All About Bali

Bali Villas, a Best Place for Vacations

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:13:00 -0800

Bali Villas is located in Bali, an island of God, is known for heavy tourist traffic nowadays. Tourists can enjoy maximum of the amazing weather, sun and sand while staying in Bali Villas. The most important aspect that has helped the tourism department in Bali in villa in Bali! Well, these are the dwelling places for the tourists associated with all modern amenities. Please check out out website allbalivillas.com for more information about villas in Bali.

The tourists are literally crazy about these Bali villas as they personify the Balinese architecture and style. The serene and calm atmosphere surrounding these Bali villas is one of the major attractions of the island. As the sun, sand and culture is popular of these islands, these Bali villas are among the top ten of Bali culture. The people who visit Bali villas once in their lifetime can never forget them because they virtually get attached to the ambience there. Tourist can get more information on our website allvalivillas.com before they plan their vacations in Bali.

The most fascinating feature of Bali villas is freedom to relax in complete privacy. The tourists all over the world are attracted towards these Bali villas every year and the number is increasing day by day. The calm and serene atmospheres these Bali villas provide you are in drastic opposition to the mainstream hotels. The excessive crowd and noise are absolutely lacking in these villas. That is why these Bali villas are paradise for the peace lovers.

Tourist can avail various packages at Bali villas. The Bali villa is truly the best for couples who want to enjoy their honeymoon to brim in a very quiet and serene environment. They also can avail themselves the Bali villas honeymoon packages and get closer to each other thus building long term relationships. There are also many other packages available along with these like vacation and holiday packages and others, depending upon your requirement, you can choose the one suitable for you. Air-conditioned bedrooms and spacious living and dining etc will also make you yearn for extending your stay here. Please visit allbalivillas.com for more information about packages.

Bali Luxury Hotels

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:11:00 -0800

An Indonesian island located near the Indian ocean Bali is the most sort after tourist destination. Considered as a vacationers paradise Bali is the home to the discerning travelers. This beautiful island will take your breath away the moment you land in Bali. The picture perfect scenery, the rice paddies, the volcanoes, the warm water of the sea, the sandy beaches, friendly people-Bali is the perfect painted backdrop island.

The hospitality of this island can be experienced in the hotels of Bali. It is easy for travelers to find a place to stay in Bali. You have the option to choose from the budget fit hotels to the luxurious hotels in Bali. There are lots of luxury hotels in Bali which offer state of art facilities and excellent service. There are luxury hotels like Ubud Hanging Gardens, Bali Hyatt, Grand Hyatt Bali, Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay Bali which are the located here in Bali to offer a comfortable stay. The Bali Luxury Hotels are an epitome of luxury providing excellence in service and facilities.

These luxury hotels in Bali are well facilitated to cater to the needs of its guests. Satellite TV, direct dial telephone, round the clock room service, air conditioned rooms, safe deposit vaults, in house restaurant, conference facilities, swimming pool are just some of the amenities offered in the luxury hotels in Bali.
The tourist attractions in Bali attract people from near and far to this tropical island. There is lots for tourists to see and enjoy in Bali. There is a beautiful sea temple, Tanah Lot, which stands on a huge rock surrounded by the sea. Another beautiful temple is the thousand years old Pura Besakih which also happens to be the biggest temple here.

Bali also happens to be a shoppers paradise. Here you can bargain for all that you plan to buy. The inexpensive stuff is sure to increase your baggage once you fly back home. Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur are the best market places to shop for for inexpensive shopping.

When in Bali don not forget to taste the lip smacking cuisines offered here. The cosmopolitan restaurants offer delectable food and you have a wide variety of options to choose from the menu cart. The local delicacies -Nasi Goreng, Sate Campur here are a must try apart from the Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican and lots more cuisines.

Bali also has interesting adventure activities to offer to its tourists like scootering, snorkeling, white water rafting and kayaking. The tourists here can go on jungle treks or can enjoy cycling in the mountains. There are lots of hotels in Bali situated in areas which are surrounded by mother nature. In the laps of nature a stay in the luxury Bali hotels is what completes the vacation.

This beautiful island of Bali is an experience in itself. A perfect blend of the rich past and the modern present this island knows how to leave the tourists awestruck.

25 Things You Did Not Know You Could do in Bali

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:07:00 -0800

As they say, ‘one trip to Bali is never enough'. Vast, seemingly endless beaches, beautiful tropical landscapes, the fascinating culture, amazingly hospitable people and shopping for local crafts continue to attract repeat visitors to Bali, time and time again.
However, as I have been discovering in my recent trips, there is more to this tropical paradise than meets the eye.

Today you can also add to my list above, the attraction of a myriad of activities catering to both the action oriented holiday maker and the more staid.

Here is a starter list of 25 new things you may want to try when you are next in Bali:

1) Bird Park You don't need to be a bird watcher to enjoy this colourful park. Take a morning off, and discover the beauty of an array of tropical birds Bali has to offer. Even better, arrive later in the afternoon, and enjoy some amazing sun-set melodies. A great choice for enthusiasts and families. (located at Taman Burung - open 08:00 - 18:00 daily)

2) Cruising Pick a boat of your choice, and head for the high seas! Nowadays Bali has a great selection of safe boats to choose from. Go for a fun filled family outing or go more adventurous with some of the latest cutting edge crafts which deliver the speed. (Bali Hai Cruises, Sea Safari Cruises, Bounty Cruises)

3) Dance Performances Be enthralled by unique Balinese dances! Try to catch one of each of: Kecak, Legong and Fire Dances, at least. There are dozens of different troupes to choose from, each with their own following. Keep in mind, shows in hotels and tourist restaurants offer vanilla flavour, and sometimes mechanical re-creations of the real thing. Head out to some of the villages, and you will be handsomely rewarded with the authentic fare.

4) Designer Shopping No, I am not talking about the ‘fake originals' that litter the streets of many other Asian locations. In the recent years, Bali has attracted some of the most talented original designers, and artists from around the world (both the East and the West). This coupled with the inherent artistic capabilities of the Balinese, means that Bali today enjoys a large number of original designer shops. You can find anything from post-modern lighting installations, to Imperial Chinese style sideboards, and from original water fountain designs to some of the best jewelry designed and manufactured anywhere in the world.

5) Diving Put your PADI license to use, or if you are a diving newbie, just do it, and get your PADI certificate in Bali! A range of dive organizers for the experienced, and dive schools for the new comers are available to choose from. Some offer PADI ‘Youth Scuba' courses for ages 5+.

6) Dolphin Watching Enjoy these all-time favourites in their natural habitat. They are at their best first thing in the morning. Also, the soft hues of the sun-rise provide amazing colours for the photography enthusiasts. However, you will need to plan ahead for this one, since Lovina is in the North of the island, and you will more than likely be staying in a hotel or a rental villa in the south.

7) Fishing Go after that marlin or try your hand at yellow fin tuna! Most boats provide full tackle, bait and a running commentary, a friendly, giggly banter which makes the day out that much more enjoyable. (fishing boats from Benoa Harbour or Sanur)

8) Elephant Safari Park Arguably, one of the best in South East Asia! Great location and landscaped gardens. Don't forget to do the elephant safari ride.

9) Jet Skiing Re-create those favourite Baywatch moments! Due to their environmental impact, only available at some selected beaches across the island. (available at Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua).

10) Go-Karting Only for those who get withdrawal symptoms from being away from the hustle and bustle of big-city life! All the noise, thrills and danger of the real thing! Choice of single or double carts.

