News from Bali Update

Katrinka reads a lot of local news and commentary and turns me on to a bit of it. Here's something she just forwarded me from where she is now in the Bay Area.

Om Swastiastu ...


With August foreign tourist arrivals now in hand, we can begin to assess the impact of airport closures caused by the Mr. Raung volcano.


Last week a purse-snatcher in Seminyak was set upon and beaten to death by his intended victim, a female Chinese tourist, assisted by a group of bystanders. On the other side of the Island in Sanur, an Italian tourist unhappy with what he considered rude service at a local “warung”, decided to stab the proprietress.

Who said you can’t legislate love? The anger and indignation in some sectors over a gay wedding at a luxury resort in Ubud show little sign of abating. The hotel involved is publishing large public apologies while police are threatening to make a scapegoat of a hapless female sales executive working at the Resort.

Bali’s deputy-governor says rules are being drafted to compel foreign workers in Bali to speak Indonesian.

Indonesia’s Maritime Affairs Minister announces she is considering a moratorium on all private sector reclamation projects. Will this include the controversial Benoa bay project?

The Bali Post has conducted a public opinion survey showing widespread displeasure with how the Government is handling the rabies outbreak. A new early warning tsunami tower installed at Kedungu brings to 9 the number of towers now in operation in Bali. The BMKG is asking the public to conserve water as Bali’s drought continues to worsen. And, Police are warning that motor vehicles staying in Bali more than 3 months need to convert their license plates to Bali registration numbers.

Indonesia has committed to spending US$244 million on tourism promotion in the coming year.

Bali Safari & Marine Park combines local ‘Tumpek Kandang’ celebrations with World Animal Day.

Bali’s deputy-governor has angrily denies that Bali is selling dog meat to dealers in Jakarta.

Cruise News: Foreign-flagged cruise ships are now authorized to carry passengers on port-to-port cruises wholly within Indonesia. And, the Province of Bali wants to build a cruise port in North Bali.

Aviation News: Tigerair Australia is certified as “Australian-owned” and eligible to fly between Australia and Bali. Avoiding a possible shutdown for Indonesian AirAsia X, Indonesia AirAsia is preparing to close and merge with Indonesia AirAsia X.