Welcome to Bali through Bali Travel News

Balinese women always look busy. Their household works are cooking, taking care of children and husband, working in the rice field for farmers, making offerings for temple sacrifice and other customary activities. However, in the midst of their busyness, art activities and creativities of Balinese women never stagnate. One of them is I Gusti Agung Ayu Rahayuningsih.
Rahayuningsih is from Kapal village, Mengwi sub-district, Badung. Bali Travel News observes a woman who in her daily life works as teacher is busy at teaching dancing course of Balinese dance. The students who attend the course usually come from the hamlet of her surroundings.
As a teacher of Secondary School (SMPN 2) Mengwi, Rahayuningsih teaches the art of music, especially Balinese songs, handicraft and theory of art of dancing. For students who would like to learn more about Balinese dance, they are given the opportunity to learn at home. Along with her husband, she is glad to guide the students to dance at their home that is also used as a dance studio (Yudistira Studio). This studio is situated at Kapal village, some 10 km from Denpasar to northward.
Many foreign guests learn there, too. Husband of Rahayu, AA Bagus Sudarma also teaches Balinese dance for men like Baris and Topeng, while Rahayu teaches dances for women such as Pendet and Legong. (BTN/Yan Beryas)

Ida Bagus Rai Yadnya a competitor of 2nd Bali Travel News Fun Bike 2004 who luckily won the Grand Prize of Rp.1.000.000. This event was in conjunction with BTN’s 6th Bali Travel News Anniversary was attended by more than 200 public competitors and 30 tourism police. BTN Fun Bike 2004 started from Bajra Sandhi Park, Renon, Denpasar over about 10 km in the area of Sanur and East Denpasar.
With his visit to BTN on Monday (29/11) to take the present, Rai Yadnya said that he is very happy and surprised. This Fine Art teacher of SMP 3 Denpasar confessed that biking is his old hobby. “With my diabetic illness, I was obliged to exercise regularly. Biking is the most compatible,” says the man who born in 1951.
Rai Yadnya, this grad of PG SMTP (Middle Schoolteacher Education of First Level) in 1984 year has continued his education at Fine Arts School (SESRI) Denpasar in 1971. While to hearten his sport passion, he often follows the light sports events like Fun Biking which is carried out by Bali Travel News. “But, this is my first time ever to get the Grand Prize,” he said at the same time hopes the next years event will be performed again.
When asked what will he do with the prize money? Rai Yadnya who lives at Jln. Nusa Kambangan 164 Denpasar said that he will use this money to help pay his son’s expenses for a Master Degree in Yogyakarta. “To assist my son for sure,” he said.
(BTN/para)

Bali’s Most Popular Hotel Appoints New Director of Sales and Marketing

Bali Dynasty Resort is delighted to announce the appointment of Joy Gartner, (nee Cartwright) as Director of Sales and Marketing effective at the end of November.Joy, an Australian citizen has over 20 years sales experience in several star hotels, which include Hamilton Island, the largest Holiday Inn in the world in Beijing, Crown Plaza Jakarta, and Radisson Jakarta as well as at the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel and Suites, which is one of the sister hotels of Bali Dynasty Resort in Sanur.
Joy has also held General Manager positions in Brisbane and prior to joining Bali Dynasty Resort, Joy worked as a consultant for Zenith Hospitality which encompassed numerous assignments throughout Queensland.
Bali Dynasty Resort is confident that Joy’s extensive experience in Sales and marketing and wide network make her a valuable asset to expand more markets in the future and will greatly assist the Hotel in achieving its goals for the year.
“With almost 20 years of sales and marketing practices in the hospitality industry, Joy brings an impressive and solid background to our team,” explained Mr. Robert Kelsall, General Manager of Bali Dynasty Resort. “Joy’s depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in a variety of areas makes her a great asset to our hotel,” added Mr. Kelsall.
The Bali Dynasty Resort which is renowned as one of Bali’s top family resorts has been undergoing some building renovations for the past three years. Following major refurbishment and renovations of its facilities as well as joining the new brand of Prime Plaza hotels and resorts, Bali Dynasty Resort is about to undertake improvements to its Kupu-kupu kiddies’ club facilities through a variety of new initiatives, including a 56 metre waterslide in early 2005. (BTN/*)