nomad4ever

Having watched the Melasti and Nyepi Processions here in Bali over the last couple of days; it leaves me still in awe with its colours and sounds. Thousands of people processing from temples to the beaches on the ‘Island of the Gods’.

Bali as the only Hindu oasis in a sea of 17.000 Muslim islands in Indonesia is very serious about its ceremonies.

What’s the low-down?

Melasti is a purification ritual that takes place every year, usually in March or early April, precisely two or three days before the Bali-Hindu New Year day of Nyepi (the Day of silence).

written by Chris

Just yesterday we speculated about the airlines to be closed. And here comes the news from the Jakarta Post this morning:

Despite experiencing a series of accidents, Adam Air escaped license revocation as it was only categorized Thursday by the Ministry of Transportation as one of the worst airlines in the country that fail to meet several safety requirements.

The Ministry also announced that six other airlines – Metro Batavia, Trans Wisata, Tri MG Intra Asia Airlines, Manunggal Air Service, Jatayu Gelang Sejahtera, Kartika Airlines – were also put in the same category as Adam Air.

written by Chris

In Thailand’s current political arena, things don’t look so bright after all anymore – just 6 months after the ‘bloodless coup‘ over there. Of course Tourism seems to look stable and the Sex Industry isn’t effected at all – as usual.

After the first doubts, if Thailand has a democratic future; the view of the Thai People obviously changes, they demand more clarity on how things will progress further. There are even the first demonstrations in Bangkok and the reputation of the Coupsters vanishes more and more.

Will there be truly free election again soon?

written by Chris

Regarding the improvement of the safety of Indonesia’s airlines, there seems to be some consequences finally on the way.

Indonesia’s Adam Air, Wings Air and Dirgantara Air Service could fall into the Transportation Ministry’s lowest rating category when the results of a recent audit are announced, an official said.

“It is possible that those three airlines will fall into the third category of the rating,” the head of the directorate of airworthiness certification, Mr Yurlis Hasibuan, told The Jakarta Post. The directorate-general for air transportation is set to announce this week the ratings for 15 private and state-owned airlines operating in Indonesia.

written by Chris

Ogoh Ogoh monsters are colourful monster sculptures, which are made from bamboo frames and paper mache.

They are made in the form of creatures of the underworld known in Balinese as buta-kala. The creatures are based on characters taken from traditional myths and legends, however in modern times many also take the form of modern characters, including even people in the media or in the government.

Before the Hindu new year, Nyepi, is celebrated in the spring by a day of silence – you can find Ogoh Ogoh *everywhere* in Bali.

written by Chris

This could be a quick response to the latest disasters of the last 3 months in Indonesia. As reported last evening, the airline braces itself for possible closure next week.

It wouldn’t come to no surprise, as clearly something has to be done to improve the safety of Indonesia’s Airline industry.

Nick, over from Baliblog is even advising potential customers to not book with them anymore; as you might stand a chance to lose your money or your ticket, if their license will be revoked next week. Obviously this is what happened to one of his friends, when booking 4 tickets with last year’s bust Air Paradise.

written by Chris

There is not only one chain letter going round the internet. There are thousands or even millions of them.

Most of them are plain stupid and I don’t even know, why some people still fall for the Nigerian Money Digger Mafia, the Penis ‘Extensionists’, Lottery Agencies or lost daughters of Saddam Hussein or Thaksin Shinawatra who are trying to bring their fortune millions into safety – with your help of course, haha!

Some of those schemes are quite smart and in a subliminal way manage to touch someones pride, vanity or ego.

written by Chris

The thing I like about a place like Bali is the sheer variety of venues on where to eat, drink, relax or just hang out. One of those special places where you can do all of the above is Khaima.

What’s the venue?

Khaima is a chilled restaurant in Jalan Laksmana/Oberoi, the new ‘IN’ area of Bali. It’s one of the most well regarded restaurants in Bali and the only authentic Moroccan eatery on the island. It’s run by a Belgian/Moroccan couple.

Here you can eat like in a normal restaurant at a table – or chill Arabic style on large pillows and ground beds and smoke a Shisha (water pipe or hookah).

written by Chris