11) Golfing A number of 18 hole courses are available across Bali. As you would expect, each more beautiful than the other. Relax on an easy course, or challenge yourself to one of the more demanding courses designed by professionals. Either way, don't miss the spectacular views over the Indian Ocean or one of Bali's great volcanoes. Most courses in Bali are to international standards, and many offer clubhouses and recreational facilities for the rest of the family.

12) Helicopter Tours Go on, splash out for that once in a life-time experience! Spectacular views over Bali even Lombok. Take in the gentle rice terraces from the best vantage point, or get up close and personal with a volcano! Not cheap, but certainly an experience never to forget. (Air Bali)

13) Horse Riding Enjoy one of the equestrian centres at your doorstep! Selection of horses, with courses for the beginners. Wonderful escorted tours through the rice terraces and tide permitting down the beach. (Umalas or Saba Bay Stables)

14) Kite Boarding Some great wind and lift, as well as the equipment for rental is available at Nusa Dua beaches. But make sure you have a great story lined up for your insurance company! Keep in mind, this really is an Extreme Sport.

15) Monkey Watching Experience mischievous macaques in full action! Also, some good restaurants and eateries nearby. However, be careful of your cameras, glasses and the like! (The Sacred Monkey Forest - Ubud)

16) Mountain Cycling If you like cycling, why not enjoy a leisurely cycle with views of the Batur volcano! Lots to see, lots to learn, all on two wheels with an experienced guide. (Bali Adventure Tours)

17) Paragliding Throw yourself off the sheer cliff faces of Uluwatu into the Indian Ocean! As a beginner you can enjoy great tandem jumps with well qualified professionals with great safety records.

18) Slingshot (Reverse Bungee) Defy gravity Bali style, with some spectacular 50m views! (That is, if you remember to open your eyes!) Not for the faint-hearted. Organisers follow international safety standards.

19) Surfing If you've come with your board you'll know where to go! If you are keen to learn, there are many schools to choose from, just head for the beach! Whilst Kuta is a good all rounder, Uluwatu, Padang-Padang, and Balangan can provide some great tubes to test the more experienced. (some offer surfing lessons for ages 5+, so the whole family can enjoy surfing all together)

20) Temple Ceremonies Few visitors to Bali realise that in most instances you will be welcomed to attend local ceremonies as an observer. The great thing is, there is a temple ceremony every single day of the year in Bali, just ask around to find the nearest one during your stay. If you are lucky enough, you may be able to catch one of the Full Moon or Dark Moon ceremonies which attract devotees from far a field and are some of the most colourful events on the island. Please remember that a sensible dress code, and polite/respectful behaviour are essential for continued hospitality towards foreign guests. (Also, please note that women are not allowed in the temples during their menstrual period.)

21) Tennis Choose from one of many open or some covered courts! Whilst most better tennis courts are located at major hotels, you can use these facilities on a pay-per-use basis. Many will provide a partner to match your skills.

22) Wake Boarding (or Knee Boarding) Have a go at that double flip, or just learn to stand up! Whilst most beaches are more suitable for surfing, you can enjoy wakeboarding at the Condrad Bali Resort, and surrounds.

23) Waterbom Park Water slides and rides galore, both kids and adults will have a blast! World class park, with well trained staff. Go early to make the most of your day! (open 09:00 - 18:00 daily)

24) Wind Surfing Maximise the almost continuous winds found in Nusa Dua or Sanur. You can rent a board, and head out, or take one of the courses designed for beginners.

25) White Water Rafting A thrilling experience through 8 kilometers of rapids! (believe it or not, still suitable for ages 5+) Organisers follow international safety standards. (Bali Adventure Tours)

Like me, if you manage to fit in five of these activities into your schedule, every time you visit Bali, you will still want to come back for more. Because, at the end of the day, it is the people of Bali, with their welcoming smiles, and willingness to help, which will make mere adventures into even more precious memories.

One final thought. If you are attempting something new, or slightly dangerous, please make sure to check that you are fit/suitable enough for the adventure ahead, and that the organisers have the necessary experience/safety record so as not to spoil your wonderful Bali adventure.
Many happy returns to the Island of the Gods!

How To Start A Scuba Diving Career

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:27:00 -0800

For many people, a desk job is anathema. Even a job on land is not all that great. Some of these people get into a scuba diving career and end up loving it. Whether it is digging for forensic evidence in a riverbed or working in underwater archaeology, there are actually three general categories of professional divers.

Commercial Divers

The broadest category of scuba diving careers is commercial diving. But even within this category there are a lot of options.

The most obvious is probably being a diving instructor or guide. Instructing combines the same stresses of any kind of teaching with the additional element of students sometimes being nervous and the environment being potentially dangerous. Teachers and guides take responsibility for new divers’ safety – a big job. Potential teachers must get certified in teaching scuba and will learn rules to do the job well.

There are also things that need cleaning up or hauling out of the ocean like shipwrecks and other debris. A scuba diving career in salvaging involves raising shipwrecks. They may be modern shipwrecks that are in a shipping path, or they may be old wrecks. There are salvage companies that just prospect old shipwrecks looking for whatever treasure they can.

A scuba diving career can also be part of engineering. Companies need divers to help them build and maintain underwater structures like bridge pilings and dams.

Public Safety And The Environment

Even if you live in the middle of a continent, hundreds of miles from an ocean, there are divers at work in your community. Police and rescue personnel need divers to search for evidence underwater and then help them to fish it out.

And of course, all kinds of environmental organizations, non-profits, and schools need divers on their projects. Scientists themselves dive as well as hiring other divers to help keep track of an ecosystem, for example. Divers can help catalog corals and fish, as well as testing for pollution, removing debris, and even creating man-made reefs.

To get into a scuba diving career, most people are divers first, then look for jobs they can do underwater. Salvagers, for example, generally love diving and then start salvaging, rather than loving salvage and then learning to do underwater work. Even someone who decides to become a marine biologist must look forward to diving, not consider it a bore. So a scuba diving career generally comes from an affinity for diving first.

Scuba Equipment is More than just Tanks and Fins.

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:26:00 -0800

Scuba Diving Attire May Consist Of Items Such As Wet Suits, Buoyancy Compensators, Air Tanks And Weights.

This need to have proper insulated scuba diving attire cannot be overemphasized. When the swim fin was created, it marked a step in the advancement of scuba diving attire and is a science in itself. Without the swim fin, scuba diving would become almost impossible and with them scuba diving is like a dreamy and fluid underwater experience because it allows the diver to propel him or herself through the water without any great deal of effort or energy being expended. In the full range of scuba diving attire, one is sure to find items such as wet suits, buoyancy compensators, air tanks and weights and movement underwater would be almost impossible were it not for such items. The correct set of fins would enable the diver to dive further as well as swim quicker by using the large muscles of the thighs.

One is faced with an astounding number of choices when wanting to select a swim fin pair and there are swim fins having their shape resemble those of a dolphin s tail, swim fins with channels that look like the webbed feet of ducks, split swim fins, curved swim fins, stiff swim fins as well as flexible swim fins. There is something there for everyone and each pair would perform differently on different people so one has to choose the right swim fin to gain maximum advantage. The main thing is that the swim fin should be comfortable to wear and will enable the diver to kick/swim over long stretches of time, without making the legs cramp up and also do not pinch the toes and heels.

In addition, one would require wet suits and dry suits which are very important for scuba diving. These scuba diving attires would help to keep body temperatures normal, which is very important for both hot and cold conditions. The use of wet suits, dry suits as well as dive skins helps to keep the diver warm and safe while they are scuba diving. Since coldness affects a person s thinking abilities as well as physical response times, becoming too cold may cause accidents to happen. Even in warm tropical waters, once the diver has been underwater over a prolonged period of time the body would start to cool and so, the scuba diving attire one uses in such instances should always be lightly insulated, at least.

