Bali Update January

Om Swastiastu ...


Only dopes smuggle dope into Bali. This simple truth was demonstrated once again twice last week in a series of drug arrests at Bali’s airport that netted two Malaysian men and one Frenchman.

Local press reports allege the presence of a “mafia” manipulating the local courts, allowing a local businessman to illegally seize valuable private and public assets.

Heavy equipment was sent onto Kuta beach last week to remove rubbish that’s been washed ashore by high waves. Meanwhile, heavy equipment of another kind moved into a another section of Kuta to destroy decades old shade trees obstructing the view of hotel guests.

Read how Governor Pastika’s free public health system has precipitated a ten-fold increase in patients at the island’s public hospitals and prompted moves to try to overcome the log jam.

Property rights apparently will forever remain an area of contention in Bali. We have an aticle relating how local villagers are marching on a house in Petitenget demanding a family move out.

We do some numbers crunching in this edition. There’s an installment of ‘Bali by the Numbers’ that looks at arrival statistics through the end of November 2009. Meanwhile, Bali’s provincial tourism office sets a target of 2.3 million visitors for 2010.

Anak Agung Gde Agung, a man with a deep and penetrating understanding of Indonesian tourism issues, contributes his thoughts in a piece “Indonesian Tourism – a National Tragedy.”

And read our coverage of poor Chris Noth of “Sex and the City Fame.” Sure, New York is nice, but Chris is refusing to sign a new movie contract unless he can bring Sarah Jessica Parker to Bali.

Chris, we’re on your side.

For the full report go to: http://www.balidiscovery.com/update/update698.asp


Om Çanti Çanti Çanti Om ...
J.M. Daniels - Bali Update
Bali Discovery Tours