FOLLOW THE ACTION ON GILI TRAWANGAN /jean

Gili: Ombak Sunset (Booking.com)

While every year millions of tourists are attracted to Bali, the nighboring island of Lombok offers 3 tiny paradise islands off its north-west coast, known as �the Gilis�. Gili meaning "little island" and when people talk of "the Gilis", they usually refer to  the three little islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air.

Source: Indonesia.travel

Gili Trawangan is the largest and most built up among the three islands. Surrounded by white sandy beaches, turquoise water and a mesmerizing underwater life, it has the largest number of guesthouses, hotels and resorts. This, combined with bars and holiday atmosphere make this the most popular among travelers. Most  accommodation and other facilities on the island are on the east side.

Top Things to See and Do on Gili Trawangan

1. Scuba diving

Swimming in crystal clear water with a sea turtle is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. You can rent snorkeling gear for half a day from one of the centers near the beach and If you are with a large enough group or join other people do take a private boat. Check with your hotel for the best spots of the moment to snorkel with the sea turtles.

2. Go snorkeling

Whether you simply want to try scuba diving, do fun diving or go all out and complete a dive course or dive master program, here is the hub of Lombok diving with a heap of dive schools and dive sites to choose from. Small wonder, because the islands have a wonderful underwater world. Lionfish, scorpion fish, cuttle fish, octopus, and different types of rays make the waters around the islands their habitat.  

3. Island Hopping

Twice a day the public boats ply  around the islands. In the morning the boat leaves Gili Trawangan at 9.0 am. In the afternoon it returns from Gili Air over Gili Meno back to Trawangan.

4. Rent a bike 

Gili Trawangan is a relatively small island. It takes approximately one hour to cycle around it. You can get  bikes almost anywhere or check your hotel since they usually also have bikes for rent. Remember to chain and lock the bike when you leave it anywhere.

There are no motorized vehicles on Gili Trawangan, only bikes and horse drawn carts called "horse carriage". So bikes are your best transport to get you around the island. 

5. Walk to the vantage point for sunset
Get a good view over the Gili islands, Bali and Lombok from the highest point on Gili Trawangan. The hill is located on the southern end of the island and can be reached within half an hour�s walk from most places on the southern part of Gili Trawangan. This is the best  vantage point to admire sunsets. For another option,  head to the west side of the island and find a spot to sip your cold drink while having your toes in the sand or find a chair in a beach bar, and watch the sun set behind Bali�s  inspiring Mount Agung.

6. Check out the nightlife

A daily night market serving heaps of Indonesian delicacies at bargain prices, is worth your to visit. Located in front of the boat pier it opens at 6 pm or before sunset, this main public dining spot will satisfy your craving for seafood and local delights with a good variety of menu items to choose from. For such a small islandGili Trawangan certainly lives up to its time-honored party island reputation. Party nights are regular and are rotated between the bars, which usually stay open until 4 am.

Get There

Lombok is easily reached from Bali by air around 25 minutes or by sea crossing taking less than 2 hours.

There are speedboats available from Senggigi Beach on Lombok to the Gilis. 

Transport between Bali and Gili Trawangan is also provided with fast boats. Public Boat is the cheapest way to reach Gili Trawangan. Departure is from Bangsal, a tiny little port in northwest Bali, from 8 am-5 pm. You can buy tickets directly from the  ticket office. The official price is IDR 19,500 (Feb 2016) plus additional terminal fees at IDR 2,500. Charter boats run from here and tickets can be bought at the same ticket office. Charter boats are permitted to carry a maximum of 12 persons, with cost IDR 500,000 (one way)  per person and IDR 950,000 (return)/person. (Indonesia.travel)

Gili Trawangan Accommodation

Experience world-class service at Theanna Eco Villa and Spa /jean

Family Fun Time!

Address: Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong No. 25A, 80361 Canggu, Indonesia � Great location - show map

Set in Canggu, a 6-minute drive to Echo Beach, Theanna Eco Villa and Spa ??????? offers luxury villas and private pools. Guests can enjoy pampering massages at the spa centre. The property also provides free use of bicycles and free shuttle service to the surrounding areas. Free WiFi is accessible throughout the property.

