of us.

Honestly, the relation of teacher- tourism with us as student is not going in balance. Strong and weak. The strong one pulls the weak one. Of course, the teachertourism was stand in strong position. Our weakness that make it strong and getting stronger. We keep trying to make him happy. We submit our heritage land, river, mount bank, chastity, holiness and etc. We have done total devoting; there is no more space remain which was not explored yet by him. Later, we would not endow this land now still exist to our kids, but proudly we would endow a commander who at the same time as a teacher called tourism. Hopefully, our descendants receive it proudly and appreciate our tiring devotion who would be ancestor at the future.

Until nowadays, teacher-tourism still love to receive devotions. Hence, he abundance award in form of material prosperity. By that material prosperity we renovate our holy building, we also make a bigger and various ritual. It is really harmonic relationship of teacher and student. That all we know about it’s up to now. We don’t know if there are many things hidden behind it. Cause we are not a designer. We are not investor, we are just worker. Some small conflict happens. Each con- flict we solve it prudently and very adult. We give in for miraculous utterance: for the shake of tourism.

Never asking for how long it harmonies could hang on. In our environment has born people with a short thinking. Just enjoying what present. Leave it future to the “time” Isn’t true that time is deity, Kala deity who we scare to and for that reason we worship to?

There is teacher keep moving and there are permanent teacher. Teacher that keep moving we call as kuntul anglayang, flying stork. He is downward in a fertile and beautiful rice field. After satisfied he continue flying toward other new promising rice field. Searching the tracks of flying stork is like looking for a day before the day which has elapsed. The big trouble will emerge when in the future the teacher-tourism has been inconvenient again at us and leave us to become teacher in other place. We will not be able to his responsibility. Cause he of course has resided and don’t know where. We are going to be like a student that lost his teacher in fact, we don’t graduate the lesson yet.

Word of “guru” in our language meant “heavy”. Living with teacher-tourism is difficult. When he died it would be heavier. Its from a heavy condition toward other heavier. So that the journey of our destiny. As a good student, we hardly depend on teacher. A critics student commonly hated by the teacher. Thanks god we are not critics student but a good student.

Beside as the teacher, tourism has rolled as a parent feeding to their children. In our custom, a child is claimed to obey his parent, not only when his parent still alive but also after his parent die. As a good child we have shown up devotes to tourism. We have never been disaffected him. A disaffected child would be cursed the old fellow. One or two child has ever tried to be critical. They didn’t criticize tourism but the investor. But we rarely know how investor shut them up. They work like a ghost. They are existing but invisible. Suddenly an area has been their authority.

And suddenly we are forbidden entering it. Although passing through it, we have been considered to bother comfort of foreigner. We never know what to do while facing “ghost” like that. Coincidently, there many real “ghost” in our island. There for the investor could be easily to camouflaging their self. It confusing us, which spirit we must submit this offering. We nearly could not differentiate between the real and the imitation.

It is unavoidable. We have deep debt to teacher-tourism. And the teacher has become the commander what else we can do except being his soldier. A soldier duty is fighting against all enemies groaning power the area of glorious tourism. The commander has shown enemies that should be watched. Any social distortion, no matter how small, is the enemy that potentially annoying tourism blood. Hence, social distortion not only being watched but also depressed and hidden. It is just example. There are many more enemies that was considered could threatening the royal of the commander. We will not enlist it. Because, its anxious we entangling people we recognized.

But don’t worry. We are enough knowing our self. Few of us that were alienated from the shimmer of tourism, it will not threatening the tourism continuity (ajeg). Nevertheless we create a poem about loneliness. We also never publicize I, like as pamphlet. We just keep it under our pillow. We do not want to annoy the feeling of our family and neighbors that their kitchens smoke from it. They will fulminate and angry. This life has been difficult, so don’t make it worse. Tourism just a field of economical thing, that a field to get money for their family. It is not concerning ideology. Not tradition, culture, civilization, “keajegan” and continuity. Those things are the business of “abstract” people that only understand what they do not need.

