JP/FESTIVE

JP/FESTIVE

Bali
Offering joyous festivities for old and young
OR
Celebrate your holiday in style on the Island of the Gods

OR

Celebrate your holiday in style in Bali

Rita A. Widiadana
and I Wayan Juniarta
The Jakarta Post
Denpasar

Let's cherish the year that has almost passed and welcome the
one to come with joy and glory. This is a happy moment to
celebrate with your loved ones.

If you want to experience something different faraway from
your tight schedule, why not fly to Bali for some leisure time.

Unlike in previous years, Bali is rather quiet now since the
global economy is slowing down and a large number or frequent
travellers now think twice before taking a commercial flight.

It doesn't mean that Bali has lost its charm. Numerous
traditional art performances are ready to welcome year-end
holidaymakers. Many star-rated hotels and exquisite bungalows
have been busy preparing special events to greet the coming year.

It could be a blessing in disguise for local tourists to spend
the Idul Fitri holiday, Christmas and New Year's Eve in Bali as
most hotels have cut their rates and are charging guests local
currency rather than the greenback.

Most of all, year-end celebrations in Bali will start in early
December.

On Dec. 1, fashion lovers will be delighted with a major
fashion extravaganza called Fashion Fusion held in conjunction
with the Ritz-Carlton Bali's fifth anniversary. The three-day
event will include a lavish gala dinner and fashion parade
featuring noted designers like Mardiana Ika and jewelry designer
Runi Palar.

Starting Dec. 9 through Dec. 19, Bali will, for the first
time, host the World Final of the Metropolitan Top Model 2001, a
joint event between the Paris-based Metropolitan Modeling Agency,
BAPP and the Sheraton Bali.

"The event is expected to improve the image of Bali in
particular, and Indonesia in general, as a safe place to visit
and stay," commented Magdalena Wenas from BAPP. Representatives
from more than 50 countries will participate in the world final.

"We haven't received any cancellations from participating
countries and everything is still on schedule," said Erick
Rikmawan, a senior public relations officer.

Other events await you. For New Year's Eve, Discovery Kartika
Plaza Hotel in Kuta is staging a Colorful Night, with plenty of
attractions and extravaganza shows. The event will take place in
the Kharisma Ballroom.

"We expect more than 1,000 guests will attend the New Year's
celebration," said Deddy Sasmita, the hotel's public relations
manager. "The theme 'colorful' will be reflected in the variety
of programs and decorations," Deddy commented.

"We are encouraging party-goers to wear extravagant and
colorful costumes to create a cheerful night," he said.

Fashion shows, music concerts and acrobatic shows are on the
menu, not to mention a delightful New Year's buffet dinner.

Hard Rock Hotel Bali in Kuta is preparing a memorable
Christmas and New Year package for every member of your family.
On Christmas Eve, the hotel is putting on a Christmas Eve Dinner
at Gamelan Restaurant and Cabana Poolside Restaurant.

On Dec. 25, Christmas Day Brunch will be served at Gamelan
Restaurant. Also on Christmas Day, your children will have the
opportunity to take part in a karaoke competition and Christmas
Decoration competition at Lil'Rock.

On New Year's, Hard Rock Hotel will entertain its guests with
the "Rockin's Circus" celebration. Australian band The Crave and
Electric Dollhouse will make the day memorable for you.

Electric Dollhouse performers will enliven the party with a
series of performances like juggling, stilt walking, dynamic
aerial shows and daring fire acts.

And last but not least, the door prize. Some luck person will
win a free stay at the exotic Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya,
Thailand, as a holiday bonus.

Bali Padma Hotel is also staging impressive Idul Fitri,
Christmas and New Year events.

For Idul Fitri, which falls on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, the hotel
will serve Lebaran East Meets West buffet at Taman Ayun
Restaurant on Monday Dec. 17.

Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner will be served on Dec. 24 with
traditional Christmas dishes.

Japanese cuisine will be served on Christmas Day. Santa Claus
will be there to see the kids, bringing excitement to their
breakfast.

For beach lovers, greeting New Year's in a beach party is one
choice.

In the Sanur area, west of Denpasar, several hotels including
the Bali Hyatt are busy preparing holiday festivities. Bali Hyatt
is putting on a Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner at the Wantilan Cafi.

A special community Christmas Mass will be held on the night
of Dec. 24 at 10 p.m. in Rinjani Hall. Children will also be
treated with a Children's Christmas Party on Dec. 25 in Rinjani
Hall with Santa Claus as the guest of honor.

On New Year's Eve, the partying will continue with a stylish
colorful cocktail reception at Wantilan Cafi. While Mom and Dad
dance the night away, the hotel staff will entertain the kids at
the Children's New Year Celebration, where there will be fun and
excitement with games, a magician, jugglers and lots of
entertainment.

In the Nusa Dua upmarket holiday resorts, the Grand Hyatt also
has some interesting programs.

Emeralda Ayu Kusuma, the hotel's PR manager, said "We are very
optimistic that we will have extremely good year-end business."

The hotel is targeting domestic guests, especially in
conjunction with Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year holidays.

"We are charging our guests in rupiah and offering our Pesona
Rupiah Package, which is valid for Indonesians and KITAS
holders," she added.

Other luxury hotel, the Sheraton Laguna, Nusa Dua, is offering
attractive packages. The Manuaba Children's Choir will entertain
diners at the hotel's Christmas Eve Dinner at the Cafi Lagoon.
The cafe will put on a traditional Christmas Buffet the next day.

On the New Year's Eve, the hotel will stage Le Cabaret 2002, a
live band and cabaret dancers who will entertain you throughout
the night.

Various other options are also available.

At the newly opened Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) cultural park
in Jimbaran Hill, south of Denpasar, you can celebrate at a
unique New Year's party.

Organized by Panorama Tour and PT Marga Giri Kencana, the
party has a theme of Kampung Bali in which the entire park will
be decorated to resemble a traditional Balinese village, complete
with a night market and open stages on which a large variety of
Balinese performing arts will be staged.

The climax of the Kampung Bali Countdown to 2002 will be a
colorful fireworks display.

Bali has an abundance of choices for you and your family to
welcome the New Year. Happy Holidays.