At the time one makes a decision regarding thermal protection such as wet or dry suits one should take particular care about water temperatures, activity levels during the dive as well as body size. The scuba diving attires one chooses should always have more insulation in cold waters and light insulation in warm waters. Also, how much one exerts oneself during the dive will also govern the amount of insulation required. More active one is, will mean that the body will generate more heat and so the body needs lighter insulation, throughout the dive. Larger people may require scuba diving attire with less insulation and for finding the insulation level most suitable for personal use one should try out differing amounts of insulated scuba diving attire in differing water temperatures.

Choosing Gifts And Apparel For Scuba Diving Buffs

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:25:00 -0800

When a birthday or holiday comes around, it is hard to shop for some people. But others have a hobby, interest, or job they love so much that picking out a gift is easy. Scuba divers are no exception. Vanity plates, stickers, photos, posters, cameras, and apparel make a scuba diving buff’s gift list.

Household Gifts

Unless you are a diver also, there is no way to know what kind of equipment your diver needs, like masks, fins, tanks, and all kinds of other things. However, you can pick a diving-themed gift.

Diving merchandise almost always has a red flag with a diagonal white stripe on it. This is the international “diver down” flag. When someone dives, they leave a buoy at the surface displaying that flag so that boaters stay out of the way.

Nice photographs of underwater scenes are also a good gift idea. If the diver has taken a picture he or she is especially proud of, consider having it professionally framed.

Wearable Gifts

Scuba diving apparel is a great idea for the diver in your life, and there are plenty of places to shop for it.

First, if you know enough about specialized scuba diving apparel, like wetsuits, you can always look for something newer, fashionable, or more comfortable for your friend to wear underwater. Staff at the dive store can help you pick out things that all divers need; you just come knowing colors and sizes.

At the shop, they will almost certainly have other scuba diving apparel – but not the kind anyone wears underwater. There are certainly more diving-related t-shirts, jackets, and hats than there are actual divers in the world. But nonetheless, many divers love to go around in a t-shirt or hat announcing their skills and their hobby.

Even stores that have nothing to do with water sports often sell scuba diving themed apparel. But for the widest selection, as usual, turn to the internet. T-shirts especially come with cheeky jokes like a pair of diving tanks with “lungs of steel” written underneath.

However, the most fun kind of scuba diving gift has got to be one that shows creativity and is especially for the diver in your life. Imagine your friend wearing a t-shirt down to the pier with a list of his or her favorite dives or some other personalized comment. It turns out to be a good conversation starter with other divers as well as eye-catching clothing.

The Importance of Scuba Diving and Travel Insurance

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:21:00 -0800

There are plenty of insurance companies providing scuba diving and travel insurance and most are designed specifically for divers providing very wide coverage at extremely competitive prices and giving the policy holder top notch value for their money. There are also different types of policies including Annual multi-trip and single trip policies.

The Annual multi-trip policy provides excellent protection throughout the year and at anytime that one goes on a vacation. This scuba diving and travel insurance will cover the policyholder for diving as well as for certain other sporting activities. For those who are recreational divers, the single trip policy helps them to take out an insurance policy for the odd single or double diving trip.

More Features

The salient features of these scuba diving and travel insurance policies cover cancellation and curtailment, personal accident, medical expenses, hospital benefits, baggage, personal effects, diving and winter sports equipment, money up to approximately US$1000, loss of passport, legal expenses, travel delay, missed departure, personal liability, dive pack, hire of dive equipment, and hi-jack.

It may also be noted that the prospective diver who wishes to have scuba diving and travel insurance is legally bound to disclose all material facts and failure in this respect will affect their rights under the insurance.

The meaning of material fact may be defined as being all facts that would influence the agent in the approval or appraisal of the insurance and that may include the state of the prospective policyholder’s health or those of close relatives.

When the person takes out a scuba diving and travel insurance policy the insurance company will give them an insurance certificate that is also known as a policy wording and it will contain all the details of the cover provided as well as spell out all the conditions and exclusions that apply to it.

It may even further be noted that making fraudulent claims would make the person liable for criminal prosecution. Property claims are settled on the basis of indemnity and not on new for old or even replacement basis unless specified in the policy. In a majority of the sections of the policy there will be set certain limits on the amount that the policyholder will be reimbursed by the insurer and these may also include inner limits such as for one item or for the total value of valuables.

The policy may also entail that the policyholder takes reasonable care to protect the self as well as their property.

Scuba Diving And Snorkeling Safety Tips

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:20:00 -0800

Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular vacation activities and hobbies. Besides the well-known tropical waters, many people like to dive and swim in natural springs, lakes, and rivers. Snorkeling is especially easy for any member of the family. But there are a few safety rules to remember.

At The Water’s Surface

If you are diving in a lake or part of the ocean where there are boats, always leave a buoy floating with the “diver down” sign, indicating to boaters that someone is underwater in that spot. Then, do not leave the area you have marked. Snorkelers should also indicate their presence with floats or markers.

Always go scuba diving and snorkeling with at least one friend. If anything happens, one of you should be able to assist the other or go for help.

Under Water

Scuba diving and snorkeling are water sports, so some people have to take certain precautions before diving in. Snorkelers should know how to swim, even if they are just floating with a lifejacket.

Diving, however, has more barriers. People with heart conditions should not dive. Diving deep into the water causes pressure on the body to increase. A well-trained diver knows to descend and ascend very slowly and to breathe regularly to prevent gasses from building up in the blood stream and causing serious injury. As a rule, take serious scuba diving lessons with certified instructors to ensure a fun, safe, dive.

Know Your Limits

On TV, we see intrepid divers and swimmers crossing the English Channel, snaking through underwater caves and other dangerous feats. But until you have years of experience and training, do not do something impetuous or unplanned.

Before you go in the water somewhere, find out as much as you can about the site. Scuba diving and snorkeling are even quite complimentary. If you and your buddies want to try a new dive site, reconnoiter it with snorkels. When you have planned a dive, stick to the plan. Do not swim into an underwater cave or dive into water that is too cold.

It is easy to prevent most scuba diving and snorkeling accidents and injuries by planning ahead, including checking equipment before diving, avoiding risks, and getting proper training.

In The Air

Finally, do not plan a flight until at least 24 hours after a scuba dive. It takes at least that long for your body to recover and be able to go through another pressure-change experience.

Going on a Scuba Diving Adventure Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:17:00 -0800

Situated off the East coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef comprises of a number of tropical islands that span more than 115,000 square miles and offers warm weather, beaches that can best be described as being sandy and in addition, some of the best and finest snorkeling and scuba diving place in the world.

The Great Barrier Reef contains many kinds of coral, fish, dolphins, whales and also green turtles and is an ideal scuba diving adventure vacation destination.

Vacation Resorts

There are a number of vacation resorts that are situated in different parts of the Great Barrier Reef including Heron Island, Lizard Island, and Bedarra Island, for instance. Heron Island is a scuba diving adventure vacation hotspot that provides the adventure vacationist with plenty of vivid colors of living coral and plenty of fish as well as white beaches.

Heron Island Resort is an all inclusive luxury vacation getaway that is great for a scuba diving adventure vacation with more than twenty dissimilar dive sites and helps one to forget one’s daily stressed out life. During the summer, turtles lay their eggs and one can then watch these as they hatch from the guest suites, and in September, the guest can also watch whales migrate.

Lizard Island is covered with sandy beaches and its luxury resort offers top class service as well as many exciting and unique vacation activities. There are twenty-four secluded beaches for relaxation or one may lounge at the freshwater swimming pool after a treat at the Pavilion Day Spa.

