Bali provincial government will receive this award at the Conrad Hotel, Hong Kong on September 10. Bali’s representative receiving this award is still being coordination between Bali Provincial Tourism and the Bali Tourism Board (BTB). The Governor Bali, I Made Mangku Pastika is expected to have a chance to go to Hong Kong as he has good understanding of Mandarin Language. His presence will hopefully help promote the Bali tourism before hundreds of invited guests

It will be the second award received by the province this year after receiving the award for World Best Island in Asia 2010” from Travel and Leisure magazine based in New York.

Tourism agency head Ida Bagus Subhiksu said he was proud of the award, saying it would promote Bali and will hopefully increase tourist arrivals in Bali.

Subhiksu said the award should motivate the island to make some improvements. “Although we have been awarded the best destination, many problems persist, mainly with regards to cleanliness and traffic jams. We should improve this.”

As of June this year, 1.2 million foreign tourists, mostly from Australia, Japan and China, have visited and stayed in Bali, a 13 percent increase from the same period last year.

Carlton J Smith

Venue: SOS Roof Top Lounge and Bar – Jl. Dyanapura -Seminyak
Event: Now till 5th September 2010
Time: 5.30pm

This is an amazing chance to see acclaimed singer Carlton J. Smith perform everyday at Sunset.

Carlton J. Smith is an amazing entertainer and performer as well as a songwriter, producer and actor often referred to as “Soul Brother Number New”. He is well known for his hard-charging R&B acts. He has an impressive resume of successes. Starting in 2002 he produced, performed and hosted a series if R&B/Soul extravaganzas in New York City at the B.B King Blues Club & Grill. He took the same show to Las Vegas for a Four Week run at The Blue Note after which He began performing on the Groove Series Show at The Blue Note back in New York City.

The success did not stop there. Carlton J. Smith has performed at top Venues from Shanghai to London. He has also performed at the side of several great singers as well as stood in for the late James Brown.

Carlton J Smith has put Bali well and truly on the map when it comes to top performers. Kick back and relax with the cocktail and enjoy the energy and rhythms of Carlton J Smith

Note: SOS = Sunset on Seminyak, at Anantara Hotel)

Aston Bali Resort and Spa which is located in Tanjung Benoa. a 4 star hotel boasting 5 star qualites have just refurbished their rooms.  They have 187  guest rooms  and 19 suites, including Deluxe Garden Rooms, Deluxe Ocean Rooms, Ocean View Suites and Ocean Front Suites.

Click here for more information about the Aston Bali Resort and Spa, their promotions and rates.

Tanah Lot Beach

Tanah Lot Beach, Kedungu, Yeh Gangga, Kelating, Pasut until Soka Beach which had quite a considerable amount of garbage were all cleaned at the same time on Friday 27^th August.   This involved thousands of locals starting from the East side and cleaning garbage towards the west side.

I Wayan Sarba, the Head of Human Relationship of Tabanan stated that this cleaned up involved not only locals but city employees, TNI officers, police officers, business men, students and fisherman.

The ‘clean up’ program started at 6.30 WITA, as part of the ‘Bali Beach Clean UP’ program. It also coincides with the 65^th Independence of Indonesia.

The ‘clean up’ program’s objectives are 1- To keep Bali natural and clean  2- To adhere to Tri Hita Karana concept of conformity of the human relationship with God and nature and 3- Support of agricultural development synergized with tourism.

Sanur Festival

Following four consecutive successful celebrations, Sanur proudly announces the return of Sanur Village Festival to take place from August 4 – 8, 2010 at the Segara Ayu beach and Inna Grand Bali Beach Sanur. “Saha Nuhur” is this year’s theme of the festival meaning “the passion to visit a holy place”. With its popularity, it’s believe that Sanur Village Festival will attract more visitors to the island of Bali this year and more importantly to map this event in the world of tourism calendars.

“We always excited to have this festival and make its one of the brand marks Sanur has from a tourists point of view. And I personally am very happy with the enthusiasm of all the committee members in making this activity bigger and better every year.” Said Ida Bagus Sidharta putra MBA, chairman of the Sanur Village Festival.

This year, Sanur Village Festival has its very own classic highlights of Bazaar & Food Festival, Jazz Festival, and 6th Sanur Golf Tournament, as well as the mostly anticipated Street Parade. The International Kite Festival and Jukung Festival would definitely entertain spectators with the artistic creations and breathtaking races.

So, don’t miss it out on the Sanur Village Festival 2010…it will truly be amazing!

