BALI

FROM:  http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/bali/factsheet

Bali isn't a small island. Eighty-seven miles long from its western edge on the Bali Strait to the easternmost town of Amlapura, it's also 50 miles long at its widest point. Most Balinese live on the southern third of the island.
Most hotels here are also in the south, and clustered around Denpasar, the capital. The southern-coast towns of Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Kuta all have beautiful beaches and are within easy driving distance of Ngurah Rai International Airport. Ubud, about a 1.5-hour drive inland from the airport, is another resort destination; here, jungle properties overlook the spectacular Ayung River gorge, and the surrounding countryside is filled with rice terraces and temples.
The northeast is the island's active volcanic region, with both Gunung Agung (Bali's tallest volcano, graced by the stunning temple of Pura Besakih), and Gunung Batur (which overlooks gorgeous Lake Batur). Apart from these peaks, the northern coast is almost completely undeveloped—the exception being the dramatic volcanic-sand beach community of Lovina.
The long, thin western half of the island is sparsely populated; much of the land (some 200,000 acres) belongs to the vast Bali Barat National Park. Gilimanuk, at the easternmost end, is the jumping-off point for Java via ferry.

WHEN TO GO

The dry season, from April to September, is also when humidity is at its lowest. January and February are usually a period of unrelenting rain, with its attendant mud and mildew. June is often the golden month, with perfect weather and low-to-mid occupancy—and therefore great discounts. Prices go up ten to 30 percent during the high season (July to September) and during the year-end holiday season.

HOW TO GET THERE

Bali is exceptionally well served by international airlines. Flights from the USA on Asian carriers are routed via the carrier's home city: For example, Thai flies nonstop from Bangkok, Malaysia Airlines from Kuala Lumpur, Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong…you get the picture. Most of these airlines offer free layovers at the hub, so you can add a few days of urban fun on your way home. Bali's international airport, Ngurah Rai, is located on the southwestern coast of the island, midway between Jimbaran and Kuta Beach. Most hotels will arrange for a car to meet you on your arrival at the airport. It's easy enough to order a taxi: Turn left as you exit customs and you'll see the counter (cabs are forbidden to cruise at the airport). Fares range from $5 for a ride to nearby Kuta Beach to $20 for a trip to Ubud.
 

GETTING AROUND

Driving in Bali is difficult, because roads are narrow and often signposted poorly, if at all. However, for intrepid travelers who don't have a problem driving on the left side, car rentals are amazingly cheap—as little as $10 a day for a tiny Suzuki, or $30 for a big, boxy Toyota. One friendly local company, Garlic, will bring the car to your hotel and send an employee to drive you to the airport at your trip's end (62-361-737-092). (Incidentally, you'll find that—like Garlic—many companies here have unusual names). Taxis are easily found on the street in Kuta and Sanur; you can also order one by phone (Bali Taxi, 62-361-701-111, is reliable). In Ubud, it's necessary to hire "transport"—meaning a private car and driver—which is more expensive. Be sure to settle the price of a trip with the driver before you leave. The easiest choice, of course, is to take the hotel's car, which will also be the priciest.

TRAVEL TIPS

In recent years, there have been several terrorist attacks against public places in Bali and Jakarta. The Indonesian government has scored major successes recently in breaking up the lunatic fringe responsible, but the possibility of another attack is still present in Bali, as at major resorts throughout the developing world. The U.S. State Department has advised U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia.
Tap water in Bali is unsafe to drink; bottled water is cheap and readily available. No inoculations are required, but as a precaution, make sure your shots for hepatitis A, tetanus, polio, and typhoid are current. There's no need to take malaria pills, unless you plan to visit the remote, less developed islands.
 

TOURIST INFO

The government tourist office in Kuta is helpful and conveniently located at 2 Jalan Kuta Raya (62-361-756-175). These Web sites are informative and frequently updated: www.bali-tourism-board.com; www.baliguide.com.

