OBAMA TO NOMINATE CLINTON SECRETARY OF STATE

OBAMA TO NOMINATE CLINTON SECRETARY OF STATE

Democratic officials say President-elect Barack Obama will nominate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to be his secretary of state on Monday.
Obama plans to announce the New York senator as part of his national security team at a press conference in Chicago, the officials said Saturday. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly for the transition team.
To clear the way for his wife's nomination, former President Bill Clinton has agreed to disclose the names of every contributor to his foundation. He'll also refuse contributions from foreign governments to the Clinton Global Initiative, his annual charitable conference, and will cease holding C-G-I meetings overseas. Sourch : http://www.yahoo.com/

INDIANA WOMAN DIES AT 115 AS WORLD'S OLDEST PERSON

INDIANA WOMAN DIES AT 115 AS WOLRD'S OLDEST PERSON

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. – Edna Parker, who became the world's oldest person more than a year ago, has died at age 115.
UCLA gerontologist Dr. Stephen Coles said Parker's great-nephew notified him that Parker died Wednesday at a nursing home in Shelbyville. She was 115 years, 220 days old, said Robert Young, a senior consultant for gerontology for Guinness World Records.
Parker was born April 20, 1893, in central Indiana's Morgan County and had been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest person since the 2007 death in Japan of Yone Minagawa, who was four months her senior.
Coles maintains a list of the world's oldest people and said Parker was the 14th oldest validated supercentenarian in history. Maria de Jesus of Portugal, who was born Sept. 10, 1893, is now the world's oldest living person, according to the Gerontology Research Group.
Parker had been a widow since her husband, Earl Parker, died in 1939 of a heart attack. She lived alone in their farmhouse until age 100, when she moved into a son's home and later to the Shelbyville nursing home.
Although she never drank alcohol or tried tobacco and led an active life, Parker didn't offer tips for living a long life. Her only advice to those who gathered to celebrate when she became the oldest person was "more education."
Parker outlived her two sons, Clifford and Earl Jr. She also had five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Don Parker, 60, said his grandmother had a small frame and a mild temperament. She walked a lot and kept busy even after moving into the nursing home, he said.
"She kept active," he said Thursday. "We used to go up there, and she would be pushing other patients in their wheelchairs."
Gov. Mitch Daniels celebrated with Parker on her 114th birthday.
"It was a delight to know Edna, who must have been a remarkable lady at any age," Daniels said.
Parker taught in a two-room school in Shelby County for several years after graduating from Franklin College in 1911. She wed her childhood sweetheart and neighbor in 1913.
But as was the tradition of that era, her teaching career ended with her marriage. Parker traded the schoolhouse for life as a farmer's wife, preparing meals for as many as a dozen men who worked on her husband's farm.
Parker noted with pride last year that she and her husband were one of the first owners of an automobile in their rural area.
Coincidentally, Parker lived in the same nursing home as 7-foot-7 Sandy Allen, whom Guinness recognized as the world's tallest woman until her death in August. Sourch: http://www.yahoo.com/

MERAPI VULCANO - JOGJAKARTA

THE BEAUTIFUL JOGJA WITH MERAPI VULCANO

The internally giant smoking Mount Merapi is one of the active volcanoes found in Indonesia, present its peaceful and sleepy dense forest. Beyond this, there is vast deserted land lies with its deep and steep valley spread out among the mountain hills where sibilant pines and wild grass make out the dominating vegetation, all presents a very exciting panorama. During its resting time of volcanic activities, it will enable those who have much interest in mountaineering to have fun and to make them more acquainted with the flora of its tropical rain forest. From the observation post located on Plawangan hill that can be reached through the forest resort on Kaliurang, you will see incredible sights of molten rocks mudding over the rim - sometimes accompanied with hot lava pouring out regularly and leaving along trail of smoke. Mount Merapi is 2,920 m above sea level with an average temperature at noon and night is approximately 15-16 degrees. At present this resort is provided with an outstanding and modern golf course, which is settled on 800 meters of sea level. This golf course located only 30 minutes driving from the city of Yogyakarta. This golf course possesses 18 holes, par 72 courses, and opened to the public.