Natural Hot Spring Pool Lake Batur, Kintamani

The Natural Hot Spring located near the Lake Batur, Kintamani has recently been renovated. The Natural Hot Spring is situated approximately 70kms from International Airport in Bali and offers great advantages to those wanting to revitalize their bodies.

So if you’ve be out on tours or activities and your body needs to recover, then this is a great place to unwind and let your body receive the nature treatment it deserves. Great for tired muscles, increases your blood circulation, these are just some of the benefits a day at the Natural Hot Spring can achieve.

The Lake Side Resto & Bar offers a complete service of meals from Breakfast to Dinner as well as drinking refreshments for all.

Bali Kite Festival

The 32nd International Kite Festival will be held from the 22^nd to the 25^th July 2010. This event is to take place in the coastal area of Padanggalak Denpasar.
The theme of the competition kites is “Playing Kites In Green Island”.

Participants of this festival are mainly from villages in Denpasar. The religious festival is intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to bless the crops and harvests.

Traditional kites are approximately 4 meters wide by 10 meters in length and are flown by teams of 10 or more experienced kite fliers. An orchestra will play music throughout the festival, which attracts a lot of international kite fliers, as well as tourists who come to view this amazing event.

Jerome Colson

The Ayana Resort and Spa Bali now has a new Food & Beverage Executive Assistant Manager who will be responsible for all 13 dining outlets across the award winning property. Jerome Colson the Ayana after 9 years with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company where he held management roles in Food & Beverage and most recently the Portman Ritz- Carlton in Shanghai China.

His arrival coincides with two celebrations at AYANA: AYANA’s 1st anniversary of re-branding on 1 April, and the 1st anniversary event of the Rock Bar scheduled for August the 5th. This event will unveil the new addition to the bar, which will offer patrons new seating areas as well as a second bar, increasing capacity by some two-thirds. A new product store will be launched, along with a new website and a signature Rock Bar CD put together by resident DJ Martin East.

AYANA’s General Manager Charles de Foucault said the appointment of Jerome Colson further strengthened the AYANA’s Food & Beverage management, following the arrival of Executive Chef Giordano Faggioli at the beginning of the year from the St Regis Beijing, and Food & Beverage Manager Harry Nugroho in April from the Grand Hyatt Bali.

He expects that under Ayana’s new Food & Beverage management team, AYANA’s world-class restaurants and bars will reach a higher level of personalized service to provide even better service to the guests and patrons. Jerome will also be overseeing catering for weddings as well as corporate and private functions

Gili Gili Boat Service

You can now sail to Lombok Island and Gili Islands from the Nusa Dua Area.

Gili Gili offers a new comfortable fast boat service. A Suzuki engine that offers a cruising speed of up to 35 knots powers the brand new boat.

Departure is from the exclusive beach of Nusa Dua tourism resort, so you can avoid all the headaches of traffic jams through the city crowds.

Gili Gili’s Daily Schedule is as follows…”Nusa Dua – Lombok – Gili Island” departure time is 08:30 am, and the return “Gili Island – Lombok – Nusa Dua” departure time is 12:00pm. Passenger check in time is 30 minutes before departure.

Features:

- 30 extra relaxing and reclining seats

- Spacious and Cozy Interior

- LCD TV and full music on board

- Free meal and fresh towel along the way

- Daily departure

- Free air conditioned hotel transfer coach from Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua

- Fully accredited Captain and engineers

- Friendly English speaking crew.

For reservation please contact: Global Travel Asia, Telephone: +62361766681

Aerial View of the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel

With the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa continuing the quest to improve its services and facilities sees major renovations and refurbishments taking place in the effort to upgrade rooms, the spa as well as the main pool area.

Renovations on the Superior rooms began in June 2010 and will be completed in phases. The hotel said the highest level of noise and dust will occur in the month of July however it will only last for a short period of time. Refurbishments to the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa will continue throughout the year with little disturbance to its guests. The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa plans to bring together the old and the new with trendy amenities in Balinese Architecture.

The upgrade of the Nusa Dua Spa began in April of this year with the completion of the renovation due to finish in August 2010. The new look Spa will see the launch of new treatment rooms and facilities as well as new treatment and product lines.

From the 1^st October until the 1^st December 2010 will see the renovations begin in the main pool area of the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel. While renovations are taking place in the main pool area the Lagoon Pool and Spa Pool will continue to operate as normal during these time and don’t forget the wonderful stretch of beach is also available for guests to enjoy the day and relax under the sun.