Bali does not only fascinate foreign tourists due to its nature’s allurement, art, culture and hospitality of its people, however, many tourists also get involved in activity of the Balinese. For instance, in the King and Queen contest following the Kuta Arts Festival and Folk Sports II 2005 that was participated by foreign tourists.
In the contest that took place on Thursday (25/8) participants wore Balinese bridal costume. Of the five participants, three couples were foreign tourists. The contest came to be exuberant because these foreign tourists looked so enthusiastic to follow and watch it. Few spectators could not help laughing due to their amusing movement. There was a foreigner that could not walk relaxed as she first wore kamben (large skirt) that fastened around the waist and hanging down around the legs. While, there were also participants that moved lively just like an experienced models so they won the spectators’ applause when that foreign couple made a kiss on stage.
Couple Cheyne and Natalie Cameron from Australia attracted special attention as they were newly weds that were spending their honeymoon in Bali. And, the jury panel decided that the Australian couple who stayed at Bali Dynasty Resort as the third winner, couple Bas and Melanie (Dutch) staying at Hotel Santika Beach the second winner and couple Garry Murray and Sharyn Bruna (Australia) staying at Hotel White Rose the first winner.
Other than trophy and certificate, the winners were also presented a book entitled ‘Sepotong Nurani Kuta: Catatan Seputar Sikap Warga Kuta dalam Tragedi 12 Oktober 2002 (A Piece of Kuta’s Inner Self: Note Around the Attitude of the Inhabitants of Kuta on the 12 October 2002 Tragedy). Especially for the hotels where those winners stayed, the Badung Government Tourist Office presented the honorary trophy. (BTN/015)