There are also plenty of scuba diving opportunities to be availed off with beautiful coral reefs and outer reef dive sites which also include the well-known Cod Hole and there are also full day diving excursions available.

Bedarra Island is the last word when it comes to a luxury escape that caters to young in-love couples and allows the guest to rest and rediscover their senses in beautiful tropical locales. However, the number of guest villas is limited and these are hidden in the rainforest that has a splendid view of the ocean and plenty of privacy and isolation. One can go by boat for exploration of the island as well as relax on the romantic beaches accompanied by mouth watering picnic hampers.

This scuba diving adventure vacation resort also provides complimentary snorkeling, sailboards as well as paddle skiing. The climate at this scuba diving adventure vacation spot is tropical and temperatures hover in the 80 degree Fahrenheit range and there are plenty of flights available to reach here.

Things To Consider Before Scuba Diving

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:16:00 -0800

ummer comes along with many wonderful water sports such as scuba diving. However, before indulging in this particular sport it is essential you consider carefully all the following points in order to enjoy it at its fullest.

Who Can Dive

Anyone who loves water can learn how to dive but first and foremost you need to make sure in are in the right physical condition to do so and here is how you ensure you are fit for this sport.

You must be at least 15 years of age in order to scuba dive, those who are below 15 but not less than 10 can attend a junior scuba diving training as well which will not have all the practices in the adult scuba diving sessions.

You must be in good health; you will be required to fill a form where all the required fields will be listed in order to ensure that you are fit to dive. If you want to prepare before hand in order to be fit once you take the scuba diving test you can check online at Divers Alert Network for all required fields.

The Necessary Gear

Scuba diving requires specific gear, which will protect you and your body from direct exposure to water and other dangerous, sharp object you may encounter in this sport. Specialized stores as well as on location stores will rent out the required gear for the same.

Why Do We Scuba Dive

Scuba diving is done for many reasons such as: scientific research where studies are carried out to understand the underwater world and life; commercial purposes where divers looks for coral and other precious microorganisms and probably the most practiced scuba diving of all is for recreational purposes where you can simply dive and enjoy the sea life for a short period of time.

Scuba diving is a very relaxing practice, which works out your body at the same time and that is the reason you, must be fit in order to perform this sport. Those who love water find a reason to dive and enjoy the under the sea wonders and life, which many of us don’t even know exist.

Find out if you are fit to scuba dive today and try this wonderful sport, which is bound to get you addicted to it from the very first round. However, make sure you proceed with caution and until you are certified have a scuba diving instructor with you at all times to avoid any unseen mishaps or accidents.

Understanding the Importance of Pro Scuba Diving Gear

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:15:00 -0800

The ideal pro scuba diving gear should enable the diver to have unlimited bottom time and not ever having to worry about a dropping pressure gauge that tells the diver that his or her time is up. There is some pro scuba diving gears available which might consist of a Kirby Morgan band mask, for instance, as well as approximately 50 pounds of weight plus some 300 feet of air hose.

Of course, this is a special kind of pro scuba diving gear that only certain expert divers know about.

What Else is Important to Know?

In addition, there could be different versions of the Kirby Morgan 28 band mask and one such in particular has a fiberglass and stainless steel front plate which helps to place the head in a neoprene helmet instead of in a hard shell. Band mask is the term originating from the stainless-steel clamp that encircles the faceplate holding the seven mil thick hood to the mask.

The helmet on the inside has a neoprene gasket that completely surrounds the face and also has a breathing cup that seals the nose, mouth and chin. To equalize one has to manipulate a knob which in turn rotates a nose dam that is situated in the nose/mouth cup.

The faceplate is made of reinforced glass and rests approximately three inches farther out and the communications unit as well as a check valve is also house in the frame to allow one-way air flow from the main air supply hose. The helmet is also accompanied with a dry suit, a dive computer, knife, light, leather weight harness and also approximately 50 pounds of lead plus the bail-out bottle. It may seem to be very heavy but once the pro diver is underwater it feels much lighter and is also less cumbersome as compared to a scuba rig.

There is also some other not so extremely rugged pro scuba diving gear that is available, and this includes that of a regulator, Octo, BCD and gauges. One such pro scuba diving gear in particular is that of the Aeris Competition which has the Aeris A1 scuba regulator that is low profile and light in weight and is an excellent choice to get the added backup that the more experienced divers would not do without.

Its first and second stages are low profile and have one high pressure port plus four low pressure ports that can take care of most different types of arrangements of hoses. It is Nitrox compatible to 40% and is rugged as well as dependable and is designed through use of the latest 3-D computer modeling methods which allows better modeling as well as test performance while still in the early stages of development.

The Importance of a Full Face Scuba Diving Mask

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:13:00 -0800

The full face scuba diving mask is a type of diving mask that can completely seal the face of the diver from water and which also includes a mouthpiece as well as a demand valve that is used to give the diver enough breathing gas. The full face scuba diving mask is considered as being much more secure than when one breathes from a mouthpiece, especially in the case where a diver should become unconscious since the mouthpiece is gripped between the diver’s teeth.

Who Uses the Full Face Scuba Diving Mask?

The full face scuba diving mask is used by professional divers because they enable the diver to communicate with those above on the surface as well as providing protection to the face from water that may be polluted. When the diver undertakes recreational diving, the full face scuba diving mask is used for protection to the face from cold water as well as stings such as those that may emanate from jellyfish or coral.

In addition, the full face scuba diving mask also is less uncomfortable than the mouthpiece which requires it to be gripped between the teeth over longer periods of time. The full face scuba diving mask is sometimes called the Jack Browne rig, as it is named for a Desco engineer who was the person who designed an early version of the full face scuba diving mask that also had an integrated air-supply attachment.

The full face scuba diving mask also has straps that firmly fasten it to the head and they also have valves to switch between breathing through the mask and breathing without it. The full face scuba diving mask also does not easily get dislodged from the diver’s face as compared with the mouthpiece. Because of its sealing effect, there is much less risk of water leaking and the diver is also able to communicate without removing his mouthpiece and also facilitates use of communication equipment such as intercom wires or modulated ultrasound to be fixed in the mask and provides greater benefit to divers.

However, there is a hazard with the full face scuba diving mask and that concerns dead space that would result in carbon monoxide retention. In order to counter this danger, one may have a small mouth-and-nose breathing mask inside the full face scuba diving mask and this will greatly reduce the dead space. In addition, to prevent the full face scuba diving mask from becoming misted or fogged and one may thus need to treat the inside of the mask window with a demister.

Some Interesting Facts About Scuba Diving That Should Be Known About Before Deciding Upon Scuba Diving

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:12:00 -0800

The Need To Combine Scuba Diving Gear With The Right Expertise Levels

The first fact about scuba diving one needs to know is that the word scuba is really nothing but an acronym for the phrase “SelfContained Underwater Breathing Apparatus”. Scuba diving is made possible by using high pressure metal tanks that are attached to the back of the diver and air supply is regulated through a regulator breathing device which allows the diver to independently swim in deep waters. Other facts about scuba diving are that there is also other special apparel used for scuba diving such as wetsuits, gloves, and hoods in conjunction with supporting equipment like computer watches and buoyancy control.

Another fact about scuba diving is that concerning anyone who wishes to become a scuba diver. There are over one million people who obtain scuba diving certifications worldwide, each and every year. Scuba diving basically necessitates the diver to put on a heavy tank that is full of compressed air on the back and dive deep into the water and the small rubber tube is the only link that helps keep the diver stay alive, underwater. Another fact about scuba diving is that, to become a scuba diver one should first of all be serious and decide whether to dive in warm water or the more hardcore cold waters or would shipwreck explorations be more interesting. In some instances, there would also not be any need of obtaining prior certification in order to go scuba diving, especially in the resort dives found in the Caribbean, Acapulco as well as Florida Keys. Here they will offer one day crash courses in diving that do not result in certification.