BABGOC RECEIVED AWARD

BABGOC RECEIVED OCA AWARD - 1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES BALI 2008

SANUR (10/22/08) - The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) presented the Award of Merit to Rita Subowo, BABGOC Director General, and Aburizal Bakrie, BABGOC Chairman, during the 27th OCA General Assembly at the Westin Resort in Nusa Dua, Bali Tuesday, 21 October.
The award is for Indonesia's great achievement in organizing the 1st Asian Beach Games. OCA especially praised the highly entertaining and energetic opening ceremony on 18 October. Indonesia's success, according to Rita, is expected to inspire the world to host the next games; Muscat (Oman) 2010, then Hayang City (China) 2012, Boracay (Philipines) 2014 and Phuket (Thailand) 2016.
In honor of the achievement, the executive board meeting of OCA decided that the flame for the games torch will always be taken from Mrapen, Central Java. The torch will then be relayed from Java to Bali and then to the host country. “The forum agreed and the decision was made during the General Assembly,” Rita said.
Also scheduled on the agenda are presentations by delegations from the four candidate cities to host the 2016 Olympics and Paralympic Games: Chicago, Madrid, Rio, Tokyo. Followed by the presentation of the London Organizing Committee of Olympic Games and Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games.
Officials at the meeting included OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, IOC President Jacques Rogge, IOC members around the world and representatives from sports federations of the 45 countries of the OCA. (http://www.bali2008.com/)

INDONESIAN WOMEN'S DRAGON BOAT TEAM WON GOLD - 1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES BALI 2008

INDONESIAN WOMEN'S DRAGON BOAT TEAM WON GOLD - 1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES BALI 2008

WEST SUWUNG (10/22/08) - On the final competition, Indonesian women’s dragon boat team won gold medal in 500 meter class. The 21-member team of Sarce Aronggaer and team raced in round 4. They finished first in 2 minutes 24.55 seconds.Silver medal went to China with time record of 2 minutes 28.13 seconds and Bronze won by Thailand (2:32,60).With that result, Indonesia has earned three gold medals and one silver medal in dragon boating. Indonesian dragon-boat team coach, Muhammad Suryadi, said that the women’s team victory in 500 meter class had been predicted before.
"Our women’s team targeted to win gold in 1.000 meter and 500 meter class. While in 250 meter class the chance is fifty-fifty," he said. According to Suryadi, Indonesian dragon boat women’s team is cored by Canoe and Kayak gold medalists in SEA Games and The National Games."Our women’s team is strong and experienced. So, there is no problem when they are in a team," he said. Meanwhile, former Navy Chief of Staff Ahmad Sutjipto stated that the success of Indonesian boat team made him proud. He indicated that both men's and women's dragon boat teams would be nurtured even more.
"They would be in continuous trainings for the next Asian Games 2010 in Guangzhou, China," he said. Sutjipto is optimistic that with hard trainings they would be able to win more gold medals in the next Asian Games. (http://www.bali2008.com/)

KUTA KARNIVAL "9 DAYS OF FUN ON THE BEACH"

Kuta Karnival Announces Program 9 Days of Fun on the Beach October 18-26, 2008.

Graha Wicaksana, the head of Community Development for Kuta, Bali's most famous beach area, has confirmed that the Kuta Karnival returns for nine days from October 18-26, 2008.Initially organized as a response to the Bali terrorist attack of October 2002, the event has now become a regular fixture on Bali's busy calendar of yearly events.
This year’s event has been given the motto of "A Celebration of Life" reflecting the nine days of traditional art performances, sunset dances on the beach, sports activities, and an entire bazaar of culinary kiosks located in tents up and down the beach.Following the first Kuta Karnival held in 2003, this will represent the sixth year for the festivities which now garners national and international press coverage.
The 2008 Karnival will also feature Balinese dance competitions, environmental conservation exhibits, a fun cycle show, seminars and a mass street parade. Based on past years, the Kuta Karnival is expected to draw more than 90,000 people.Some of the highlights of this year’s Kuta Karnival:

