Ubud’s home of Jazz went Bollywood just for one night this month, when the Aurora Quartet mixed tablas into their set with V. Rajaendran. Jakarta performer Sasha followed with a contemporary dance performance, showcasing steps from the best Bollywood films of them all, Devdas, Sangaman and Bunty Aur Babli.
The whole thing turned into an impromptu Bollywood dance workshop – just the thing to get rid of the calories after a sumptuous Indian buffet!
Jazz Café, on Jalan Sukma, Ubud, is home to some of the best jazz and blues bands on the island. Happy hours 6 to 8pm every night except Monday and all night on Thursdays. Email: info#jazzcafebali.com or phone/ fax: +62 361 976 594.
BIRD FLU – WASH YOUR HANDS
After the death of two Balinese children in Denpasar of bird flu this month, Bali residents and visitors are reminded to take basic health care precautions.
Australian Volunteers International Nurse Educator at Sanglah Hospital, Di Brown, says: “If you think that someone has the flu then you need to keep yourself about one metre away from them when talking to them.”
Di also recommends washing your hands regularly, especially before eating and touching food.
Take antiseptic hand cleaner with you – it’s inexpensive and available in apoteks and most mini-marts - for use when no hand-washing facilities are available.
“Research following the SARS epidemic found that the main reason doctors and nurses died following contact with sick patients was they didn’t wash their hands. It’s a simple procedure but can literally save lives, Di says.”
These are the first deaths in Bali since 2008, and the children were known to have had direct contact with dead births. Nonetheless, the little bottles of hand cleaner are a practical way to keep clear of many of our beloved Bali’s health problems.
CULTURE OF LIFE RETREAT
From December 9-14, five star resort Fivelements will host an extraordinary visionary retreat, led by Dr. Gabriel Cousens, expert in raw living foods nutrition, leading author, spiritual teacher and founder of The Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center.
Often referred to as a visionary mystic or physician of the soul, Dr. Cousens is internationally acclaimed for his 21-day cure for diabetes. He will share his wisdom on how to cultivate a holistic lifestyle, grounded in compassionate action, conscious eating, while nourishing inner peace.
At Fivelements, Puri Ahisma, Bale Baturning Mambal. Retreat only, $US1,350++ per person; including Fivelements accommodation $3450-$2650 inclusive. December 9-13, 2001. Email: contact#fivelements.or, or phone 0361 469 206.
HANGING OUT FOR WOOD TREATMENT
The Australian, internationally respected, anti-insect treatment for woods and bamboo – Cutek – is now being produced and distributed in Indonesia under license. With my little hard wood and bamboo-walled joglo virtually complete, I’m delighted that Bali agent, Donny, will have stock this month.
There are two options available in Indonesia. CutekGreen (used in Australia and New Zealand for three decades) is a clear, low viscosity penetrating oil, needing two weeks before re-coating. Coverage depends on the wood species, from dense hardwoods to bamboo. CutekExtreme - specially formulated for bamboo and coco- wood with appropriate fungicides - is a faster penetrating oil, able to be recoated as soon as it is dry. It minimises splitting and is an excellent water repellent and helps the bamboo hold its colour.
Both products are clear, with a range of colortones available as tints to mix into the clear base. Great pre-cleaning products are also available.
Check out www.cutek.com.au, then contact: donnyricko#yahoo.com or 087861222588.
TACKLING THE HIV/AIDS CHALLENGE
The HIV/ Aids testing team from Yayasan Bali Peduli, based in Kuta, visited Ubud this month to hand out condoms and brochures at the Writers Festival Street Fair.
Bali Peduli’s program offers free HIV testing, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at Bali Medika every afternoon from 4-8pm and Saturday 9am-12noon. They give results in less than an hour and arrange any follow-up and treatment on the spot.
HIV rates among most-at-risk-populations are alarmingly high in Bali, including female sex workers at 22.5% and injecting drug users 55%. The Indonesian government offers free anti-HIV medicines but many don’t seek help until too late in the course of their infection.
Bali Peduli’s free /affordable, high-quality, patient-friendly services mean that STIs and HIV are detected and treated earlier, before a patient’s immune system is severely damaged and other infections attack.
Contact: info#balipeduli.org or www.balimedika.com. Kuta address: Jl. Kalianget No 3 Kuta, Br. Jaba Jero, Badung. Phone 08123666977.
In Ubud, basic confidential testing is also available at Yayasan Bumi Sehat in Nyuh Kuning. Phone 0361-970002 for clinic times
WHOSE CHOCOLATE FACTORY?
Yes, you guessed it, the successful little home-style factory on Bali’s east coast, just north of Candi Dasa, on the way to Karangasem, is the brain child of a man called Charlie!
Nestled on the sea-encroached lawns of his property are several quirky looking bamboo buildings, parked adjacent each other like spaceships from different planets. We chatted with local craftsmen and women who produce and sell both the delicious Narkabo range of Bali-made dark chocolate, and an equally fragrant – if less edible – range of floral scented hand-made soaps.
For more information, including why chocolate is so addictive – and good for us - visit balichocolate.com
E-mail: BAubudnews#gmail.com
