BALI latest updates

Om Swastiastu ...
Read the full report at: http://www.balidiscovery.com/update/update766.asp

Another Bali Update chock full of news from the island of Bali.

Topping this week's news: Bali judges continue to give out sentences to drug dealers harsher than those requested by prosecutors. On the other side of the coin, Australian Scott Rush received the welcomed, albeit bittersweet news, that his death sentence has now been commuted to life in prison.

2 leading tourism officials have been sent to jail for one year each for corrupting promotional funds; the Fremantle to Bali Yacht ended on May 10th with a gala party in Sanur; and American Idol winner Lee DeWyze performs at the AYANA Bali Resort and Spa.

Legal threats and counter threats from legislators of demolition are hurled as the Best Western Kuta Resort saga continues. Meanwhile, another showdown is brewing at Nusa Dua over the future of the under-construction Beach World Complex.

Bali residents are demanding a larger say in how the island's tourism is managed. Residents around the GWK Cultural Park want answers on why the park remains uncompleted almost 15 years after its commencement. Similarly, residents living near the Bedugul Botanical Gardens are planning to charge people traveling on their road on the way to the park's entrance.

Read how concerned students from the Bali International School are bringing water to a remote village in Bali's north; why sea salt production is becoming a lost art in Tejakula; and why illegal vehicle operators in Kuta are being blamed for traffic jams.

We've got an installment of "Bali by the Numbers" looking at the impact of population migration to Bali.

Environmental news examines the state of Bali's reefs, the effect of rising oceans on our shoreline, how diminishing wood supplies are affecting Bali's handicraft business and the success story of the Bali Begawan Foundation's struggle to save the Bali Starling.

Last week, President Yudhoyono toured conference and shopping venues in Nusa Dua.

Hotel News: Governor Pastika declares his desire to reduce the number of expatriates working in the hotel sector. The Aston Denpasar Hotel and Convention Center celebrates its 3rd anniversary. The Ubud Hanging Garden Resort gets a two-month reprieve from an order to cease operations. And Stenden University in Bali is offering a scholarships to deserving Indonesian student in tourism studies.

In the aviation sector – Merpati is waiting for a much-needed US$63.6 million cash injection from the government.

Here's some coming events covered in this week's Bali Update:
• The Gala Première of "Regalia – The Enchanted Forest" has been postponed from May 14th to its new date of June 4th.
• On Thursday, May 19th the French Quartet Phidias performs in free concert the Mozaic Restaurant in Ubud.
• The Nikko Bali Resort and Spa annual golf tournament returns on June 4th at the Bali Golf and Country Club.
• MTA Travel from Queensland Australia is operating a 7 night tour focusing on textiles, handicrafts and cuisine September 10-17, 2011.

Readers in Bali and Australia - we're offering free transfers to anywhere in Bali when you purchase Virgin Blue from Bali Discovery.


Om Çanti Çanti Çanti Om ...

J.M. Daniels - Bali Update
Bali Discovery Tours