● Opening Ceremony - Held on the first day of the event, this day will be marked by a traditional Sekar Jagat dance and "Bali Paddle for Peace" in which 1,000 surfers will take to the ocean to spread flower pedals on the waves. 500 turtles will also be released back into the local seas.
● Food Festival - Tentatively set for day 8 and 9 of the Kuta Karnival more than 60 of Bali's best restaurants will set up kiosks along Kuta Beach. A children's play area will be in operation and live entertainment will be on offer from a central stage during these two days when more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend.
● Tebs Shocking Games - Tebs will be offering samples of their beverages and a number of adventure activities including rope climbing and rope games offered under the careful supervision of the professionals from Tree Top Bedugul.
● Beach Volley Ball Competitions - Volley Ball competitions between both local and international teams at the competition arena on each day of the Kuta Karnival.
● Beach Soccer - Held on "Surf Family Day" informal soccer matches for all those who wish to take part.
● Sand Creations - School children will have the opportunity to compete for prizes as they display their ability to build sand-based sculptures.
● Life Guard Demonstrations - See life-saving techniques demonstrated by the Kuta Life Saving Association.
● Surfing and Body Building - Competitions to be held at “Halfway Point” on Kuta Beach.
● Skate Ramp - Bali's landmark skate arena located on the beach will allow everyone a chance to try their skill at skateboarding. Day 3 will be dedicated to a final skate boarding competition.
● Tug-of-War- See companies, clubs and community groups compete.
● Traditional Dance and Music - Scheduled for every afternoon of the Karnival - a different traditional Balinese dance each day.
● Surfer Girl Balinese Dance Competition - Traditional dance competition for children.
● Traditional Kite Flying - Scheduled for day 2, some 3,200 kites are targeted to participate. at the Bali Garden Hotel.
● Arts Attractions - Alumni from Bali's Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) will perform during the Karnival.
● Bali Islamic Festival - Islamic-themed activities will be on offer at the Discovery Shopping Mall.
● Beach Stalls - Local merchants and organization offering knowledge and goods from their bazaar stalls stretched along the beach.
● Suzuki Music Festival - scheduled for each day of the Karnival, see new products and national bands perform.
● IndieFez XL - Sponsored by XL on the music stage, Day 5.
● Cardinal Awards - A competition between local bands and models. Winners will compete in Bandung, West Java in a national competition later in the year.
● Karnival Parade - Set for the last day of the Karnival in the parade will include decorated floats, roller skaters, cyclists, big bikes, antique cars, gamelan orchestras, and horse-drawn carts.
● Jalan Santai - A fun walks by more than 2,000 people through Kuta Beach.

For more information contact Mr. Graha Wicaksana at telephone ++62-(0)815575222. http://www.kutakarnival.com/ or http://www.gokuta.com/

KUTA THE PIONEER BEST SURFING BEACH IN BALI

KUTA BEACH -THE PIONEER BEST SURFING BEACH IN BALI

Bali surfing is an exciting adventure to break the high wave of the Indian Ocean. Bali provides many places for the surfers to challenge and experience the sea world and having fun during your vacation. With the easy access road to the surfing point, it will make your interest to experience this great adventure. the Indian Ocean own specific characteristic wave that makes Bali well known as good place for surfing holiday by all surfers in all over the world. Firstly, Kuta Beach is the pioneer of Beach that many surfers have experienced the wave of this famous beach in Bali. Kuta Beach is a barometer of Bali Tourism has a beautiful panorama a long the beach and own the specific characteristic wave of Indian Ocean that is good for all surfer from the beginner until the professional. A long the Kuta Beach, the white sandy unfolding the coastal area from the north to the south and it own the magnificent view of sunset that make Kuta Beach is famous in all over the world. Kuta also provides Surfing Course where you may learn how to surf with the complete facilities and professional instructor.

KUTA IS THE "PARTY CENTRAL" OF BALI'S NIGHTLIFE

KUTA IS THE PARTY CENTRAL OF BALI NIGHTLIFE

Kuta at night refers to the area extending about 7km north of the original village of Kuta. This area now includes Legian, Seminyak and even Basangkasa. The Kuta area is the “Party central” of Bali's nightlife. The majority of Bali's better entertainment places offer anything and everything a 'night owl' would want. Located at the center of the original village are Kuta's many open-air pubs and discos.

Tubes Café Take up the option of joining surfers to guzzle beer, play pool and watch surfing videos.

• Bounty Restaurant which sways to the music of its dance floor till dawn
  
• 66 Club (but say 'double six') Other happening outlets in town are the trendy
  
• Goa 201 Pub Restaurant and hyper chic Gado Gado.
  
• The Maccaroni Club is irresistible. One of Bali's latest and most extraordinary, this place jazzes it up every Sunday from 10.30pm and invites guests to jam along on Friday nights.
  
