Bali Updates April

Om Swastiastu ...


Hope those of our readers who celebrated Easter had a joyous holiday, certain in the belief of eternal life. Selamat Hari Paskah!

Meanwhile, we ignored the distraction of chocolate bunnies grazing on our desks to prepare this edition of Bali Update.

Leading our news this week is the tragic story of a young Swedish tourist who perished in a climbing accident last week on Mt. Batur. There are also articles on a feared increase in dengue fever over the coming months and an Australian trade unionists facing an uncertain future as he stands trial for bringing marijuana into Bali.

Money-money-money is in the news this week. In two separate stories, read how Bali is demanding a share of visa-on-arrival revenues and also a chunk of the substantial profits earned by Bali's airport. Both Immigration fees and airport management profits are currently remitted 100% to Jakarta.

On April 1st (no fooling) a new comprehensive traffic code came into effect nation-wide. Hefty fines and prison time await those who get caught using their hand phone while driving or are accused of driving recklessly. Wait a minute, we thought driving recklessly was de rigueur in Bali.

Other articles ask if Bali is losing its cultural identity through a failure to enforce architectural rules; a very modest VAT refund system for shoppers commenced on April 1 in Bali and Jakarta; Denpasar is working to improve road and drainage infrastructure; and efforts are underway to preserve the memory of Indonesia's first President in Tampaksiring.

Hotel news include the celebrations of Ayana Resort's first anniversary under its new brand; the launch of another new brand on a familiar hotel via the Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort; and how an Indonesian political congress has filled most Sanur area hotels.

Mark your calendars. There's a bodybuilder's competition coming to Denpasar on May 15th and an exhibition by French Artist Guy Roussille from April 10-17.

Be sure to read Andrew Grant's thoughtful reflections on how to give back when living abroad as an expatriate.

Finally, note down the number 1120. That's a new SMS number for filing instant reports and complaints with the Bali police.

Just some of the stories in this week's Bali Update.

Read the full report at: http://www.balidiscovery.com/update/update708.asp



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