what's the 05:08

may 01
PT Tubing Adventure presents Bali's most exciting canyon tubing adventure, opening today. Charge the crystal clear rapids in a hidden canyon to the north of Payangan, (Jl. Suwuh Kangin Denpasar, T: 0361 808 0305)

The Grand Mirage Resort celebrates the grand launching of the Mirage Chapel by the Sea today. Raden Sirait, a well-known designer of Contemporary Kebaya in Indonesia and Asia will feature his annual extravaganza fashion show with a 'Moulin Rouge in Bali' theme. Invitations available from the resort (Jl. Pratama 74 Tanjung Benoa,T: 0361 771 888).

may 01 - 16
Danes Art Veranda presents an exhibition by Ketut Mastrum entitled 'Kupu-Kupu Barong'. This exhibition starts today until the 16th (Jl. Hayam Wuruk Denpasar, T: 0361 242 659)

may 02
To celebrate 100 years of "Kebangkitan Nasional" (National Awakening Day) on May 2nd, Kun Adnyana, a Balinese painter, has created a new exhibition called 'New Totems For Mother' being held in Gaya Art Gallery. Starts today until June 2nd (Jl. Raya Sayan Ubud, T: 0361 979 252)

may 02 - 03
Once again food and wine connoisseurs of Bali will have the opportunity to unite socially during the Kayumanis Food Festival hosted on 2nd and 3rd at the gangsa, Sanur. The Balinese Chefs from each Kayumanis property will join forces to take diners on a journey guaranteed to excite the senses and transcend culinary boundaries. The menu will focus on island fresh produce with a hint of local artistry. Both evenings will take place in a charming garden setting that recreates the ambience of a Balinese market (Jl. Tirta Angkasa Sanur, T: 0361 270 260)

may 05 - 11
Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS), a charity foundation, is proud to host a retrospective exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Ubud post-impressionist/expressionist painter Jason Monet. The exhibition is staged to raise funds to support SOS grassroots conservation projects in Sumatra. Starting today until the 11th. (Bamboo House, Br. Dangin Labak, Singakerta, Ubud, T: 081 338 337 921)

april 05
FHM Magazine presents Dance Journey featuring DJ ANTON WIRJONO (Future 10, Jakarta) and FHM Girls at Double Six Club on Saturday, April 5th.
This event is supported by their best resident DJ's, Dede, Helmy and Art. (T: 0361 756 666)

may 09-29
Griya Santrian will house artwork by Dewa Suputra, a Balinese painter from today until the 29th June. Through his latest work Suputra conceptualizes imitation, nature, modernity, art, and realism. (Jl. Danau Tamblingan Sanur, T: 0361 288 181)

may 16
Seminyak's super trendy Living Room celebrates their eighth anniversary tonight from 11pm until late. DJ Mamsa plus residents and a smattering of live performances should keep the party alive through to dawn. No admission charge, white and gold dress code. Jl. (Kerobokan, T: 0361 735 735)

may 17
Today marks Tumpek Wayang celebrations on the Balinese calendar when blessing ceremonies are given to shadow puppet play sets and musical instruments for magical powers and proper function.

may 26
Museum Rudana plays host to a collection of paintings by Ida Bagus Indra starting today until May 31st. Ida Bagus Indra (known as IBI), is an autodidact Balinese painter who loves to capture the movement of dancers in his acrylic artwork (Jl. Cok Rai Pudak Peliatan Ubud T: 0361 975 779)

may 30
The eagerly awaited opening of this exciting new venue Ocean Beach Club – the sister project of ESC and Skygarden throws its doors open to the public this month promising what will be Kuta's first superclub. International names such as Booka Shade and the like are the caliber of international guests rumoured to be playing this summer. One huge poolside arena, lounge bar and indoor second room will be seeing some serious dance floor action from the Bali party crew. (Jl. Pantai Kuta, T: 0361 755 423)

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Island News - Goings on

 

ocean queen

Starting in early May the 32m Citra Pelangi (Image of the Rainbow) will be the only traditional iron wood Phinisi dive boat offering unique five day dive trips exploring the coastline of Bali and its neighbouring islands.

This gives up to 12 lucky, experienced divers the chance to see rare marine life varieties that vary from manta and eagle rays, reef and nurse sharks, turtles and mola mola sunfish in the Nusa Penida area, to rare muck diving critters like pygmy seahorses, baby clown frogfish, nudibranches and juvenile batfish on the east and north coastline of Bali.

Facilities include 6 double air-conditioned cabins with private hot water bathrooms, an air-conditioned restaurant offering 5 star cuisine and upper deck bar. For diving there are two dinghies, full international safety equipment and DAN trained cruise directors and instructors with extensive knowledge of the area. For booking enquiries contact: The Gili Paradise Shop, (Poppies One, Kuta, T: 0361 753 241) or Sea Trek Sailing Adventures on 0361 283 358.

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a cut above the rest

Bali recently hosted the Asian Presidents' meeting of InterCoiffure – the global hair stylists' association at the Gending Kedis Resort, Jimbaran Bay (Jl Karang Mas, T: 0361 708 906). It was announced that Indonesia would be the third country in the world, after launches in Brazil and Romania, to kick start the 'Education for Life' program, which assists in educating and training disadvantaged people within the hairdressing and beauty profession. For more information on how to become involved or make a donation, contact Douglas Wallace at the Gending Kedis Resort.

