”Melukat” in Tirta Empul

TAMPAK SIRING— Tirta Empul temple is located in Tampak Siring District, the regency of Gianyar, to the north east of Denpasar. It is located to the east of the palace of the Indonesian first president, Mr. Soekarno. Tirta Empul can be achieved in about one hour and fifteen minutes from Denpasar by car. It can also accessed by bus, because the road connecting this site to Denpasar is quite wide. Tirta Empul temple is very popular for its holy water spring, which is considered as a blessing from the God of Indra. Many people and tourists visit this temple. In “Banyu Pinaruh” (a Hindu’s ceremony related to knowledge), for example, many people from around the island visiting the temple for ‘melukat’, a kind of purification ceremony, such as to get rid of negative impacts of bad dreams, sickness, or they just come there to get holy water for ‘big’ ceremony, such as for cremation and temple festival. In the picture, you can see many locals Balinese ‘melukat’ in Tirta Empul, recently.(BTN/028)

Leslie Tests Positive for Drug Use

DENPASAR - Blood and urine tests carried out on Australian model Michelle Leslie had proved positive for drug use, police in Bali said Wednesday (31/8). Leslie, 24, who is facing 15 years in an Indonesian prison for drug possession, was allegedly caught with two ecstasy tablets at a rave party in Bali on August 20.
Leslie’s family said they were not surprised by the results. “Such information was anticipated and we are now confident that the matter can progress in accordance with the defence strategy,” family spokesman Sean Mulcahy said.
He said the family has faith the Indonesian justice system will treat Leslie fairly, according to her alleged crimes. “The family understands that the matter will soon begin to move through the Indonesian legal system and they have faith that justice will prevail at the hands of those authorities,” he said in a brief statement.

Ecotorism in Sambangan Village

SAMBANGAN, BULELENG – All stakeholders of tourism in Sambangan Village of Sukasada District on the Regency of Buleleng gathered at their village leader’s office to discuss ecotourism development for Sambangan on August 25. This was held after Bali Tourism Government Office (Disparda Bali) and its ecotourism research team visited this village to introduce their programs in carrying out research on ecotourism potential and its development prospects for Sambangan. Mr. Ida Bagus Puja Erawan, the head of Buleleng Govern Tourism Office, Putu Swastika from Disparda Bali, Ketut Susila, the head of Sukasada District as well as Ketut Asta Dharmadi, the village leader, among about 50 persons of those who participated at the meeting. Mr. Anak Agung Gde Raka Dalem, the chairman of research team for ecotourism development of Sambangan said that he would like to assist the village in development of ecotourism in this village which has been initiated recently. On the occasion all research team members had a chance to discuss with stakeholders and also travel agents around the village for research. accompanied by the head of Tourism Awareness Group (Ke-lompok Sadar Wisata) of Sambangan, Made Widana. (BTN/028)

Independent Day

BANGLI – Veterans in Bangli were joined at hosting and hauling down Indonesia’s national flag ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Indonesian Independent Day, at Kapten Mudita Square on Wednesday (17/8). (BTN/suka)