Governor slams Bali airport performance

July 13th, 2009

DENPASAR – Bali’s governor Made Mangku Pastika has blasted conditions at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport.

In an open letter addressed to government ministers, state authorities, airport managers and the Bali Tourism Authority, Pastika cited numerous complaints from tourists, tourism industry stakeholders and the general public.

Bali Update (www.balidiscovery.com) commented that “the unusual move by Governor Pastika of writing an open report on the many problems at Bali’s airport brings into sharp focus the anger and frustration felt by Bali’s tourism industry and the general public with the poor condition and inferior service provided to the public at Bali’s airport.

“It also underlines what appears to be a growing rift between the governor and the airport’s manager, Heru Legowo.”

The governor is unhappy that despite a number of coordination meetings with the Bali airport authority, those meetings have failed to yield any improvements in how Bali’s main gateway is operated.

The governor’s letter, sent with a video illustrating his written complaints, listed the following shortcomings at Bali’s only international airport:

  • The presence of “too many” porters at the airport who commandeer baggage trolleys, giving the impression that tourists are somehow obliged to use their services and creating complaints later when tips are demanded. According to Pastika, the need for porters at the airport is questionable, given the lack of porters at many international airports and the fact that in Bali the porter’s presence serves to make an already crowded airport even more crowded.
  • There are only four Visa on Arrival counters to serve the airport at peak operational hours, resulting in long waiting lines.
  • The airport has 24 immigration counters, a number actually sufficient to support tourist arrivals, but, in fact, failing to do the job as only a portion of the counters is ever staffed. Once again, the result: long lines and many complaints from tourist visitors.
  • Airport officials engage in predatory behavior, approaching tourists standing in lines offering “express service” through immigration in return for a fee.
  • The presence of many brochure racks offering package tours and transportation services at low fees that make “no sense.” The services offered in these brochures cause losses to Bali’s official tour and travel operators, who provide a guaranteed level of service and realistic pricing.

Despite numerous past complaints to the airport about these brochures and promises by Angkasa Pura that remedial steps would be taken, the brochures continue to be on display at the airport. According to Pastika, a further investigation by his office also reveals that brochure distribution, counters and advertising at the airport are all controlled by a third party appointed by Angkasa Pura.

  • Tourist Information Counters at the airport which are supposed to distribute brochures and provide information to incoming tourists are, in fact, selling cut-rate tours that anger legal tour operators.
  • There are too many money changers within the airport. In the arrival area, there are 12 money changers all gathered together in a single line of booths near the exit corridor lane of the airport’s arrival section. According to the governor, five money changers would be a more ideal number and that number should be located outside the arrival hall.
  • The accumulation of security staff in certain areas of the airport give the impression that they are “working while socialising with each other.”
  • The over abundance of commercial space rented out at the airport. As a result, the domestic arrival area is very cramped with no chairs, causing disorder outside the arrival hall where people have no place to sit while waiting for arriving passengers.
  • The presence of “special rooms” used by Customs and Immigration to “sort out problems” which, according to the governor, is against the rules of Customs and Immigration.

TravelMole comment: The “special rooms” referred to above are often used by Bali Customs to negotiate “fees” when tourists enter Bali carrying more than their one litre allowance of duty free wine or spirits. The TravelMole editor has had personal experience of these special “fees” – normally referred to as bribes.

Popularity: 53% [?]

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Diving safety survey online

January 21st, 2009

The Scuba STAR Network is an independent organisation that provides safety-related information, recommendations, and guidance to divers, certification agencies, dive centres, resorts and equipment manufacturers and generally works to improve safety for divers.

The Scuba STAR Network is conducting a survey that takes a look at the types of surface signaling equipment divers carry, how frequently they need it, and whether or not it worked as advertised.

We encourage you to take a moment to complete the safety survey online at  http://www.scubastarnet.com/11801.html You’ll be doing your part to improve diving safety.

Popularity: 33% [?]

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Gilicat Milestones

January 3rd, 2009

gilicatIn July 2007, a small company, made a large committement. Island Express / Gili Cat, ran  Gili Cat 1 from Padang Bai to Gil Trawangan – Lombok, to become the first company to  commit to a daily scheduled  service between Mainland Bali and the Gili Islands -Lombok.

Utilsing the shortest possible ocean transit between mainland Bali and Lombok, Gili Cat quickly earned a reputation for reliability and a professional approach to safety and service.

