Ketut Wirya Negara: Responsibility and Confidence to Compete

A responsibility is a very important thing in any profession. It will be positively correlated to the quality of individual and team work. “Responsibility and sense of belonging in the company where we work is a commitment that must be upheld. Without it, we will never get comfortable atmosphere in our workplace,” said General Manager of Inna Kuta Beach who has held the position since May 2012.

Wirya, the man born in 1965 and husband to Nyoman Sri Wahyuningsih, has been getting involved in tourism industry since 1985 after graduating from high school in 1984. He started his career as a bar waiter in a state-owned hotel named Inna Putri Bali when it was still under the name of Bali Nusa Dua Hotel. Due to his discipline and outstanding performance, the management appreciated him by giving awards to enhance his skills and abilities. For that purpose, he was given the opportunity to attend school by taking Diploma 1 majoring in Food and Beverage Service in Bali Tourism Institute (BPLP) in 1985.


Along with the performance he showed, Wirya was entrusted to fill in some important positions such as Sales Executive for 5 years, Sales Manager for 3 years, Marketing Manager, Food and Beverage Manager until 2006 at the Inna Putri Bali.

“Inna Hotel under PT HIN has owned some properties in Bali and outside Bali. It gives me the opportunity to improve the ability to fill in the position such as EAM and Resident Manager for 2 years until 2008 at the Inna Kuta Beach. In early 2009, I returned to the Inna Putri Bali entrusted as Resident Manager and Management Team Leader (KTM) for a year,” said the father of one son and one daughter.

Before being entrusted as General Manager at Inna Kuta Beach, Wirya had also filled in the position of General Manager at the Inna Sindhu Sanur for two years until 2011 and Inna Simpang Surabaya for a year until May 2012.

Responding to the competitive conditions existing today, Wirya had a great confidence of being able to face it. What Inna Kuta Beach had would support it to become the Grand Inna Kuta such as strategic location, best access to Kuta Beach and the hotel name had been quite well known.

And the more convincing was the addition of rooms in the new building and some facilities such as the food hall, Rooftop bar on the fourth floor, three swimming pools as well as upgrade in some sectors and the support of professional staff in the services.

“These are our capitals making the Inna Kuta have more capabilities of competing,” revealed Wirya who had won 15-Year Loyalty Award for 2 times in 2001 and 25-Year Loyalty Award in 2010 from the Hotel Indonesia Natour (PT HIN). (BTN/014)

BambuRoras Restaurant & Cafe

Offer All Day Meals

The restaurant which was officially opened on December 15, 2011 is located in Kartika Plaza Street in Kuta. It is one the second floor of Grand Whiz Hotel in Kuta. The Restaurant & Banquet Manager, Kuswanto, said that the main customers of the restaurants obviously the guests of the hotel “We always seek customers from the local market outside the hotel. We are open all day for the hotel guests so they can have meals anytime they want. We offer the meal potion with ‘always there’ motto,” he added. 

Kuswanto also said that the restaurant want to deliver an efficient restaurant & bar offering relevant to its target market.  He added that it is developed in accordance with the hotel and the restaurant is highly visible from the lobby entrance. 

“The guest will found it very nice to have efficient breakfast and a’ la carte lunch with appetizer buffet with reasonable prices.  dinner will exceed expectations of our guests, delivered in innovative buffet concepts and great a’ la carte options,” Kuswanto explained.

Meanwhile, the Head Chef of BambuRoras Restaurant & Café, Antonius Bramudha there are many signature foods of the restaurant such as Mediterranean sandwich, beef oxtail, orange lamb stew, chicken kung pao, and Balinese sweets.

“All of those foods offer unique taste and it will satisfy the customers,” he added. The BambuRoras Restaurant & Café has many unique dishes that also offer unique taste.

Ono Satomi: Falling in Love in Balinese Dance

After watching Balinese dance performances, Ono Satomi, a girl from Japan instantly fell in love. Movement and facial expressions of the dancers made her curious so that she was determined to dance them. “My first overseas visit was to Bali. At that time, I was a junior high school student. Well, when watching the dance performances in Ubud, I was immediately interested,” she told Bali Travel News recently.