One only in awhile, we would real those poem. Small voice. Just in the deep of heart. We absolutely realize, what we really facing is not the commander. But our own family, our own neighbors. We are not willing to fight against our family and our neighbors. Hence, we let the commander as it is. Do we fail? No, we don’t. We just find. Does the commander win? No, he doesn’t. He is usual. We are a couple of lover who never bored to make love. On the sea, on the lake, on the river, on the hill, on the mount, in the temple, in market, every where we passing we make love. Not a piece of bomb could separate our hugging. Its not an erotic island but a home of tourist.

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2007 End of Year Wrap

The Wrap of 2007!
Bali is going through an amazing culinary journey. Not that many years ago the food offerings in Bali were mostly devoid of taste and value, both locals and foreigners operating restaurants that they believed presented cuisines of the world. Only one thing was missing, and that was the professional knowledge that can only come by experience, having been trained at the highest level.

The Bali of today boasts of many top-flight chefs. As many as can often be found in cities four times its size. Most, of course, work in the ever-increasing number of 5 star and boutique hotels and luxury villa complexes that seem to be opening almost monthly, all over the island. Others are finding their own style of peace in Bali, opening restaurants of their own, at both ends of the scale, classic dining down to great value mid range dining. As important is the ever increasing number of experienced restaurateurs who are arriving, to drive the revolution!

The BaliEats web site [www.balieats.com] now lists restaurants of some 54 different cuisines, the majority of which present high quality food at an amazingly low cost. During 2007 another 85 new restaurants opened in Bali that were of sufficient interest and quality to feature in my regular column in The Bali Advertiser. The following is a summary of the best of them.

Because of the high concentration of large 5 star hotels in the Nusa Dua and Tandjung Benoa area there has always been a lack of outside credible options. Needless to say many of the hotels have 5 or 6 outlets offering a variety of cuisines in order to keep their guests on the premises. The old city used to offer a range of moderately priced options, to tempt guests outside of the comfort of their hotels. This area suffered most from the Bali calamities, earlier in the decade, and only now shows signs of new life, but their entrance from the Nusa Dua hotel complex had currently been sealed off.

The Bali Collection replaced the Nusa Dua Gallery but has not been over-endowed with custom. One of its better restaurants, Tepi Laut, has moved recently to a more prominent position close to the main entrance, changed its name to Gedong Cafe and presents great value high quality cuisine. Their Giant Seafood Grill is one of their most popular offerings. In the old village the new Laguna Garden is typical of most, offering many different cuisines, what we call a tourist menu. Originally all menus in this area were in 3-4 languages, now almost without exception a Russian translation has been added.

At one of the newest hotels, Nusa Dua Novotel, which borders the golf course, is The Square, which considering the name is a strangely oval space with quite a range of modern and innovative cuisine at very reasonable prices for a hotel, Pomegranate-glazed Quail an example. Down in Tandjung Benoa is Lucky Duck, which not surprisingly features duck on the menu, done many different ways. Whilst the Duck Burger and the Duck Pizza are most unusual, Roast Duck, Confit of Duck and a Grilled Duck with an orange glaze are far more traditional. There is also their version of Ubuds Crispy Duck.

Tuban saw the arrival of old Kuta stalwart, Mini. Almost as big as the still functioning original but modern, clean and sparkling. This Mini has the same menu mix of live seafood, grilled or pan-fried, a myriad of accompanying dipping sauces, and a full menu of Indonesian Chinese favourites, all at reasonable prices. Their Mixed Seafood Special of Prawns, Fish, Crab, Squid, Clams and Lobster meat at Rp. 94,000++ is a showstopper!

Ifiori opened on the site of the ill-fated Wet, in Jln. Kartika Plaza, in front of Waterbom Park. It is a two level restaurant offering good value Italian food, and under the same management as Pappas in Legian. Further along at the Ramayana complex is Gabah, which was initially under the direction of Patrick Chauchereau [ex Lola].