The company’s commitment was further highlighted with the launch of a second and now flag ship vessel, Gili Cat 11, in April 2008

Now firmly established as the premier fast boat service between Mainland Bali and Gili Trawangan – Lombok,  Gili Cat maintains a 97 % on time record to date.

On the last day of 2008, Gili Cat achieved a significant milestone

On December 31st 2008, Gili Cat’s international standard vessels and crew  surpassed a combined 2500 logged operating hours specific to the crossing between Bali and Gili Trawangan – Lombok. With a combined experience of 68 years in the marine industry, The 2500 hr milestone consolidates the Gili Cat Crew as not only the most qualified and experienced seaman operating this service, but also the most experienced crews specific to fast boat transits between Bali and Gili Trawangan-Lombok.

All Gili Cat Vessels are built, equipped, operated and insured  to international commercial marine standards. All Gili Cat Crew hold current certificates as required by the Indonesian Maritime Authorities to control passenger vessels.  All Gili Cat vessels carry complete maritime safety and communication equipment.

Popularity: 37% [?]

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BALI Dive Safe Symposium Success Story

December 1st, 2008

The Inaugural Annual Bali Dive Safety Symposium has been hailed as a resounding success by diving and medical professionals in Bali and Gili Trawangan, Lombok.

Attended by 70 participants in Bali and 65 participants on Gili Trawangan, the symposium reached a direct audience of over 100 dive professionals and more than 30 medical and Para medical professionals hailing from all regions of Bali and the Gili Islands.

Dr. Tony Lee, Medical Director Hyperbaric Health – Asia was ably supported by Mr. Peter Manz– Indonesian Regional Manager of Hyperbaric Health, in the provision of an informative, and  enjoyable symposium.,   Proceedings commenced with a brief history of diving and the beginnings of hyperbaric medicine, presented by Peter Manz.  This was follwed by  Dr. Lee’s polished explanation of the diagnosis and Management of Diving Related Decompression Illness. The presentations concluded with a spirited question time, further demonstrating the industries thirst to enhance its knowledge.

A number of positive initiatives have been proposed as a result of the Symposium. The organizers hope to work with diving and medical professionals, regional government and the local private sector, to bring these initiatives to fruition.

Rolf Michel’s, of Vila Ombak Diving Academy, a PADI  Instructor and Para Medic said” “ I learnt more about the history, diagnosis and emergency management of diving related Decompression Illness in this one day, than I have in my entire career as a diving instructor and Para medic. It would be great if we can do something similar again next year”

Michael Cortenbach of Bali Diving Academy said As an organizer and sponsor, we were very pleased to see the industry embrace this positive initiative. We are confident the information was relevant and attendance at the inaugural event was considered good use of the participant’s time. The success of the symposium paves the way to pursue the goal of an annual event. We hope to announce the focus topic and speakers for the 2009 event sometime in the first quarter of 2009.”

The First Annual Bali Dive Safe Symposium was organized and funded by Hyperbaric Health, Bali Diving Academy with the support of Bali Chapter of Gahawisri (Indonesian Watersport Operators Association,) Dr. John Lippmann of Divers Alert Network Asia Pacific, Hotel Vila Ombak, Vila Ombak Diving Academy, Gili Cat, and Manta Dive.

For more information on hyperbaric medicine in Indonesia and the region please visit: www.hyperbarichealth.com

Popularity: 35% [?]

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The tricky porters at Bali Ngurah Rai Airport

November 3rd, 2008

As a tourist who spends long holidays on Bali.

I would like to call the attention of the local authorities to the age-long problems that visitors must face at the international arrival area of Ngurah Rai airport.

To begin with, the free trolleys are stored at the very end area, so out of sight that the vast majority of tourists think the airport does not offer this facility.

The cunning porters read the labels stuck onto the suitcases and call the owners by their name inducing them to believe that they are their guides.

Once they have grabbed ( they work in pairs) the ”pray”, they stop at the first money changer and persuade the customer to change money.

The banknotes changed are always the highest denomination, that is 100.000 IDR.

Before the tourists actually meet the official guide the porters have already required a tip of 100.000 IDR EACH SUITCASE!!!.

If the tourist does not want to change, the helpful thugs are willing to accept 10USD or 10 E if not more.

Besides, there is a tacit agreement with the custom officers who do no check the suitcases escorted by the porters.

On the shameful behaviour of the custom officers, there would be a lot to say and will be said on another occasion.

The notice beside the conveyor which says that porterage is not compulsory and the price that should be charged is 2000 IDR each suitcase is almost always overlooked by the exhausted tourists harassed by these infamous porters.