The Saitama-born girl on August 23, 1986 admitted the beauty of the dance belonging to the Island of the Gods always bothered her mind. “I finally learned Balinese dance at Otonomori studio trained by Japanese instructor and helped by Balinese instructor from the gamelan music department,” said Satoni who had ballet and jazz background while smiling.

At that time, she learned to dance the Legong Kraton Lasem, Puspanjali, Tenun, and Telek. Being curious, a year later she decided to go learning Balinese dance in Bali. “I wanted to practice the dance from the native origin. Aside from learning to dance from Balinese, I can also get in touch with Balinese people owning the arts,” she said seriously.

At the beginning, Satomi learned to Balinese artists by commuting. When having spare time, she would fly to Bali. By and large, she learned for a week and even one and a half months. “After receiving a scholarship from the government of Indonesia in the mid-2011, I could have long stay in Bali,” added the dancer who is also good at playing gong kebyar.

The girl who loves to eat lawar and roasted suckling pig studied at the Indonesia Institute of Arts (ISI) Denpasar by choosing the dance as her major. Aside from establishing the basic of Balinese dance, she also explored how to go deep into the dance, so that her performance would be more attractive. “I am also involved in devotional activities or ngayah with Balinese dancer friends,” said the girl who likes to relieve fatigue on Sanur Beach.

Indeed, while studying in the campus of Bali, Satomi received the same attention as other local students. Other than ngayah, she was also involved in every single show in the Bali Arts Festival (BAF). In the BAF last year, she danced a bird in a ballet composed by ISI Denpasar. Now, she would perform Balinese dance to support one of the dance troupes in Denpasar.

Indeed, Bali is no longer strange to Satomi. Together with her former classmates, she often spent holidays to this bijou island. Sometimes she did it with family. Yet, she now often traveled alone. “In Bali, I rarely travel to tourist destination. I prefer to learn to dance because beyond the campus I also learn to dance at Cok Pring, Partini, Susilawati, IB Oka Wirjana and Sutirta. Next year I will learn to play gender (puppet) gamelan music,” she concluded. (BTN/015)

Dine N Dance with Bounty Cruises

Bounty Cruises provides a very special program for relaxing. It is sunset dinner cruise. As the sun goes down, Bounty vessel cruises around the Benoa Harbour. Experience a wonderful Bali evening aboard the state-of-the-art Bounty and create a lifetime of memories as you explore our majestic coastal waters surrounding Benoa. Known for its ability to most comfortably take-on the seas, get your chance to see beautiful sunset in Benoa.

Sunset dinner cruise provides live entertainment onboard, such as Balinese dance, sexy modern dances, live music, comedy cabaret show, and best DJ on the sunset deck. Goutam Mitra, a guest from India said that  dancers performed very well even in India dance . He said that he satisfied joining sunset dinner cruise with Bounty. (BTN/015)

Sanur Beach

Sanur Beach is one of the attractive beaches on the Island of Bali, The beach spreads along 3 kilometers with a coastline facing eastward. Sanur Beach is famous for its clean white sand and gentle beaches. In addition, it is also a rocky beach so that it has its own advantages, It is an alternative for local and foreign tourists who want to avoid the hustles and bustles of Kuta, Legian or Seminyak tourist resorts.


Peace and comfort in this area have become a top priority. On this beach, visitors can also enjoy the sunrise while swimming, surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling. Meanwhile, visitors can also delight in roasted corn, boiled peanuts and spring rolls widely sold by hawkers.

Sanur destination has been equipped with supporting tourism facilities, such as hotels, restaurants, small cafes and art shop. One of the oldest hotels in Bali was built on this beach. It is named Inna Grand Bali Beach located right in front of the beach. Moreover, along the shoreline has been built a kind of jogging track frequently taken advantage by tourists or local people to enjoy the beauty of the beach and fresh sea breeze. It stretches southwardly passing through Sindhu Beach, Karang Beach until reaching Semawang. As a result, tourists can enjoy the beach while exercising in the morning (BTN)

Scott Thomson To Raise Fund, Runs Bali-Jakarta

Scott Thomson To Raise Fund, Runs Bali-Jakarta

He is really vivacious. A Scottish man named Scott Thomson, 54, should run from Bali to Jakarta. This man ran along 1,250 kilometers across 30 cities in five provinces in Indonesia for 25 consecutive days. He took the start at the Ngurah Rai International Airport on Wednesday (Mar 8) and accomplished the ‘struggle’ on April 1, 2012 in Jakarta.