For those who have more interests in diving and need certification they should know all about the physical as well as mental aspects about this sport before proceeding further. The physical considerations that need to be known are swimming ability, breathing ability and equalizing ability. Your first concern should be whether you feel confident about being physically able to scuba dive. This would mean knowing whether you can swim and in case the answer to this question is negative then scuba diving should not be more than just a hobby for you. Another fact about scuba diving concerns the fact that since scuba diving is tiring, overweight people, or those with diabetes, heart conditions or any other ailments such as predisposition to drowning should consult a doctor before attempting to scuba dive.

One more important fact about scuba diving is that since scuba diving involves breathing through the mouth instead of the nose one should have had enough experience in breathing through the mouth before scuba diving. A more pertinent fact about scuba diving relates to equalizing the pressure within the ears as one goes deeper down into the water. This in effect means knowing how to “pop” the ears just like it is done on an airplane. Since pressure builds when descends deep into the water one needs to be able to pop the ears and for learning how to do so one should consult a doctor or scuba instructor.

Career in Scuba Diving: Shape Your Destiny as a Dive Instructor

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:11:00 -0800

People are often desirous of getting away from their humdrum existence that typically entails that of boring everyday work with the stress of negotiating traffic and noisy streets and may want to do something different. A career in scuba diving would be quite appealing, because of many factors, such as the fact that the allure of amazing destinations, beautiful people and because one may even become a Diving Instructor, at the end of the day.

Nevertheless, it is not quite so easy to pursue a career in scuba diving and becoming a diving instructor may not be for everyone.

How to get Started in Scuba Diving

People may often start on a career path and having completed the open water course or even, the advanced course may suddenly realize that the world beneath the water is rather unpredictable as well as quite unknown; and, one needs to have hours of experience and training in order to be able to fully comprehend the dangers inherent as well as the responsibilities of pursuing a career in scuba diving, especially so, when becoming a diving instructor.

The diving instructor is the focus of all attention and is also responsible for other people’s lives and safety and he or she is also the person in charge of imparting education to students so that they may become fully capable of diving in a limited period of time, which is not such an easy task as one may expect.

The career in scuba diving necessitates that the diving experience will be different from location to location and is also variable given different times of the year, equipment used as well as the people one dives with. So, keeping in mind all these variables and adding diving instructions to the mix would require high degree of expertise and great sense of responsibility. The satisfaction one can feel from pursuing a career in scuba diving may best be achieved when one sees the student having learnt his craft from you.

So, it is important to take a serious decision about pursuing a career in scuba diving because one will need all the tools and advice necessary to get one’s certification. One will first need to become a Divemaster and then one will be ready to become a Diving Instructor and for this one needs to have undergone the Instructor Development Course, sometimes called PADI IDC. This is a very complex course and is a ceaseless bombardment of information pertaining to standards, safety, students, the PADI system, law, as well as marketing and sales.

Going on an all Inclusive Scuba Diving Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:09:00 -0800

For those who wish to visit a perfect island vacation spot, they should know that the Bahamas Islands are especially suitable and if scuba diving is your area of interest you may rest assured that here lie some of the largest and most unexplored barrier reefs in the world.

The Bahamas Andros Barrier Reef is in fact the number three longest reef system in the world and is almost mostly unexplored and Small Hope Bay Lodge has been providing service for scuba diving for well over forty years and is the first family run dive resort in these parts of the world and make a wonderful destination for one’s all inclusive scuba diving vacation.

The Andros reef is unique not only because of its size but also because it has so many different formations and there are over 60 dissimilar dive sites at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Divers have been visiting this all inclusive scuba diving vacation destination since the 1960s, when double-hose regulators were considered as being state-of-the-art and BCs had not as yet been invented.

In the Atlantic Ocean, the Andros Barrier Reef is second in terms of size and is also mostly unexplored and here, at this all inclusive scuba diving vacation resort there are scuba instructions, dive facilities, scheduled dives, custom-tailored dives, coral gardens, wall diving, cavern diving, wrecks, blue holes, dive sites, Nitrox, shark observation experience to name the different options the guest may avail of.

The all inclusive scuba diving vacation resort of Small Hope has two wreck dives and these are both in sixty to seventy feet of water. The first wreck is called The Barge, which is an aircraft landing barge that went down over thirty years ago and the second is The Marion, which is a construction barge and crane that has seen the bottom of the ocean for approximately fifteen years.

Blue Hole scuba diving are done in underwater cave systems and Andros has so many of these that the list is too extensive to mention, though one of the main ones is The Big Blue Hole which is a system of caves starting at 40 feet and which is a standard offering at this all inclusive scuba diving vacation resort.

Divers may also observe and experience the thrill of sharks and it may help them educate themselves about these misunderstood creatures of the deep.

The Istana - Majesty Bali Villas on the rock..

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:54:00 -0800

The Istana is located in the Banjar of Suluban in Uluwatu, and rests high atop the peninsula of southeastern Bali, an area known as The Bukit. The property overlooks white sand beaches and a blue lagoon abundant with fish and living coral, and offers a prime location from which to witness the island’s stunning sunsets.

When the trade winds blow, a massive swell from the Pacific Ocean crashes onto the reefs surrounding Uluwatu, creating waves that attract surfers from around the world; the breaks are known to be the fifth best in the world, and are only a ten minutes walk from the villa. With the villa located so close to the holy Pura Uluwatu, one of island’s nine mother temples, the site is spiritually inspiring and undeniably unique.

Set back 40 meters from the cliff face, The Istana sits on a tremendous gated property and is composed of two swimming pools, a relaxation bale, a private guest house, and a main house, which is fitted with a living room, dining room, entertainment room (known as the Dot com room), and four identical suites.

Both of the buildings are single-story and open-air with rich teakwood floors, inspiring a natural ambiance, while maintaining and accentuating the spectacular view. The overall style is a compromise between understated modern architecture and traditional Indonesian detailing, with features that blend Indonesian materials and workmanship. The artwork represents a mixture of primitive art and antiques originating from Indonesia, keeping with the mood of tradition.

The property is surrounded by an imposing white wall, and it is through the massive accompanying gate that one enters The Istana. The parking area offers ample room for parking, and is paved with grass for a cooling effect. Flamboyant and flame trees line the wall, providing shade, with flowering pink, white, and red oleander and fragrant lilac planted below. The modern kitchen, which is commercially fitted with state of the art equipment, is in this vicinity, set apart from the rest of the structures along with the security post.

Lotus water gardens flank the streamlined covered walkway leading from the entrance into the main house, forming a straight line of sight leading all the way to the horizon. The colour of the pool water blends into the oceanic backdrop, so the two become merged to the mind’s eye, to that point that the pool becomes an extension of the Pacific Ocean that lies beyond it.

The main garden is decorated with palms, heliconias and ferns, mixed with white flowering Spider lilies, Aturium, and dwarf lilacs, whilst the gnarled trunks of numerous frangipanis lead the view upward to their magnificent, flowering blooms. The tropical flora shades the side of the house and creates a privacy screen from parking area and kitchen, while the water-ponds serve to naturally cool the living room with the help of the south-easterly breezes.

