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The KHO News is published monthly for friends of John and Jamal, covering news and their life and times in Bali. December 2007 John, Jamal and staff of the Kerobokan Home Office,  would like to wish all our readers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous and successful New Year. Bali Airport Tax Up 50% FROM NOV 1, The International Departure Tax at Bali airport increased from Rp 100,000 to Rp 150,000. (A$ 17.90) Sign at Bali Airport Spare a thought for Indonesian citizens (including Jamal) who must pay Rp 1 Mill. FISCAL tax  (A$119). A$45 More than Ticket That's A$45 more than Jamal paid for his ticket to Kuala Lumpur. Jamal at the FISCAL counter The tax is deductible from your income tax, however only 2% of Indonesians are registered to pay income tax and only 1% ever bother to file a return, so few ever claim the FISCAL deduction. The Dreaded FISCAL Tax The Indonesian government has been pressured many times by ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) to drop the FISCAL tax as they say it puts Indonesia out of line with other ASEAN countries. The Indonesian government announced recently that they will drop the unpopular tax in 2010. The January edition of the KHO news, featuring Christmas and New Year will be published Jan 15 2008.

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 2   The U.N. Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Bali between December 3-14, 2007 and  will see more than 7,000 Indonesian armed troops on duty to protect the 15,000 delegates from 168 countries attending the event. Two-star general Major General Syaifu told the Nusa Bali Newspaper "We will deploy 7,000 peace keeping personnel. We will be on duty not only in Bali, but also in Lombok. Troops will be present throughout the West Nusa Tenggara province. We don't want any tricks played on us." Underlining the positive image that will result for Bali from a successful UNFCCC summit, Rizal called for assistance and co-operation from every element of society. "Be alert, if you see something suspicious, report to the nearest police or military post," Rizal insisted. Because of the participation of Indonesia's President, Dr S. B. Yudhoyono. Kevin Rudd the new PM of Australia and other heads of state, both the full force of the military and police powers  will be brought to bear. A number of Corvette patrol boats have been shifted to Bali where they will be on active patrol.  20 blue beret UN police will also be on duty at the conference. KHO Climate Change While the world at last is becoming aware of Global Warming and the United Nations sponsored Climate Change Conference is taking place in Bali, we noticed our bedroom was getting a little hotter also.  John at Work Obviously it was time for the periodical air conditioner service to clean dust and flush out the drain pipe. It was hard to believe how much dust has accumulated in the machine. The inside  looked more like inside a vacuum cleaner bag than an air conditioner. Once cleaned and the unit reassembled the bedroom is running a lot cooler as we hope the world may begin to do the same after the December United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. Quake Wakes Us KHO BALI: - 26 Nov 2007 00:02:17 Bali Time, the KHO earthquake alarm rang alerting us to an earthquake. We could see the  chandelier swinging side to side. The alarm rang continuous- ly for 20 secs. Early in the morning at 03:53:08 we were woken again when the  Dede re-sets  the KHO Alarm alarm rang for over a minute.  We checked with the US Meteoro- logical Dept. who reported the quakes were in Sumbawa 349Km from Bali. The midnight quake was first reported at 6.7, later revising it to 6.4, the second quake was 6.3. Buildings collapsed in Dompu and Bima districts and officials rushed to reach remote areas as frightened residents gathered outdoors, with some fleeing to higher ground in fear of potential tsunamis. Three were killed and 55 injured. People in the area are staying outdoors fearing more aftershocks.

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 3   Patong Beach, Phuket Island, Thailand Our KL/Phuket Trip NOVEMBER 7 WE DEPARTED BALI Airport with our favourite airline AirAsia for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We bid farewell to Dede who was looking after the house and headed to the airport in a taxi from the KHO recommended Bali Taxi Co. 70 1111 Departing from the KHO Looking North to Kuta and Denpasar after take-off We arrived at the airport early to have a spot of lunch at Bu Karyadi restaurant just next to McDonald's. Lunching at Bali Airport On boarding we were surprised to find we would be flying in AirAsia's "Red Devil" sponsored by Manchester United Soccer Club. AirAsia's "Red Devil"

