Kuta Karnival shows Bali reatin its festive spirit

Kuta Karnival shows Bali reatin its festive spirit

Marian Carroll, Contributor, Kuta, Bali

Bali's first ever Kuta Karnival that opened last week, featuring
a nasi campur of activities, is a grassroots initiative to show
the world it has not lost its festive spirit.

The carnival began on Sept. 11, the second anniversary of the
terrorist attack on the United States, and will run through until
Oct. 12, the first anniversary of the bombings on Jl. Legian that
killed 164 foreigners and 38 Indonesians.

"The focus is on these two key dates to create a better
understanding between Bali and New York and to hopefully in the
long-term create a sister-city program," said one of the festival
organizers, Christian Fritz.

"It's the first time we are holding this carnival, but we
would like it to become an annual event to make Bali more
competitive in the overseas tourism market against its neighbors
like Singapore and Malaysia."

Events are centered around Bali's famed "sunset beach" at
Kuta, beginning with a peace ceremony last Thursday and ending
with a remembrance ceremony on Oct. 12.

But while the organizers are conscious of how important the
spiritual aspects of the carnival are, they are just as keen to
celebrate the varied reasons why Bali was a favorite with
tourists from around the world before last year's attack, and why
it will recover from the tragedy.

"We want to show the world that Bali is still an exciting
place and is considerably safer now. It is moving forward and
looking towards a brighter future," said Fritz.

"We've got a complete nasi campur (a selection of different
dishes) of activities planned, there'll probably be everything
from drag-queens to traditional Hindu dancers. That's what makes
Bali such an exciting island."

A Mardi Gras on the beach featuring DJs, live bands and other
entertainment will follow a parade on Oct. 11 beginning on Jl.
Melasti and making its way along Jl. Legian to Jl. Pantai.

"Extreme Week" between Oct. 2-10 is also expected to draw the
crowds.

Among the week's highlights will be the revival of a surfing
competition last held in 1982, before it lost sponsor support.

This year, Bali's entire surfing industry has gotten behind
the Om Bali Pro Legends event, which was held between 1980-82 and
was the first international sporting event in modern Indonesian
history, according to organizer Paul Anderson.

Former competitors Terry Fitzgerald, Terry Richardson, Jim
Banks, Mitchell Ray, the Byrne brothers and Kim Bradley have
confirmed they will be attempting a comeback a quarter of a
century after they obtained their titles, Anderson said.

Balinese surfers who took part in those original three
contests will also be dusting off their boards and waxing up for
the event.

Continuing the surfing nostalgia theme, the carnival includes
an exhibition of the history of the sport in Bali.

The paraphernalia on show includes the first board ever ridden
on the island, by American Robert Koke in the 1930s. Koke is
widely recognized as the father of Bali's surf industry and
credited with developing the island into a thriving tourist
resort.

Koke's board is on loan for the exhibition from one of his
former hotel employees, who happens to be the father of Made
Switra, one of Indonesia's top surfers.

In addition, veteran surf photographer and film maker Dick
Hoole will put on a film exhibition during "Extreme Week", and
there will be longboard, bodyboard and parent/child contests open
to the public.

If the surf's no good, festival-goers can watch speed climbing
contests and skateboarding exhibitions held on the beach at a
ramp built specially for the occasion.

They can also sink into the soft sand in the beach volleyball
and soccer competitions, or take to the football field for
international Australian Rules and Rugby Union tournaments held
at this time every year.

For those who don't take their sport quite so seriously, there
are fun contests including a tug of "peace", pillow and water
fights (although not simultaneously!) and sand castle and
sculpture making, as well as the world's largest satay.

And of course what would a carnival be without the ever
popular "Hash House Harrier" run accompanied by the usual supply
of beer for thirsty participants.

An international food festival will be held on the weekends of
Sept. 20 - Sept. 21 and Oct. 4 - Oct. 5, when local restaurants
will set up stalls offering their favorite dishes to foodies for
a small fee.

Among the restaurants expected to take part are Aroma's, Dome,
Good Luck Cafe, Kori, Le Bake, Maccaroni, Made's Warung, Papa's
Cafe, Poco Loco and TJ's.

After some grazing at the food stalls, take yourself to one of
the many fashion shows scattered throughout the month to see the
models hitting the catwalk in international surf labels such as
Quicksilver, Reef, Billabong, Rip Curl, Mooks and Volcom, as well
as lacy items from Uluwatu and original items from local
designers.

Or take a stroll through the NGO bazaar on the beachfront in
Legian featuring information on the various charities serving the
island.

And if all else fails, enter your best friend in the dog show
scheduled for Sept. 28.