Sit back and relax

Combining sleek modern look with traditional designs, the villas at Theanna Eco Villa and Spa have an open plan seating area, an outdoor dining area and a kitchenette. It has air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an iPod docking station and a minibar. Each room has an en suite bathroom with a bath and a shower. A hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers are provided.

Make yourself at home

Guests who need assistance can contact the 24-hour front desk. For extra convenience, guest will find a restaurant, a bar, a mini market and a cash machine on site.

Other services at the property include laundry, dry cleaning, luggage storage and valet parking.

Batu Bolong Beach is 1.7 km away, while Echo Beach is 1.9 km from Theanna Eco Villa and Spa. Ngurah Rai International Airport is 11 km away.

This is our guests' favourite part of Canggu, according to independent reviews.

This property also has one of the best-rated locations in Canggu! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area. 

Couples particularly like the location � they rated it 9 for a two-person trip.

This property is also rated for the best value in Canggu! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.

We speak your language!

Theanna Eco Villa and Spa has been welcoming Booking.com guests since 19 Jul 2016.

Handmade Design Eco Rattan Wicker Stool Plant Stand Natural Material Color Cognac

• Handmade in Indonesia
• ECO-friendly
• Strong & Light
• Natural Rattan
• Stool Dimensions: 18.0"H x14.0"L x14.0"W Fully Assembled! 

 Price: $45.99

Indonesia Tourism Records Faster Growth Than Other SEA Countries/jean

Source: Kemenpar

Indonesia's tourism sector has grown significantly in the first quarter, much faster compared with Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

In January-April, 5.79 million foreign visits were recorded in Singapore � a 4.4 percent increase from 2016 � the Business Times said on its website on June 24.

Singapore had 1.1 million Chinese visitors and 968,000 Indonesian. The visits from Indonesia, however, are expected to decline with the strengthening of the Singapore dollar. "The strengthening of the dollar is expected to last until the end of the year," Cushman & Wakefield research director Christine Li said in a statement on Tuesday (04/07).

The slow growth has also affected Singapore's hotel industry.

The growth in Malaysia has been even slower. Xinhua News Agency reported on June 8 that the number of tourists visiting Indonesia's neighbor dropped by 0.5 percent.
Thailand has also experienced a drop in the number of visits, with 12.02 million foreigners arriving to the country in the first four months, up 2.91 percent from the same period last year, TTR Weekly reported in the end of May.

According to data data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia recorded a 19.34 increase in the number of visits between January and April.
In the first quarter, 4.2 million foreign tourists visited the country, with 1.14 million in April alone � 26.75 percent up from April 2016. (JakartaGlobe)

Iconic Four Seasons Bali Jimbaran Bay reopens/jean

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay has reasserted its peerless status with the completion of a two-year renovation, launching Bali�s most exclusive beachfront villas and upgrading facilities and services across the resort.

The freshly-minted Imperial and Royal Villas complete the dramatic transformation of the resort�s entire accommodations while preserving the authentic ambience of its original Balinese village architecture. Divided into seven �village squares� each with a village chief to deliver a Four Seasons experience, 147 pool villas are cocooned within the high walls of traditional Balinese dwellings. Inside, they present a fresh, contemporary design, spacious interiors and the ultimate views across the sunset coast and curving Jimbaran Bay. Located just steps from a tranquil three-mile beach, the three-bedroom, two-storey Imperial Villa is the most coveted of sanctuaries featuring multi-level living spaces, residential-style kitchen and dining area, infinity pool, fitness studio, and unique in-villa services such as private breakfast chef, personal trainer and yoga master, night-time spa rituals and Balinese royal banquets. The Imperial Villa�s individual design also offers a stunning ocean-edge venue to host private celebrations and weddings for up to 80 people.

