Plataran X-Trail 2017: Run Through WEST BALI NATIONAL PARK Scenic Trails/jean

Source: plataran.com

Ready for yet another outstanding running challenge? Well, prepare yourself for an exceptional trail run through some of the most pristinely beautiful natural landscape on the picturesque island of Bali . On Saturday, 22nd July 2017, the Plataran X-Trail 2017 will take trail runners through one of Bali's most enchanting and well-preserved wilderness area in West Bali National Park, home to the world-protected heritage species, the Bali Starling.

source:plataranxtrail.com

Scheduled to take place for the very first time, the Plataran X Trail 2017 is a brand new annual and international trail running event that caters to runners of all levels, and sheds a bright spotlight on environmental consciousness and sustainability.

Scheduled to take place for the very first time, the Plataran X Trail 2017 is a brand new annual and international trail running event that caters to runners of all levels, and sheds a bright spotlight on environmental consciousness and sustainability.

Source:shutterstock

The race features three race categories for men and women, all with start and finish at the Plataran Resort premises. The main race is a challenging 50 km trail that will bring experienced marathon and long distance runners around the entire National Park. Beginners and intermediate level runners can aim for completing the shorter 25 km course, not an easy feat in itself. Thirdly, there is a 7.1 km fun run set up for beginning runners, but also for families with children. 

Source:Shutterstock

The terrain consists of sandy beach, forest paths and more technical single trails. West Bali National Park does not have any high mountains, but especially the 50 km runners will need to conquer a few hills along the route within the 11 hour cut off limit set by the race directors.  

As part of the environmental awareness campaign, upon finishing a race of choice, each single participant will be invited to release a baby turtle into the open sea. The campaign is the manifestation of the responsibility on conserving this endangered species on Earth due to the destruction of their habitat by human activities, such as factory waste, oil spills, and extreme turtle hunts, either for human consumption or entertainment.Every runner will receive a certificate of baby sea turtle adoption as a result of their participation in this event. 

The Plataran X Trail 2017 � West Bali is also a Candidate Race for the 2018 Asia Trail Master championship series, Asia's biggest series of trail running races in nearly 20 countries.
This exceptional race is projected to attract the participation of no less than 500 national and international runners. Two current Asia Trail Master champions are expected to line up at the start of this inaugural race. These are Manolito Divina from the Philippines and Tahira Najmunisaa Muhammad Zaid from Malaysia who are both looking forward to the 50 km race, which they, for sure,will try to add to their impressive list of race victories. Divina scored wins at the Rizal Mountain Run near his home of Manila and at Sungai Menyala Forest Trail in Port Dickson, Malaysia. TahiraNajmunisaa has kept her unbeaten record on the Asia Trail Master circuit with three victories at Tahura Trail in Bandung, Beach Bunch Trail Challenge 50 in Brunei and UT Koh Chang 100 in Thailand. 

From Indonesia's own trail running scene, Shindy Patricia who in the 2016 Indonesia Trail Master was crowned by the Asia Trail Master Championship series will also be joining at the starting line of the 50k. As winner and only female finisher last year of Rinjani 60k, Shindy Patricia is a big name in the trail running scene in Indonesia, and beyond. 

Located in the most north-westerly point of Bali, the West Bali National Park covers a total area of 19,002.89 hectares, comprising 15,587.89 hectares of land and 3,415 hectares of water. Lush green forests, picturesque mountain range, crystal clear blue water, and vast stretches of pristine beaches, those are what await here. Just at the outskirts of the National Park is the coastal area of Pemuteran
which is famous for its magical underwater temple garden which combines nature's beauty with amazing work of art. Meanwhile off the coast of the national park, Menjangan Island, also offers mesmerizing underwater splendor perfect for snorkeling and diving.More information available at:www.plataranxtrail.com


(Indonesia.travel)

THE SPECTACULAR JEMBER FASHION CARNAVAL 2017: �VICTORY�/jean

The spectacular Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC) extravaganza will again take center stage this year when it rolls out the carpet in the charming city of Jember in East Java Province, from 9th to 13th August 2017.

