Indonesia on alert after execution of Bali bombers

Indonesian security forces were bracing for an extremist backlash on Monday after the execution of three Islamists over the 2002 Bali bombings.

Tensions were high after Islamic radicals including members of the Jemaah Islamiyah regional terror network blamed for the attacks promised retribution for the executions during emotional burial services.

"We're still on alert for any security disturbances after the executions," national police spokesman Abubakar Nataprawira told AFP, saying the readiness level was at its highest.

Indonesia stepped up security at tourist spots and embassies ahead of the execution of the bombers behind the attacks on the resort island of Bali that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners.

Amrozi, his brother Mukhlas and Imam Samudra were executed by firing squad shortly after midnight on Sunday on a prison island off southern Java.

 Their funerals in their home villages turned into rallies for hundreds of Islamic extremists bent on jihad or "holy war" with the West, even though the vast majority of Indonesian Muslims are moderates.

Hardline cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, the co-founder of Jemaah Islamiyah who was jailed on a conspiracy charge related to the bombings before being released in 2006, led prayers at the burial service for Amrozi and Mukhlas.

Noor Huda Ismail, an expert on Jemaah Islamiyah, which was allegedly behind the Bali carnage, said he saw more than 20 JI militants from Malaysia and Indonesia at one of the funerals.

"That occasion unified these people to share contacts and for making strategies," he told AFP after attending the chaotic funerals for Amrozi and Mukhlas in Tenggulun, east Java.

Several senior JI militants are believed to be at large in Indonesia, including Malaysian-born extremist Noordin Mohammad Top, the self-proclaimed leader of a group called Al-Qaeda for the Malay Archipelago.

Police said they had arrested two men on the weekend for making bomb threats in protest at the executions. The suspects had no links to any known militant organisation, they said.

The Australian and US embassies received bomb threats last week, along with shopping centres and hotels around Jakarta.

Australia, which lost 88 nationals in the Bali attacks and had its embassy here car-bombed in 2004, has warned against unnecessary travel to Indonesia. The United States has told citizens in the country to keep a "low profile."

Until the end, the bombers expressed no remorse for their "infidel" victims and claimed they wanted to die as "martyrs."

Sentenced in 2003, they launched at least four failed legal challenges, which delayed their executions and kept them in the media spotlight.

"Even on death row they continued to make news, obviously aided by the prison authorities... Only in Indonesia can a convicted terrorist awaiting execution become a media darling," The Jakarta Post said in an editorial.

The vast majority of Indonesian Muslims had little sympathy for the militants.

"Someone who killed others will not die as a martyr unless they waged a war in the name of religion. They were not fighting for religion," Umar Shihab, the head of the country's top Islamic body, said Sunday.

Sidney Jones, a terrorism analyst with the International Crisis Group in Jakarta, said the government's bizarre handling of the executions had increased the threat of reprisal attacks.

"If the government had denied the Bali bombers access to the media from the time they were first convicted, the risk (of violent retaliation to their executions) would have been lower than it is now," she told The Jakarta Post.

Source : JAKARTA (AFP), by Presi Mandari – Mon Nov 10

A Ride with Destiny

It is 1975. The Pan Am flight circles low around the Indonesian Island of Bali, as it makes its' final approach. This is the first time overseas for the young Australian, who excitedly peers through the grubby aircraft windows. The flight - direct from Sydney- is surprisingly empty, which is in sharp contrast to the crammed charters of later decades. Suddenly, he glimpses the rice fields, towering volcanoes and coconut trees that are synonymous with Bali. The plane sweeps so low, he can make out in the distance a Balinese fisherman wading waist-high in crystal clear water, casting his net into the sea. And from that very moment, Greg too is ensnared, the mystical allure of Bali casting a life-long spell. It was the start of a love affair lasting more than twenty years with the tropical paradise that enchanted him forever.

