Ayu Onik Mindawati:
Facing the Challenge

The young entrepreneur, Ayu Onik Mindawati has been encouraged to renovate her restaurant and open it again while there are still not a large number of visitors. “This is a kind of challenge for me. Why should we keep silent? I am certain that visitors will come back to Bali,” said Onik confidently when she was interviewed by Bali Travel News in her restaurant, Nouveau Bistro & Wine Bar.
Nouveau Bistro & Wine Bar is located in Sanur, just a walk away from Sanur Beach Hotel. Formerly, this was a small and fine restaurant. However it was then redesigned to give a new atmosphere and more space. “Previously, this restaurant had about 12 to14 seats. After it has been renovated, the restaurant will be larger and have from 30 to 35 seats,” said Gede Sumarjaya Linggih’s wife, the head of Hipmi (Himpunan Pengusaha Muda Indonesia) - Young Indonesian Entrepreneur Association, Bali chapter. The main consumer targets of the restaurant are foreign tourists as well as expatriates. “There are thousands of expatriates in Bali,” she said. Besides that, she added, a group of Garuda Indonesian Airlines stewardess who stayed in surrounding Sanur Beach came to the restaurant for their meals. “They eat their meals here and try the Indonesian culinary available here,” she informed us.
The Nouveau Bistro prepares a range of Indonesian groceries as well as international. Fish delights. “The food choices are quite distinctive to encourage the consumers to taste the food more than once,” said Jogen Bruhn, a European visitor who usually eats in this restaurant.
Every single guest is presented with a complimentary glass of wine. This offer impressed Jogen Bruhn. The food prices in Nouveau Bistro & Wine Bar are not very expensive. The nasi campur (a rice dish with vegetables, meat and so on) for example, starts from Rp 7.500 up to Rp 15.000. “We included the government tax with only 10% added to the price which is less than others who take 21 % for government tax,” Onik said.
As well as managing the restaurant, Onik also owns PT Banyu Sakti winery in Singaraja which was established in 1997 and produces Indico wine. This wine is made of pure Singarajan grapes extract. This Indico wine is already sold to many hotels, restaurants and supermarkets surrounding Bali. The eminence of this wine is as good as famous brands of wine imported from Europe or even Australia.” We have been approved a license in Jakarta and also its license for foreign marketing” explained the mother of four children. (dp)

Mark D. Propert
A Win-win Situation

An Australian born, Mark D. Propert has shared the beauty and peacefulness of Bali with its people for seven years long. Being the General Manager of Aston Bali Resort and Spa allows him to view even closer to heart as he manages the pleasure-promising resort and interacts with hundreds of its local employees. Regarding the bomb blast last October, he said that people should understand the circumstances in Bali, which before had always been safely sealed from outside chaos and then experienced something totally painful and destructive. Moreover, the tide of negative publicity is just widening the horrific exposition.
Aston Bali, as any other hotel in Bali, has also suffered from a sharp reduction of guests. From normally 75% occupancy, now the resort can only expect 35%, a significant downturn. However, by offering competitive rates, excellent service and tempting products, Aston Bali targets to have at least 50% occupancy by July. The father of two children said that Aston must divert its prime market from the Europeans to the Indians and South East Asians.
Thus far, the circumstances have yet affected the employees. No salary or working hours have been reduced due to the downturn. However, if the situation gets worse due to the Iraq war or any other predicaments, Mr. Propert stated that a win-win solution would be sought out to satisfy all sides, the employees, the management and the owner. He also added in deep concern that if the community, business quarters and the government worked together, Bali would progress even sooner. (Novi)

Kadek Susan Novita Dewi
Winner of "Teruna-Teruni" Denpasar

Her modest profile yet vast insight on Balinese culture and customs are a strength that drew juries to elect her as the winner of “Teruna-Teruni Denpasar 2003”. The competition was held due to the municipality of Denpasar’s anniversary, last February. As the winner, Susan was invited to the anniversary reception on 27 February 2003.
With fifty-two participants altogether, there was stiff competition. First, the participants had to pass an interview and then their skills in making canang cari or offerings were tested. “The competition indeed is aimed to recognize the participants’ insight and skill in Balinese culture and customs,” said Susan, who was born 7 November 1986. Those who passed the first phase were then asked to perform some traditional Balinese customs and answer the juries’ questions.