Happy Merdeka Day in Bali

Celebrate the foundation of Indonesia as an independent nation with Independence Day celebrations this year at Finns Bali!  Merdeka Day, as it is known across the the country is a nationwide holiday observed annually on  August 17th to recognise the beginning of the country’s emancipation from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. Despite The Netherlands not officially recognising Indonesia’s independence until 2005, this year the nation will commemorate its 72nd anniversary of freedom from Dutch rule with parades, gatherings and celebrations across the country and patriots wearing their red and white with pride!

Whether you’re an Indonesian National, a short term visitor or one who has adopted this fascinating country with its multifaceted culture as their second home, everybody is welcome at Finns Beach Club and Finns Recreation Club to take part in the celebrations and share in the enjoyment of the national day.

It’s free entry for everyone at Finns Recreation Club and even if you aren’t a member, Indonesian Nationals can simply show their KTP and they can ride the slides at Splash for half price for the day, while the kids ride for free!

Join in the spirit of the day and take part in traditional games for all ages. Bring along your footy boots and enjoy a little lighthearted ribbing and rivalry with a soccer friendly in the afternoon as Indonesia takes on The-Rest-of-the-World or relax and enjoy live entertainment while tucking into some tasty traditional Indonesian fare.

If being by the beach is more your speed, head on down to Finns Beach Club at Berawa for their Independence Day party. Finns lawn will be transformed for the whole family to enjoy an afternoon of games with entertainment into the evening from Indonesian born and bred DJ/Singer/Actor, Nadia Vega.
A veteran of over twenty five films, Nadia began her acting career at age nine and is a household name on Indonesian television. In more recent times she has diversified and is channeling her energies into her new passion. Combining her love of DJ ing and her vocal and musical talents she has put together a dynamic act that will be sure to keep rhythm seekers up on the dance floor and looking for more.

Make it a mid week pool party in the name of independence! Don your red and white beachwear and let the celebrations continue as you watch the sun set over the waves and stay on to dine, drink and dance under the stars at Bali’s best beach club! To find out further details regarding Independence Day celebrations at Finns Recreation Club or Finns Beach Club, email:

info@finnsrecclub.com or info@finnsbeachclub.com

Selamat Hari Merdeka!

 

The Welcome Mat is Out at Solemen House!

Following on from the January 2017 success of Solemen’s Charity Car (a courtesy vehicle that transports the needy and their families to hospital often from remote areas of Bali) Bali Dynasty Resort has continued to help the island’s disadvantaged by sponsoring the lease of ‘Solemen House’ in Renon, Denpasar. Officially opened on Monday, 31st July 2017, the house is fully operated by non-profit charity foundation Yayasan Solemen Indonesia and presents a real milestone in the charity’s quest to help those who are unable to help themselves. Providing huge assistance for the poor and their families who live far from the hospital, Solemen House ensures basic needs such as sleeping or bathing are no longer an added worry for those with sick loved ones.

Not only was July 31st the official opening ceremony for Solemen House, they also welcomed  their very first guests, 15 month old Eka and her parents Ibu Wayan and Pak Nyoman. Baby Eka has a heart condition and Downs Syndrome. Solemn House Provides accommodation for ‘Solebuddies’ of all ages for pre and post hospital treatment. Some families might only require accommodation for a few days whilst others may stay several months if they are receiving chemo or other longer term treatments.

The house features four bedrooms, two shared bathrooms, a living room and a communal kitchen with running water and electricity. To make the house feel more like home, the Bali Dynasty Resort also donated many of the fittings and furnishings, including beds, TV, fridges and more. Located in  Renon, the house is within close proximity to the Sanglah Hospital, the largest and most comprehensive hospital facility in Bali. Transfer to and from hospital is easily organised at no cost via Bali Dynasty Resort’s Solemen charity car which operates every day.