But Greg comes to Bali on a mission. The 23-year-old is here to surf. He is also here to shoot surfing film and photographs. His journey begins with the cult surfing film "Morning of the Earth," made by Australian film-maker and surfer, Alby Falzon. This film, shown worldwide to packed houses in the early seventies, perhaps single-handedly kick-started the phenomena of surfing in Bali and changed the Island forever. When Greg first saw the Balinese waves unfolding on the cinema screen in downtown Sydney, he knew that he was a lost cause. Around this time, surfing magazines also started to feature the hidden treasures of Balinese surf. And of course, there was word of mouth. From the 1960's onwards, there were a handful of international surfers - mostly from the US and Australia - who tried to keep Bali "their little secret." But talk of colossal, awesome waves, sultry climate, magical lands and dirt-cheap living could not be kept quiet for too long. Nevertheless, Greg and his peers were still some of the first waves of surfers, before the subsequent rush of thousands of Brazilians and Japanese got in on the act.

Armed with his photographic paraphernalia, Greg walks down the steps of the plane and into a cauldron. The suffocating heat almost burns the hairs in his nostrils. The airport is tiny as relatively few travellers pass through here and he claims his bags and surfboard straight off the searing tarmac. Before he can collect his thoughts however, he is whisked away by the ubitiquous bemo to his home for the next two weeks, Kuta. Kuta. It's hard to imagine now, but this chaotic, sprawling beach town was very different back in 1975. Then it was just a laid-back, affable community with the odd hotel, losmen (simple, family-run accommodation) stores and temples and warungs (corner snack bar). Carpets of coconut trees blocked your route. They also lined the pristine, sweeping stretch of staggeringly gorgeous beach. The noise level encountered was the surf crashing down on the soft sand. The privileged few enjoying its virginal forms on the bygone six-month visas were travellers on the hippy route between Australia and Europe. Kuta was one of the legendary three "K's," the others being Kathmandu and Kabul which were a pre-requisite on any hippies must-see list. And of course, the steady trickle of surfers like Greg, who wanted to see for themselves if Albys' celluloid wasn't just an unattainable fairy tale.

But this morning is a severe culture shock. On an unsealed and dusty road, a bumpy ride is endured narrowly missing dogs and chickens roaming freely. The cramped bemo drops him off at the losmen where fellow Australian friends are already installed. This is a no-frills establishment, one of a growing number catering for the rising number of travellers. Consisting of a basic room with twin beds and concrete floor, there is no electricity. Come night time, gas lamps are used and there is no such thing as air-conditioning - let alone fans -to keep cool in the stifling heat. Inquiring upon the whereabouts of the bathroom, he is led to an outer room. There is a crude water tank and two wooden slats flanking a hole in the ground - the infamous squat toilet. Greg nervously looks for the toilet paper, but he is advised to use the plastic scoop provided and his left hand; the right one-his friends point out- is for eating. There is no running tap water, instead this is collected daily from the communal well and naturally has to be boiled before consumed.

Greg is fascinated. By the time his bags hit the floor, he is off exploring Kuta; ever the curious voyeur, he takes his camera. It is like opening Pandora's Box and he feels like a child in Wonderland. From the losmen there are a series of shady, coconut-lined paths strewn with frangipanis that in no time lead to a tangle of identical gangs (narrow alleys). Their high, coral-clad walls hide family compounds, creative workshops and religious quarters. Peeking through the open wooden doors, a secret world is revealed. Young girls practice traditional dance routines to the sound of the gamelan. Offerings to the Gods of fruit and rice - wrapped in banana leaves - are laid out beneath Hindu statuettes. An all-pervading smell of aromatic cloves hangs heavily in the air. This first encounter for Greg captures not only the charming Balinese on film, but also his very soul. Inspired by what he witnesses here, the young man subsequently continues a lifetimes' odyssey, roaming the world and taking photographs of different cultures and surf.