The Jember Carnival was the first that started the trend in Indonesia, parading  unbelievably spectacular modern costumes that are rooted in the multiple traditions and cultures across the Indonesian islands.  

Entering its 16th edition and celebrating the success of JFC in achieving awards and acknowledgments in various international pageants and fashion events in the past years, this year  the Jember Fashion Carnival presents the theme: �Victory�. Among  notable achievements in costumes designed by JFC are: Best National Costume Miss Supranational 2014 in Warsaw, Poland; Best National Costume Miss Universe 2014 in Florida, USA;  Best National Costume Miss Supranational 2015 in Warsaw, Poland; Best  National Costume Miss Grand International 2016 in Las Vegas USA; and Best National Costume Miss Tourism International 2016 in Malaysia.

This year, the carnival will involve participation of more than 1,000 talents ranging from kindergarten students to the general public. These are Jember�s finest boys and girls who will show off this spectacular style across the 3.6 km runway right in the heart of Jember city. As in previous years, the event will also be complemented with a conference and a fashion exhibition.
 
According to Vice President of JFC, Suyanto, JFC has earned its place among world�s international fashion carnivals. 

Therefore, next year the carnival will collaborate with carnival drum bands �Eventually, JFC will grow equal to other world carnivals such as the one in Pasadena, USA� said Suyanto.

Further adding, that for JFC 2018, the carnival will invite international participants from other countries. � Up to now, we have  international participants, but they came individually. So, in the future we plan to invite full delegations� said Suyanto.  Furthermore, JFC is projected to be part of a more professional annual MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition)  event in Jember.

For its  outstanding initiative and consistent performance, Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya designated Jember as Indonesia�s   Carnaval City. Having  successfully and consistently staged  JFC for 16th years in a row, JFC has emerged as an outstanding icon for Jember. �I am confident that  the city of Jember with its Fashion Carnaval will attract more tourists not only from all over the country but also from the rest of the world.� Said Minister Arief Yahya.

To get to Jember you can fly to Banyuwangi airport from Jakarta by Nam Air. By August 2017 the Jakarta-Banyuwangi route will also be served by Garuda Indonesia. From Banyuwangi there are taxis or rented cars available to take you to the town of Jember.   

More information is available at: http://www.jemberfashioncarnaval.com

(Indonesia.travel)

All Indonesian Muslims in Lebaran festive mood/jean

Muslims in Indonesia seem to be in a festive mood of Eid al Fitr, better known as Idul Fitri or Lebaran celebration.

The aura of the holiday spirit can now be felt in the Greater Jakarta areas where the normally congested streets are pleasantly deserted, and one can actually take a deep breath without inhaling a lungful of pollution.

Muslims in Indonesia, who account for nearly 90 percent of the countrys population, are celebrating Lebaran on July 25-26 this year.

During this time, the capital city of Jakarta reveals itself as a friendly city, with wide, tree-lined avenues where pedestrians can stroll on the pavements without the risk of being hit by a motorbike.

The prevailing custom of Lebaran in Indonesia is one of the largest temporary human migrations observed globally when workers return to their hometowns to celebrate with their families and relatives and to seek forgiveness from parents, in-laws, and other elders.

Such a mass exodus, or homecoming, is known in Indonesia as "mudik," which is an annual tradition wherein the people living in major cities, such as Greater Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and elsewhere, travel to their hometowns to meet their relatives.

Early on Sunday morning, mosques in Jakarta and elsewhere were packed with thousands of worshipers performing Eid al Fitr prayers and then listen to sermons, focused on unity and integrity, goodness, social spirit, and many more positive things.

The Idul Fitri prayer service at the Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta was started at 7 am on Sunday with the presence of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Vice President Jusuf Kalla, and other state officials.