In July 2017, Bali Dynasty Resort also funded Solemen’s project to build toilets and shower blocks for the impoverished community of 26 people in Gerokgak, North Bali, who previously had to use the beach and sea for their toilet. The hotel’s charity commitment with Solemen began in 2016 under the tagline “HELP FRIENDS FOR LIFE”. To date, the Resort has committed to assist five SoleBuddies (people under Solemen’s care)  with their ongoing, long term care and education, while at the same time helping many individuals by way of one off donations such as wheelchairs, prosthetic legs and medical treatments, resulting in a positive impact on these individuals’ lives.

Bali Dynasty Resort is one of Solemen’s great partner hotels whose guests raise money through their participation in the hotel’s CSR programs for Solemen. Funds for the charity are generated via the numerous fundraising efforts throughout the hotel, such as everyday poolside games, donation boxes around the resort, the voluntary $2 donation when checking out and the twice a week Charity Quiz Night at Gracie Kelly’s Irish Pub; a fun event held every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm where everyone is welcome to join! For more information about the charity, please visit: http://bdr.pphotels.com/helpful-info/charity/.

Solemen are extremely proud of Sarah Chapman, Head of Outreach, and their awesome, dedicated, warm hearted, passionate, compassionate, skilled and experienced Outreach team. Together with their amazingly talented volunteer Barb Somerville they all worked so tirelessly to make this amazing milestone for Solemen a reality. Job well done indeed!!

If you’d like to donate to Solemen, find out more about the work this amazing charity continues to do or help in some way, go to their website: www.solemen.org

 

Off and Racing & Ready to Rock

It’s already August which means Melbourne Cup is but a few months away and time to get back in the saddle  to start planning for Bali’s biggest event on the annual social calendar! As always, it’s sure to be a stellar line up of entertainment as Finns are sticking with their successful recipe featuring Australian home grown talent. Cup day guests are in for even more than a triple treat this year with not one, not two, but FOUR well known Aussie vocalists. Household names in Oz throughout the eighties, nineties and noughties; Paul Gray (of Wa Wa Nee), Mark Gable (Choirboys), Jason Singh (Taxiride) and Reece Maston ( X-Factor winner 2011) will grace the stage as ‘The Voices’ in a celebration of Australian music, ensuring an unforgettable afternoon of awesome tunes, great food, and fabulous fun. Relive some of those fantastic hits that became our unofficial Aus rock anthems like Run to Paradise, Everywhere You Go and Stimulation and get ready to rock and roll.

That’s right party people! Tuesday November 7th sees the Moet Marquee back on club grounds and early bird tickets are already available at discount prices for members and non members until September 30th when remaining tickets will go on sale (at the regular price!). Purchase places for a table of ten or simply one for yourself and wait and see who will be your ‘cup crowd’ for the day!

Early bird tickets for members are Rp1.8 mill per single and Rp 1.7 mill (per person) when you book for a table of ten. Tickets for non members and purchases for members post September 30th will be just a little bit more at Rp1.9 mill (Rp1.8mill pp/table of ten) – that’s if there are any left by then!

Marquee tickets include three hours of free flow French champagne, quality wines and beers along with tasty canapés and a gourmet lunch. Gates open at 10am with a welcome drink and a chance to secure your winning tickets! Champagne and canapes are to be served from 11am with seating from 11.45 and the race of the day at 12 noon. Help yourself to gourmet lunch from 12.30pm and the free flow continues until 2pm.  Raffles and auctions are planned throughout the day and of course all proceeds go toward respected Bali charity, Solemen Indonesia. Once the race and fashions on the field formalities are done and dusted, it’ll be time to get the real party rolling with music and DJs from 2pm and the main event from 4pm as The Voices take to the stage to entertain you.

Don’t delay, at this rate, November’s not creeping up slowly. Giddy up, grab your tickets and shout it out to your friends now for a chance to be a part of one hot day of entertainment. Renowned as one of Bali’s best events on the entertainment calendar, Melbourne Cup at ‘The Club’ attracts a large number of international visitors who come specifically for Cup Day and return the following year for more! Tickets are available from Finns Beach Club and Finns Recreation Club receptions. For further details regarding the program on the day, go to the website: FINNSRECCLUB.COM and click on the pink Melbourne Cup tab in the top right corner.