Lost it seems for hours, he is bought back to reality as soon as he manages to stumble home. His surfing mates tell him to wax his board pronto as the swell that day is perfect. With not a minute to loose, they head off straight away to the decisive surfer's paradise- the waves off Ulu Watu, where some of the most breathtaking surf in the world can be found. But first obstacles have to be overcome; like some precious Holy Grail - the exquisite prize rewarded after the arduous quest. Rented motorbikes are the most convenient form of transport, but even this is a death-defying feat. Driving two-wheeled transport along pot-holed roads with trucks heading straight at them is dangerous enough. But the surfboards are slung precariously to the side of the bike and if the wind gets up they and the passengers are in danger of being blown over to Lombok. Very soon, Kuta and its' environs are left far behind and grazing land, plantations and coconut tree jungles are all that keeps them from the Western coastline.

At the mystical Ulu Watu, - an open-air clifftop temple and nowadays Bali's top tourist destination- there is not a soul around. Apart from, that is, an epidemic of monkeys surrounding the temple, keeping guard. Nearby is an overgrown path, which heads down towards the sea. Local children clamber round Greg and his friends and for a small fee offer to carry the surfboards down to a cave. To access the waves, the surfers must drop down onto the sandy cave floor. At its' opening a few paces later, the tide rushes through the narrow gap of the cave walls. The only way out to sea is paddling through on surfboards, skilfully negotiating a jagged coral pinnacle-head just to the right of the exit. There is more to come. Greg learns that there are man-eating sharks, poisonous sea snakes and sea lice lurking in the water, as well as a strong rip undertow. Yet as he experiences the thrill of Ulu Watu's legendary surf, all this is worth it. Some of the most powerful and solid waves in the world, they are ten feet tall and roll flawlessly along for seemingly forever, keeping their shape and momentum. The perilous coral reef - that with one wrong turn of the board rips your skin to shreds - is ironically the very factor that contributes to their perfection. When Greg first approaches these waves he is simultaneously awestruck and scared out of his wits. They are unlike anything he has ever encountered before and this is literally the ride of his life. There are just a handful of surfer's here; graceful and stylish figures. Very much out on their own, they are willing to risk their lives as they master the explosive breakers in unison. It's addictive stuff and this is the first of many blissful days surfing here and on the beaches of Kuta and Sanur. During the 'seventies and 'eighties, Greg makes over fifteen return visits to Bali, sometimes staying for months. The passion and desire to relive again and again the ultimate experience comes above all else.

But every idyll has its curse and Bali is no exception. Sanitary conditions are not good and unused to the local cuisine and water, it is only a matter of time before Greg falls victim to the infamous "Bali Belly." No one escapes the islands' wrath; the only Western doctor is on the East Coast - at Sanur - and might as well have been in Australia. On daily surfing excursions, there is always someone laid up in bed; too weak to reach the door to say "not today boys, it's not been a good night" as the surf patrol roars off into the distance.

From very early on, Greg forgets home comforts and goes native as if it's second nature. He takes to wearing hand-made batik sarongs. He is befriended by the losmens' resident family, who each morning perform the daily ritual of bringing him tea in thermos flasks and bananas. The young daughters endearingly hold his hands as they ask him if he slept well. He always replies "yes. " After a hard day on the surf, he pays for soothing evening massages as the sun sets. After a delicious meal rustled up by nearby warungs, he and his friends retire early to the repetitive sounds of frogs and crickets and the distant drone of a motorbike. In the early days, there isn't much nightlife to speak of; besides it's an obligatory early rise for the next day of catching waves.

Many years, rolls of film and airline flights pass and Greg has his last tour of Bali four years ago. By this time, much has changed in Kuta and the place is almost unrecognisable. Designer shops and hamburger joints replace coconut trees and Western music blares out from bars serving gross-named cocktails. International hotels and resorts dwarf the losmens of yesteryear. Amongst the surf, a multi-cultural army decked out in a uniform of Billabong and Hot Tuna now jockey for position, in what is regarded as one of the premier surfing destinations in the world. Surfing is now big business and a highly commercialised, well-oiled enterprise not just here, but worldwide. But Bali still maintains its beauty and tranquillity. Greg knows that he is a lucky man to be here at the beginning of it all. The vivid memories of those pioneering trips will never dim. They cling hard and stubborn like the nimble feet on his surfboard, that first magical morning when an ecstatic young Australian tamed the wild waves of Ulu Watu.