At Kuta all of the restaurants that opened were out on the new Bypass, Sunset Road, although many of those who originally opened there have already closed. The later ones are more grand and with more experience behind them. Sushi Tei is a branch of Japans largest Sushi franchise which includes the first sushi train in Bali. The a la carte selection is enormous, some traditional others modern and with unusual combinations. The Grill House is Korean and features Bulgogi, marinated beef that you cook at the table, or you can grill Modemgui [Japanese style Shasliks], Sweet Beef or Pork Ribs [Doeji Galbi] on the grill in the centre of your table.

Harmony looks like a Chinese restaurant and it is except that all the meat [beef, pork, duck and chicken] and seafood [fish, prawns and squid] dishes are vegetarian versions thereof. They are all made from soya bean but presented as the real thing, and in many cases with the authentic sauces and flavouring they almost deceive. There is Beijing Smoked Duck, Babi Panggang [roasted pork], Cumi Tong Yam [squid with a tangy Cantonese sauce], and even imitation sardines, Ikan Sardencis with chilli and tomato, which happens to be just about their most popular dish.

The Seminyak-Kerobokan area had its usual rush of new restaurants, some totally new but most replacing previously failed ones. The Chat Café, under the guiding hands of Marinos [ex Mykonos Tavernas] led the way with a café/lounge bar that worked from the first week. Apart from cheap tasty food they also offer free internet, as do an ever-increasing number of cafes and small restaurants in Bali, though so far mostly in the Seminyak and Ubud areas. Just down the road is Café Marzano, totally Italian, featuring wood-fired pizzas, pastas galore and many Italians.

Nirvana opened on the site of the old Spy Bar, a stylish bar at the front and French restaurant in the rear garden courtyard. Across the road was the immediately successful San Marco Osteria, which closed prematurely due the tragic sudden death of Mr. Sin.

On the main road the old Afghan restaurant re-opened as Kholifar with similar offerings of Middle Eastern cuisine such as entrees of Lahem Bilajeen [three crisp fried pastry shells stuffed with a spicy lamb mince], mains of Chicken or Mutton Vegetable Korma [with onions, potatoes, green chillies, garlic and ginger, all slowly cooked] or a high fibre vegetarian dish, Chole Maslah [chickpeas, tomato, onion and garlic]. All to be enjoyed whilst seated amongst Arabian and Persian carpets. The Swedish Veranda became the Brazilian Rio [under Finnish management] offering a full Brazilian Churrasco [5 salad starters followed by 7 different meats all cut from the giant skewer, after being cooked in the flames. Includes a Pork in Marsala and a perfect Australian tenderloin, as well as an interesting selection of a la carte items.

Kerobokan hosted its usual rash of new restaurants, many of which have already closed. Those remaining include Med with a Pecan-crusted Chicken with a honey orange cream sauce or Moroccan Prawns with a tabouleh cous-cous and a spicy harisa, and Sasa offering entrees such as Sepplioline alla Griglia con Patate e Insalata [grilled baby squids served with a warm potato salad] or a home-made pasta such as Fettuccine con Gamberi [with king prawns with wine and herbs]. Café Bali opened in colonial style premises next to big brother, Khaima, offering entrees from around the world.

Others on Eat Street included Fresh, a sushi bar operated by the ex-manager of the very popular trendy Wasabi of a few years back [extraordinary California Rolls wrapped around Foie Gras, duck liver and mango with hazelnuts, as well as other options including Spicy Butterfish or Salmon, Scallop and Cream Cheese]. Mezzo became only the 2nd on the street to offer cool air-conditioned premises as well as the first with a rear garden courtyard. It has simple food well presented, including very cheap full breakfasts, and special coffee blends, including Ethiopian, making it a place to constantly return to.

Grocer & Grind provided something very different with its very Australian bistro style and accompanying deli. Normal egg breakfasts; Benedict, Florentine or just Eggs with choice of bacon, lamb sausage, mushrooms or rosti. For lunch; snacks, salads or a perfect Panini on Ciabattini. Dinner is all change with casual bistro dining such as their Prawn Cherviche, juicy prawns tossed with sliced mango in coriander, meaty Lamb Sausages or large very tender Lamb Shanks.