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 4   The "Red Devil" flies to Manchester The AirAsia "Red Devil" recently flew on a promotional flight to Manchester with 115 POB. The Airbus A320 aircraft is only short range and had to refuel twice on the way, first Karachi Pakistan and then Lanarka in Cypress. The flight was much longer to the UK and back because of this and took 22 hours. The flight was filled with MyTeam football squad and production crew, Hotlink contest winners, some kids from the Scomi underprivileged kids program, AirAsia staff and incentive trip winners.  Up Up and Away Lift off out of DPS The first thing one noticed on entering the AirAsia A320 is the smell of the real leather seats putting in an erudite smile on some PAX. Soon the AirAsia girls we along with their tight red mini-skirts and kiosk trolley selling snacks and souvenirs. They will even sell you a RM9 (A$3) ticket for the AirAsia airport to downtown Kuala Lumpur bus. The "Snack Attack" menu They have a selection of soft drinks, juices, hot chocolate, tea and coffee, plus 3 kinds of hot noodles for RM5-6 (A$1.66-2.00) sandwiches for RM 6 (A$2). I chose Nasi Lemak, a chicken in coconut hot dish with rice and egg for RM8 (A$2.66) plus a 3-in-1 Nescafe RM 4 (A$1.33) AirAsia's $2.66 Nasi Lemak Very tasty and at that price very good value, just what you would expect from a low cost airline.  Chicken Noodle Jamal chose Chicken Noodle RM6 (A$2) with mineral water RM4 (A$1.33). Total cost for 2 people RM20 (A$6.66), the airfare Bali-KUL cost us A$74.52 each for the 3 hour 2,000Km flight, that's A$0.37c/Km. Singapore Just after we crossed the Equator we sighted the Malaysian Peninsular and got a superbly clear aerial view of Singapore island and city. Singapore from 36,000ft The three hour flight just floated away and we were soon in the  Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) and being welcomed by the very courteous Malaysian Immigration staff. The Low Cost Carrier Terminal Bursting at the Seams KUALA LUMPUR: Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia has asked Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), to improve facilities and services at the LCC terminal. "Passenger volume has grown from 200,000 five years ago to 18 million now and we are looking to hitting 30 million in five years. We are not small anymore and MAHB needs to keep pace with our growth and expansion. The new bigger LCCT will only be ready in 2014. By then, we would have lost our competitive advantage," Fernandes said.  MAHB, indicated that it would be coming up with a statement soon.

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 5   We dropped into the arrivals Duty Free shop and purchased a 1 litre bottle of JW for RM53 (A$17.66) The AirAsia RM9 (A$3) SkyBus Soon we were on the ½ hourly Air Asia Sky Bus for the 74Km/1hr trip to Central Station Kuala Lumpur. Checked into our favorite hotel, the Chinatown Inn, in the middle of Chinatown a 1km RM8 (A$2.66) taxi ride from Central Station. The Hotel Chinatown Inn After freshing up and a few JW's we headed out to dinner at the Reggae bar and Restaurant close by. Reggae Bar Exterior The Reggae Bar is a bit of an oasis in the middle of Chinatown, Malaysia is not renowned for it's proliferation of establishments serving alcoholic beverages. Watching Soccer in Reggae Bar Our hotel is in Jalan Petaling, each evening the street is closed to traffic and vendors move in to setup shop in the street, selling everything you can imagine including fake watches, fake designer sun glasses and illegal DVD's Jalan=Street(Malay/Indonesian) Jalan Petaling Night Market Jamal - Always finds a bargain Night Street Shopping in Chinatown

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 6   Kuala Lumpur's two Runways are the longest in Asia or Australia KLIA's tower is the second tallest in the world. The airport is designed to handle 100 million PAX by 2020. Landing in Phuket On arrival in Phuket we took A$6 p.p. shuttle bus from the airport to Patong Beach. We found the Paradise Inn, with a nice 3rd floor room with a balcony for only A$25. Our 3rd floor Balcony Jamal with the Hotel Owner The view from our balcony was great, to right you could see the main street and the beach. To the left, the Royal Thai Paradise Hotel. We always stay as close as possible to the very best address. Royal Thai Paradise Hotel Our  Room in Patong Beach Main Street Patong Beach Thai Boxing Anyone? Patong Beach is famous for it's night life, literally hundreds of small bars lining the streets each with 4-6 girls waiting to please. Lady-boy drag shows are also popular the most famous being the My Way Cabaret.

