Bali News / Island’s News Updates

Delicate, beautiful, hand-embroidered lace is the trademark of Balinese brand, Uluwatu. If you have been to Bali, you might have noticed a steady stream of shoppers in a boutique in Kuta that sells clothes trimmed with exquisite lace. Many Malaysian tourists – especially those who love fine lace – are familiar with the brand Uluwatu, and apparently, it near impossible for them to visit the Island of the Gods and not bring back something from the boutique for themselves and their friends.

Uluwatu sells handmade Balinese lace made into beautiful clothing and household items. The story goes that the founder, Made Jati, (who designs each item with her sister, Nyoman Suti) named the brand PT Uluwatu after an 11th century Balinese Hindu Temple. The brand has been around for 25 years and specializes in lace-work (krawang), a fast disappearing handmade skill. The krawang motif is then added onto beautiful collections of predominantly white handmade lace clothing, gorgeous bed linen and table linens that can be kept for generations to come.

The brand has been in Malaysia since 2006 and was brought in by local company Rias Homestores Sdn Bhd (RHSB). According to Ida Fazura Datuk Megat Muhaiyadin, one of the partners of the company, (the others being Azlin Ramli and managing director, Izard Azman), they came across the brand while on holiday in Bali and fell in love with the beautiful products. However, in Malaysia, Uluwatu seems to have fallen into the “specialized” product category, rather than retail. In fact, the label has come to be known mainly for its kebayas despite carrying a large selection of contemporary clothes.

“We’re still building the brand,” says Ida. “We’re trying to get people to understand and appreciate it. There is a slight difference in the handmade lace on each piece.”

Uluwatu uses fabrics such as cotton, linen and premium quality rayon, all manufactured in the Javanese town of Bandung. Their classic designs feature feminine cut work motifs like flowers and butterflies. The selection of clothes range from long-sleeved blouses, sleeveless tops, pants, dresses and linen shift dresses, while the products consist of white cotton bed covers, sheets and pillow cases, coasters, napkins and tablecloths.

According to Izard, while linen is mainly used in Bali, rayon is the material of choice in Malaysia. And for our market, there are also designs you may not find the original collections as RHSB works with the designers to create styles it feels will appeal more to locals. We’re also more modest it seems, so you will find some interesting differences. “In Bali, the clothes are more for tourists, pieces for the beach, so they don’t mind revealing some skin. But for our market, we had lining put in the dresses, and lining under the krawang to cover the holes,” says Ida. “We do have those who prefer to have the same collection as in Bali. For example, this year for Hari Raya, we’re bringing in the kebaya pendek, but we’re not modifying it as we found customers prefer it the that way. There are those who are more daring and don’t mind wearing the original designs.”

While the brand is known for its mainly white color theme, there is also cream and black and occasional seasonal colors. Ida says they’ve tried pastels, blues and browns, though the market still shows a preference for the more neutral colors and black. If you want to dress up the muted colors, there’s a range of accessories to go with the clothes, though these don’t come under the Uluwatu label. The collection includes a range of semi-precious accessories called Ilyana, in the form of dangling earrings and ethnic styled necklaces designed by local jeweler, Precious Inez.

Ida says the current summer trend – where lace and crochet look is all the rage – is an advantage for the brand: “What people have to appreciate is that our clothes are handmade. Take a look at the quality and the detailing, that’s what sets us apart.” Can’t you just hear that perfect summer dress calling your name?

The Uluwatu boutique is located at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, Selangor. Prices range from RM99.90 to RM359.90.

News by The Star Online - thestar.com.my

Bali is increasingly developing into a center of meetings and interaction among artists and culturalists from all parts of the world, a lecturer at the Denpasar-based Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI), Prof. Dr. I Wayan Dibia, MA, said here Friday.

At different times and in different contexts, artists and culture experts from various countries meet in Bali for inter-cultural dialogs in an effort to create art works of good quality, Dibia said.

They intentionally come to Bali to absorb new aesthetic inspirations and adopt Balinese art concepts and elements to produce new inventions, he said.

“In order to prevent Bali’s local arts and cultural heritage from experiencing unexpected things, they need to be protected by such things as copyrights,” he said.

Therefore, Bali’s artists should always produce original works and at the same time improve the quality of their creations, he said.

Balinese arts and culture are changing rapidly from traditional to recreational works as well as new inventions in various forms, he said.