Phuket: travel information

FROM: http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/phuket/factsheet


The island of Phuket (pronounced "pu-KET") is Thailand's largest, loudest, and most visited. Yes, tinselly Patong Beach is filled with touts and backpackers, but it's easy to avoid if you want a more upscale experience. In this guide, we've also included some areas around Phuket: tiny islands like Koh Phi Phi Don, which have a more organic, funky appeal; the mainland in Phang Nga province, also quieter than Phuket; and the farther-flung island chains that draw snorkelers and divers.
Notes on the 2004 tsunami: Phuket was a focal point of much tsunami news, but actual damage to the island was not nearly as bad as initially feared. The hardest-hit stretch of coastline on Phuket was Patong Beach. In other areas, such as Khao Lak and the Phi Phi Islands, the rebuilding effort had some false starts, but nearly everything is back to normal. Beaches, coral reefs, and dunes survived the waves with incredible resiliency, and local officials and hotels have since put into place tsunami evacuation plans just in case.

WHEN TO GO

Avoid the rainy season, from May through October. November to February is dry and cool—and when the country sees the most tourism, especially from Europe. It's somewhat hotter from March into May, but during those months, you can generally bypass the worst of the tourist crush.

HOW TO GET THERE

Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways fly between Phuket and Bangkok several times daily. Other carriers include Malaysia Airlines, Taiwan-based China Airlines, and Silk Air from Singapore. Avoid discount airlines such as Orient Thai (also known as One-Two-Go), which are notoriously late and tend to use extremely old planes.

GETTING AROUND

It's only worth renting a car if you plan to spend much of your trip exploring. If not, you should be able to rely on hotel-arranged airport transfers and day-trip packages that include transportation. If you do rent, you'll get a better deal by going through your hotel than by picking up a car at the airport. Be sure to get insurance, as the incidence of hit-and-runs on the island is high.
Taxis are available on Phuket, but prices are extremely high for Thailand (especially when compared with prices in Bangkok). Be sure to have your hotel help you negotiate a fair rate, which can vary widely. Tiny four-wheel tuk-tuks are convenient for short distances, but tourists often get wildly overcharged. Stay away from drivers that try to charge you per person—the fare is supposed to be for the entire trip, regardless of the number of passengers. As tempting as it can be, avoid renting motorcycles and scooters: Locals seldom obey traffic and speed laws, and serious bike accidents injure thousands of people each year on Phuket alone. Ironically, the most cost-effective and least stressful transportation option around the island may be hiring a driver. Expect to spend about $50 per day plus tip

Golden Dragon Singkawang Injured When Crushed: A Concern

created on June 1, 2010, by Agni Malagina

Yesterday, Friday, May 28th, 2010, I was in the middle of the demo FPI Singkawang Mayor, Mr Hasan Karman and the statue of the Golden Dragon Singkawang.
Dragon Statue in Singkawang
I am very concerned about the incident, and I intend to devote my concerns in writing. I apologize if deemed presumptuous to write this letter. This is only my concern to the occurrence of Singkawang May 28, 2010
Bletaaaaaaaak! - Medium-sized stones flying and landing in the fontanel. FPI thrown stones at the statue of the Golden Dragon in intersections in the city landed Singkawang fierce in my head that was taking pictures demo Friday, May 28, 2010, at 15:30, just together the celebration of Vesak.
Suddenly my legs quivered and felt the blood flowing faster than ever after hearing the call Allah akbar Allah akbar, DESTROY DRAGON STATUE, PEOPLE DO NOT WANT MALAYO insulted, Singkawang CHINESE PEOPLE HAVE IT'S NOT!
Within seconds, police bertameng encourage mass led by members of FPI

FPI (Islamic Defenders Front) PosMuslims dressed in white complete with white cap tilt. I stepped quickly followed the riot troops who began forward insisted I continue to follow the steps cops who started neriakan said, "TANGKAAAAAP! CAPTURE THEM! "Again bergemalah aloud the words Allah akbar. Instead I was intrigued to hear the sentence was declared holy. There is only compassion to people who could carry a sentence innocents to the interests that are not clear.
Who still blistering afternoon it makes the atmosphere at a crossroads that is getting hot. Demo scene by about 20 people witnessed hundreds of people. Without any mass action to counteract the FPI. Whether they are apathetic, whether they are afraid, whether they resigned. Sino ethnic community has a shop in the surrounding streets were already closed shop, many of them

