Monday 19 October 2015

Elephant Safari Park Lodge

No matter how grand a narrative may be, moments are most valuable to those who experience and live every seconds of it; first hand.
For most people, wedding is definitely a ‘milestone’ in life; one of the most significant phases to attain… It’s an inexplicable, joyous beginning of an end.
Plan your holy matrimony in one of the most unique way possible: amongst the majestic Sumatran Elephants at Elephant Safari Park & Lodge. We’re more than honored to cater your specific needs from A to Z.

Bali Adventure Tours’ Elephant Safari Ride

You may combine this Tour with other exciting activities, kindly check our website for detailed, information regarding our Extra Value Combination Packages (www.baliadventuretours.com).
Bali Adventure Tours’ Elephant Safari Ride is a must-do activity during your visit at Elephant Safari Park & Lodge.
For it is a complete experience to interact where you can pat, play, hand feed and closely observe the routines of these ‘Gentle Giants.’

More than 800 languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea

More than 800 languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea. While English is one of the three official languages, Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin is the official language most widely spoken. Visitors who learn and use some basic Tok Pisin phrases always receive an extra warm welcome.
What is your name: Wanem nem bilong yu?
My name is Sarah: Nem bilong mi Sarah.





Bali Adventure Tours’ Mountain Cycling

After days of constraining routines, every self-autonomous entity has the right to live just for the sake of the present moment.
Steel your mind, feel the cool breeze, indulge your senses: just be there, out there!
Bali Adventure Tours’ Mountain Cycling will put you on an approximate, 25 km ride of downhill route from the stunning view of Mount Batur, the ancient Hindu Village of Taro, and all the way to Elephant Safari Park & Lodge.


Friday 16 October 2015

Visa-Free Countries to Indonesia Just Doubled

Nationals of 90 Countries Now Eligible to Visit Indonesia without a Visa


Bali News: Indonesia, Visa Free Countries
Click Image to Enlarge
(10/10/2015)
 
The authoritative website www.indonesia.travel has confirmed that Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has signed Presidential Decree No. 104 of 2015 extending short stay visa free facilities to the citizens of 75 countries traveling to Indonesia.

Together the 15 countries and Special Regions already enjoying reciprocal Visa Free Agreements with Indonesia, this brings the total to 90 countries whose nationals may be extended Visa Free Entry.

Effectively, this doubles the number of visa-free nationalities from the 45 countries enjoying visa-free status prior to the latest decree that takes force with immediate effect.

5 Entry Ports

It is important to note, however, that the visa-free facility on arrival is available only through 5 designated Airports: Jakarta, Bali, Batam, Surabaya and Medan and 4 seaports: Sekupang, Batam Center, Nongsa Terminal Bahari, Marina Teluk Senimba and Citra Tri Tunas.

Departure Ports

Exit must be made only through specified International Airports, Seaports and Land borders.

The Departure points where Visa-free tourists may exit Indonesia are:
Airports: Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Airport, Jakarta; Bandung airport; Adisucipto Yogyakarta; Solo; Semarang; Surabaya, Bali; Kupang; Aceh; Batam; Pekanbaru airport; Palembang; Padang; Kuala Namu and Polonia Medan; Hasanuddin ; Sam Ratulangi Manado; and Balikpapan.

Seaports : Nongsa , Sekupang, Batam Center, Harbor Bay, Marina Teluk Senimba, Batam; Bandar Bentan Telani, Bandar Seri Udana, and Tanjung Pinang on Bintan, Tg Balai Karimun; Dumai Riau; Teluk Nibung Tg. Balai Asahan; Bandar Sri Setia Raya Bengkalis; Belawan Medan; Kuala Langsa; Sibolga, Siak Seri Indrapura Riau; Padang; Bengkulu port; Benoa and Padang Bai Bali; Tg Priok Jakarta, Yos Sudarso Cirebon; Tg Mas Semarang, Surabaya, Makassar; Bitung port; Kupang Nunukan, Malundung Tarakan; and Jayapura.

Land borders: Mota’an Atambua and Entikong, Kalimantan.

Tourist Visa Free Facilities are valid for only 30 days and are non-extendable and cannot be converted into any other type of visa.

The Visa Free facility can be used for the following purposes: government duties, education, social-cultural purposes, business, tourism, family visits and on transit.

The following are the Countries extended Visa Free Facilities according toPresidential Decree No. 104 of 2015:
  1.  South Africa
  2. Algeria
  3. United States of America
  4. Angola
  5. Argentina
  6. Austria
  7. Azerbaijan
  8. Bahrain
  9. The Netherlands
  10. Belarus
  11. Belgium
  12. Bulgaria
  13. Czech Republic
  14. Denmark
  15. Dominican Republic
  16. Estonia
  17. Fiji
  18. Finland
  19. Ghana
  20. Hungary
  21. India
  22. The United Kingdom
  23. Ireland
  24. Iceland
  25. Italy
  26. Japan
  27. Germany
  28. Canada
  29. Kazakhstan
  30. Kirgizstan
  31. Croatia
  32. South Korea
  33. Kuwait 
  34. Latvia
  35. Lebanon
  36. Liechtenstein
  37. Lithuania
  38. Luxemburg
  39. The Maldives
  40. Malta
  41. Mexico
  42. Egypt
  43. Monaco
  44. Norway
  45. Oman
  46. Panama
  47. Papua New Guinea
  48. France
  49. Poland
  50. Portugal
  51. Qatar
  52. People’s Republic of China
  53. Rumania 
  54. Russia
  55. San Marino
  56. Saudi Arabia
  57. New Zealand
  58. Seychelles
  59. Cyprus
  60. Slovakia
  61. Slovenia
  62. Spain
  63. Suriname
  64. Sweden
  65. Switzerland
  66. Taiwan
  67. Tanzania
  68. Timor Leste
  69. Tunisia
  70. Turkey
  71. United Arab Emirates
  72. The Vatican
  73. Venezuela
  74. Jordan 
  75. Greece
While the existing 15 countries/Regions already given Visa Free status are: 
  1. Thailand
  2. Malaysia
  3. Singapore
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. The Philippines
  6. Cambodia
  7. Myanmar
  8. Laos
  9. Vietnam
  10. Hong Kong SAR 
  11. Macau SAR
  12. Chile
  13. Morocco
  14. Peru
  15. Ecuador
 Article attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com.

