NIKKO BALI RESORT & SPA TAKES PRIDE IN LOCAL HERITAGE SITE

Nusa Dua – Bali, May 2006… The ongoing celebrations for Nikko Bali Reosrt & Spa’s 10 th anniversary continued recently with the ‘Goa Gajah Enhancement Program’. The resort invited local dignitaries to visit Goa Gajah (elephant cave), which is one of Bali’s most ancient religious sites, to witness first hand the developments that have taken place over the past couple of months.

Staff members from the various departments of Nikko Bali Resort & Spa have put in 2200 working hours at the site to improve facilities for the benefit of tourists as well as the local community. The resort has initiated cleaning blitzes, tidied garden beds, planted fruit trees, installed rubbish bins, renovated a toilet block, upgraded electrical and water supplies, established visible signage and created a bi-lingual promotional brochure as well as quality Goa Gajah souvenirs.

The efforts of the ‘Goa Gajah Enhancement Program’ were revealed to an audience of regional government officials and media representatives who were invited to inspect the site and attend a small presentation. Mr. Gede Nurjaya, the Head of Bali’s Tourism Department, gave a brief speech praising the achievements of Nikko Bali and its adoption of Goa Gajah as part of a commitment to the Tri Hita Karana program. Following the formalities guests were treated to a delicious buffet luncheon of traditional Balinese cuisine as well as a dance performance and popular local comedy skit known as Bondres.

Goa Gajah, located in the regency of Gianyar on the outskirts of Ubud, is believed to date back to the 11 th Century. The site features a combination of Hindu and Buddhist stone relics and a unique man-made cave with several meditation niches. The origin and creator of this sacred complex remains a mystery. By taking responsibility for Goa Gajah, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa is guaranteeing the maintenance of this cultural heritage for future generations to enjoy.

The management and staff of Nikko Bali Resort & Spa have scheduled a number of events throughout 2006 to ensure that its 10 th anniversary year will be remembered by all. In coming months Nikko Bali will host a Golf Tournament, Traditional Balinese Boat Race and other events that will culminate at the end of the year with a Birthday Party Extravaganza.

For further information, please contact:

Fretty W. Zahfithri
Public Relations Coordinator
Nikko Bali Resort & Spa
Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Nusa Dua, Bali - 80363
Ph (62-361) 773377, Fax (62-361) 773388

GALUNGAN (3 May 2006) and KUNINGAN (13 May 2006) DAY

The day commemorated as the victory day of "Dharma" (virtue) upon "Adharma" (evil) according to the old history of Bali (Purana). This day the Hindus thank the God and feel grateful for His blessing and for the creation of the earth and its contents. This day is the day of rituals, festivities and celebrations with "Penjor" the artistically decorated bamboo-pole stuck at every house entrance, adorning the both sides of the village-roads symbolizing of prosperity.
There are several processions need to be done to celebrate Galungan Day:

	PENYEKEBAN (3 days before Galungan) On this day, people begin to prepare the necessities for the Galungan ceremony. They collect fruits and store them in a special place until they get ripe.
	PENYAJAHAN (2 days before Galungan) On Penyajahan day, people keep on maintaining awareness, patience and the purity of the soul in order to control the demons. Another meaning of Penyajahan is making or cooking Balinese cakes (jaja). Therefore, on this day, people have to cook various kinds of Balinese cakes for the ceremony to come.
	PENAMPAHAN (1 day before Galungan) This is a sacrificial day. This is the day to slaughter sacrificial animals like chickens, ducks or pigs. People cook them into various kinds of Balinese food, such as satay, soup, lawar (a special Balinese food made of meat or vegetables, mixed with coconut sauce).
	GALUNGAN DAY, 3 May 2006 On the Galungan day itself, Balinese Hindus go to temples and other holy places to pray. People are dressed in colorful Balinese costumes. Women carry the offerings on their heads and men bring palm leave offerings in their hands, while the children walk hand in hand next to their parents.
	MANIS GALUNGAN (1 day after Galungan) On this day, Balinese Hindu communities usually visit their relatives, friends and neighbors. They forgive each other and remain together. It is also a day to relax and visit places of interest, after the long days of preparations for the celebration.
	KUNINGAN DAY, 13 May 2006 The last day of Galungan celebrations, believed as the rising day of the holy spirits and deities back to heaven on this day, special offerings consisted of yellow rice and temples look amazing with ornaments made of young coconut leaves and flowers.

GOA GAJAH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

In celebration of Nikko Bali Resort & Spa’s 10th anniversary, our team has organized a series of monthly events that will culminate in a grand birthday to be held in December. Festivities commenced in March with an appreciation party, followed by 2nd Bali Beauty Fair in April 2006. The next event is Nikko-Goa Gajah Enhancement Program. We help to promote Goa Gajah as tourist object to worldwide market by providing new brochure, improving the quality of public facilities around Goa Gajah and also give some training for its manpower. Goa Gajah is one of Bali’s most ancient religious sites. Believed to date back to the 11th Century, the complex is a combination of both Hindu and Buddhist elements and features a unique cave hand carved into a cliff face, bathing ponds and stone statues.