Challenges of Leading Bali (From Bali With Love)

I came across this interesting article, several weeks back, of Bali's Governor, Made Pastika, discussing the challenges of leading Bali and if he would or wouldn't run again for re-election in 2013. 

I feel the Governor has made excellent changes and set some good goals thus far, so if he doesn't run again.....who will carry out the future vision for Bali, the Balinese people, schools, infrastructure, cultural preservation, etc...??? I guess what I really found most interesting about the article was the Governor's "vision" of what the next leader should be like and what background/experience he should have.

He said, "the ideal leader of Bali would come from the younger generation". The Governor is now 60 years old and feels running again would put him in an even higher age range, but he looks in his early 40s to me!!! Age is just a number...it's more a matter of how you feel at your age. He continued to say the next leader, "....must have a wide perspective and be an individual who has traveled internationally and studied the ways of the world...Bali, as a world tourism destination, needs a leader who can think in global terms...Don't have a toothache and then move to the sideline at every meeting"...

Governor Pastika continued to say that it didn't matter whether he retired as governor or not, he would continue to take an active role in serving the public. He has been a civil servant since 1974, choosing to take an early retirement from the police in 2008 in order to run for Governor...he added, "I have served the nation for a long time and will do so even when I rest in retirement".

You can read the full article at Bali Discovery.

Elizabeth Gilbert says "goodbye" to Eat, Pray, Love (From Bali With Love)

Elizabeth Gilbert, the beloved and intriguing author of Eat, Pray, Love says goodbye to the book that made her a superstar at her last speaking for the book at the New York Public Library. Gilbert said to the crowd, she planned to indulge another fantasy of hers: "working in her garden...and living a private life with the dashing Brazilian she picked up in Bali..."

Bali already had a strong hold in the tourism sector before this book was published and you can only imagine the BOOM that hit after millions of women read this book!

You can read the great article at The Atlantic. Goodbye EAT, PRAY, LOVE!

New Bali Guidebook for KIDS (From Bali With Love)

What a great idea! I wonder why it's taken so long for this type of book to be published!

"Bali With Kids: Families Guidebook From Babies to Teenagers" is the newest book addition to hit the Bali publishing world. The book promises to cover all your needs and expectations for a vacation in paradise with children, including kid friendly hotels, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, medical issues, interaction with animals and even how to hold a fabulous birthday party in Bali!

The book can be purchased for Rp. 150,000 ($16.70) around various locations in Bali, as well as downloaded into an e-book from the website: Bali With Kids. I have got to find this book and add it to my collection!

Taken from Bali Discovery.

Shoeless in Paradise (From Bali With Love)

What a great read! Two expatriates, and a longtime resident of Bali, have vowed to walk shoeless around the island of Bali until they raise $1 million (USD) in order to raise awareness for the homeless street children of Indonesia. There is roughly 232,000 homeless children living on the streets of Indonesia.

These men, and their cause, can be found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. They also have a website: solemen.org. 

HEY GUYS! If you are interested, send me a banner and donation link....I'll be happy to help you raise awareness right here on my blog! :)

For more on this story and their daily walking itinerary around Bali, click over to Bali Discovery!

An Apology & Some News (From Bali With Love)

Hello world. I'm so sorry for my absence as my daughter has been sick AGAIN. This really has not been her year. We've had 3 more visits to the doctor in the last month and now she is feeling herself again. There's nothing worse than having a sick child and looking into their tired, weak eyes and knowing you can't do anything to help them, besides give them love and comfort. So, again, my apologies for being MIA, but my family definitely comes first and foremost in this life, but I promise to make it up to you all!

So, moving on to some recent Bali news...

Coming to Bali? Give the Gift of Life by Donating Your O Negative Blood to the Bali Blood Bank. Read how you can help HERE.

Bali's Newest Water Recreation Park Now Open at Pecatu. You can read more about it and it's entry fees HERE.

Indonesia's President, Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono, is taking heat for opening a Bali conference in the English language....you can read more on this strange occurrence HERE.

Indonesia is becoming more competitive internationally. Read more about it HERE.

Ayana's ROCK BAR is on CNN's 30 Best Hotel Bars in the World! That's an also honor for Bali and Ayana. Congrats! Read more about it HERE.