At the press conference held at Bali Niksoma Boutique Resort, Scott Thomson said the action he carried out was to raise fund for two social charity institutions in Indonesia namely the Cinta Anak Bangsa Foundation (YCAB) and Mary’s Cancer Kiddies (MCK). Similar action was also done in 2010 by running along 250 kilometers in the Sahara Desert, Africa.

“With the support of dozens of sponsors in Indonesia, I managed to raise funds amounting to IDR 3.3 billion for YCAB and MCK,” he said.

Before implementation of the running activity from Bali to Jakarta, the director of one of the Scotland’s leading energy companies claimed to get a lot of support. “I expect all the funds collected can be used for children of Indonesia to improve their health and education. I did this with full of awareness and a greater risk for the Indonesia’s children,” he said seriously.

General Manager of Bali Niksoma, Ketut Astama, said that Scott Thomson was a well established man in his life. However, he did something for someone else by taking advantage of his leave. Then, he selected Bali as the venue. “This event was very positive in creating the tourism image of Bali and Indonesia in general. By all means, it could inspire the other world runners to follow his footsteps. Representatives of the sponsors also came to Bali,” he said.

According to him, the event was very beneficial for Bali. The action undertaken by Scott Thomson could indicate that Bali was still safe because he dared to run from the Island of the Gods to Java. On that account, the Bali Niksoma also supported it. “This is part of our CSR and implementation of the Tri Hita Karana concept (Pawongan),” added Astama proudly. (BTN/015)

In Berry Hotel Kuta: ‘Be Berry, Be Happy’ to Start Enjoying Bali

Festive atmosphere and intimacy colored the first anniversary of the Berry Hotel Kuta on Saturday (Feb 25). Expression of happiness showed off by the face of each staff and hotel employee made the celebration more meaningful. Moreover, various activities such as competitions and art performances were staged to grace the event. By all means, it could engender the sense of familial atmosphere.

Pinnacle of the celebration was marked with the cake-cutting ceremony done by General Manager I Gede Made Artawan together with General Manager Corporate of Avilla I Gusti Agung Ngurah Darma Suyasa. The celebration night was studded with several creations. Despite unlike the original dancers, the employees were able to present their performance happily. The performance of Balinese dance, music, modern dance and the events were carried out impromptu. At that happy night was also presented the prizes for all the winners of competition held previously such as the eels catching, arm wrestling, tug of war, chess, facial makeup and the making of a dance record.


Artawan said that various activities undertaken posed the implementation of Tri Hita Karana concept. They were starting from spiritual activities namely by organizing pilgrimage to great temples in Bali such as the Tanah Kilap, Batur, Puncak Singgal and Melanting Temple. Meanwhile, the social activities undertaken consisted of the visit to orphanage, beach clean-up and race activities.

As a hotel for young people, Berry Hotel had a very distinctive look namely stylish and trendy with the motto “be berry, be happy.” This 3 star hotel had 50 rooms (5 Prime Berry Suites, 36 Ori Berry Rooms, and 9 Pool Berry Rooms were the most favored by tourists. The rooms were quite spacious spreading on 36 square meters designed in modern minimalist with stylish ornaments equipped with a balcony.

Market segment of the Berry Hotel was mixed. However, it was more targeted at domestic market such as guests from Jakarta, Surabaya and Semarang, while the minor foreign market was targeted to the Australian tourists. “Although designed for the young people, there are also many married tourists staying here,” said Artawan while adding that his party had rebranded the Berry Hotel in 2012 by changing the corporate identity such as the company logo, staff uniform, humanistic room and other related elements.

At the beginning of 2012, the hotel had a pretty good occupancy, namely with an average of 70 percent, unlike in the previous year which only reached 65 percent. (BTN/015)

Customary Village in Bali Exist Since the Presence of Mpu Kuturan

Ngaben or cremation ceremony is one of the ritual activities
performed at customary village. (BTN/doc)

According to the lecturer of customary law of the Udayana University, Prof Dr. Nyoman Sirtha, the customary village in Bali was estimated to have existed since the presence of the sage Mpu Kuturan during the administration of Dalem Waturenggong. Earlier, in Bali lived and developed about nine schools of Hinduism that were worried to result in disharmony. The King Waturenggong asked Mpu Kuturan to take any measure to anticipate the matter.

