Trawangan-Bali Fast Ferry Sinks

Bali Post reports that 35 foreign tourists and 5 local tourists had a close call with fate on Friday, January 2, 2009, when the fast ferry boat carrying them from Gili Trawangan (near Lombok) to Serangan Island at Bali sunk just miles of Bali’s coast. The Lian Sengiggi lost power and started taking on water near the Watu Klotok Temple in the Klungkung Regency. Using life preservers the crew and passengers abandoned ship and made it to shore, some with the help of local fishermen who came to their assistance. According to Bali Post, a number of passengers rescued from the sea were not listed on the formal official manifest sent from Gili Trawangan, suggesting the ship was not in compliance with shipping rules. The ship reportedly left Gili Trawangan at 12 noon and, after two hours into its journey, lost power and began to take on water. The ship quickly sank and the passengers, jumped into the sea where they held onto each other, forming three separate groups. Two of the groups managed to swim to shore at Jumpai, while the third group was carried by strong current to Kusamba beach where local fishing boats came to their rescue. The ship’s captain, Agus Purnomo, refused to comment to the press on the circumstances surrounding the loss of his ship, saying, “Frankly, I panicked. I can’t explain anything. What’s clear, the water suddenly rushed in. I don’t remember anything more.” The ship carried a crew of 4 with the 40 tourists hailing from Indonesia, Sweden, Australia, Switzerland, Great Britain and Germany. (January 5th 2009, http://www.balidiscovery.com)

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RESOURCE LINKS

The editors pick of the most useful Bali resource web sites, these sites contain information of use to both residents of, and visitors to Bali.

Living in Indonesia, A Site for Expatriates

Practical information for expatriates moving to Indonesia. Hundreds of articles with helpful advice on a wide range of subjects ... written by expats, for expats. www.expat.or.id

IDEP Foundation

Yayasan IDEP is Bali based NGO that is committed to developing self-sustainability and directly empowering local communities to improve their own situations. We believe that through local empowerment permanent results can be achieved. Our programs include: • Introducing innovative approaches to environmental education into local schools • Developing models for community based income generation programs • Constructing demonstrations of sustainable agriculture and appropriate technology • Developing environmental awareness media campaigns www.idepfoundation.org

BIWA

Bali International Women’s Association (BIWA) is a secular, non-profit and non-political organization for women of all nations who reside in Bali. The association is formed to foster friendship and  understanding between   women of different  nationalities, to  encourage cultural interest  and  contribute  to  social welfare.  BIWA supports local charities directly and the improvement of education for needy children. Please come along to BIWA Coffee Morning / Afternoon Tea held on the first or second Thursday each month and Luncheons on the last Thursday of the month. For  reservation : call Sita van  Bemmelen 482 673  or  Elfin  Budiraharjo 423 238. For Social Welfare Projects : contact Julia Rivai 462 198. Please also visit: www.biwa-bali.org

Capacitar

Capacitar is an international network of people who share desires to inspire and empower people to heal and transform themselves by teaching simple effective  energy practices, such as Tai Chi, acupressure, massage, etc. which can be easily learned and multiplied through a method of popular education. You are welcome to join in Capacitar practice together, every Friday 18:00 -19:00 pm at YABES Foundation, Jl. Dewi Madri X No. 5 Denpasar. For more information or support, please contact Fransisca on +62 0812 382 8061 or visit: www.capacitar.org

Kupu-Kupu Foundation

A not for profit organization (NGO) whose main aim is to improve the   lives of physically and mentally handicapped  children, adolescents and adults in Bali. We are helping   people who have never been out of their house or who never have seen a wheelchair or been to a school. If you want more information please contact Bapak Agung 081 834 6786 or Begonia Lopez 0812 362 8720, visit our website:www.yamp.com/kupukupu or e-mail : kupubali@yahoo.com www.yamp.com/kupukupu

YKIP (Yayasan Kemanusian Ibu Pertiwi)

YKIP is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of all those who live on Bali but with a focus on health and education. Amongst other projects YKIP has established a medical library at Udayana University and together with YKIDS runs a scholarship fund for the semi-orphans from the Bali Bomb. We are also working on a number of projects with local NGOs. For further information, see: www.ykip.org or email: info@ykip.org or call us on 759 544. www.ykip.org

Mekar Bhuana - Association for the Preservation of Classical Balinese Gamelan & Dance

Some forms of Balinese gamelan & dance are desperately endangered. Mekar Bhuana is working together with Balinese to help preserve these wonderful, yet rare art forms. By supporting Mekar Bhuana, you will be helping to preserve Balinese culture. For more information, contact Yan Pon or Putu Evie on 282757 / 0818560910 Or email: info@balimusicanddance.com www.balimusicanddance.com

Yayasan Senyum Bali

Yayasan Senyum - health care for people with cranio-facial disabilities Facilitates operations for cleft lip and palate and other cranio-facial deformities, due to birth defects, accidents, or tumours. We help poor people from Bali, Lombok and further east, we raise funds for operations whether in Bali or Adelaide at the Australian Cranio-Facial Unit. We also work to build local skills, technology, and capacity through training and development. For further information see www.senyumbali.org Or contact us at yayasansenyum@yahoo.co.id or fax 0361 233758

Bali Artisans

Improving the lives of the impoverished through Fair Trade. Our mission is to alleviate poverty by creating opportunities for the poor to establish a sustainable source of income. We sell fairly traded handicrafts created by the impoverished men and women of Bali. For more info, please go to www.baliartisans.net

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SOBEK, 4 WD Adventure

Take a look behind the scenes and discover the warm hospitality of the Balinese people and an amazing array of cultural riches.


Experience the thrill of offroad adventure, trek through stunning landscapes and lose yourself in Bali's serenity and witness traditional crafts in the making.

Join us on a journey of discovery and adventure by Land Rover to the ancient kingdoms of East Bali. Drive down hidden roads twisting and turning their way through ancient villages, over mountain rivers and along forgotten valleys.

Flanked between the giant shadow of Mount Agung and the turquoise waters of the Bali Straits, a traditional royal culture survives amidst a thriving rural community. Explore mythical TAMAN BALI, one of the islands old settlements unique for its unusual customs, festivals and practices.

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