The artistic tastes are dynamically changing and this was making the Balinese people proud, he said.

However, he said, there was no legal protection for Bali’s arts and culture which had been bequeathed to the Balinese people from one generation to the other, Dibia said.

News by Antara - antara.co.id

The regent of Karangasem, I Wayan Geredeg, has negotiated a deal with Korean investors to construct what is touted as the largest golf course in Bali, an investor representative said this week. The 18-hole course is being planned for the Bugbug and Perasi areas and is set to cost some Rp1.4 trillion (US$153 million), and will feature a luxury hotel, said representative Candrawa Gunawa.

Karangasem government spokesman Komang Agus told a news briefing that approximately 124 hectares of farmland would have to be bought to accommodate the megaproject, but would not violate any spatial development laws. Gunawa highlighted the positive effects of the development, saying that 85 percent of the employees would be Indonesian. The investors have also agreed to build a sewage treatment plant, in cooperation with local organizations, to recycle solid and liquid waste from the area.

The project is planned to start construction in April 2009 and be finished in September 2011. I Wayan Sukadana, speaker of the Karangasem House of Representatives, said the Korean developers were welcome. “We will support them, as long as they do not violate any regulations,” he said.

News by The Bali Times - thebalitimes.com

It is a well known fact that golf is one game which encourages its 50 million players worldwide to travel extensively in search of an endless variety of golf courses and playing conditions. And Indian golfers are very aware of the potential income from inbound golf tourism into our country.

Unlike a tennis court or soccer field, which is nearly same all over the globe, none of the approximately 40,000 golf courses worldwide can be identical to another. There are mountain courses and seaside courses which look particularly attractive based on scenery and elevation changes. Then there are desert courses and courses that have been carved out of dense forests. The constant change and challenge for players generates billions of dollars of golf travel dollars worldwide. Being an outdoor sport which last for 4-5 hours per 18 hole round, golfers also travel in search of ideal weather. In the winter they leave the cold northern climates in search of the sun which makes the northern winter the season of highest revenues for tropical courses.

Asian countries have been quick to capitalize on golfers’ search for the winter sun. Besides their sun kissed beaches, our ASEAN neighbors have also developed world class courses which complement top quality hotels, restaurants and shopping. Thailand and Malaysia have cashed in on this opportunity better than anyone else through extensive facility development and global marketing efforts.

Perhaps lesser known but in no way inferior is Indonesia and Bali in particular. On the island of Bali, the Nusa Dua area is an example of a government planned community fueled by private funding — an example of public private partnership and a perfect example of how a cluster of hotels, restaurants and shopping with a world class championship course and some savvy marketing has created a successful business model.

The Bali Golf & Country Club in Nusa Dua, built in 1990 is surrounded by five top class five star resort hotels which include well known chains like St Regis and Novotel. The famous Nusa Dua beach is close by. A well laid out gated complex controls access to this master-planned resort area. Within the master-planned area is a complex known simply as the Bali collection — an assortment of restaurants, boutique and a supermarket laid out in a picturesque open air plaza — the entrance reminds you of an amusement park.

When the complex was ready, the Bali government decided to market and advertise the course through a series of world class golf tournaments. In 1994, 1995 and 1996 they hosted the Alfred Dunhill Masters which attracted worldwide TV audiences through the participation of top stars Nick Faldo, Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie and others. This quickly established the region’s attraction to golfing tourists in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Since traveling golfers expect a choice of more than one golf course, the Nirwana Bali Resort, less than an hour drive away is another world class facility with three spectacular cliff top holes where golfers have to tee off across the surf. As developers in India examine business models and make revenue assumptions based on golf tourism revenues, successful cluster models such as this one in Nusa Dua, Bali should be considered strongly.

Today in India, only Gurgaon presents a cluster of three world class golf courses which could be complemented by the old world charm of the Delhi Golf Club and Greater Noida’s Jaypee Greens. With the new international airport and new Gurgaon hotels scheduled to be completed by 2010, winter season golf tourism in Delhi should be ready to go. Combined with day excursions to Agra and Jaipur and one day sightseeing of the capital, the package should be complete.

The next two cities which might offer a package are Kolkata and Bangalore. Kolkata because it offers the experience of playing Royal Calcutta Golf Club, the oldest golf club in the world outside the British Isles along with the quaint Tollygunge Club, if combined with the Victoria Memorial, old world ambience of Bengal Club, could be particularly attractive for British Tourists looking to connect with the days of the British Raj.