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flying high

Air Asia has launched their brand new route from Jakarta to Kinabalu and Kuching in Malaysia. The company expects these two new flight routes to be a breakthrough in developing the tourist industries for both Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia's neigbor offers fascinating tourism attractions such as Mt. Kinabalu (the highest mountain in Malaysia), thousands of small islands to explore and the eight hundred hectare Semenggoh orangutan rehabilitation centre. Bookings can be made at www.airasia.com

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new blends

Australian born Don Buchanan has recently been appointed as Managing Director of Hatten Wines based in Sanur Bali. This appointment follows a life time of working in the wine industry in Australia and overseas.

Don has won many awards, medals and trophies for his wines and has recently set up Buchanan Wines vineyard and Winery in Tasmania, producing super premium cool climate wines. He also created a micro brewery at Rosevears Hotel in the Tamar Valley producing boutique beers and consulted with Boags Brewery in Tasmania.

With a love for cooking, good food, fine wine and flying (he pilots his own 2-seater Ultra Light Plane), Don and his wife Judy are looking forward to using this varied experience to build on the established success of Hatten Wines - the Original Balinese winery.

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beach vibes

Those of you who have been cruising Jl Pantai Kuta over the last couple of weeks may have spotted some activity at the bottom of Poppies Lane 2 at the site of the old Said Hotel. It all became obvious last week when the sign went up and a few familiar faces from Sky Garden were seen loitering around putting the finishing touches to what is Bali's new superclub. Ocean Beach will have thrown its doors open by the time you read this and has a long list of international DJ talent booked to grace the open air swimming pool arena and the second room inside the bar area. Expect lots of summer shenanigans this year - obviously not from the editorial team here at hello bali. Ahem…

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world first

Will Goodman set a new Guinness world record on 16 April 2008 on the island of Gili Trawangan, Lombok, for the 'longest open saltwater scuba dive', with the unofficial new time of 33 hours and 34 minutes. Over 32 divers, 8 witnesses, film crews and a group of team leaders, boat captains, tank fillers, and a lot of community support made the attempt successful. This huge feat of endurance saw Will Goodman battle with strong currents and spend an entire night in the dark, while constantly facing the challenge of changing equipment to replenish his air supply. The main aim was to raise money for the children in the local school. Along with around IDR10,000,000 already donated, the awareness brought to the islands was also a great achievement by all involved. Congratulations to Will and all in the team which helped.

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sarongs off

Proving you can't keep a good chef down Australian culinary wunderkind Will Meyrick has just rolled out the red carpet at his brand new restaurant Sarong (Jl Petitenget, Kerobokan, T: 0361 737 809). Formerly of Jimmy Liks and Longrain in Australia and more recently the man behind a celebrated stint at Blossom, Sentosa Villas, Will's latest venture with respected food and wine connoisseurs Andrew McLatchie and David Kearns is a whirlwind taste de force around Indian, Chinese, Indonesian and Thai cuisines brought together under one (very stylish) roof by experienced, native chefs. Expect big things from Sarong this summer. Full review next month in hello bali.

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balearic bali

Jose Padilla, celebrated selector of the original Café Del Mar compilations, producer and DJ, led the charge at the April opening of the new Anantara Hotel (Jl Dyana Pura, T: 0361 737 773) with a three-night melée of Balearic beats, Ibiza spirit and free flow Sangria for the assembled throng of Seminyak scenesters and Bali social glitterati. Friday and Saturday night saw Padilla gracing the decks at the Sunset on Six bar with Sunday's closing party on the beach attracting a fair turnout of paying guests. Expect to see more of Jose Padilla over the summer as he's back over this side of the world in August. Sunset on Six will be hosting similarly themed parties throughout the summer months - stay tuned to hello bali for more details.

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two in a row for yesco at kerams

A tired but happy Yesco (far left in the photo) peeled off her Roxy rashguard has been congratulated on her second win in as many years at the Roxy Open Keramas. She was also the winner of last year's Roxy Open at Keramas. In the first women's surfing event of the ISC 2008 tour year, which has now a designated Women's Division with five events. Yesco, the Japanese wife of Indonesian pro surfer Pepen Hendrix, has been spotted at Keramas over the last several weeks getting in some serious wave time practicing for the contest and it certainly paid off for her as she bested a mix of Indonesian, Japanese, and Hawaiian competitors (13 women in total) to come to the beach with the win. It's great to see more and more girls out there in the water having fun surfing and competing against each other. The ISC is stoked that the main sponsors of this event Roxy and Jim Beam are seeing this and really supporting girls surfing in Indonesia.

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Pygmy to Penida

Pygmy Bali Diving (Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai, T: 0361 778 962) has just launched their new speedboat 'Valeria', perfect for diving, snorkeling and fishing trips out to neighbouring Nusa Penida. With top deck seating and some serious horsepower under the hood the journey out to some of the greatest diving this side of Sulawesi is just that little bit closer to home.