• Zero Six in Tuban For a rare and special combination of Balinese dancing and rock bands near the beach.
  
• Gracie Kelly's boasts to be Bali's First (and only) original Irish Pub at Bali Dynasty Resort Jl. Kartika. The interior recreates a 100 year old shop pub in rural Ireland. Enjoy wholesome home cooked food from Gracie's Kitchen whilst sipping a Guinness or cold Bintang. Live entertainment every evening.
  
• Hard Rock Café draws the crowds with live music and pricey drinks
  
• Joni Sunken Bar & Restaurant Jalan Melasti Other live music spots include the Aussie-style 'pubs' and the semi-submerged. (created by own and source: http://www.baliislandguide.blogspot.com/).

KOMODO ISLAND THE HERITAGES

KOMODO ISLAND THE HERITAGES

The islands of the Komodo Dragon: Rinca & Komodo Islands are part of the complex of 175 islands (about 90% unhabitant), situated 200 nautical miles east of Bali, between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa. Both above and below the sea Komodo represents a unique range of geological and biological diversity. On shore it is an amazing museum diorama of the Mesozoic era dry tundra and reptilian supremacy. Komodo’s symbol of international fame its dragons, the world’s largest living lizard.In the sea its vibrant color and exotic life will enchant divers and snorkel alike as endless schools of fish ride the waterways rushing up from deep sea vents, below them the seabed is covered with a thick carpet of florescent corals and marine invertebrates - an underwater photographer’s paradise.The waters that surround the island are turbulent and teeming with unparallel marine life. A marine reserve has recently been established and this reserve is largely undocumented and remains unexplored. Komodo National Park was established in 1980. It was declared as a Man and Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site in 1986. KNP includes three major islands - Komodo, Rinca and Padar and numerous smaller islands together totaling 41,000 ha of land contains 132,000 ha of marine waters.The corals in Komodo National park are pristine, with Mantas, sharks, turtles, dolphins, dugong, many pelagic, to the tiny pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, frog fish; you name it we’ve got it. The sites vary from gentle easy coral slopes to heart pounding adrenalin rides, from the warm waters of the Flores Sea in the north to the chillier waters down south in the Indian Ocean, the underwater terrain is so varied with sheer cliff walls, pinnacles, sandy flat bottoms, underwater plateaus, slopes, caves, swim-troughs, channels, all with varying colors, sizes and types of coral both hard and soft.

BALINESE PEOPLE STRUNGGLE MONUMENT - THE BAJRA SANDI MONUMENT

THE BAJRA SANDI MONUMENT

A hidden wonderful place has been found, in the heart of Denpasar; it stands firmly on the center of a very wide green yard. No one will expect amazing spectacles inside of this monument. Balinese Struggle Monument is located at Jl. Raya Puputan, Renon Denpasar. You will find a green field and a monument in the centre of the field. Its shape looks like a bell with spacious lawn surrounding the monument

Balinese People Struggle Monument has four identical gates on four sides of the monument. All will take you to the monument. You can get confused by these gates because they have the same features, but don’t worry they will you take you inside the monument or exit the building.
The division of this building based on concept of Tri Mandala (A Balinese cosmo-geological concepts that is applied on a building). Nista Mandala (the outside part) of this building is the green yard including the gates. Then if you keep on entering through the stairs, you will find small garden as Madya Mandala (the middle part). Continue your walk, you will get to the Utama Mandala (the Main part) and you will see a smaller garden and pond circling the main building; you are allowed to feed the fish; but don’t forget to buy the food first at information booth.

The main building itself also consist of three parts those are : Nistaning Utama Mandala (first floor), Madyaning Utama Mandala (the second floor), and Utamaning utama mandala (the third floor). Upon entering Utamaning utama mandala you will be welcomed by fancy sculpture made from lime stone and the surrounding is very cozy, clean and well-managed. In this floor you can find Information booth, Staff Room, Exhibition Room, Library, Souvenir Shop, Meeting Room, and last but not least Toilet. The most interesting room is exhibition room because it exhibits interesting artifacts range from documentary photos to documentary letters about the history of Bali. In this floor a small pond also lays in the center which is inhabited by various fish
In Madyaning Utama Mandala, a diorama room has been waiting to be seen. In this room there are 33 dioramas of Balinese history. Diorama no 1 until 15 tell about Balinese in pre-history and Balinese Kingdom and diorama no 16 until 33 tell about Balinese people struggle against the Dutch.