Singkawang
Standing on the sidewalk or on the balcony to see the attraction rukonya ridiculous quote fueled by issues in a paper written by the mayor Singkawang, Hasan Karman in 2008 in a history seminar that some groups of people is a pirate long wither. Hasan Karman when questioned by the press no reply, the quote comes from a history book Malays, and Hasan Karman was not talking about that the ancestors of the Malays are all pirates. Even Hasan Karman required to release the position.
My forehead wrinkled FPI tries to understand the action (which I understood as an act silly just to get money to support organizations such as those in Java) while continuing to photograph the process of catching up to raise them to the car detainees. After that the police in a car steel sculpture stands proudly keep the Golden Dragon which already has a leg wound monument. Instantly, my silent friend, she called up and ordered me immediately passed from the scene. He remained at the curb waiting, he had witnessed Sino ethnic riots, as he never froze witnessed riots in May 1998 with his own eyes.
We passed, and thought, really great FPI's actions by bringing the issue of ethnicity and religion as well. Some time ago, with courage, rifling through the activities of FPI transvestites, gays and lesbians in Surabaya Depok. Even some time ago, FPI Bekasi to tear down the statue of the statue of three women who wear the kebaya-statue on the grounds that wearing tight clothing.
They perform the action on Friday, the Muslim day of worship Friday prayers pass up,, in conjunction with the celebration of Vesak, they did not respect the religious holy day of Islam and Buddhism. FPI, which brought the name of Islam do insult to humanity! It was disappointing to me as a Muslim.
 About Singkawang Dragon Statue
I have time to get information from the speculative bebapa people around whom I met, that the activities were scoured by the ancestors of Malays pirates issue, the issue of the statue of the Golden Dragon, and the issue of Election 2011. FPI movement patterns had been unreadable, their movement is solely to make money, no matter who is there to be behind them. In Singkawang, news of their movements supported by the people who will compete in the elections and some members of the military which must certainly have power on behalf of practical political contestation.
I apologize for anyone who writes speculative moves in the back of the movement. I had the naive hope that the politicians and military who mentioned it not true, because surely they are noble people.
I'm not an investigative news writer, I am only a man who wanted to speak. I saw one side of humanity in Singkawang underrated. Life of the country was ignored. Anyone who fund the ridiculous tantrums for no apparent reason the FPI, he was not entitled to bring the issue of history, ethnicity, if he did not really understand the history of Indonesia, let alone the history of Singkawang! Pancasila and the song Indonesa Maybe they did not know the Kingdom.
I felt like saying, "O FPI, sudahlaaaah ... do not deal with racial issues, not worthy of any ethnic dibenturkan with conflict. Not only ethnic conflict Tionghoa. Case Poso, Ambon, Sambas, not wise if you continue  "Collections have the same rights as a sovereign nation Indonesia. They have the same rights and obligations to uphold the Homeland PRICE OFF.
Just disband the FPI if the function only to create harmony chaotic state of life! As the dissolution of FPI in several areas in Java as in case the beating of women and children in Monas. Do not be afraid of the FPI, because the facts speak, FPI is not religious based organizations, but only wore the guise of religion to legitimize their moves! Singkawang FPI members may not know that the central leadership of the FPI were arrested, when his residence was searched and found many pornographic VCDs, he said, "Aaah ... that's for the medium RESEARCH!" Ouch ouch ... The FPI chairman Habib pornographic VCDs were apparently collected in the name of research. Very worrying.
I also salute the work very security forces that do not stay silent witness FPI anarchist action. Salut! Hopefully the police Singkawang indeed sincere servant and protector Singkawang citizens, regardless of ethnicity.
Along with this letter I was hoping so much to the government policy makers at the provincial level and Singkawang WK to give a lot of appealing to residents to not easily tergosok issue of ethnicity. That education for tolerance and national and state life is the main thing.
I close the writing of this outpouring of hope, although the conflict could not have gone in the life of the country, but the motto of Homeland PRICE OFF INDONESIA is lively semati oath, together let's give the best for the State of Indonesia beloved, our motherland by minimizing the potential for conflict . The place we were born and maybe one day we will be buried in this soil.
Sincerely  



Agni Malagina