WHAT'S NEW
Bali Theatre Brings New Meaning to Entertainment on the Isalnd of Gods
Bali Theatre, located in the heart of Bal Safari Marine Park (just 45 minutes from Denpasar international airport) is set to become the newest form of entertainment for visitors to the Island of Gods.
The theatre brings a whole new experience to theatrical art performances by accommodating a combination of traditional and contemporary dance, modern puppetry, and live animal parade highlighted with a combination of three different music influences. Specially written music is performed by a western orchestra accompanied by live a Balinese pentatonic gamelan ensemble. The massive collaboration of 150 performers mirror every aspect of the island as the story retells the epic Balinese tale with scenes of Bali’s paradise, it’s royal atmosphere, magical forests that are settings for the romantic and heroic scenes.
Bali Theatre is a mega-stage theatrical complex with a 1200 seating capacity. It is fully equipped with advanced multi-media technology and state-of-art sound and lighting systems.
The entrance features the island’s tallest 8-metre high Ganesha statue, the God of science and knowledge.
Bali Theatre is designed to be the first and the biggest performing arts theatre in Bali. It proudly presents the first production of its kind, Bali Agung.A massive performance by 150 of Bali’s most talented dancers and performers with dozens of live animals working under an internationally acclaimed director and producer, Bali Agung is a new spectacular operatic show highlighting the emergence of Bali as a prosperous island that attracted people from around the globe as long ago as 900 years. The first of its kind in Indonesia, Bali Agung is a totally visual show with effervescent arts, talented dancers, live exotic animals, unique puppets, vibrant costumes, sophisticated sound and lighting set on an advanced multimedia stage in a huge modern theatre. Its story stems from a historical account of how the island’s mesmerizing beauty and its hardworking yet charming people became a world class destinations almost a millennium ago. This is vividly demonstrated on stage through the legendary marriage of a Bali king and a Chinese princess.
Productions of Bali Agung will be shown daily beginning from August 29, 2010.
Plans for improved public transport in Bali
In a bid to improve public transport in Bali, 25 newly-acquired air-conditioned buses will start plying three new routes across the island.
Servicing the areas of Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan, the buses will join an existing system of mass transport crisscrossing the island.
The first new route will travel between Puputan Square in Renon and the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park and the Udayana University campus in Jimbaran. A second route will connect the Batubulan bus terminal in Gianyar passing Tohpati, Sanur, Sanggaran, Dewi Ruci Monument intersection and terminating at the Kuta Central Parking facility. The third route will run from the Kuta parking lot passing the Sunset Road, Dewa Ruci Monument and ending at Nusa Dua.
Officials are hoping an improved public transportation system will reduce traffic congestion. An official explained: "We have built 56 bus stops along those routes. We have yet to decide on a fare. It is likely that the administration will subsidize bus fares so tickets will not be too expensive for the general public."
Rp. 300 million (US$32,600) has been set aside by transportation administrators to subsidize the new bus operations during its initial 3 months of operation.
The buses have been financed via a grant from the central government in Jakarta.
Traffic planners want to introduce a total of 17 routes operating between three regencies and Denpasar by 2015.
Summer camp with a Twist in Bali
If your children are lucky enough to be in Bali over their Summer Holiday, make the experience the ultimate holiday by sending them to Green Camp located on the Campus of the internationally acclaimed Bali's Green School.
Designed as a green learning experience for children between the ages of 5 and 14 years, the Green Camp Experience blends environmental education, hands-on learning experiences, Balinese culture and carefully supervised outdoor adventures from its Bali jungle location spanning 20 acres along the banks of Bali's Ayung River (located just 20 minutes south-west of Ubud).
The program runs 7 days a week with one day, multi-day and overnight camp experiences available.
Taught by professional educators with a strong commitment to the environment, the Camp's vision is to instill a love of nature among the earth's next generation and develop a shared sense of environmental stewardship. Some of the kid-friendly activites offered by Green Camp include raft building, coconut tree climbing, kite making and night safaris.
Green Camp provides a live-in doctor, 24 hour security, and qualified instructors who speak English. Prices start from $95 all inclusive of airport pick up and drop off.
For more information see: http://www.greencampbali.com/schools/
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