In front of the diorama room there is a winding stairs. It consists of 70 stairs which will bring you to the Utamaning Utama Mandala, the highest part of this monument. From this place you can get a bird-eye view of Denpasar City. This is good place for contemplation. The best thing of this room is the ceiling; it tells us about the division of Cardinal Point a la Balinese. The ceiling is divided into 9 areas; 8 areas circling the one in the center, each area has a particular sign. The signs are the weapons which are used by gods who control each of cardinal points.

There are so many things about Bali which can be learnt from this monument. Just ask your guide to show you this monument. By only paying Rp 10.000 for adult and Rp 5.000 for kids you can get all in one, touring and studying. This monument opens from 8.30 until 17.00 in every single day. Happy touring, Happy learning!

UBUD KINGDOM PALACE

UBUD KINGDOM PALACE -PURI SAREN THE BALINESE TRADITIONAL HOUSES

Puri Saren Ubud (Ubud Palace) is an Ubud Kingdom Palace with beautiful Balinese traditional houses as a residence of Ubud King. It is set in the center of Ubud Bali with traditional art market just in front of it and it is found by Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel who has commanded from year 1800 - 1823. This palace is an artistic cultural life center, while the traditional market is the symbol of local economics resident. The existence of Puri Saren as a palace is equipped by a Wantilan/auditorium that is a large building of meeting room and a banyan tree as shelter place at the daytime. The traditional market is the place of society economics and its existence is always border on palace as artistic cultural life center. It means that the both pole meeting is describing the dynamics of society and kingdom life.

BALINESE FULL MOON DAY

BALINESE SPECIAL FULL MOON DAY

This month full moon will be special in bali, because this full moon called purnama kapat is a special day, the purnama kapat (full moon at sasih kapat) is the day when rainy season is begin, and for human this sasih kapat is the best month for married.This moth full moon was at 14 october 2008, the best time to visit besakih temple, batur temple at kintamani and anothers temples arround Bali, there will be a caremony called piodalan andat this time there will be many balinese come there to pray.

WEST BALI NATIONAL PARK

WEST BALI NATIONAL PARK - THE GREEN HERITAGES OF WORLD

The area of Taman Nasional Bali Barat (West Bali National Park) situated at the Edge of north Bali Island is the stretch of green ground along the 150 km road that link Gilimanuk and Denpasar or Gilimanuk and Singaraja. It is located between district of Gerokgak in Buleleng regency and district of Melaya in Jembrana regency. It is reachable from Gilimanuk as the main entrance to West Bali, and from Denpasar. This 77,000-hectare park was established in 1941.Lush forests still grow on Bali's southern and western slopes. West Bali National Park (covers 50,000 hectare on the western tip of the island. It also includes another 7,000 hectares of coral reef and coastal water. Considering in the small size of the island as a whole, the National
Park is a major commitment towards attempting to preserve the wildlife found on Bali. The forest in this area has been determined as " Nature Park" - later on known as Taman Perlindungan Alam Bali - based on the decision of " Raja-Raja di Bali" (Kings in Bali) dated 13th August 1917 noE-1/4/5. This regulation is intended to preserve the flora and fauna in this area.

THE CLASSICAL BALINESE PAINTINGS

THE CLASSICAL BALINESE PAINTINGS

Before foreign painters came to Bali in the 1920 and 1930s, paintings were rigidly one dimensional, but western influence brought a flowering of representational art, often of typical village scenes, flowers or animal.Examples of both classical mostly calendars and of the Penestanan and Pengosekan representational style are found in many shops that offer painting. There are many art studios around Ubud and in the villages of Batuan, Bedulu, Kamasan and Kerambitan, there is such an explosion of interest in Balinese art that visitors may find it difficult to find work of true quality.If you are just looking something charming to remind you of your visit to Bali, you’ll find it in one of the hundred of tourist shops which sell paintings. However if you want to find work of real talent, then the up market galleries found in Ubud and in the shopping malls attached to 5 star hotels would be a good place to start.Galleries include the Tama Gallery, the Komaneka Gallery on Jalan Monkey Forest in central Ubud, and Agung Rai Gallery in Ubud suburb of Peliatan.