Also present at the Idul Fitri prayer service at Southeast Asias largest mosque with the capacity of 120,000 people were also thousands of Muslims from all corners of the state capital city of Jakarta.

In his Idul Fitri sermon at Jakartas Istiqlal moaque, Prof. Quraish Shihab preached on "Idul Fitri and the Spirit of Strengthening the Unity and Integrity."

Quraish Shihab gave some advice on unity for Muslims both as individuals and in society.

"The unity of the human self consists of the spirit and the body. The unification of the soul and body makes the man intact so that there is no separation between faith and practice, neither feeling nor behavior, deeds with morality, idealism with reality, and these are all complementary parts," Shihab remarked.

In the meantime, Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Vice Chairman Hidayat Nur Wahid in his Idul Fitri sermon at Nurul Hidayah Grand Moaque in Bintaro, South Jakarta, said all the goodness during the holy month of Ramadan must continue to be practiced, although the fasting month has ended.

Hidayat said that even though Ramadan is over, the relationship and efforts to spread goodness must continue to be done. (Antara)

�Beduk� festival to welcome Idul Fitri in Jakarta/jean

Residents take part in a convoy to celebrate the end of the Ramadhan fasting month. (kompas.com/-)

The Jakarta administration will hold the final round of the Beduk Festival drumming competition on June 24 at City Hall as part of the capital�s Idul Fitri celebration.

Subdistrict across Jakarta will be allowed to compete in the festival and vie for a trophy and a cash prize. 

Jakarta�s assistant to the secretary for administrative affairs, Bambang Sugiono, said the competition would start on June 16 at the district level and on June 19 for municipalities.

"District winners will compete at the municipal level; finalists will then compete at city hall," he said on Wednesday as quoted by beritajakarta.id.

A team will comprise six members; five will hit the beduk, a large drum made of animal skin and barrel, and one will chant the takbir (prayer in praise of Allah). Assessments will be based on each group�s 10-minute performance and team work, Bambang said.

"The first-place winner will earn Rp 15 million [US$1,129], second-place winners will receive Rp 10 million, while the third-place winner will get Rp 7.5 million," he said, adding that each winner would also bring home a goat and governor�s trophy. (JakartaPost)

Yoga: From Bali to the World/jean

Mindfulness: Indian Cultural Center in Bali Presents International Day of Yoga on Sunday, June 18, 2017.

Source: Pexels

The Indian Cultural Centre, operated by the Consulate General of India in collaboration with Bali Yoga Community - Seger Oger - conducted a warm-up event on June 4, 2017, for the International Day of Yoga that traditionally marked on in Bali on Sunday, June 18, 2017.

Yoga is a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice. With its origin in India, Yoga aims to transform both the body and the mind. Accordingly, while addressing the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, called on world leaders to embrace International Yoga Day, saying that by changing lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change.

In response to this call, on December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21st each year as the International Day of Yoga.

To promote the International Day of Yoga Celebration to be held in Bali on June 18, 2017, the Indian Cultural Center in Bali hosted a warm-up Yoga event at Braja Sandhi Park on June 4, 2017. The event was attended by the Consul General of India in Bali, R.O Sunil Babu; the Director of JNICC (The Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Centre, Jakarta), Makarand Shukla; and ICC (Indian Cultural Centre, Bali) dance teacher, Preeti Sinha. During the warm-up event, Arun Yevle, a JNICC Yoga teacher, demonstrated Command Yoga Protocol for all participants.

A mass Yoga event will be held at the Puputan Margarana Field at Niti Mandala, Renon in Denpasar on June 18, 2017, to celebrate theInternational Day of Yoga. Open to the public without charge, the event begins at 6:00 am.

Last year�s celebration of the International Day of Yoga held on June 19, 2016, in downtown Denpasar attracted the participation of more than 2,000 enthusiasts.

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