I sincerely do hope that the Balinese Authorities take a swift action ant put an end to this disgusting situation that makes the Bali airport one, if not the most, unwelcoming airport in the world and give visitors the feeling they have landed on the ” Island of thieves “.

Popularity: 47% [?]

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Ocean Sunfish Fact Sheet

October 21st, 2008

Affiliations: The ocean sunfish or mola may seem in a class by themselves butthey belong in the same class with all other bony fishes known as Osteichthyes.Here is their pedigree:

Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Subphylum Vertebrata , Class Osteichthyes, Order Tetraodontiformes (includes puffer fish, triggerfish, boxfish and porcupine fish) , Family Molidae, Genus Mola , Species mola. (Currently there are 3 recognized species in the family Molidae: Mola mola–common mola, Masturus lanceolatus-sharp-tailed mola and Ranzania laevis–slender mola. Our genetic work has identifiedpotentially two more species, so stay tuned.

Name: The name mola while sounding Hawai’ian, is Latin and means millstone a visual reference to the mola’s round body shape. In other countries mola have a number of names: poisson lune (moon fish) in France; schwimmenderkopf  (swimming head) in Germany and Manbo in Japan, to name a few. The common name “sunfish” refers to their habit of lying on the sea surface apparently sunbathing. Tagging studies suggest this behavior is tied to warming their bodies

between repeated dives into cold deep water. Such sunning behavior may alsohelp mola rid themselves of their many parasites since at the surface seabirds can harvest parasites from the mola’sexposed skin and cleaner fish can aggregate under the mola and pick off parasites from below. This is a very usefulservice as mola can host some 40 different genera of parasites–even their parasites can have parasites!

Habitat and Range: Mola are found throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian ocean basins–everywhere except in the polar seas. While they may travel into the middle of ocean basins, most observations and tracking studies reveal them to be primarily coastal residents.

Depth: Mola spend most their time in the upper 40-50 m (150-170 ft) of the ocean. During the day, they can repeatedly dive to depths of 100-300 m (300-1000 ft) and can even dive below 600 m (1968 ft) on occasion. During the night theyare typically less active and rest near the surface, exposing them to dangerous encounters with ship traffic.

Size, growth and longevity: Mola are the world’s heaviest bony fish with the current record holder weighing 2300 kg (5,071 lbs) and measuring 2.7 m (8.9 ft) from mouth to tail. This fish was caught off the coast of Kamogawa, Japan in1996. Historic records reveal mola of longer proportions that likely weighed even more. Mola can increase in weight 60million times from larval to adult size making them the vertebrate growth champions of the world. This is equivalent to a human baby growing to the weight equal to six Titanic ships. In captivity, mola can pack on the pounds–one mola held at the Monterey Bay Aquarium gained 364 kg (800 lbs) in only 14 months. Based on length/weight curves, mola can reach full size in 10 years and live more than 20 years.

Diet, Predators and Role in the Ocean: The bulk of the mola diet consists of gelatinous zooplankton like jellies–a food supply that appears to be rising due to rising human impacts on the ocean. Mola are also known to eat squid, fish, larvae,crustaceans, algae, eelgrass and various midwater and seafloor invertebrates. Mola fall prey to sea lions, sharks and killer whales and provide a wealth of eggs and parasites to other fishes and seabirds.

Reproduction: Mola are considered the most fecund fish in the world. One 1.4 m (4.5 ft) long female was estimated to be carrying more than 300 million eggs! Males and females release their eggs and sperm into the water where fertilizationtakes place however no one has ever seen mola spawn in the wild. Based on plankton collections across the globe, severalspawning areas have been identified including ones off Baja, Japan and in the Sargasso Sea. There are likely many more spawning locations yet to be discovered.

Conservation: Mola comprise a significant portion of bycatch in many of the world fisheries including the California andMediterranean drift net swordfish fisheries and South Africa’s horse mackerel fishery. Our work is helping revealbehavior patterns of mola so as to better conserve these magnificent fish and their vital jelly-eating role in our ever-changing ocean.

For more information visit www.oceansunfish.org

Popularity: 100% [?]

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First Annual Bali Dive Safety Symposium

September 19th, 2008

Well known for its abundance of turtles and reef sharks, Gili Trawangan has long been regarded as one of the most popular dive locations in Indonesia. Trawangan offers easy boat access to at least 18 dive sites around the Gili Islands. Beautiful reef flats and expansive reef slopes are teeming with life and will excite divers of all levels. Diving does not get much easier than this! In your non diving hours, the island offers a myriad of dining options, activities and characters.