Source : http://www.thingsasian.com

TO DO & TOURS IN LOVINA

Lovina is a small fisherman village in the North of Bali. In the village are several good restaurants, an internet café, a money machine, a 5 star Padi dive center and some café's and bars. The water is very clear and fisherman get up early to get some fish. The name Lovina comes from the abbreviation "Love Indonesia".

Mister Gede likes to talk with his guests about the religion on Bali and the meaning of the various hindu ceremonies. He also loves to talk about the culture and history of Bali and his life as a former fisherman in Lovina. He can tell very enthousiastic and is willing to answer all your questions.

Ceremonies
Mr Gede has taken guest to several ceremonies and explained the meaning of the rituals. We had the opportunity to go with him for a ceremony in his family temple and later we were invited to a baby ceremony. On these ceremonies you will find Mr Gede playing the Gamelan with his family. If there is a ceremony in the neigborhood off Lovina, that is open for public, Mr gede will know and can bring you there and explain the meaning of the Balinese rituals.

Dolphin Trips Lovina
If you come to Lovina for a boat trip to see the dolphins, than can Mr Gede take care of the boat tickets. The boat will pick you up at the beach in front of Gede Homestay. The boat leaves very early in the morning, but the coffee is ready. When you come back from the dolphin/snorkling trip, breakfast is served.

Banjar Hotsprings
The Banjar hotspings is a natural Balinese swiming pool. A lot of Balinese people are swimming here and eat something in the restaurant. The Hotsprings are about 15 minutes from Gede Homestay. You can drive there yourself, or Mr Gede can take care of transport to the banjar hotsprings. There are also taxis at the hotspring that can bring you back.

Balinese dancing
In the center of Lovina you can go to a traditional Balinese dance performance. The people from the village have an 1 hour show you can watch and enjoy. Mr Gede can take care of transportation and tickets. He also can explain the meaning of the dragons in the show and the meaning of the dance.

Fishing & Sailing Trips
The brother of Mr Gede is still a fisherman. If you want you can go fishing with him in a traditional Balinese fisherboat. The catch will be put on the BBQ. If you don't catch anything, you can always buy fresh fish on the market. It is also possible to sail with a balinese fisherboat and relax on the water.

Lake Bratan & Gitgit waterfall
Lake Bratan in Bedugul is a beautifull spot with a famous temple, just 40 minutes from Lovina. You can visit it on the way to Lovina, or Mr Gede can bring you there. There are ricefields, several hindu temples, and a Buddhist Monastery near Lovina. Nearby the Gitgit waterfall is Lake Buyan, where you can feed wild monkeys.

Relaxing Massage
On the beach you can get a massage from woman on the beach, or Mr. gede can also bring you to a professional Balinese massage salon in the neighbourhood. The professional massage salon has some nice packacges for +/- 110.000 Rupiah for 1,5 hour Balinese massage (9 euro).

Padi Dive Center
In Lovina is a 5 Star Padi dive center "Spice Dive". Here you can take a course or make a dive trip to Tulumben (US Liberty shipwreck) or to Menjangan Island. The dive in Tulumben is a great wreck-dive spot. You can ask Mr Gede to bring you to Spice Dive. Spice Dive will pick you up from Gede Homestay.

Singaraja
Singaraja is a city 15 minutes from Lovina. It has an population of 80.000 people. Singaraja means 'lion king' and was the capital city during the dutch colonial period. There are nice markets and several temples around Singaraja. In one temple there is a stone carving of a bike and the first car on Bali. This car and bike were imported by the dutch during the colonial period.

Trip to the rice terrace
Around Lovina are some rice terraces. You can walk trough the rice fields and look at the simple but efficient irrigation systems.

Gede, for all your Transport
Mr Gede takes care off all the transport on land or sea, that you need! There are shuttle buses that go from Lovina to all big cities on Bali or Mr Gede can also take care of a private chauffeur that can bring you anywhere and drop you at another hotel or homestay. On the way to your new location, like Ubud, you can do some sightseeing on the way.

Source:http://www.gede-homestay.com