100 CHILDREN CLEAN UP THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD

In conjunction with the Clean Up the World weekend celebration, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa organized a beach cleaning on Tuesday, 26 th September 2006. More than 100 people from the local elementary school children, Sekolah Dasar Negeri No.2 Benoa, Lingkungan Sawangan as well as the management and employees of the hotel actively participated in the clean up drive which covered the Geger Beach area, southern part of Nusa Dua, Bali.

Large amounts of discarded plastic materials, cans and bottles were cleared along the beach area. The annual event re-emphasized the need to impart to the local community the importance of a consistently clean environment that also augurs well for the tourism industry.

NIKKO'S TRADITIONAL BALINESE BOAT RACE

Nusa Dua – Bali, September 2006… It was a perfect tropical day for the recent Traditional Balinese Boat Race hosted by Nikko Bali Resort & Spa. Attracting more than 50 participants from the fishing communities of Bali’s southern coast, there was an overwhelming response to this event from in-house guests and local supporters. Paying tribute to National Ocean Day, the race was also held in conjunction with Nikko Bali’s 10 th anniversary celebrations.

Prior to the commencement of the race short speeches were given by a government representative as well as General Manager, Mr. Thierry Joho, making reference to the importance of safeguarding the ocean’s ecological system. Guests were then invited up to the main stage to witness the initiation of a coral transplant program that the hotel has become involved in. The event was officially opened on Nikko Bali’s white sand beachfront with the release of balloons as a symbol of peace, hope and prosperity.

The race got off to a successful start just before midday following a series of brief delays caused by changing wind directions. Local fishermen enthusiastically competed for generous cash prizes in the Jukung and Sampan race categories, while friendly onshore bets were being taken to predict which winning boats would cross the finish line first.

Meanwhile a delicious buffet luncheon was set up in the garden environment adjacent to the beach for the dining pleasure of all guests and spectators. Entertainment was provided by a strolling Batak quartet playing a gentle medley of tunes and then some of the island’s most stunning models took to the stage to showcase a stylish collection of resort and beach wear. An informal award and certificate presentation was made after lunch to the lucky winners of each race category.

A portion of the proceeds from the luncheon were donated towards the coral transplant project that is being run by Mitra Baharu under the Sea Partnership Program. This worthwhile program encourages hotel and tourism operators to share in the responsibility for sustainable marine and fishing developments in coastal areas to enhance community welfare.

The Traditional Balinese Boat Race was the 7 th event held this year in a series of activities to help celebrate Nikko Bali Resort & Spa’s decade of success. Hotel staff members chose this particular activity to showcase the efforts of the local fishing community who work tirelessly in unpredictable ocean waters to maintain the island’s fresh supply of seafood on a daily basis.

For further information regarding other 10 th anniversary events scheduled for the remainder of the year, please contact Ms. Fretty W Zahfithri, Public Relations Coordinator on telephone: 62 (361) 773377

NIKKO BALI LAUNCHES A MONTH LONG CULTURAL APPRECIATION PROGRAM

Nusa Dua – Bali, August 2006… In conjunction with its 10 th anniversary celebration, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa successfully launched a month long cultural appreciation program. This initiative is scheduled to be held twice a week throughout the entire month of August 2006 with the aim to introduce guests’ to Bali’s unique artistic heritage by showcasing some of the best local performers of traditional dance and music.

Following a brief opening speech by Nikko Bali Resort & Spa’s General Manager, Mr. Thierry Joho, legendary dance maestro, Mrs. Ni Ketut Arini, took to the stage at the Kupu-Kupu Amphitheatre with some of her students. Performances during the evening included an adaptation of the Pendet Pujastuti, the classic Legong Keraton and the Oleg Tamblingan - an elegant interpretation of the bumble bee gathering honey from flowers within a palace garden. For the grand finale the audience was treated to Mrs. Arini performing the charismatic Teruna Jaya Dance. With a faultless display of energy she portrayed a flirtatious teenage boy dancing to attract the ladies.

It was a great honour for Nikko Bali Resort & Spa to have Mrs. Arini and her dance troupe perform especially for this occasion. This gifted artist has dedicated her life to the evolution of Balinese dance and has performed around the world as an unofficial ambassador for the island’s precious cultural heritage.

Guests’ attending the evening were greeted upon arrival and presented with batik sarongs, woven fans for the ladies and headdresses for the men. Dressed in this traditional attire, guests’ then had the opportunity to have a complimentary photo taken against a Balinese backdrop. This special memento came in a commemorative photo frame folder along with a CD of Balinese instrumental music.

To maintain the authentic Balinese theme for this occasion, Kupu-Kupu Amphitheatre was decorated to recreate the ambience of a night market with handicraft vendors, thatched food stalls and candlelight table settings. Guests’ were invited to help themselves to a succulent buffet of local specialties including roast suckling pig, steamed duck, assorted satay’s, spicy vegetables and fresh tropical fruit.

Throughout the remainder of August, the Nikko Bali Culture Appreciation Nights will be held every Wednesday with a performance of Jegog Bamboo, which is played on oversized bamboo instruments that the musicians physically sit upon. Saturday’s cultural evenings will be highlighted by a collection of dance and music performances by prize winning children from the recent Bali Art Festival.

Priced at just Rp398,000++ / per person, this premier cultural program offers international travellers’ a social evening of exclusive Balinese dining and entertainment that is not to be missed. For further information regarding the Nikko Bali Culture Appreciation Nights or any of the other 10 th anniversary events scheduled for the rest of the year, please contact Ms. Fretty W Zahfithri, Public Relations Coordinator on telephone: 62 (361) 773377 or email: pr@nikkobali.com

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SARASWATI DAY (APPRECIATIONS OF KNOWLEDGE), 16 September 2006

The Balinese Hindus celebrate Saraswati day, the day to worship God in his manifestation as the master of all knowledge. Most of the students in Bali will be busy performing the ceremony at schools, colleges, in their houses and temple. Special offerings called canang Saraswati and some other offerings are presented. They would not touch and read their books from morning until evening. Any activities that harm, burn and scratch books are considered as a betrayal of knowledge. You can be a witness of a religious ceremony called 'Piodalan Saraswati' or Saraswati Day.

• Soma Ribek day, 18 September 2006
  This is a Balinese Hindu regular ceremony and special day of prayer for better life by giving offerings to every source of living like water, fire, rice, money, etc.
• Pagerwesi day, 20 September 2006
  The Balinese Hindus will celebrate a very special day devoted to Hyang Pramesti Guru and Hyang Pitara (ancestors), which is meant to ask for protection and prosperity. It is celebrated at every family temple and holy place through out Bali.
  Pagerwesi day has a close relationship within Saraswati day. It falls 4 days after Saraswati day and there is continuity meaning in between. After people received knowledge on Saraswati day, they must remind that the knowledge is transferred through guru or teacher and Pagerwesi is the day to show our respect to the teacher and the main guru (God or Siva).
• Tumpek Landep, 30 September 2006
  This is the day devoted to Sang Hyang Pasupati, the lord of all metal implements, when blessing ceremony is given to heirlooms weapons and other metal tools (including cars) for magical power and proper function, held at every family compound, especially at smiths and garages.