Bangalore might attract new age businessmen who could combine visits to offices of Microsoft, Genpact, SAP, Infosys and Wipro with golf at the Eagleton Golf Resort, the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) club and the 150 year old Bangalore Golf Club. This could be called “The World is Flat Golf Tour” because the opening line of that best-selling book (The World is Flat) mentions the first hole of KGA where shots are aimed at the IBM office building located behind the first green.

Golf Tourism is available to any destination with a clear marketing and differentiation strategy. In Bali, the courses overlook the beaches and oceans and are well marketed. In India we can come up with our own unique selling points. If India can get a complete package, we too can make golf tourism work in our favor.

News By The Economic Times - economictimes.indiatimes.com

Grand Hyatt Bali, part of the Hyatt family, will mark the annual Hyatt event, “Celebrating Our People”, from June 12 to 14, 2008. This Hyatt International program is celebrated globally, devoting three consecutive days every year to recognizing and acknowledging employees as the company’s most important asset. These three days reinforce Hyatt’s People Philosophy through various- based activities that involve all employees and their families.

Each Hyatt hotel pairs with a sister hotel to celebrate this event and Grand Hyatt Bali’s sister hotel is Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, Hawaii. The highlight of the program is a kids’ and orphanage activity, and the planting of 100 palm trees by our Green Team, in-line with Hyatt’s commitment to the environment, called Hyatt Earth.

Approximately 60 orphans will be invited to join the activities organized for the employees’ kids, which will be held in the Coconut Garden. Together with our staff members’ families, they will share some fun and bond with each other as Grand Hyatt Bali and its employees strive to have a positive impact on the lives of the children of Bali. On June 13, 2008, Grand Hyatt Bali’s Green team will plant 100 palm trees in the East Village. These trees will be grown by the hotel and donated to the surrounding community once they mature.

This is part of Hyatt’s commitment to designing, building and managing innovative hotels that provide guests with authentic and comfortable accommodation that respects the natural environment and the local communities in which they operate around the world.

The three-day “Celebrating Our People” event at Grand Hyatt Bali will be filled with fun activities, including a fun walk, early bird breakfast, hula-hula performances by our Executive Committee and Department Head members, and a Pasar Malam Festival on the Nusa Dua Peninsula. In addition, our Executive Committee and Department Head members will serve the lunch to the employees during their breaks.

This is an opportunity to take time out of the normal operation of Grand Hyatt Bali to celebrate our people, our community and our environment!

News by e-Travel Blackboard - www.etravelblackboard.com

Think Bali, think cheap holidays? Not exactly. World-class resorts have made quiet inroads into Bali and are on the expansion trail. Rarely promoted yet tantalizing in its exclusivity, the resort of Amankila – one of three of the prestigious Aman sites on Bali – is arguably the island’s finest. And with room rates to match: from $800 a night, even off-peak. This is a side of Bali most visitors don’t expect and, because of its cost, may never experience.To reach Amankila we took a chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz limousine ride from Denpasar Airport. An hour later we were in a luxurious cliff side villa overlooking the Lombok Strait. It’s a different type of Bali, more international in its flavour and with the accent on cosseting the guest. This often means the walls of the Amankila resort are only breached upon arrival and departure.

Don’t expect cheap restaurants and lean-to clothes shops gathered around the front doors, and there is no need to prepare to fend off hawkers who insist you are Mel Gibson’s twin brother and your wife is Elle Macpherson, and that coincidence guarantees you’ll get the best deal.

Amankila, near the village of Manggis and close to the port of Padangbai, was never lost – it’s been there for 16 years – but was nevertheless “found” by my wife, who scoured southeast Asian websites for a luxury break with which to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

Talk about finding a plum. Amankila is secure and exclusive, on a hillside backing Mount Agung and overlooking the ocean to Lombok and Nusa Penida. It consists of 26 walled villas, many – like ours – with a pool and views of the ocean. Service is 24 hours, dining is extraordinarily diverse and immensely satisfying, the facilities are among the world’s best and yet it’s all delivered with genuine Balinese friendliness. Sadly, such amity is evaporating from the more popular centres of Kuta and Legion.