Mpu Kuturan then unified the nine schools or sects into Shiva-Buddha. After organizing a congregation in the Samuan Tiga Temple, it was born the concept of customary village along with its trinity temple namely the Puseh Temple, Baleagung Temple and Dalem Temple. Pursuant to the concept of Tri Murti (trinity), each family temple was equipped with three-chambered shrine. Since then, the social and religious life in Bali was getting organized and better. The chief of customary village was called bendesa adat or uluampad. His responsibility was to lead the indigenous village related to religion and customary affairs. In carrying out the duties, the customary village was completed with by-laws in what the so-called awig-awig adat.

According to the book entitled Pemberdayaan Desa Pakraman (Empowerment of Customary Village) written by Prof. Dr. IB Gunadha, the by-laws regulated three key points namely harmonious relationship of human to God (Parahyangan), human to fellow humans (Pawongan) and human to its environment (Palemahan).

Meanwhile, based on the data of General Assembly Customary Village (MUDP) of Bali, there were totally 1,483 customary villages in Bali, where according to the data of Section Head of Customary Affairs of Bali Cultural Agency the customary hamlet amounted to 3,200 in 2009. Today, it was estimated to reach 2,700. (BTN/kmb)

Mepatung and Mebat Tradition A Togetherness Manifestation of Hindu Devotees in Bali

Adequately interesting activity on the series of Galungan feast day lies on the Penampahan day, the day before Galungan. On that day, there are two unique activities that have become a tradition from generation to generation of the Hindu community in Bali.

The activities are mepatung and mebat. Both activities pose a reflection of sense of togetherness, mutual assistance and the familial relationship. Mepatung tradition is slaughtering pig activity where the flesh is then divided based on consultation and agreement of the group. This activity is adjusted to the affordability of group members. In other words, the group member is tailored to the size of pig that will be slaughtered.


If the pig is big enough, then the number of groups will be more. On the contrary, if the pig is small, then the number of group will be reduced. So the portion of pork obtained will be not too little. Each group member will get the same amount of pork, both types of meat as well as its weight. Each group member will get one portion. Meanwhile, a member who cannot afford it, he will divide again his portion with other member, so that he will get a half of the portion. The price will be adjusted to the prevailing market price.

Determination of the group member is usually done long before the arrival of Galungan. The idea can arise from the pig owner who will offer his pig to be slaughtered together, while another can also emerge from a person gathering his friends to be invited to join the activity. After obtaining an adequate number of group members, they later find out a pig pursuant to the number of group members.

Recently, a change occurred due to cultural influence, where the tradition of mepatung began to erode in keeping with the progress of time. Because of busyness, people sometimes do not have time to join in the procession. To get pork, they prefer to purchase in the market or in slaughter house. It is usually carried out by the urban community that has busyness.

According to Jero Mangku Ketut Arthana from Tengah hamlet, Marga, Tabanan, the mepatung tradition was carried out because each oblation should be filled with processed meat, namely meat that had been finely mixed with seasoning such as pepes, satay, sausage and timbungan. Such processed meat was presented to god. The place of its presentation was adapted to local tradition. “There are people presenting it in guardian shrine or penunggun karang,” said Jero Mangku Sekalan from Marga.

It was lying between trust and distrust, continued Jero Mangku Arthana, where the families who did not join the mepatung on Penampahan seemed lazy and listless. Unlike the case with those who joined the mepatung, their face looked happy. Their steps also appeared creative. Similar opinion was also revealed by former Chief of Ole Customary Village, Wayan Ranci. He said that mepatung could be carried out optionally, depending on the affordability of residents. Most importantly, when presenting the oblations, they had entirely contained processed meats.

