Paddy : A Plant that Change Man History

In Indonesia paddy (Oryza sativa) is a very important plant. Almost 70% of Indonesian eat rice. Rice is made from paddy added with water and cooked. Mostly Asians also consume this food such as Japan, China, Korean, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippians etc.

In ancient time, mankind were live nomad-en. Mostly our ancestors were hunters. After they found plant & able to grow it then the civilization started. Recently the scientist found rice in ..... which came from 15,000 BC. When did paddy firstly find? Maybe older than that time. The word "rice" was came from the word "sa ricci" (Dravidian). It means a plant in the

swamp.

After men were able to make plantation they made civilization such house, irrigation, etc. Knowledge start to develop until today. But when & where did it found is remain a mystery. Only time & new discovery will provide more accurate data.

Until today paddy field are found in Indonesia, especially in Java & Bali. In Bali the irrigation system called "Subak" is very important for this plant. Paddy will be grow in 3 (three) months. It needs water very much, that's why irrigation system will have significant impact to the result. Because Indonesia is located in equator, harvesting could be 2 times per year or more. Depend on agriculture system.

In Bali the "terasering" paddy rice fields is very beautiful. "Terasering" means the rice field are not in the same level, it in the different levels such stairs. You can see it in the movie "Eat, Pray, Love".

Bali & Atlantis-The Lost Continent

After two weeks I finished reading the book written by a researcher from Brazil. It's title : Atlantis-The Lost Continent Finally Found. The writer, Prof. Arysio Santos Ph.D. dedicated 30 years of his life to research the location of Atlantis. I read the book that already translated in Bahasa Indonesia. The book contain 677 pages, I enjoy reading it. Even it's quite thick but I felt like addicted and couldn't stop reading till the end.

There is one interesting part written in the book about Bali Island. The writer said Bali Island was the edge of Atlantis (around 11,600 years ago). The strait of Lombok was the entry to the Atlantis. Mt. Agung in Bali island and Mt. Rinjani in Lombok island were the first pair of Pillar Hercules. It's called Pillar Hercules because when the mountain erupted the lava & ashes would be in high sky & forming a big pillar. It's interesting isn't it? If you have any comment please let me know.

Back to Bali Again

I was in Bali during mid 1997 until early 2000. At that time I was single. I went around with my friends and staffs at every corner of Bali Island. Its a beautiful island, who will deny that. Here is still one of the best place to have vacation with friends or family. Domestic or international tourist love it. Especially because the culture, the scenery, the balinese custom that preserved well until today. The beaches are very well known in the world. Such as Kuta beach, Sanur beach, Legian & Seminyak Beach, etc. There are also beautiful lake & mountains here. Kintamani Lake, Bedugul Lake are two of many scenery that everybody like.

I was lucky that when there was Bali Bombing in Oct, 2002 I was not there. After that there was also Bali Bombing II that made the tourism was not good at that time. Let's not talk about the bad times. After went back to my hometown in Surabaya in early 2000, now I'm back again here in March 2008. But now I'm not alone. I'm in Bali with my charming and sweet lady. She is my wife Henny. We were married in Des, 2003. I went back to Bali to run a project here. It's sad to leave my hometown, my families especially my dad. He was sick of cancer at that time. But let's have positive thinking O.K. Just do what we are gonna do. So here we are in Bali to meet lovely people, beautiful scenery, beautiful culture and new friends.

Ubud Writers & Reader Festival

Last week there was a festival in Ubud. Many writers and readers from all over the world gathering here to attend The 5th Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. This festival was held on October, 14 until October, 19, 2008. Many Indonesian writers also invited.

Why the festival held in Ubud? It's because Ubud is well known as the centre of arts in Bali. Many arts products are available here and the village is very tranquil. Accomodatian are very easy to get here. The climate also very friendly. It's goes with the Balinese concept of life called "Tri Hita Karana". It's how to keep the balance of three factors that will read the balance of life.

In the ongoing battle between tradition and modernity, globalization and localization, the radicals and the moderates, and tourism against agriculture, Bali is an island that struggles to stay in the middle. "Achieving modern progress without abandoning the traditional roots" is the ever-present mantra.

How did the Festival start?

The international Ubud Writers & Readers Festival began as a healing and economic development project after the Bali bombings in 2002. The Festival is an annual-ongoing event, held each October, in a month that commemorates the first Bali bombing. Now in its fifth year, the Festival promises to become the largest and most prestigious literary gathering in the South-East Asian region.

The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is a respected international event, attracting authors, publishers, festival directors and academics from all over the world. In previous years our headlining guests were Michael Ondaatje [Canada], Amitav Ghosh [India] and the President of East Timor Xanana Gusmao, who each participated alongside over 100 other writers from New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, India Canada, the United States, France, the UK, Germany and Indonesia.

It's a world class festival and has a noble goal, so we all should support them. After all, how can we know about history, culture, etc. if there were no writers in the world.

The 1st Bali Asean Beach Games 2008

Sport game in Indonesia has just reach a new level today. We proudly present The 1st Bali Asean Beach Games 2008. These occasions will be held from October, 18 until October, 26, 2008. This games already held by Asean Beach Games Organizing Committe, followed by 45 participan countries with 17 sport branches..

The matches will centered in four cluster namely: Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur, and Pulau Serangan. The official opening already held on 18 October 2008 in Garuda Wisnu Kencana by President of the Republic Indonesia, Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Below is one report from our Journalists:

SANUR (10/21/08) - Kaori Kitai (42), The Daily Jakarta Shimbun journalist says how she really enjoys her job as one of the reporters in Asian Beach Games (ABG). At Main Press Center (MPC), Inna Grand Beach Hotel, Sanur, Kaori said ABG is not only a sporting event to be covered but also a chance for her to enjoy herself.

“For me, Asian Beach Games is not only a sporting event but also more of a festive as journalists can also enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Bali, one of the greatest places in the world. It is an experience I can not find in any other places as a reporter,” she said. The Daily Jakarta Shimbun is a Japanese daily published in Jakarta to cater the Japanese in Indonesia, mostly residing in Jakarta and Bali.

“Indonesia must show the world that they have all recovered from the Bali bomb incident. I’m sure everything will be running as planned with the support from many parties,” Kaori said in smile. (bali2008)

If you need more information just visit the official website of this even at http://www.bali2008.com/

MEN SANA IN CORPORE SANO, GO INDONESIA !!