Villa Seminyak Bali

Kuta Carnival

The Head of Community Development for Kuta (Bali’s famous beach),I Komang Graha Wicaksana confirmed that the Kuta Karnival will be held for nine days from October 18-26, 2008. He also said that the Governor of Bali, Mr. Mangku Pastika gave his full support toward the Kuta Carnival event. According to Mr. Wicaksana, Governor had assist them within the sponsorship. There will be 20 activities to be held at the Kuta Carnival, starting from food festival which able to attract 7.000 - 8.000 visitors.
    
Initially organized as a response to the Bali terrorist attack of October 2002, the event has now become a regular fixture on Bali's busy calendar of yearly events. This year’s event has been given the motto of "A Celebration of Life" reflecting the nine days of traditional art performances, sunset dances on the beach, sports activities, and an entire bazaar of culinary kiosks located in tents up and down the beach.
The first Kuta Karnival held in 2003, this will represent the sixth year for the festivities which now garners national and international press coverage.

The 2008 Karnival will also feature Balinese dance competitions, environmental conservation exhibits, a fun cycle show, seminars and a mass street parade. The other activities are padle for peace, music festival and kite festival will attend by 4.000 peoples. Kuta Carnival is one of the national even which supported by Government of Indonesia. Two international events at the same time are the promotional way to catch the world attention. Actual due to promote Bali Tourism

Some of the highlights of this year’s Kuta Karnival:

● Opening Ceremony - Held on the first day of the event, this day will be marked by a traditional Sekar Jagat dance and "Bali Paddle for Peace" in which 1,000 surfers will take to the ocean to spread flower pedals on the waves. 500 turtles will also be released back into the local seas.

● Food Festival - Tentatively set for day 8 and 9 of the Kuta Karnival more than 60 of Bali's best restaurants will set up kiosks along Kuta Beach. A children's play area will be in operation and live entertainment will be on offer from a central stage during these two days when more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend.

For the next Kuta Festival in 2009, please arrange with the staffs at Villa Annora for further information.

Sukawati Art Shop

The busy Pasar Seni (Art market) sells batik, toe slippers and handicrafts by the dozen. Most of the customers are shop owners from Kuta who buy the items here at wholesale rates and then charge Kuta tourists with a lot more expensive price. Even though Kuta prices may seem cheap to foreign visitors, in reality they are about a tenfold of its actual worth. Best way to spend is as little as possible, and to find every single thing you're looking for in one spot, is to head off to one of the big handicrafts markets outside of the tourist centers. In general, the traditional markets are colourful bustling affairs, which are far more interesting than the rows of tourist shops who sell exactly the same thing over and over again.

One stop of art markets that are already popular among visitors is Sukawati art market or Pasar Seni Sukawati. Sukawati road-facing market located in the Gianyar Regency has a strategic position as it is passed through during the tour to some destinations to the east of Bali. This area is popular because for its Art Market. If you ask Balinese where to find art and craft with the cheapest price, they will recommend Sukawati. Here you can find cloth, paintings and statue, jewelry and also Balinese ceremonial items.

A good place to explore the shopping experience in a natural way, get in touch with common people and see how the locals go about the art of negotiation. Shopping is also an art of experience. On the other hand, you may enjoy many kinds of art products all in one spot. It reflects the diversity of local art and crafts and the creativity of its people. Just ask the villa Annora staffs to drop you there.

Carving Wood for Balinese Craftsmen is critical

Balinese craftsmen are encountering severe shortages of wood, such as albesia, needed to meet the demands of the local and international markets for hand-carved products. Albesia, a preferred wood for carving among Balinese craftsmen, is normally harvested from Bangli, Karangasem, Tabanan and Jembrana. Of the 5,000 cubic meters produced annually in Bali most is now exported outside the island.

The head of the Gianyar (Bali) branch of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN), Wayan Gde Asyana, told the press: "Nowadays, it is easier to find gold than wood." He met with Bali’s governor Made Mangku Pastika on Tuesday, November 25, 2008, to share his concerns over a lack of raw material for Bali's large carving industry. This has resulted in a situation where 70% of Bali's carving wood requirements are now imported to the island. This has also been a concern in real estate industry, especially hotels and villas. Most equipment and decorations in villa Annora are using woods, for example floors, walls and bedrooms.