For people who raised pigs, they would not join the mepatung group but undertake ninggungin (roast suckling pig) on the Penampahan day. In addition to the party, the meat could also be presented as the offerings of gratitude. (BTN/015)

‘Graffiti Action’ on Ramayana in ISI Denpasar A Mural Art Filled with Moral Messages

There are interesting activities in the Campus of the Indonesia Institute of Arts (ISI) Denpasar. Students and lecturers were like a child who made graffiti on the wall. One by one streaked the wall with various colors. Uniquely, those streaks formed a graffiti mural art to beautify the campus filled with valuable moral messages.

“This activity is intended to provide a space of reasoning for the students of the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Art and Design (FSRD) of the ISI Denpasar. This mural art action first highlights the story of traditional puppet,” said Assistant Dean III of FSRD ISI Denpasar, DA Tirta Rai.


Object of their mural painting action was the wall in the open stage of the ISI Denpasar. The theme of Ramayana puppet was an epic commonly featured in the art of shadow puppet performance and ballet. The figure Sita in exile in the forest was the idea of the painting. “This story has relevancy to the educational process where we adopt the formidability of the figure Sita so that the students can follow the model in their learning,” said Tirta Rai on the sidelines of the wall painting.

The action of the 30 third semester students and supervised by 15 lecturers was intended to introduce the puppets to foreign students. It was very possible because the ISI Denpasar had a relationship to some universities overseas. “The mural puppet also poses a medium for the students here to directly understand about the characters of puppet, such as the sweet, hard, and giant puppets,” he concluded. (BTN/015)

Selikur Galungan, a Good Day for Wedding Day

A Hindu wedding ceremony is held lead by a priest

Selikur Galungan or 21 days before the Galungan feast day is trusted by the Hindu community in Bali as a good day for a wedding. It has become an idiom where a young couple in Bali that has not got married yet will be tempted with the expression ‘Do not go beyond the 21 days ahead of the Galungan.” Even, the Selikur Galungan is immortalized in a Balinese pop song.

Prof. Dr. I Made Titib, Ph.D., Rector of the Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN) Denpasar, stated that Selikur Galungan was indeed a quite good day for a wedding. It contained was penganten coming every 210 days. A week before Galungan was also believed as the descent of Bhatara or deity, in his manifestation as maharishi (Lord Shiva) who could guide and give happiness, so that day contained a great happiness.

He told that Selikur Galungan falling on January 11, 2012 was not a good day for a wedding. Even, many couples chose a few days after Selikur Galungan. “Probably, it was based on the simple grounds, namely the couple can celebrate the Galungan feast day happily,” he said.

Indeed, explained Prof. Titib, on the Galungan the newly-weds looked so happy. They got jerimpen oblations from other residents. All residents donated jerimpen as an expression of exuberant joy to take the new brides into the village membership. Even, in some areas of Gianyar, the newly-wed was characterized by high penjor decorated with long sampian mounted in front of the entrance into the house compound. “The long and large size sampian indicates if the house has a new bride and is ready to become the new resident of the village,” he said.

According to him, there was also opinion saying if Galungan as a registration time to become a new member of the customary community. After that, they would be imposed with regular obligations as other residents did. “More uniquely, the new brides are examined to say prayers together with family and wife in the family temple, village trinity temple and Kahyangan Jagat Temple,” he explained.

It is different from the period of time known as Umanis Kuningan to Buda Wage Wuku Pahang called pegat uwakan day (25 days) or called uncal balung. During this period, the Hindu community in Bali would not perform wedding ceremonies, and neither would any ceremony. “It resembles to a guidance not to carry out any ceremony on the day. Or it is something like a break,” he concluded. (BTN/bud)

Plecing Gonda: A Fresh and Luscious Country Style Vegetable

Plecing Gonda: A Fresh and Luscious
Country Style Vegetable

Plecing Gonda is one of the typical vegetable servings owned by Balinese society. This vegetable is very close to the peasant life in rural areas. Aside from being easy to get the ingredient, the making is also easy. Simply prepare the seasoning comprising the garlic, chili, large chili, tomato, shrimp paste, lime and salt to taste, you will get a delicious Plecing Gonda vegetable.  

Process of the making is not too complicated. Ingredient of gonda stalk should be boiled until cooked, or to taste. Then, all seasoning ingredients are cleaned and finely ground on stone mortar or the like. Stir fry the seasoning, except for the lime. Well, mix the boiled gonda with the seasoning prepared. To give a typical flavor in the serving, do not forget to give grated lime.