In the Sentosa Villas was Blossom, something so new for Bali! From the designers of Australias trendy Longrain restaurants there are similarities but this one has style and class! It began with wonderful Thai food from Will Meyrick and quickly established itself as one of Asias finest! Within a few short months Blossom achieved what many others fail to do at all, yet a management decision saw the departure of their chef. A ready replacement was fortunately available; Chris Patzold, well known to Balis diners after being the original chef at Ku de Ta [back when the food was both great and cheap] and subsequently at Axiom. The most popular Thai offerings have been retained but now with the addition of the Patzold signature dishes. Best of both worlds!

On the Petitenget side was Eropa Warung with French food at warung prices and Da Margherita with classical Italian dishes, also very reasonably priced. Dahana, still a secret to most in Bali, was the surprise of this area. It is a private house and gallery that hosts a family-style Japanese restaurant in a garden setting. Almost hidden behind a white wall and private entrance.

Around the back of the Kerobokan Jail a totally authentic Hungarian restaurant to be found, Bistro Budapest, featuring Gulyasleves [Goulash] in every form. The famous soup combines beef, carrots and potato in a rich paprika broth, but there are also many forms with stewed meat; Sertesporkoct [pork], Paprikascsirke [chicken], Marhaporkoct [beef], and for the vegetarians, Gombaporkoct with mushrooms.

Renon, Denpasar, saw the opening of Kowloon, quickly changing its name to Feyloon. Genuine Cantonese food, specializing in seafood from the many live tanks around the walls.

Sanur continued its revival. New restaurants such as the Russian Slavyanka offer a new variety in fine dining [Shaved Frozen Venison with a pinch of salt, Caviar of every type, Chicken Livers with apple and onion and the Ukranian Borsh [a hearty soup of pork, potatoes cabbage, onion, carrot and beetroot]. SixPoint opened with a very International menu [they are an offshoot of Papas] that included Grilled Turkey Breast. Coriander has a range of Thai cuisine, Red and Green Curries, Tod Mun Pla [fish cakes], Yum Neau [seared marinated beef strips with cooling cucumber], among its International offerings. Piccadilly replaced the long gone Mykonos, more of a pub than restaurant. The Porch Café offers wonderful sandwiches, salads and small daily specials.

The revolution in Ubud slowed to a walk. No wonder with so many new places opening over the past 5 years. In Sanggingan is Man Maru opened, mainly Japanese [wonderful terryaki] with a few spicy Korean offerings [sliced lotus bulb]. Up on the hill at Penestanan was one of the finds of the year. Mendez, longtime personal chef for Warwick Purser, opened his own small warung offering Goat Legs and Beef Ribs, using old Yogya recipes, simmering for hours then marinating in Javanese spice pastes. Sweet tender meat, wonderful value in simple surroundings. $10 for two, what value!

Candi Dasa continued to slowly get its act together. The revamped Rama CandiDasa opened Garpu, under the direction of Patrick Chauchereau [ex Lola]. At that stage the food presented was quite exceptional, wonderful breads baked on the premises, pates en croute, etc. Now we wait with baited breath for the opening of Patricks new bistro restaurant in Seminyak, Feb 2008! A quiet achiever in the northern part of Candi Dasa was Aquaria, a New Zealand operation with just a choice of two dishes, entrée, main and dessert, for lunch and dinner [one always a vegetarian option] at their pleasant small boutique hotel. Simple food and great value in a pleasant relaxed location.

Amed continued its opening and re-opening of small locally operated warungs. The successful Wayans Warung opened a 2nd, Café Cest Bon, opposite Santai, TPC became Maharasti II, the rebuilt Vienna Beach now offers a smart restaurant with new immaculately clean kitchen, and some of the best beach views in the area. For something completely different another New Zealand operation began at Sails [eventually to be a part of the Horizon Resort], on the headland between Lipah Beach and Lean. It has sensational ocean views. Some Western [Steaks and Ribs], some Indo Chinese [Chicken Mandarin] but all cooked a little different from other local places, a cut above the rest!