The walkway leads to the huge open-air living room, which overlooks this breathtaking estate. The living room is located at the center of the building, and the rich teak wood floors are accented by the 8-meter high, self-supported, exposed cathedral ceiling, complete with ceiling fans. Matching natural wood wardrobes, and a stunning U-shaped sofa bed surrounding a matching table enable the décor to maintain a natural cozy interior, and a large white limestone carving, depicting the legendary establishment of Uluwatu, accents the right wall. The carving represents the arrival of the priest Pedanda Sakti Wawu Rauh, who, according to legend, came to Bali from Java riding on a “Kaluwih” tree leaf in A.D. 1546, and achieved Hindu liberation, “Moska,” at the spot at which the temple was then established.

The open view offers constantly changing natural lighting as the sun moves in the sky from dawn to dusk and into night. At nighttime, with tactfully placed ambient lighting accenting the villa’s design, one is immersed in the interior, and the villa becomes it’s own private little world.

Two symmetrical wings attached to the living room accommodate the bar and dining room to the left, and the Dotcom room to the right. Both rooms are slightly separated from the rest of the space, and are fully paneled internally and externally with teakwood, evoking a warm comfortable feel. The impressive dining room table consists of one solid slab of teakwood, and easily seats ten. This air-conditioned area is enclosed by four sets of swinging glass doors that can be opened if desired, and overlooks the lily gardens to one side, and the expanse of the ocean to the other. The specially designed lighting fixtures in the dining room offer an intimate atmosphere, complimented by the meditative sounds of the water feature in the garden. Outside of the dining room towards the ocean-side of the property is a stylish guest bathroom.

The bar area is connected to the dining room by a glass door, and from here one can look into the living room and out over the entire property. Chic barstools line the bar, offering a prime location to enjoy a refreshing cocktail.

The Dotcom room is also an enclosed air-conditioned space, which can be opened up if desired to overlook both the front and back of the estate. There are two wooden desk areas for computers and a massive relaxation couch, which could easily seat the capacity of the house, covered in Thai silk pillows, which faces the wide-screen projection TV and entertainment centre.

The four bedrooms are located down open corridors, two of which lead past the dining room, and two of which lead past the Dotcom room. Each suite entry is decorated with carved limestone blocks representing traditional Ikat weavings from the islands of Flores and Sumba.

Each of the four matching suites is comprised of a bedroom with a walk in closet, and indoor and outdoor bathrooms. All of the bedroom walls are faced with timber paneling to mid-height with white sand wash on top, leading up to the high cathedral timber-lined ceilings with ceiling fans.

The furniture in the bedrooms was designed especially for The Istana, as were the exquisite lighting fixtures, and is made exclusively of recycled teakwood. The décor in each room is primarily the same, with differences in the color schemes. All of the bedrooms are walled on three sides by folding glass doors which open up to the private gardens in the case of the bedrooms facing the entrance of the property, and which open up onto the huge property in the case of the bedrooms facing the ocean. All the rooms have air conditioning units that are recessed into timber frames for aesthetic concealment. Remote sensors and thermostats have been located as to offer reliability and access.

The en suite bathrooms are walled in white sand-wash with highlights of carved stone trimming. All have huge teak-framed mirrors above two sinks set in wood. The indoor showers have huge rain-heads, and are enclosed on two sides with glass but open to the front, leading out to private gardens and sunken baths with views of the sky.

The master bedroom is located in the guesthouse, which is separate from, and slightly more elevated than, the main building, set back so as to offer complete privacy. It has its own entrance way, parking facilities, and swimming pool. The L-shape pool is two and a half meters deep and is faced with a black volcanic stone. It has its own outdoor shower and lounge chairs.

The guesthouse is divided into a deck, living area, and bedroom with en suite bath to the rear. The rooms are partially separated by a wall that comes halfway up from the floor to the cathedral ceiling, and all of the walls are faced externally and internally with teakwood. The living area and bedroom both look out over the property, and are enclosed on either side by swinging glass doors. A spectacular view of the ocean is provided from the massive ironwood bed. The bathroom is much like those in the main house, only it has both an indoor and outdoor shower. A large day bed sits on the deck and one can look directly out from this to the relaxation bale.

The relaxation bale is set near the cliff face adjacent to the property’s shrine, and is composed of a white, solid stone bench encircling a large wood table. This creates a luxurious setting, ideal for dining, or just for sitting and relaxing. At sunset, the island’s volcanoes are silhouetted against northwestern skies, and form one of the most spectacular backdrops of anywhere in the world.

The grounds of the property are in two levels. The upper level consists of a large grass lawn of thick, comfortable grass and two water gardens with fountains to either side of living room. Tall coconut palm trees create shaded areas without obstructing the sea view, and are lit at night, brushing the lawn, water features, and swimming pool with a serene glow.

The 30-meter-long swimming pool is set on this level, and offers a breathtaking side to side infinity line leading to the ocean background as the waters spill over the edge nearest the ocean. It is four meters deep at one end, and two meters deep at the other, and is faced with a green granite stone originating from West Java. A waterway that flushes into the pool is aligned to the main axis of the building and starts with a jellyfish-like bubbling, which makes for a striking light show at night. Lounge chairs are set at either end, and an outdoor shower is mounted on a white stone pillar to one side.

The lower level of the property consists of succulent ground cover and a meticulous sprawling lawn, lined along the cliff-side by 15 meters of spiky bougainvillea to dissuade any wanderers and to create a subtle contrast with the lawn. This area is ideal for wedding parties or events.

Guests with children may be concerned about the safety of little ones around the water fixtures and cliff. There will be a dedicated babysitter for the house and a removable fence along the cliff face to make sure there is a large open space where children can play safely.

Uluwatu is a powerful and awe-inspiring place, so the elements of The Istana have been assembled so as to match the heritage of the site. The house blends modern and antique, with a European influence on an Oriental, more specifically Balinese, focus of style. The natural materials and abundant usage of rich teakwood and ironwood throughout the house compliment this mix, and help the building merge well with the landscape, lush gardens, and incredible view. A villa whose name means palace, The Istana is for those who enjoy feeling regal.

Bali to Host Int`l Martial Arts Championship

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:48:00 -0800

Bali to Host Int`l Martial Arts Championship -
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A total of 15 countries have been registered to take part in a martial arts championship scheduled in the tourist resort island of Bali on December 18-24, 2008.

"With 15 countries having registered in the event, the executive board of the Indonesian Martial Arts Association (PB IPSI) assured itself to hold the event after the plan to hold the same championship was canceled in Indonesia since 2006," Deputy Chairman of PB IPSI Bambang Effendi said here on Sunday.

He said that two years ago the world championship was to be held in Solo but all of a sudden it was moved to Malaysia.

PB IPSI General Chairman Prabowo Subiakto has previously stated that the world championship could be held if attended by participants from at least 20 countries.

He said that PB IPSI was optimistic that the championship could be held while it was now waiting for the participation of another five countries.

"PB IPSI has booked rooms in a number of hotels in Bali," he said.

He said that the venue of the event will be at the Ngurah Rai Sports Hall in Denpasar. The sports hall is located near residential areas so that it would be easier for people to witness the event, he said. (*)

Games help businesses in slow season

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Indah Setiawati, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

September and October are the months hoteliers in Bali fear the most as business usually slows down. Instead, they could generate considerable income over the period this year thanks to the Asian Beach Games.

Although most of the hotels are far from booked out, official hotels for participating delegates and athletes have enjoyed business from the guests' relatively long stays. The hotels include Istana Rama Hotel, which is located next to the Games surfing venue at Kuta Beach.

"The Games increased room occupancy although not significantly. We have 30 rooms booked for around two weeks and the travel agent gave us full payment," Istana Rama's assistant general manager Sere Nababan told The Jakarta Post recently.