Gonda plant is closely related to the farmer’s life in Bali. As a matter of fact, it grows as weeds, but farmers in Bali then take advantage of it as a daily vegetable. Gonda is planted among the paddy plants so it does not require a large area. After twenty to twenty-five days old, it is ready to harvest. This green plant does not need severe maintenance by spraying it with chemicals. By doing so, it will be free from insecticide and safe to consume.

Farmers who have completed their work in rice field will usually come home with some bunches of gonda stalk. It is then processed as above, then enjoyed together with family in the evening cheerfully. One of the famer in Jembrana Regency, Ketut Sami, said that the vegetable is relatively easy to be developed. It doesn’t need special treatment and it can be marketed anywhere such as traditional market or supermarket.

Sami explained that the entire field is planted with gonda. “We only need 15 days to harvest the plant and the process of planting it also doesn’t need much work. Gonda is also very suitable for the rainy season and before we could plant rice,” he added. He said that the water which is available during the rainy season made it easier to plant gonda. He also explained that the marketing of the product is very easy because the vegetable is demanded by the customers.  

The food is well known in Tabanan Regency. Even many vegetables available in the area, but gonad still one of the favorite dish in the regency. The Gonda produce by the farmer in Tabanan has special characteristic compare to the other area. The gonda in Tabanan is tenderer so it doesn’t need many spices. Gonda is not only suitable for common rice but also can accompany other dishes such as fish or chicken. Gonda lover said that they fond of the vegetables because it can be made into many kind of foods. It is delicious and filled with nutrition.

Holidays in Bali feels incomplete if not accompanied by a culinary tour, tourists could try different types of foods that are only available in Bali. Bali is not only unique in natural beauty, art, culture and hospitality, but the Balinese also has typical food is on this island, from luxury to simple, from international cuisine to traditional Balinese cuisine. Bali has many unique dishes that could become the attraction for tourists who come to the island. It could become an alternative for the tourists who are looking for different side of Bali.

If the government could promote the dishes properly, it could give good impact on the development of tourism in Bali. The government could develop culinary tourism where it is promoting the food or event restaurants throughout the island. (BTN/015)

Chinese New Year: Celebration in Lin Gwan Kiong Temple Accompanied by Angklung

Pecalang stood guard in front of the 

Ling Gwan Kiong temple when Chinese people from 

various regions went home to the town of Singaraja

to celebrate the Chinese New Year 2563 on Monday (Jan 23).

Celebration of Chinese New Year in a number of locations in Buleleng Subdistrict on Monday (Jan 23) took place solemnly. For example, in the Ling Gwan Kiong Temple, Kampung Tinggi, Chinese residents living in Buleleng and outside the region came to perform worship from early morning until the evening.

Interestingly, in this Chinese New Year celebration, a number of pecalang officers or customary security taskforce from customary villages were involved in the safeguarding so that prayers could run safely and smoothly. In addition, a different atmosphere was also visible in the Ling Gwan Kiong temple where the worship in the sanctum was also accompanied by angklung gamelan music commonly used by the Hindus in religious ceremonies in Bali.

Ling Gwan Kiong Temple is indeed a great temple in the town of Singaraja. An attendant of the temple, Hong, said that every celebration of Chinese New Year the worship was centered in the Ling Gwan Kiong temple. To add the solemnity in the celebration of Chinese New Year as well as to show off religious tolerance, the ritual committee of the temple presented the angklung gamelan troupe so the atmosphere of celebration in Buleleng was really different from elsewhere.

Similarly, the involvement of pecalang officers from Kampung Baru gave different nuance. Other than helping safeguard, their presence also made the celebration of Chinese New Year have an atmosphere of tolerance.

Earlier, on Sunday night (Jan 22), in the area of ​​Ling Gwan Kiong temple was also staged the lively Lion Dance. The performance was quite stunning and many people thronged the temple to see the typical attraction of Chinese art. Precisely at 00:00 p.m. Local Time, the Chinese descendants organized a joint worship and ignition of fireworks as the procession of releasing the year 2562 and welcoming the New Year 2563, known as the Year of the Water Dragon.