They could holiday anywhere; they chose Bali<\/p>\n
By Rob Goodfellow<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Stephanie Picald, Celine Dautias and
\nBruno Bertrand are from Provence in the south of France. David
\nand Kelly Raitt are from Redwood country, northern California.
\nNick Pullee and Byrdie Rowen are from mountainous, windswept
\nWales.<\/p>\n
Last holiday season Stephanie toured Thailand, Celine visited
\nLondon, Bruno relaxed in a luxury chateau in the Verdun Gorge,
\nDavid and Kelly went to Mexico and Nick and Byrdie attended a
\nmusic festival in Queensland, Australia.<\/p>\n
What does this diverse group have in common? Two things. The
\nfirst is that they all have the means and the adventurous spirit
\nto go wherever they desire for their annual holiday. The second
\nis that this year they all chose Bali.<\/p>\n
The reasons for this choice explains why international tourism
\nis rapidly rediscovering Bali as a world class tourist
\ndestination.<\/p>\n
Last month the highly respected Australian-based IRIS Research
\nwww.iris.org.au identified a dramatic increase in both direct
\nflights to Denpasar and a rise in actual tourist numbers to the
\nIsland following a long decline. Now ground staff at Bali's
\ninternational airport - Ngurah Rai, have confirmed that August
\n2000 was their busiest month since 1998.<\/p>\n
Part of the reason for increased tourist numbers in August may
\nhave had something to do with the Hindu Galungan-Kuningan
\nfestival, which is held every 210 days. During these times, the
\nBalinese invite their ancestors to celebrate the triumph of good
\nover evil in highly colorful ceremonies which involve the entire
\ncommunity. In spiritual significance, Galungan is second only to
\nNyepi - the Hindu day of seclusion.<\/p>\n
Kuningan, celebrated ten days later, on Aug.12, is the last
\nfestival of the Galungan calendar.<\/p>\n
Notwithstanding the festive season in Bali, the official
\nfigures quoted by IRIS have borne out that visitors are returning
\nto the island because it is a friendly and exotic destination
\nthat offers a very personal and affordable cultural experience.<\/p>\n
In the Balinese community of Batubulan-Gianyar, for example,
\nNick and Byrdie were guests at the village's lavish Galungan
\nfestivities, experiencing first hand traditional dance and
\ntheater accompanied by the haunting sounds of gamelan. \"I felt
\nlike I was in a movie set\", said Nick. \"It was so rich and
\ncolorful and my host, Dewa Muka, went to a lot of trouble to
\nexplain the significance of the Galungan ritual. Next year I
\nwould like to come back for Nyepi\".<\/p>\n
In nearby Nusa Lombongan, Stephanie, Celine and Bruno attended
\nKuningan as the special guests of Wayan Sudiana, the owner of the
\nislands now.<\/p>\n
Stephanie, a delightful French language teacher from
\nMarseille, described the communal atmosphere of worship and
\nofferings in the main temple as \"the most moving experience of
\nher life\".<\/p>\n
She added, \"It was wonderful to be part of the celebrations,
\nnot as an observer, but as a participant. I will never forget the
\nkindness of the people on Lombongan Island.<\/p>\n
Celine Dautias, a sophisticated young wine marketing manager
\nfrom Cahors, proudly announced, \"I have definitely decided to
\ncome back to Bali on my honeymoon. The problem is that Phillip
\nhas not yet proposed.<\/p>\n
However when I get home and inform him that we are going to
\nBali after we are married, I am sure he will agree\".<\/p>\n
Bruno Bertrand, a charming Physics lecturer from Toulon,
\nparticularly enjoyed Lombongan's coral reef snorkeling and deep-
\nsea fishing. \"Our French franc is very strong against the rupiah.
\nI cannot imagine anywhere else in the world where I could have
\nhad so much fun with so little expense.\"<\/p>\n
However more than anything, Bruno wanted to express how much
\nhe enjoyed the special attention he received from the hundreds of
\nbeautiful Balinese girls dressed in their finest ceremonial
\ncostumes for Kuningan.<\/p>\n
\"I felt just like a pop star. Bali - c'est magnificent,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
In Sanur, David and Kelly Raitt enjoyed a different type of
\nBalinese hospitality. Kelly was keen to sing the praises of one
\nof the islands best hotels. \"Our travel agent did some research
\nand recommended that David and I stay at the Radisson Sanur.
\nhttp:\/\/www.bali-pardise.com\/radissonbali<\/p>\n
\"The accommodation was reasonable by American standards. A
\nroom by the pool per night was US$56. Someone came to turn down
\nour bed each night. I was indulgent and had a three-hour spa
\ntreatment, massage and facial for $32. It was magnificent.<\/p>\n
\"In addition the hotel staff were kind to our guests - other
\nwesterners we met in Bali - and went out of their way to
\naccommodate them,\" Kelly said.<\/p>\n
They stored Kelly's friend's luggage all day while they were
\nwaiting to catch a plane.<\/p>\n
\"The pool was wonderful to look at and listen to as well with
\nits splashing fountains. I often requested my meals by the pool.
\nMy favorite was the teriyaki tuna on a sugarcane skewer with a
\nside dish of rice,\" Kelly added.<\/p>\n
For David, however, the highlight of his Bali holiday was
\nwhite water rafting down the Ayung River.
\nwww.baliadventuretours.com<\/p>\n
\"I had never seen David smile so much as he did describing his
\nrafting trip\", Kelly laughed. \"I know he had a fantastic guide
\nwith a great sense of humor,\" she added.<\/p>\n
He laughed at all of David's crazy antics and jokes. David
\nsaid they went to remote and untouched places they couldn't have
\nvisited otherwise. They saw traditional villages and swam in the
\nclear waters with friendly local people, finishing the day with a
\ndelicious lunch overlooking an incredible view. The rafting
\ncompany picked them up at the Radisson and dropped them off as
\nwell\", Kelly added.<\/p>\n
Will these seven be coming back to Bali next year? The answer
\nwas a resounding 'yes', or in the case of Stephanie, Celine and
\nBruno - 'oui'.<\/p>\n
The writer is an Indonesian cultural consultant to
\ninternational business based at the University of Wollongong. He
\ncan be contacted at sujoko@ozemail.com.au<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/they-could-holiday-anywhere-they-chose-bali-1447893297",
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