She said the hotel not only catered the athletes' and officials' breakfast, but also their lunch and dinner, which meant extra revenue.

The room occupancy of the Bali Continental, a small hotel near Sanur Beach, was at just 30 percent during the Games. The hotel, however, saw robust business before the Games began. The slow season apparently came after it accommodated the Indonesian handball team, which stayed there for about a month and a half.

"As many as 22 people stayed here for training at the beach before the competition," Suratno, a hotel front office officer, said.

The athletes' stay helped save the hotel from the global economic crunch, he said.

Some businesses are slower than other hotels near Games venues like the Fourteen Rose Beach Hotel, which is located some 500 meters from the surfing venue on Kuta Beach.

Hotel employee Gede Erma said of the 25 rooms available, only five were occupied.

"The Asian Beach Games had no impact on us, maybe because our hotel is not located near the beach."

Perry Markus, Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association general secretary, said any international event in Bali would generate multiplier effects within the tourism industry in Bali.

During the Games, he said, the room occupancy of hotels around Sanur, Kuta and Nusa Dua reported an average 11 percent increase.

"The rise means the Games did have a positive impact. But it doesn't mean that all hotels are fully booked. Some may not be," he said, adding that most three and four-star hotels were well occupied.

While the athletes and delegates stay at the star hotels, regular tourists who came to the island to spend time at those hotels, had to stay in other nearby hotels, Perry said.

The informal sector and small businesses - like car and motorcycle rentals, art shops, souvenir shops and tattoo services - on the tourist island were quite busy, with many athletes and officials shopping after their competitions, he said.

The Games' influence, however, did not spread throughout Bali, he said.

"The guests stayed in Denpasar and Badung. Karangasem and Singaraja, for example, did not see any difference."

As soon as the Games conclude, Perry says promotion should shift to Christmas and New Year celebrations.

"We hoped for successful Games so as to improve our image following the two Bali bombings so people would come here again to celebrate the two merry festivities."

A private vacation in Bali

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:59:00 -0700

Bali is famous the world over for being a true tropical paradise set against some of the most beautiful natural environments the world has ever seen. From the white sand beaches, pristine and crystal clear blue waters, a great biodiversity of marine life all around and the lovely flora and fauna that you will discover on this small yet wonderful island. However, you will also have to realize that Bali is notorious for having a lot of tourists, millions of them in a year’s time. And this has somewhat dampened some of the joys of having your vacation in this paradise. Having to contend with hundreds of other tourists vying for the same spot on the beach is not exactly that relaxing and this can cause quite a bit of stress in itself.
resources:http://www.rfjudo.com/a-private-vacation-in-bali.html

Investor Guide To Bali

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:55:00 -0700

Up until the beginning of this century, buying property in Bali was widely perceived as a trial of stubborn determination and foolhardiness, due in part to the lack of understanding of local property law and bureaucratic nightmare.

At this time most foreign property owned in Bali was individually built and constructed by long term Bali visitors who overcame the various obstacles to realise their tropical dream home.

In early 2002 the attention of developers focused on luxury private villas in Bali and from a miserly 6 developments available in the market expanded to 60 in 2005. Now it was considered “smart”, a good investment in terms of capital appreciation and potential income. The price of land was increasing exponentially on an almost weekly basis and the number of property available for purchase mushroomed.

In conjungction with the real estate market, service providers from boutique shops to fine dining restaurants realized that there was an untapped market of well healed individuals looking for 5 star vacation experience.

Fortunately buyers in 2002 can now boast capital appreciation in terms of 2-3x their original purchase price, with the trend set to continue. Internationally branded hotels and operators have recenttly entered the market at the desire and demand for high end vacation property continues to grow.

So, over the past few years Bali has seen a rapid increase in development not only in terms of residential and villa properties but also in terms of infrastructure and service industries. Predominantly, activity has been focused on the souhthern triangle, Denpasar south and from Canggu across to Sanur. However, this is now changing: prohibitively high price for land, pollution and traffic congestion has encouraged investors to look further a field. In this article we look at the state of existing popular areas and those “new” frontiers attracting attention.
Resources:balivillasonline.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/investor-guide-to-bali/

More Medals Awarded in Bali Asian Beach Games

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:39:00 -0700

The surfing Aerial division at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) sanctioned Bali Asian Beach Games provided an exciting day at Kuta Beach today.

This specialist acrobatic event sees surfers speed across the wave then launch themselves into the air in a variety of set moves, having to land cleanly on the wave to gain points.

Indonesian surfers Dede Suryana and Made Adi Putra had the crowd screaming on the edge of their seats with a couple of major moves which scored almost maximum points in the semi-finals. Japan's Yuichi Kurogi and Shuhei Kato failed to complete major moves through early rounds so the finals were looking to be following the one two Indonesian win in the men's open.

A packed spectator gallery saw Dede Suryana take the lead early in the heat with a nine point "front-side air reverse" and not to be overtaken as he charged on with an 8.75 and 7.5 set of "Alley Oops". The big challenge came with the fight for second and third, where Japan's Yurichi Kurogi lifted his performance with a "backside reverse air" and a "front-side air" and Indonesia's Made Adi Putra paddled the length of the contest zone searching for the right wave but failing to complete a couple of potential major scoring front-side airs. Kurogi's compatriot in the final Shuhei Kato was unsuccessful in completing his moves and did not challenge the leaders.

In the end, Indonesia took a well deserved gold and a bronze third place but the double evaded them, with Japan in second and fourth.

Results:

Gold Dede Suryana Indonesia
Silver Yuichi Kurogi Japan
Bronze Made Adi Putra Indonesia
Bronze Shuhei Kato Japan

DAY 3: Japan takes second gold at the Asian Beach Games 2008
Bali Asian Beach Games
Kuta Beach, Bali
October 21, 2008

Today was allocated to the Women's Shortboard division at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) sanctioned Bali Asian Beach Games continued its surfing division in small but smooth waves.

Standout surfers through the day were Marianita Alcala (Philippines), Akiko Kiyonoga (Japan), Yasnier Gea and Diah Rahayu Dewi (Indonesia). In the end, superior wave selection and tactics separated the finalists, Kiyonogo and Gea, from their opponents.

A close encounter in the repechage final saw Gea progress over Alcala after some big moves on some of the larger set waves. Alcala was surfing fast and loose but couldn't find the waves to demonstrate the full range of her skill.

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Villa Jodie in Seminyak

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:32:00 -0700

Villa Jodie in Seminyak - at the heart of Bali’s dining and entertainment precinct - is an elegant villa in Bali complex that enjoys the best of both worlds. On one side of sturdy wooden doors lies the sizzle of Seminyak; on the other is a lilac-hued world of peace and luxury living. There are three two bedroom and three three bedroom villas, each with its own pool, kitchen, and open-plan dining and living areas.

All bedrooms are air-conditioned, and have their own bathroom including double basins, bidet, shower and separate bath. Satellite, wide-screen TV and DVD players are standard in all villas.
Villa staff provides cooked breakfast in this bali villas each morning and will cater for other meals.

Rooms are L-shaped around the pool and it is hard to imagine being so close to Seminyak’s best restaurants and clubs when you lie, relaxing, on the poolside sunbeds.

Security is provided 24 hours and service is outstanding.

Villa life is so much more luxurious than even the biggest 5 star hotel - you have your own private staff to look after you and cater to your needs. This Bali villa aims to fulfill all of your dreams….Bali’s beautiful climate, the wonderful and generous Balinese people!

