Mountain Cycling and Elephant Safari Park

One of the best ways to see the spectacular countryside and the mountain scenery of Bali is on a cycling tour. Riding downhill on modern mountain bikes, through quiet villages that expose the heart of Bali. Bali Adventure Tours operates this fun and exciting adventure daily.

Starting in view of Mount Batur Volcano at Kintamani this breathtaking bicycle tour winds down through 26 km of lush valleys, through Balinese villages, past century-old temples and rich green rice fields Expert guides will explain the history of the land, culture, its people and take you on an unforgettable experience that will remain with you long after you leave. Stop to sample a variety of experience that will remain with you long after you through the towering bamboo forest of taro before ending with lunch at Bali’s BIGGEST attraction, the Elephant Safari Park.
Explore temples, shady plantations and picturesque villages give rare insight into the traditional lifestyle and makes the ride suitable for all ages. The mountain cycling is an ideal family outing. This all packed tours included facilities such as an air-conditioned return transfers, Buffet Lunch, iced towels, safety equipment and one bottle mineral water en-route.
The Elephant Safari Park was officially opened by the Minister of Tourism in the year 2000 after three year of development. An official member of the Word Zoo Association, the park meets international standards for animal care and is set in more than 2 hectares of exotic landscaped botanical gardens, surrounded by national forest.
Acclaimed as the World’s Best Elephant Park, facilities include a full reception and information center, a comprehensive museum, with a large collection of elephant memorabilia and the only mammoth skeleton in South East Asia.
A200-seat restaurant, ideal for large groups or weddings, features an international menu, and the park gift shop offers an extensive range of elephant-theme products, including elephant painting, carvings, clothing, souvenirs and jewellery.
Displays of elephant intelligence and their capabilities can be viewed at the park arena, and elephants can also be seen painting at selected times daily. Without a doubt the Elephant Safari Park in taro is a must for visitors to Bali, and is the only complete elephant experience in the world and making it truly unique. (BTN/para/*)

IHKA’s Regional Working Meeting

The Indonesian Housekeepers Association (IHKA) Bali held its Regional Working Meeting 2005 entitled “Maintaining Efficiency to Improve Guest’s Satisfaction” at Le Meridien, Nirwana Golf & Resort, Tanah Lot on Wednesday (30/3). This happening was accompanied with a seminar on “Housekeeping Budgeting” that was participated by 129 Executive Housekeepers.
IHKA’s Regional Working Meeting 2005 is carried out annually and attended by Executive Housekeepers and Housekeeper Supervisors of hotels throughout Bali, both starred and no-starred hotels. This meeting took place a day and commenced by a guidelines speech from Director of National Leadership Council of IHKA, Rahmat Sugianto and Director of IHKA Bali, Arya Pering Arimbawa.
Chairman of the Meeting Organizing Committee, I Gede Rai Arsana reported that the aim of Regional Working Meeting was to stay maintaining relationships among housekeepers that coalesced into IHKA all over Bali. In addition, it also discussed some prominent issues as guidelines for housekeepers at work, for instance, how to be cost efficient in improving tourist satisfaction that stay at the hotel. “Concurrently, the meeting is also a forum to share ideas among the members of IHKA,” said Rai.
Director of IHKA Bali, Arya Pering Arimbawa, added that in 2004 his party got the opportunity to observe the process of making tissues and towels. “This experience is undeniably valuable and beneficial for members,” he explained.
He also added that all housekeepers of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel are given the opportunity to deliver their skills at hotel cleanliness to the rural community of Jimbaran Customary Village and local government. “We equalize our perception on the importance of maintaining nature preserve and environmental cleanliness. Ultimately, we founded Forum Jimbaran Asri as a means to exchange information on environmental cleanliness issues,” he said.
Similarly, IHKA Bali has cooperation with Bali Travel News through Tri Hita Karana (THK) Tourism Awards program to implement the THK concept at each hotel and provided training for housekeeper at tourist objects as their care about environmental cleanliness of Bali,” he added.
Director of National Leadership Council of IHKA, Rahmat Sugianto, said that the organization in the future would emphasize educational programs. Through training programs and the implementation of room set up competence pursuant to National Standard Competence of Indonesia (SKNI) that is issued by IHKA was expected to be able to standardize hotel cleanliness. Other ASEAN countries have adopted the SKNI itself, including Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. “Therefore, professionalism of housekeepers in Indonesia could compete against that of other countries,” he said while adding that on the 26-27 July would be held a “Housekeeping Expo 2005” in Jakarta. (BTN/para)