As you may know already, Bali is a DivePhotoGuide favorite. For years now Jason has said its diving is under rated and I recently made the argument that its a world class dive destination in my two part special about the Indonesian island. In lieu of this ,we happy to announce that our friends at Hyperbaric Health and Bali Diving Academy have joined up to create the First Annual Bali Dive Safety Symposium. Here is the press release for the event-

While Bali has been a world renown destination for travellers for many years, the Island has only recently received the accolades she deserves as a world class diving destination. Growing numbers of divers arrive in Bali every year seeking to enjoy not only icon species such as the Mola mola and Manta’s of Penida, the Harlequin Shrimp of Seraya or the Mimic Octopus of Puri Jati, but also a range of marine habitats and species diversity matched only in a few places on our Blue Planet.

Divers are embarking on more intense diving programs, for longer periods of time, in Bali. The “coming of age” of Bali as a diving destination brings with it many challenges for the industry on both a service and safety level. Succeeding in meeting the challenges, is integral to the long term success of Bali as a diving destination.

It was with this in mind that Peter Manz of Hyperbaric Health joined with Michael Cortenbach of Bali Diving Academy, with support from Divers Alert Network Asia Pacific and the Indonesian Marine Tourism Association, Gahawisri, to create the First Annual Bali Dive Safety Symposium.

Multi Day / Multi Dive programs are now common place in Bali. Combine this with some deep recreational dives targeting Icon species, cold water and occasional strong currents on some sites, plus altitude considerations when moving between dive locations, it seemed obvious that the focus of the First Annual Bali Dive Safety Symposium be Decompression Sickness and Management.

The Symposium is designed to provide Dive Professionals, Doctors and Clinicians an opportunity update and / or further enhance their knowledge of an important and fascinating aspect of Dive Safety.

The First Annual Bali Dive Safety Symposium will be convened on the 27th of November 2008 in Sanur. For further information and registration, please contact: peter@hyperbarichealth.com

Popularity: 34% [?]

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Bali Diving Academy

September 8th, 2008

Bali Diving Academy has long been the vision of the Bali Hai Diving Adventures group. We now operate dedicated Diving Academy’s in five premier diving locations, providing an unmatched range of diving experiences, while maintaining consistently high standards of service and professionalism. Please visit www.scubali.com, www.balidivingacademy.com and www.gilidive.com, email info@scubali.com or call +62 (0) 361 270 252 for more details.

Bali Diving Academy
NUSA LEMBONGAN
With in excess of 15 dive sites. Lembongan, Penida and Ceningan region is regarded by many as Bali’s most exhilarating dive location. Deep ocean upwellings feed Bali’s most prolific and diverse coral reef community. Operating daily since 1991, and pioneering the renowned seasonal Mola Mola and Manta interactions, no company can match our knowledge, experience and infrastructure in this region. Day trips are available daily for both divers and non diving companions.

Bali Diving Academy
TULAMBEN
Here we offer daily diving on up to 16 dive sites suitable to all experience levels, including the World renowned Liberty Wreck, still one of Bali’s most celebrated dive sites. Situated beach front, the Diving Academy offers Macro lovers intriguing dives along its house reef, Seraya Secrets and Noisy reef. Day trips to Tulamben for both divers and snorkelors are extremely popular from south Bali resorts. Night diving is a highlight here.

Bali Diving Academy
PEMUTERAN
Gateway to the vertical walls of Menjangan Island National Park and home of the award winning Biorock® Project, Pemuteran offers up to 15 dive sites suitable to all experience levels. Our Diving Academy is located in Taman Sari Resort, a dedicated eco-tourism venture. Pemuteran also offers excellent boat diving and great shore dives for Macro lovers at Secret Bay and Puri Jati. Day trips from south Bali resorts are available, however we recommend overnight stays due to the distance.

Bali Diving Academy
GILI TRAWANGAN
Well known for its abundance of turtles and reef sharks, Gili Trawangan has long been regarded as one of the most popular dive locations in Indonesia. Trawangan offers easy boat access to at least 18 dive sites around the Gili Islands. Beautiful reef flats and expansive reef slopes are teeming with life and will excite divers of all levels. Diving does not get much easier than this! In your non diving hours, the island offers a myriad of dining options, activities and characters.

Popularity: 51% [?]