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 7   Patong beach, Shopping Mall Jamal discovers the Patong Beach Shopping mall, with dozens of designer shops and a Carrefour's.  John opts for a nice and peaceful, full American Breakfast. Last night in Patong we had a nice meal at a small Italian restaurant. Jamal Packing Shopping Back to KL & Bali After three exhausting days and some frantic packing by Jamal, it was time bid farewell once again to Phuket and to fly back to Kuala Lumpur for an overnight stopover before returning home to Bali. Phuket Island is 50Km x 20km, as against Bali's 140Km x 85Km

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 8   Good Neighbours JAKARTA: - The close relations between Australia and Indonesia are expected to improve with newly-elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd calling the shots in Canberra. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signalled a return to warm relations as the first world leader to call and congratulate Rudd's election win. The Jakarta Post said Yudhoyono and Rudd agreed to co-operate in improving bilateral relations.  The Indonesian leader also invited Kevin to attend the climate conference in Bali in December and again in January for a State visit. International relations expert at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences Dewi Fortuna Anwar said Rudd regards Australia as part of Asia more than his predecessor, and this will easily promote closer cultural and economic ties between Indonesia and Australia.  Win a Bali Medal BISNIS BALI: The Government has announced plans to present medals to foreign tourists who make a minimum of 20 visits to a single Indonesian tourism destination. Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, said that the presentation of "visitor medals" would help increase tourism visits to Indonesia. .......Wonder if I will be lucky enough to get one - John. Bali Wage Increase BALI POST: The Governor of Bali has set a new minimum wage level of between Rp 685,000 (A$85.63) to Rp 805,000 (A$100.63) per month for workers across Bali. The new levels take effect from January 2, 2008 and vary depending on the area of employment. The highest rate applies for workers employed in the Kuta/Badung tourist area. Baggage Thieves JAKARTA POST: A thieving ring at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) has been busted. Of the 25 people arrested, 21 were baggage handlers for Garuda Indonesia, AirAsia and Batavia Air. ......... Now we know why those plastic wrap machines at the airport are so popular. Ed. Mandala Prang NOV 1: MANDELA AIRLINES writes off an ageing Boeing 737-200, as it aquaplanes off the runway and snaps the nose wheel in bad weather in Malang, Java. Five people suffered minor injuries.  The model 200 737 "Should be retired" according to Boeing. The aircraft is uneconomical using old fashioned gas guzzling low bypass turbojet engines. A secondary problem is that most runways in Indonesia are too short - originally built to handle Foker Friendships and being a poor country there are never enough government funds to finance new runway works. The 737-200 model, like the original 100 model are obvious by their small diameter, low bypass jet engines. The aircraft has been banned in Australia and most developed countries for years because of noise regulations. Aircraft dealers sell them off to the 3rd world at rock bottom prices. Batavia Air Incident REUTERS: A piece of wing dropped off a Batavia Air flight carrying 144 people minutes after take-off, forcing the aircraft to return to the Jakarta on November 21. The Boeing 737-400 landed safely and none of 138 PAX or 6 crew  were hurt. Batavia said the aircraft could have continued its journey safely to Pontianak without the part, which was only a maintenance access plate measuring 40cm by 50cm. The aircraft had a major service a month ago, obviously the screws on the access plate were not tightened properly after the inspection. The plate was found not far from the airport, it apparently hit a house.  Sobat Relaxes Our favourite Bali restaurant Warung has been a little quieter this month - as is normal during the month of November.  Pak Made is still having trouble sourcing wine and whisky as the alcohol drought continues in Bali.

