Donation For Japan Tsunami and Earthquake

The first thing on most people's mind after hearing the news of a disaster like the earthquake in Japan is, What can I do to help?
Even if you're thousands of miles away, there are ways that you can offer support to the earthquake and tsunami relief effort in Japan. Here are a few of them:

Pray for Japan, Charity Event in Ubud (Arma Resort)

It's been a long time since I wrote my last article, this time I will write the report about charity event which aims to help earthquake and tsunami victims that happened lately in Japan. This event was held on April 10, 2011 at Arma resort, Ubud, Bali. With the theme "Pray For Japan" which is organized by Japanese community who lived in Ubud and Ubud local peoples that are sympathetic to the situation in Japan lately.

The event was planed to be start at 15:00 in the open field garden of Arma resort, but the rain was so big and the event was moved to the other stage with the roof still inside Arma. The organizers has worked very hard for the event to run smoothly, it seems not easy to held a fundraising event in the bad weather.  I was planed to come to the event around 14:30, but the rain is so heavy and I waited for the rain until 17:00.

Potong Gigi Ceremony (Teeth filing ceremony), Bali

After a while living in Bali, I finally got a chance to witness the ceremony of Potong Gigi (Teeth filing ceremony) done by my friend before her wedding ceremony with Balinese local man.

In the Balinese belief system, the ceremony helps people rid themselves of the invisible forces of evil - teeth are the symbol of lust, greed, anger, insobriety, confusion and jealousy. Filing the teeth therefore renders someone both more physically and more spiritually beautiful, as well as symbolising the rite of passage for an adolescent into adulthood.

Ceremonies are usually held between 4.00 am to 6.00 am, before the sun rises, and are accompanied by religious songs. After the tooth filing ceremony, the teenager is considered to be a mature adult. In recent years, families have taken to holding their children's ceremonies in a group in order to economise.

Kecak Dance With Funny Makeup and Body Painting

My visit to friend's village was very interesting, I was invited to see Balinese kecak dance that perform by the youth peoples in Celuk village, Banjar Cemenggaon. Actually I enjoyed the kecak dance performance for many times since i live in Bali, but they said "this is not usual" this make me very interest to see the dance in their village.

Once i arrive, they still make a preparation for the show and i was surprise for what they doing for the preparations. Usually kecak dance is perform by mens without using any makeup on their face or body, now i realize why they said this is not usual, they use funny makeup on their face and body, and the dance is a little bit different with the usual kecak dance that i ever seen. check out the picture and feel free to laugh

Matahari Spa

Matahari Spa and Villa is located in Sayan Ubud village, adjacent to the Four Season ubud. Matahari Spa and Villa is managed by Japanese who knows very well the meaning of a service to their guests. This place is designed with the theme of natural atmosphere in Ubud Bali . I came with my friends at night after dinner, we are welcomed by the owner himself. With the incredible hospitality of the staffs we enjoyed a wonderful evening in the bar located at the reception of this place, from here we can see directly to the Four Seasons Hotel which is right opposite to where we are and separated by the river Ayung which is already very popular as rafting river . Matahari Spa and Villa is also has a very comfortable villa places above the spa and receptionist, the villa is recommended for guests who may want to enjoy the natural atmosphere in Bali and definitely with a very good service.

Matahari Spa and Villa
Jalan Raya Sayan Banjar Katut no.70 Sayan Ubud,
Bali Indonesia
T. +62 361 977358

Balinese art Festival ( Pesta kesenian Bali )

The 32nd annual Bali Arts Festival performances in 2010 will be held a month from June 12 until July 10, 2010, and will be opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, involving seven countries and 20 provinces in Indonesia. Seven Countries that participated in Balinese art festival this year that will showing art and culture are America, Japan, Korea, Belgium, Canada, India and Sweden. And 20 areas in Indonesia that will be involved in Balinese art festival are Malang, East Java, Gorontalo, West Jakarta, West Sulawesi,etc..

Balinese art festival this year takes the theme SUDAMALA which means explore the purity of conscience. The opening will be preceded by a music show, called Adi merdangga, Adi merdangga is Balinese music band which all the personnel is born from STSI (High school art of Indonesia) and followed by a parade of art and culture by each district in Bali, followed by participants from outside Bali and international participants, the festival will be centered in Art center that located in Denpasar and every day will hold a show of art and culture.

There will be various performances in every day for a whole month such as Drama gong show, Arja dance, Gong Kebyar show and much more. In Balinese art festival there will be a lot of artist from Indonesia or outside Indonesia will participant and gathering to learn each others art and culture.