There are three 2 bedroom and three 3 bedroom villas, each with their own pool, kitchen, dining and living area. All bedrooms are air-conditioned; virtually sound proof and have their own bathroom including double basins, bidet, shower and separate bath. Breakfast, and any other meal you wish cooked for you, is served from your own kitchen in your own private dining area.

100% Cotton Sheets are changed daily, with beautiful fluffy towels ready for you when you emerge from your petal-strewn bath, which is open to the sky. Each bedroom has a satellite television. In the bathroom, you will find specially designed Villa Jodie toiletries, a hairdryer and an international power point. An iron and an ironing board are available from housekeeping.

In the sitting area, there is another television, which is not only connected to the satellite but also has a DVD/CD player. At Guest Relations there is a library of discs, books, magazines and tourist information.

The Villa Jodie staff are all experienced in tourism and Villa life. They will help you organize your daily plans, be it the development of your films, a driver and a car - or just a car if you’re game to drive - groceries from the supermarket, a massage, a pedicure, a manicure, change your currency (without commission), do your laundry and all at prices that will astound you as they are far below 5 star costs.

There is 24/7 security, so you can feel comfortable as you lie back in your private space and the main bedroom in each villa has a small safe for those little items you need to have on hand. There is a larger safe in the Manager’s office.

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LibForAll Foundation Promotes Tolerance in Indonesia, Other Muslim Nations

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:50:00 -0700

Former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid and Southeast Asian pop star Ahmad Dhani have joined forces in an organization called LibForAll, which promotes religious tolerance. Mike O'Sullivan reports that the foundation, co-founded by American Holland Taylor, is building a network of moderate Muslims to counteract extremism.

LibForAll Foundation
Indonesia, where more than 85 percent of the population is Muslim, has been the scene of horrible violence carried out by religious extremists, including the 2002 bombing in Bali that claimed the lives of more than 200 people.

But there is a countervailing movement that promotes tolerance. Indonesian pop star Ahmad Dhani, lead singer for the group Dewa, conveys that message in two albums. One, called Laskar Cinta, or Warriors of Love, is a play on Laskar Jihad, or Warriors of Jihad, the name of an extremist group behind the killings of thousands of Christians in the Maluku Islands and Sulawesi.

Singer Dhani is a member of the board of the LibForAll Foundation, a name based on the phrase "liberty for all." The organization was co-founded by former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid and C. Holland Taylor, an American businessman who was fascinated with the culture of Java, Indonesia's most populous island. Taylor is familiar with the Islamic world. He has spent time in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan since his days as a student. Since retiring from the telecommunications business in the 1990s, he has spent much of his time in Indonesia, studying Javanese culture and promoting what he sees as its tradition of tolerance. He says Javanese Muslims rejected political Islam 400 years ago.

"And when they succeeded in defeating that extremism, they allowed all Javanese freedom of religion," said Taylor. "They could be Hindu, they could be Buddhist, they could be animist, they could be Muslim, they could mix them all together. The only thing they could not do is use force to compel others to worship the way they thought that they should."

He says the influx of petro-dollars from wealthy oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia has led to a rise in extremism, especially in the cities.

"Radical Islam is primarily an urban phenomenon rather than a rural phenomenon because it spreads most easily among Muslim populations who have been cut off from their roots in the countryside, who have moved to cities," he said. "In Europe and America, it is often second and third generation children of immigrants who, instead of growing up in a village in Morocco or Algeria, they are now living in Europe. The local mosque was built by Saudi Arabia. The imam is paid by Saudi Arabia."

The LibForAll Foundation held a conference in Bali last year to reject assertions made at an Iranian-sponsored meeting that the Jewish Holocaust never happened. The Bali conference was convened by former President Wahid and featured witnesses to the Holocaust, a Holocaust survivor, and victims of terrorism.

Wahid served as Indonesia's first democratically elected president from 1999 to 2001.

Like many Javanese, he follows a mystical strain of Islam known as Sufism. He is former chairman of an organization called Nahdlatul Ulama, which claims 40-million members. It opposes violence and intolerant interpretations of Islam.

Indian-born Ravi Krishnamurthy is vice president of the LibForAll Foundation. The Silicon Valley entrepreneur is a Hindu, but he says the foundation's work of promoting moderate Islam concerns people of all faiths.

"Because what happens, many times, we have people say it is a Muslim issue, Muslims must deal with it," said Ravi Krishnamurthy. "Of course, there is a theological component which needs a trained scholar or cleric from the Muslim world. But then there is a financial, there is an operational, logistical component, which requires people of goodwill of every faith and nation to come together and address this problem."

Holland and Krishnamurthy say extremist groups are rich in funds and have the organizational skills to spread their influence.

The foundation hopes to tip the balance toward a message of tolerance. It briefs policy makers in the United States and Europe and works with other organizations that promote tolerance, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, a Jewish institution that cosponsored the Bali Holocaust conference.

The foundation is also producing a video project that features moderate Muslim leaders from various parts of the world explaining their faith. It plans to distribute the programs to Islamic schools and make the series available for broadcast.

Bali Anticipates Global Crisis

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:48:00 -0700

Bali is getting ready for the effect of the global crisis on the tourism sector. It is possible that the number of foreign tourists will decrease. "We have to be ready," said Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika yesterday.

He suggested strengthening other sectors without changing the development priority.

However, Perry Markus, secretary general for the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) in Bali is optimistic that the tourism sector can survive the crisis as so far there has not been cancellation over the tourists visiting plan.

Earlier, head of the Central Bureau of Statistics for Bali Ida Komang Wisnu predicted the number of foreign tourists coming to Bali in 2008 will reach more than 1.9 million people. It passes the government's target of 1.7 million.

Bali Trekking Adventure Tours

noreply@blogger.com (HAVE YOU CHECK MY FAVORITE SITES) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:07:00 -0700

Welcome to Bali Jungle Trekking Adventure, start your wonderful experience on your holiday in the Jungle Mountains of Bali. Your adventure experience to explore the Bali nature which is still original with the surrounding friendly society life and pass through the beautiful nature is really make your life perfect By Bali Trekking Adventure Tour, you can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful flora and fauna of Bali island. The dense forest is the home of many kinds of birds and other fauna, which live harmoniously in their habitat. It gives you an amazing experience for a great land adventure. Some of the places of interest in Bali where you can visit like Bedugul, Elephant Safari Park, Beautiful Rice Field or traditional Balinese Village as in accordance with your trekking selection. Your holiday will be completely unforgettable one if you have this experience in Bali.

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Sobek Trekking Adventure
Sobek Bali Trekking adventure takes you to explore the original of Bali nature. Penetrating forest jungle with the big grove and encircle the exotic Tamblingan Lake and ford the lake by traditional boat for the direct vision to the beauty natural of Bedugul Bali or see directly the life of all farmers in the rice field with their activities. We will guide you to the impressive adventure just step by step to complete your trekking experience in Bali . See completely Sobek Trekking Adventure >> HERE

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Bali Adventure Tours - Trekking
Bali Adventure Tour will guide your trekking adventure to trace and explore the nature of Taro countryside in the north of Ubud Bali, which is still original with the friendly society life and close to their religious life. Your adventure will end at Bali Elephant Park while joining the exciting attraction from the tame and funny elephants. To see more complete information about the trekking adventure via Bali Adventure Tours, please see HERE

US$ 45 ONLY
Ayung Trekking Adventure
Trek into the tropical mountain rain forest, near the village of Bedugul , where flora and fauna thrive. You can get magnificent experience by crossing the calm lake water in the traditional dug out canoe. This exotic adventure treks into the heart of Balinese nature offers the beauty of spectacular undisturbed nature and photographic opportunity. Please see completely the page of Bali Trekking with Ayung Trekking Adventure experience HERE.