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Diving company in the spotlight over Czech woman’s disappearance

August 28th, 2008

Rescuers questioned Monday the decision of a diving company to allow an inexperienced 41-year-old Czech woman to dive in challenging waters off Bali.

The search for Milea Bauerova, who has been missing since heading off on a diving trip from Nusa Penida on Friday, reached the end of its fourth day Monday. Continuous efforts by the Denpasar Search and Rescue team have yielded no results.

Famous for its diving sites, Nusa Penida is the largest of a group of three islands located some 20 kilometers off Bali’s southeast coast.

Putu Suardana from the Denpasar Search and Rescue team said Monday that the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency had already warned of rough seas throughout July and August in Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

“”I don’t know why the diving company ignored the warning and (I don’t know) on what assumptions they saw it was safe to take divers to that site,”" he said.

Denpasar Search and Rescue team head I Ketut Parwa said rough conditions had hindered the search for the woman.

“”The situation is difficult because there is a strong current, with high waves and strong winds,”" he said.

The team plans to continue searching for one week. “”We will then evaluate whether we should continue the search or not,”" Ketut said.

The woman was diving Friday with MM Divers, a diving company run by a Czech couple, Milan and Monica Jeglikova. Bauerova dived at the Blue Corner dive site, located off the point of Nusa Lembongan, a long and thin island to the north-west of Nusa Penida.

Rival diving company Bali International Diving Professionals have classified Blue Corner an advanced dive site.

World Diving Club manager Sue Beebe, who helped initiate search efforts for the woman, stressed that the site was for experienced divers who had gone on at least 100 dives.

She questioned the judgment of instructors from MM Divers in allowing an inexperienced diver to go alone at the site, which is known for its strong currents.

Bauerova reportedly had gone on 40 dives and was “”buddying”" with a junior diver who was no older than 15 years of age. “”Apparently the instructor had thought that the woman who had gone missing had surfaced with others in the group,”" Beebe said in an email sent to The Jakarta Post.

Beebe said MM Divers had not suspended business during the search and had taken guests out on Sunday and Monday “”and were once again taking divers to the very same site at Blue Corner”".

Beebe said MM Divers had contacted her in November last year to help with the search for two divers who were later found dead in a similar incident off Bali.

The owners of MM Divers had not replied to enquiries from the Post as of deadline last night.

Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr. A.S. Reniban said police were questioning witnesses in the woman’s disappearance but had not named suspects. “”We’re still investigating whether there have been violations of the Criminal Code,”" he said.

Putu Suardana said that this was the fifth diving disappearance since 2006, the majority of which occurred off Nusa Penida.

Beebe said diving is a safe sport if proper precautions are taken and divers’ skill levels are catered for.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2007/08/28/diving-company-spotlight-over-czech-woman039s-disappearance.html-0

Popularity: 34% [?]

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Missing Japanese diver found on Nusa Penida: SAR agency

February 11th, 2008

Hiro Hiko Kubo, 66, a Japanese tourist who went missing while on a diving trip Friday, has been found alive, the local search and rescue agency reported Sunday.

“The victim was found on a beach in Tanglad village, Nusa Penida, Klungkung district, after struggling for ten hours against strong waves,” a representative from the Bali provincial Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency in Denpasar said, as quoted by Antara.

The victim went missing Friday at 3 p.m. and was found by local villagers at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The villagers notified police at 5 p.m. and the SAR agency received the report two hours later.

Nusa Penida is a small island southeast of Bali. Its pristine beaches offer world-class diving. However, the Badung Strait, which separates Nusa Penida from Bali, has long been known for erratic weather changes, powerful waves and dangerous undercurrents.

The head of Bali’s SAR agency, I Ketut Purwa, said the agency was informed about the incident at 7:30 p.m., almost five hours after the victim went missing.

“As it was dark at the time it was impossible for us to deploy a search party,” he said.

A search commenced Saturday morning, involving a boat and helicopter. The search was focused on areas around the diving location.

“We called off the search as soon as we received information the victim had been found,” Purwa said.

The agency was able to save four German tourists and three crew members after a boat sank in Nusa Penida waters last July.

The German nationals were identified as Kalus, 52, Ingo, 47, Dettet, 43, and Eiete, 40, while the three crew members were identified as Wayan Tirta, 40, I Made Topel, 40, and Mirtinus, 38.

The tourists were on a dive trip when a series of powerful waves struck the boat, causing it to eventually sink

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/02/11/missing-japanese-diver-found-nusa-penida-sar-agency.html

Popularity: 38% [?]

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