Despite its serenity, this part of east Bali has a tumultuous past. First, the district of Karangasem was conquered by the Dutch in 1850 and, second, in 1963 the volcano Mount Agung savagely and fatally blew its top. But from our private villa, high on the hill surrounded by palm trees and invisible to the neighbouring chalets, it was a serene vista over the sea to the islands and the leisurely sight of the occasional ship.

The villas are arranged and fitted out according to your needs and wallet. Ours came with a 15m swimming pool, courtyard sprinkled with umbrellas and decked with a day bed for curling up with a drink and a book, and a thatch-roofed house that could sleep up to four. It had a vast twin bathroom, shower area that opened to the courtyard, iPod sound and airconditioning.

Security guards slowly paced the extensive walkways – which, being tiered, up the hillside also served as an exercise track – as gardeners cultivated beautiful plants that thrived in the humidity and kitchen staff, piled high with bamboo and raffia baskets, delivered meals to walled villas.

Suites, such as ours, rate from $1225 a night plus service charges and government tax. You then add on for additional guests – in my case, two daughters – and ancillaries such as most food, all drinks and entertainment. The bill can be a shocker but there are benefits. The charge includes an a la carte breakfast which allows selection from dozens of items ranging from Japanese to English to Indonesian to healthier options.

Entry to Amankila gives you access to a string of activities. With the right deal you can have one free activity a day, including mountain biking, sailing, scuba diving or spa treatments. Amankila’s Beach Club is at the foot of the hill on which the resort stands. Beachside lounges fringe a stunning 41m swimming pool set beneath coconut palms and a huge frangipani. Swimming in the pool, often deserted by guests in favour of the three tiered pools close to the bar above, was one of my most relaxing moments. Staff will organize water sports – boogie board, kayak, windsurfer or the Hobie cat – and there’s even a lifeguard on duty.

There’s also the option of cruising farther from shore in two substantial boats – one is 15m long with a sun deck and is available for morning and afternoon sojourns, and the other is an 11m vessel which can be chartered for cruises across the bay.

Written by Neil Dowling - published on news.com.au

The Alila Manggis in Bali has just launched the Grand Panoramic Trek promotion. The adventure begins at the small village of Sidemen, surrounded by magnificent sweeping views of the largest rice paddy and farm area in East Bali. From there guests trek up to a secluded Hindu temple located at the top of Sangkan Mountain, where guests are treated to a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the valley below.

Those with an adventurous spirit can opt for a challenging walk along the mountain ridge, where the views are better still. For those who don’t have the legs or the stomach for this, an easier alternative route is available.

Journey across narrow and unspoilt walkways, invisible to most, but seen by the expert eye of the local guide and Alila’s leisure concierge, who eagerly share with you their vast knowledge of the area’s natural resources, local insects and flowers.

Throughout the trek guests will experience moments of adrenaline, excitement and solitude, but overall, an appreciation for the luxury of time and space. What a joy to hear no sound of cars, electronic devices or people. In this meditative quiet, soak in the magical sight of Mount Agung which dominates the horizon, ruling the landscape of fresh vetiver grass, alang alang, coffee, cloves, gentle flowing rivers and abundant bird life.

Along the way, learn about the various types of local rice, including the rare ‘Bali rice’ grown in this region. During the rice planting season, guests can even refresh themselves in the cool mountain waters that navigate through the farms.

Walking along the irrigation channels, guests pass by small hamlets, waving farmers and smiling children, and arrive at a sacred banyan tree. Beneath its shade, enjoy the cool breeze that whispers through the valley. Tune in to the splendorous sounds of nature. Savour the purity of the moment.

The final leg of the trek takes guests to the private villa of Italian-born author Ms. Idanna Pucci and her team for some real local hospitality. Enjoy the mountain and valley views from her beautiful home in complete relaxation. Be sure to bring swim gear in case you feel like a dip in the villa’s freshwater pool. And feast on a wholesome traditional Balinese lunch before being driven back to the hotel, with heart and mind filled with memories of your unforgettable East Bali adventure.

The Grand Panoramic Trek by the Alila Manggis Bali costs just US$ 55++ per person.

News by AsiaTravelTips.Com

The team of television series Bondi Rescue has only just come down from winning the most popular factual program Logie last month, but already have cause to revel in glory again. In a spin-off series, show favourites Ryan “Whippett” Clarke, Dean “Deano” Gladstone, Andrew “Reidy” Reid and Anthony “Harries” Carroll, will hit the hot sands of Bali following Channel 10 commissioning an eight part, Bondi Rescue: Bali, starring the foursome.