Lovina saw the demise of a few and the arrival of a whole host of newbies; Amadeus has an Austrian influence, Wiener Schnitchels and Goulash on certain days. Down at the beach is a mall place with value, Tropis Bistro, with the chef and menu from the old Kwizien [Pate des Ardennes, Steak Rocquefort, etc.]. Surprising newcomer is Chonos, a BBQ restaurant with a difference! A tray of lava stones are inlaid into the top of smart wooden tables, seated above a gas ring. Order your meats and show what you can do. This place is going to become very popular! Congrats to people who dare to be different!

Once again, 2008 promises much. A new Thai restaurant, opposite Gado-Gado, and a French Bistro with one of Balis greatest chefs, both in Seminyak. To cap it all off the return of the prodigal one more time, small select Thai, Vietnamese and Malay Indian menus at Will Meyricks new venture [site of the old Esmerada] in Jln Petitenget, Kerobokan.

Bali just keeps on getting better, and the great value remains the same!

Gerry Williams
gerry@balieats.com

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RI welcomes Germans first in 2008

German couple Michel and Jennifer Franchon Bernard did not expect they would be greeted by a crew of friendly airport staff members and a Sundanese jaipongan dance troupe upon arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on New Year's Day.

"What a surprise. We are very happy. We never dreamed of this happening. I couldn't even sleep because of the holiday," Michel said.

Michel and his wife are visiting Indonesia for a two-week vacation. They said they would spend their first week in Jakarta and another week in Bali and Lombok.

Airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II picked the couple as the first air passengers to land at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for the new year.

The couple, along with 256 others, arrived in Jakarta on a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore, which landed at 10:30 a.m.

"The couple received the Indonesian government's acknowledgment as the first tourists to visit the country this year," said airport executive general manager Heriyanto.

The airport operator presented the couple with flower wreaths, PT Angkasa Pura paraphernalia, batik clothing and priority in visa-on-arrival arrangements as the first tourists for 2008.

PT Angkasa Pura president director Edi Haryoto said the special greeting was arranged in a bid to support the government's "Visit Indonesian Year 2008" program.

The government has targeted 7 million foreign visitors during "Visit Indonesia Year 2008". According to government data, 5.5 million foreigners visited Indonesia in 2006.

"Through this program, we are sure Indonesia will secure a good image in the eyes of other countries and attract more tourists to visit," Edi said.

He added the international airport received 31 million passengers in 2007, which hit the target mark.

"By reaching our target of 31 million passengers this year, we have proven we have strengthened our market position and that flying has become one of the most important modes of transportation here," Haryoto said. He said the number of passengers passing through the airport's terminals had increased from 30 million in 2006 to 31 million in 2007.

"With the support of the reconstruction of terminal III, we have targeted to reach 34 million passengers in 2008," Edi said.

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Bali Awarded as the World’s Best Island for 2007

Travel and Leisure magazine conducted a survey for their annual “World’s Best Island Awards” and for the 7th time, Bali of Indonesia emerged victorious despite the history of terrorism that engulfed the island a couple of years ago.

The World’s Best Island Award were based on: Natural Attractions, Activities/Sight, Restaurants/Food, People and Value.

Find out if our very own paradise island “Boracay” made it to the Top 10 after the jump…


TOP 10 Island Overall
(Rank 2007/Name/Score)

1 Bali-Indonesia 86.30
2 Maui 86.22
3 Kauai 85.92
4 Galapagos Islands 85.92
5 Santorini 85.82
6 Vancouver Island 85.17
7 Dalmatian Islands-Croatia 85.15
8 Phuket-Thailand 84.56
9 Hawaii 84.40
10 Great Barrier Reef Islands 83.70

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Visit Indonesia Year 2008 officially launched

Ministry of Culture and Tourism launched Visit Indonesia Year 2008 on Wednesday, with the main aim of luring up to 7 million foreign tourists and booking US$6.4 billion in foreign exchange income. The government held its first Visit Indonesia program in 1991, which was not particularly successful, increasing the number of foreign tourists by merely 400,000 from the year earlier, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). BPS data show that in 1991, around 2.5 million foreign tourists visited the country, from 2.1 million in the previous year. (The Jakarta Post)

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