Om Swastiastu ...
read the full report at http://www.balidiscovery.com/update/update756.asp
Bali is awake, arisen from the 24-hours of absolute silence last Saturday. As a long-term resident of Bali, I heartily recommend spending 'Nyepi' - this day of quiet bliss in Paradise. As a follow-up to 'Nyepi' we have an article on 'Melasti' – just one of the several ceremonial days surrounding this special time of year.
From our news desk: A plankton die-off along Kuta beach has made that stretch of water temporarily unsuitable for swimming. The Minister of Tourism vows that the row over taxation on foreign feature films will be sorted out by the end of March. And, Bali is moving towards outlawing smoking in public areas.
The tax office is speculating on why so many companies and individuals are delinquent in filing their tax returns. The "tax light" is also being shown on the Best Western Kuta, with the Regent of Badung threatening to close that hotel in the near future.
HIV/AIDS is back in the news. As HIV rates are on the increase, Bali's governor wonders aloud why regional governments are dragging their feet in failing to close the many roadside "kafes" in Bali.
Journalists and lawyers in Bali are worried that anger is mounting over the zoning law. To help defuse the situation, they are convening a round table discussion on the RTRW on March 11th.
In development news: Bali's grape growers are literally "pulling up roots." Find out why in this week's Update. Meanwhile, coffee farming is expanding rapidly after a lapse of many years; we'll also tell you why. The new toll way connecting Serangan and Tanjung Benoa might be open by late 2011, if land acquisition problems don't get in the way.
In cruise news, read how Bali Hai Cruises has come to the rescue of visiting cruise ships and concerning data that cruise ship calls to Indonesia in general may be on the decline.
Aviation coverage brings you up to date on efforts to restart Mandala Airlines, and how Bali and Malang in East Java are now connected by daily flights.
In hotel news: Prime Plaza Hotels is opening it 4th hotel in Bali. Budget hotels are the new boom business in Indonesia according to Colliers International. W Resorts and Spa opened its door on March 1st and we've got pictures to share from that celebration. There's two major stand-offs between hotels and local citizens now brewing in Bali: one in Nusa Dua and the other in Sanur.
We also share kind -hearted notes of well-wishing on the 13th anniversary of Bali Update.
Be sure to attend the Bali International Spa and Wellness Expo in Sanur March 9-11, 2011.
All this and more in this week's Bali Update.
Om Çanti Çanti Çanti Om ...
J.M. Daniels - Bali Update
Bali Discovery Tours
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