The larrikin lifeguards will be put through their paces when they commence a four-month stint on Bali’s famous Kuta Beach, which was devastated by terrorist bomb blasts in October 2002.

The boys in blue will be assisting and learning new methods in surf safety from Bali’s professional lifeguards in a bid to make an entertaining but informative new series.

While it might sound like the ultimate job, executive producer Michael Cordell said it would be no walk in the park.

“Bali is renowned for its big surf and dangerous conditions,” Cordell said.

“For our boys, it will be a tough and confronting experience. Kuta can be lethal and the resources the Balinese lifeguards have don’t compare to Bondi. Expect plenty of dramatic rescues along with classic good times in between.”

The mix of gags and personalities, combined with showcasing the lifeguards’ courage in risking their own lives to save others is the formula that has made this series so popular.

The third series of Bondi Rescue was the most successful yet, winning its time slot in all major demographics and attracting an average 1.31 million viewers weekly.

The program is also thrilling audiences abroad - in the UK, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Germany.

With a fourth series expected to be commissioned by Ten in the coming weeks, Cordell said the network’s risk to run with the series three years ago had paid off.

“It was quite a risk . . . because we didn’t know how many rescues would happen or what the characters would be like,” Cordell said.

News by news.com.au

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik will replace President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in opening the 30th Balinese Traditional Arts Festival (PKB) on June 14 next Saturday, Governor Dewa Beratha said here on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the governor had said President Yudhoyono was scheduled to open the festival but it turned out that because of his tight schedule in Jakarta, the head of state would not be able to attend the event, and therefore he would be replaced by the tourism minister.

“The Balinese Traditional Arts Festival was originally scheduled to be opened by President Yudhoyono but he proves unable to do so because of his tight agenda,” Beratha said.

“Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik will open the festival on behalf of President Yudhoyono,” the governor said, adding that eight United Indonesia Cabinet ministers and 12 foreign ambassadors based in Jakarta were also expected to attend the annual cultural event in Bali.

Beratha said the eight ministers invited by the organizing committee were among others Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, National Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo, Minister for Women`s Empowerment Meutia Hatta and Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik.

He added the 12 foriegn ambassadors were among others from the United States, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea, Thailand, Britain, and Malaysia.

The governor said that although Yudhoyono could not open the festival, the president, the ministers and the foreign envoys on the occasion would be treated to cultural attractions and a colossal dance performance performed by Denpasar-based Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) students and lecturers.

Meanwhile, Bali Culture and Tourism Office chief Nyoman Nikanaya said some 38 domestic and foreign personalties would speak at the three-day event from June 14 to 16.

Nyoman Nikanaya said the foreign speakers would be among others UNESCO director general Kaichiro Matsura, Dr Shangkar Dhayal Dvivedi of Uthar Pradesh University in India, Prof Jenkins of the United States, Adrian Vickers of Australia, Shenji Yamasitha of Japan, and Dr Mark Hobar of Britain.

He added that the international speakers once spent some time in Indonesia to conduct research on Balinese traditional culture and arts.

News by Antara - antara.co.id

Denpasar is definitively Balinese — in its temples, buildings, markets and friendly people. Bali is an exotic repository of Hindu and Buddhist cultural treasures, courtesy of past refugee dynasties from Java. Denpasar, I had imagined would be the one place bereft of the ceremonial and artistic splendor you associate with this luxuriant little island. I could not have been more wrong.

Like most visitors to Bali, I had never been encouraged to stay in the capital — not by fellow travelers, guide books or my personal guide. It was really just a hunch that had me defy all the pundits and give myself four days in Denpasar.

It was perhaps fortunate for me that my stay corresponded with the time of the full moon (purnama), a phenomenon that inspires a feast of celebrations, with copious temple offerings and boundless goodwill. But ceremony aside, Denpasar clearly has one great asset to recommend it to the visitor.

As much as any city could be, it is definitively Balinese — in its temples, its buildings, its markets and in its friendly people. I got most of my enjoyment simply cruising the markets and the streets, popping in and out of shops and stopping off to eat.

