BALI…Latest Updates…Om Swastiastu ...

Dominating everyone’s thinking in Bali at the moment is the bubbling caldera of Mount Barujari at Mt. Rinjani in Lombok. Volcanic ash clouds caused Bali’s Airport to close from Tuesday until Thursday of last week, and again during the evening hours of Sunday night. Clearly, the Lombok volcano continues to pose a threat to the Island’s tourism industry. We have three articles covering the volcano to Bali’s east and the havoc it’s playing on Bali.

Important breaking news this week is that Bali’s immigration office has responded to widespread complaints and rescinded an earlier order announcing visitors would only be allowed two visa-free or visa-on-arrival in a 12-month period. Bali is back to the status quo with these facilities now available virtually without limit to tourist visitors.

Other leading stories of the week: A 64-year-old Canadian has committed suicide in a Kuta hotel room. And, an East Java Junior High School boy has fallen to his death from the balcony of a Denpasar hotel.

There’s continuing coverage on the internationally notorious Indian serial killer caught in Bali. Read of his manacled return to India and the run-in with the law experienced by Indian journalist in Bali to cover that extradition.

Bali’s Chief of Police asks the public to report any members of his corps seen to be acting in an arrogant manner. Bali’s Governor announces that starting in 2016 many Provincial offices will be powered by solar panels.

This week’s update has the latest installment of “Bali by the Numbers” showing a robust recovery in September following airport closures in August due to the Mt. Raung explosion.

Aviation News: A Batik Air flight ran off the runway in Yogyakarta last week in the latest in a long line of poor landings by aircraft operated by the Lion Air Group. Undeterred, Lion Air announces plans to offer flights in 2016 between Bali and three Mainland Chinese Cities. And, Garuda moves ahead with plans to offer free WiFi on all its flights.

Hotel News: The Ritz-Carlton Bali has opened their signature spa. The Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay has announced its 2016 program of visiting practitioners. And The Laguna Resort and St. Regis Bali on Friday evening held a “Great Gatsby” appreciation party for the media and industry colleagues.

The King of Badung who died in heroic opposition to Dutch Colonial Forces in 1906 has been officially named a national hero.

The Bali Safari and Marine Park celebrates National Flora and Fauna Day with kids from two local orphanages.

We know some news stinks. Take for instance our coverage of an emergency landing in Bali last week of a cargo airplane operated by Singapore Airlines. Read on.

I also have my say; now have yours. Read my editorial on why Australians should be given visa-free status in Indonesia.

A special note of thanks to our many readers who took the time to write in and wish Bali Update well on its 1,000th edition last week.

Looking Ahead:

• Joint exhibition of 10 Artists at The Griya Santrian Gallery in Sanur through November 30, 2015.
• Pearls of North Bali – an exhibition in the Lobby of the Conrad Bali Resort  through January 10, 2016.
• ‘Bali Carnaval’ and Wedding Exhibition November 12-15, 2015
• Save the Balinese Language! Join a World-Wide Simulcast on Saraswati Day, November 27, 2015
• “Lifetime” – an Exhibition of Wood Carvings made from the Roots of Frangipani Trees by Mickael Obrenovitch at Pullman Bali December 8, 2015 until March 6, 2015.
• Asian Heritage Network to Meet in Denpasar and Yogyakarta January 8-12, 2016.
• 2016 Interhash Run in Bali May 19-22, 2016
• Registration ope for the 2016 Bali & Beyond Travel Fair June 23-26, 2016. 

 

Om Çanti Çanti Çanti Om ...

J.M. Daniels,
Editor Bali Update
Bali Discovery Tours