Bali's Best Dining and Bars

Bali’s Best Restaurants, Bars, And Cafes 2015 Crowned

A gala award ceremony was held on Friday, October 2, 2015 on Tanjung Benoa in South Bali to crown Bali’s best restaurants, bars and cafés. LOGO-NB
The awards are conducted by NOW! Bali
150 dining establishments and bars were vying for the 20 prestigious “best” titles determined by an on-line voting process that tallied more than 350,000 votes.
Before a crowd of more than 200 hospitality, and food and beverage professionals - an evening of fine food, entertainment and the presentation of the much-awaited awards unfolded.
The winners announced on the evening were:
BEST COCKTAIL, WHISKY, & WINE LOUNGE
  • WINNER: VIN+ Seminyak Bali
  • First Runner Up: ZJ’S Bar & Lounge
  • Second Runner Up: The 18TH Rooftop Bar 
BEST CAFÉ
  • Winner: The Dusty Café
  • First Runner Up: Sprout 
  • Second Runner Up: Biku 
BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Pencar Seafood & Grill
  • First Runner Up: The Holy Crab 
  • Second Runner Up: Crab Bar 
BEST STEAK & GRILL RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Hog Wild in Bali
  • First Runner Up: Char Char Bar & Grill 
  • Second Runner Up: Cut Catch Cucina
BEST VEGETARIAN/VEGAN RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Avocado Café Bali
  • First Runner Up: Fivelements Sakti Dining Room
BEST INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Sateria Beach Restaurant
  • First Runner Up: The Cafe 
  • Second Runner Up: The Shore Restaurant & Bar 
BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT
  • Winner: The Sayan House
  • First Runner Up: Ginger Moon Canteen
  • Second Runner Up: Kwee Zeen 
BEST BALINESE RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Plantation Restaurant
  • First Runner Up: Raja’s Balinese Restaurant
  • Second Runner Up: Paon
BEST INDONESIAN RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Balique
  • First Runner Up: Ikan Restaurant & Bar
  • Second Runner Up: Waroeng Tugu
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Table8
  • First Runner Up: Ru Yi Chinese
  • Second Runner Up: Chopstick Restaurant
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Queens of India, Kuta
  • First Runner Up: Queens Tandoor
  • Second Runner Up: Ganesha Ek Sanskriti Indian Restaurant & Bar
BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Edogin
  • First Runner Up: Benkay Japanese Restaurant Second
  • Runner Up: Tenkai Japanese Restaurant
BEST SPANISH RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Velada Tapas Bar & Kitchen
  • First Runner Up: La Finca
  • Second Runner Up: El Kabron Spanish Restaurant & Cliff Club
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
  • Winner: Sorento Mediterranean Restaurant
  • First Runner Up: Soleil
  • Second Runner Up: Ultimo Italian Restaurant
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
  • Winner: The Bistrot
  • First Runner Up: Ju-Ma-Na
  • Second Runner Up: Chez Gado Gado 
BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT
  • Winner: CasCades
  • First Runner Up: Bridges Bali
  • Second Runner Up: Bale Sutra
BEST MEXICAN & AMERICAN RESTAURANTMotel Mexicola
BEST MULTIPLE JAPANESE RESTAURANTSushi Tei Bali
BEST MULTIPLE CAFÉ: Nebula
BEST PUB & SPORTS BARCenterstage
EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARDS
  • BEST THEMED DININGTsavo Lion
  • MOST EXQUISITE DESIGNRobert Marchetti The Plantation Grill
  • BEST BEACH CLUB: Potato Head Beach Club
  • TANTALISING MENU INNOVATIONSLocavore
  • FINEST FARM-TO-TABLE DINING: Mozaic Beachclub
  • FINEST SUNDAY BRUNCH: Kayuputi
  • BEST WATERFRONT DININGSundara
  • OUTSTANDING DEGUSTATION MENU: Blanco par Mandif
Article attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com.

Wonderful Indonesia as a Brand

Indonesia Preparing to Spend US$244 Million on Tourism Promotion with Emphasis on Branding

indonesia
In a bid to increase tourism arrivals, the Indonesian Tourism Ministry is budgeting Rp. 3.25 trillion (US$244 million) for promotional activities, including “branding” of Indonesian travel abroad.
Quoted by the State News Agency Antara, the deputy of the Ministry’s for the development of international tourism promotion, I Gde Pitana, during a Friday, October 2, 2015 visit to Bali, said, “Next year, we will be undertaking “branding” campaigns in several international media. “
Pitana said the promotional budget has received the approval of the House of Representatives with 50% of the total set aside for branding promotion.
Pitana, a tourism educator who once served as head of the Bali Tourism Service, underlined the importance of strong branding in promoting a tourism destination. He said that “branding” provides an identity for a destination, helping to define in the minds of the public a destination’s character.
According to the ranking tourism official, past national tourism branding that used “Wonderful Indonesia” is less effective in comparison to other branding exercises in the region, such as “Uniquely Singapore” or Malaysia’s “Truly Asia.”
Pitana feels that in order to be effective, “Wonderful Indonesia” must be backed up by an effective and professionally delivered promotional program.
News attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com.