I was given an inkling of how celebrities must feel. There were exuberant greetings from almost everyone I passed, invitations to sit and chat, offerings of food — yes, I was given a banana and a soft drink in a shoe shop!

t’s mandatory to do the walking tour. This takes in some splendid and evocative temples, the fabulously vibrant produce market (Pasar Badung), the handicraft market (Pasar Kumbasari), Kampung Arab with its quaint old fabric shops and the famous Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali. These are all within the vicinity of the main shopping street, Jalan Gajah Mada.

Pasar Badung requires a good few hours to absorb. The colors are fantastic, to say nothing of the fragrances and the aromas of the spices. Flowers abound, sold as handsome bunches or as mini sacred offerings (canang), exquisitely arranged.

The city’s most venerable temple is Pura Jagatnatha. Built in the 70s, it is dedicated to the godhead of the Hindu-Balinese pantheon, Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.

A towering obelisk, or padmasana, serves as its centerpiece, with the godhead at its crown. The night of the full moon saw the temple compound thronging with the endless comings and goings of earnest devotees. The entire city, it seemed, had turned out in their finest.

A wayang kulit, or shadow puppet show, was also being staged. A simple oil lamp provided the back-lighting. A single puppeteer provided the voices, manipulated all the cast, played percussion with his foot and conducted the orchestra (gamelan). What a guy!

Next to Pura Jagatnatha is the museum. It was set up by the Dutch just a few years after they massacred 4,000 Balinese in what is now Puputan Square — the large park directly opposite the museum. The present day collection is reasonably impressive. But the five display pavilions are themselves the main attraction. They represent Balinese temple and palace architecture in different regional styles, and are set in exquisitely kept grounds.

The full moon ceremonies were certainly not limited to Pura Jagatnatha. Secluded little temples — even humble Seni Market near the losmen where I stayed — were lavishly festooned with rows of padmasana — those monumental pyramids of tropical fruits and flowers that Balinese ladies carry so demurely on their heads. I came across several padmasana processions. They all managed to stop the city traffic.

I also chanced upon a Balinese funeral. These are always monumental events. Several hundred women, all clad in matching purple tunics, marched in single file before and after the sarcophagus, which itself was a fantastically elaborate work of art, and huge enough to accommodate several family members under cover on its top. It too stopped the city traffic.

Yes, Denpasar is above all else definitively Balinese. Shrines are everywhere, archaic-looking monuments, all carved by highly-skilled artists who bring to their work the passion of the humble devotee. Such artistry extends to secular architecture too.

Many of the city’s major banks and “office blocks” are distinctly “Baliesque”. They resemble ancient palaces, with their temple-style split gates, highly decorative columns (like those that adorn Jalan Gajah Mada’s verandahs) and elaborate facades. You almost expect to see the rajah and his entourage parade out through those gates, instead of men in sober business suits.

The city shops also hark back to the past — well, at least to the 50’s. There is little in their windows to tempt a casual visitor, unless you are in the market for a kain kamen (ceremonial wrap-around), a udeng (headcloth) or a kebaya (lady’s ceremonial tunic). But Jalan Gajah Mada contains several fine craft shops, and the handicrafts at Pasar Kumbasari draw plenty of eager patrons from the major tourist precincts.

And then there are the malls. Two of the most popular — Matahari and Robinson — are opposite each other on Jalan Teuku Umar, a couple of kilo meters south of central Denpasar. If you are not inclined to walk, you can jump into a taxi, a bemo (shared taxi) or a dokar. The latter are the brightly painted pony-carts that clip-clop their way anachronistically through town, defying both the traffic and the times. Matahari especially is a great place to up-date your wardrobe. A sucker for a bargain, I emerged from my shopping spree a totally new man.

Nightlife in Denpasar would seem not to exist. I hardly missed it. There was so much else to do. The shopping malls stay open till 10pm, and Pasar Badung is well and truly hopping still at dawn. There are also any number of warung — Balinese-style kiosks — that stay open very late. You can stop for a beer or coffee — great Balinese coffee — and a chat with whoever might be there. If language is a problem, content yourself with pleasantries and smiles.

I had no trouble filling in my days in Denpasar. I certainly never felt alone. Made to feel very much at home in my garden-shrouded losmen, I felt very much at home in the city as a whole.

Denpasar, I’m sure, would be a joy at any time. But a Balinese-style festival is a special bonus. So when you come to plan your visit, you might want to bear in mind the phases of the moon.

Written by Tom Cockrem
Published on The Star Online - thestar.com.my