Asian Beach Games:
Hundreds of Foreign Athletes

The Asian Beach Games (ABG) to be played from 15 through 28 October is sure to become one of the greatest international events in Denpasar. The games will engage foreign athletes competing in 16 branches of sport. “This event should be a success. Not only intended for achievement, it will also place Bali and Indonesia in the international constellation,” affirmed the Mayor of Denpasar, AA Puspayoga on receiving the Chairperson of the Indonesian National Sports Committee, Rita Subowo at his office recently.

The event, Puspayoga added, could be taken advantage of for the recovery of Bali tourism conditions that have become sluggish due to several incidents. “We ask the committee to package this sporting event in such a way as to become an attractive tourist event so that it could draw visitors to Bali,” he expected while adding that from the hundreds of athletes involved in the games, they could at least bring along their supporters and simultaneously become tourists.
The Denpasar area gets the lion’s share to host the organization of this event. Amongst the 16 branches of sport, 8 of them will be organized in Denpasar, namely volleyball, soccer, dragon boat racing, sailing, handball, windsurfing and so on. For that purpose, eight venues will be prepared consisting of Serangan Island, Sanur and the complex of Ngurah Rai Stadium.
(BTN/015)

Rafting Attraction in Gianyar

Bali offers a wide variety of nature’s attractions. One of them is rafting, a nature recreation that is popular with tourists. This attraction is favored by both foreign and domestic tourists wishing to see the tropical panorama on the riverside of Bali through rafting. The river in western Gianyar Regency starts to become quite crowded by rafting activity.

Take a trip to Begawan Village, Payangan which is perched on the riverside of Ayung and is only 35 km from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. It can be reached within 80 minutes drive.
For the adventurous, the rapids of Ayung River are the right choice. As well as offering a magnificent panorama, its rapids are classified as grade II and III in the rafting domain.
For the distance of 11 to 12 km, the Ayung River renders a rush of water that undoubtedly makes your heart beat faster. This river’s rapids are genuinely challenging.
Over a period of 1.5 to 2 hours you will feel challenged on the safe rubber raft manned by a well-trained and professional guide. While experiencing this adventure, rejoice in the scenery to the right and left of the river. It is immensely different, very interesting and not monotonous.
When the adventurers are tired and have completed their expedition, a buffet lunch is provided at Café Wayan, located right on the riverside. Friendly service and delicious food is guaranteed to satisfy your appetite after covering a tough adventure. The couple Mr and Mrs Pouedras from France, who are spending their honeymoon here, commented that they were vastly impressed with Bali, particularly with the comfortable and cool atmosphere and the welcoming people. They felt that it is very different from what they experience in their home country. “We really enjoy this honeymoon vacation. We have been very surprised during this rafting adventure. We want to come here again,” said Mr Pouedras happily.
The company offering this attractive adventure is Sobek. It is Asia-Pacific’s most comprehensive specialist adventure company. Its adventure rafting activity in Bali has been initiated since 1989. It is handled by well-experienced and professionally-trained rafting guides. They are regularly trained in the fields of customer service, teamwork, leadership and river skills. Has your interest peaked? Simply come and enjoy this challenging water adventure. Assuredly, you will be impressed!(BTN/budiarta)