�Being one of the first resorts on the island, we were able to secure the best location with the combination of both cliff and beachfront land, and views across Jimbaran Bay�s fishing village. It also means that we have had years of guest feedback to learn from, to perfect our offering,� said general manager Uday Rao. �Our guests told us they love the location and authentic Balinese concept, and they love the people. Those elements haven�t changed and remain part of our DNA, while we have upgraded facilities and created the Imperial and Royal Villas to elevate the guest experience. We�re grateful to our owners for their support and excited to share this evolution with our loyal guests and staff.�

The resort also added a new ocean-front venue for spa treatments and yoga; an artists-in-residence programme for guests to learn woodcarving, weaving, painting and dance; heli-surfing, sunset cruise and water biking adventures; and unique Customised Dining concept at Sundara, the southern peninsula�s hottest dining destination and beach-club. These activities enhance existing programmes including half-day courses at the state-of-the-art Jimbaran Bay Cooking Academy, transformative rituals at Healing Village Spa, and temple tours and offerings with the Balinese-Hindu priest.

What hasn�t changed: the legendary service. Roughly 60 per cent of staff have been with the property for over 20 years, and management kept the entire team employed full-time throughout the two-year renovation.

The new beginning for the resort coincides with new awards. Four Seasons Resorts Bali at Jimbaran Bay and the mountain retreat of Sayan were two of just three hotels in Bali to receive the highest possible five-star rating in the 2017 Forbes Travel Guide, recognising �virtually flawless service and amazing facilities�. In addition, Healing Village Spa at Jimbaran Bay and Sacred River Spa at Sayan received Four-Star ratings, the highest possible for spas. Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay was also recognised among the Best Resorts in Asia in the 2017 Conde Nast Traveller Readers� Awards. Meanwhile, Bali was voted the World�s Best Destination in the 2017 TripAdvisor Travellers� Choice Awards recognising its diverse culture, landscapes, dining scene and wellness rituals.  (TradeArabia)

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)

Tourists injured for panic chaos in Dieng crater eruption/jean

Source: nunusdwinugroho.wordpress.com

Some visitors of Sileri Crater in Dieng Tourism area of Banjarnegara District, Central Java Province were injured due to chaos situation after some people panicked as the crater erupted on Sunday afternoon.

The Public Relation officer of Central Java Police Senior Commissioner Djarod Padakova said the tourists suffered minor injuries after trying to save themselves in a chaos situation.

"Some people were injured due to falling when running away," Padakova said.

He added there are some visitors who exposed to mud splashes.

According to Padakova, the mud is not hot mud flow.

The victims are being treated at Batur Public Health-care Center.

Previously, a phreatic explosion occurred in Sileri Crater of Dieng Plateau Tourism Area at Banjarnegara District.

The eruption is noted to reach as high as 50 meters and occurred at 12.00 local time.

The eruption was said reach as far as the waterboom parking lot. (Antara)

Related:Three die after SAR helicopter crashes

Over 1 million passengers travel through Bali airport/jean

Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. (ANTARA FOTO/Fikri Yusuf)

State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa I said that over 1 million passengers have traveled through Balis Ngurah Rai International Airport during the homecoming flow of post-fasting travelers since 10 days (D-10) before the Lebaran D-Day to D+4.

Head of Public Relations of PT Angkasa Pura I at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Arie Ahsanurrohim, stated in Denpasar on Saturday that the passengers recorded during the period were those for domestic and international routes.

Arie added that the movement of passengers was calculated based on regular and unscheduled flights.

He explained that the unscheduled flights were the ones used by former US president Barack Obama and Malaysian Prime Minister and family when they visited during the Lebaran holiday season.

Meanwhile, related to the flow of Lebaran homecoming, Arie explained that the movement at the local airport was quite unique compared to other airports in Indonesia, which are mostly dominated by the flow of departing passengers.

At Ngurah Rai Airport, the flow of departure and the arrival of passengers were high or only slightly different, considering Bali as a tourist destination where many tourists spend the long Lebaran holidays.

Data from Integrated Monitoring Lebaran Command Post at the airport mentioned on H+4 or on Friday (June 30) that the number of domestic passenger arrivals reached 19,174 people, up 10.6 percent compared to the same period in 2016.

Passengers departing from the airport reached 21,573 people, or jumped 14 percent compared to the same period in the previous year.

The number of those arriving and departing through the international routes increased with arrivals recorded at 16.3 thousand, or up by 16 percent, and departure at 17.7 thousand, or up by 14 percent. 

  (Antara)