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 9   OzJet Bali Service BALI: The OzJet-operated IndoJet Perth to Bali service was launched mid-November. A Perth media group joined the inaugural service that touched down at Denpasar where a spiritual Balinese cleansing ceremony was carried out, not for the media, but for the plane. Balinese Aircraft Cleansing In response to increased demand for travel to Bali, IndoJet Perth-Denpasar flights will operate each Wednesday and Saturday with a third service commencing on December 23. LionAir Expands JAKARTA: Indonesia's budget carrier pioneer Lion Air said  late November it was preparing funds to acquire shares in airlines in six Asian countries as part of the company's ambition to boost its global presence. Lion Air will buy stakes in airlines in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh and South Korea at the amount permitted under their respective laws. The airline recently ordered an additional 22 Boeing 737-900 series planes as part of its expansion plans, lifting its total orders at the U.S. firm to 122 jets, with a total list price of $7 billion. The carrier currently has a fleet of 40 jets on 32 routes. AirAsia Indo Bargain AirAsia are having an Indo sale - we got a ticket home to Bandung for Dede in February for Rp238,900 (A$29), 15% less than the gruelling 26hr bus. Uniform too Sexy? MALAYSIA: One of the highlighted issues during United Malays National Organization (UMNO) is Air Asia's female cabin crew uniform. Female delegates demanded a budget airline to review its flight attendants' miniskirts, "The uniform is too revealing. We don't want to look at their thighs and knees, their skirts should go down to the ankles, "We are ashamed of the AirAsia uniform" said Zaleha Hussin, an elderly woman delegate from Kelantan .... She must be the only person that doesn't like the miniskirts. ....Ed. Potential Powerhouse BUSINESS WEEK: Democracy plus low labour costs make Indonesia  the world's largest Muslim country a potential economic powerhouse. Indonesia has become a model of religious tolerance that is admired by the Bush Administration. The country has also been able to  prevent the escalation of terrorist attacks since the Bali bombings of 2003 and an explosion at the Australian embassy in 2004. After the end of the 30-year authoritarian rule of President Suharto in 1998, Indonesia has established democratic elections. It has even achieved peace in rebel Aceh province, devastated by the tsunami in 2004. Asian Idol JAKARTA: Indonesia has hosted the first-ever "Asian Idol" show. Contestants from Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam vie for the title of Asian Idol. Three shows will be broadcast to all six countries, viewers will be able to vote for their favourite by text message. To prevent viewers from voting along purely patriotic lines, each will have to choose two performers. The winner will be announced on December 16.

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 10   When Sydney designer Kerry Grima first moved to Bali 19 years ago, fashion was defined by the cheap rip-offs, sarongs and Bintang Beer t-shirts favoured by budget travellers who kicked off mass tourism to the Indonesian island. Today, t-shirts bearing vulgar slogans sell for as little as 20,000 rupiah (A$2.40) at Kuta's dusty stalls. But Bali's reinvention as an upmarket destination is giving rise to a new brand of high-street chic.  Just a few kilometres north of Kuta, trendy Seminyak's air-conditioned, fixed-price boutiques act as showrooms for designers like Grima, who take part in international catwalk parades in Hong Kong and London, and export to high-end boutiques in New York, Paris, Sydney, and St Tropez. In the world's top cities, the designers' pieces sell alongside top global labels for thousands of dollars. And now in Bali, prices are reaching new, and previously unthinkable, heights. Party frocks sell for several million rupiah while handbags from accessories designer Sabbatha go for up to 15 million rupiah ($A1,825).  AirAsia Wants to  Quit KL International MALAYSIA: AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes has announced that he would like to buy Kuala Lumpur's old International airport, Subang and move his operations there and quit the Low Cost terminal at KL International. He says that the LCC Terminal at KLIA is already bursting at the seams and he expects to be carrying over 30 million passengers per year in 5 years time. The old airport is only 10 minutes from the city rather than KLIA which is 75km and 1hr-15mins. from the city. Even More Airbus 320's for AirAsia KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): AirAsia, SE Asia's largest budget carrier by fleet size, has agreed to buy an additional 25 A320s from Airbus, bringing the total ordered to 175 of which 50 have already been delivered. The announcement comes on the back of the carrier being allowed to fly the lucrative Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route. AirAsia's first quarter net profit was US$53Mill. up 157.1% from a year earlier. AirAsia is confident it can weather the current high fuel prices  - the A320s are fuel efficient. We Get Letters Always good to read every edition of your KHO News... Well Done John.... Great Job and you are the Best. Cheers Izaak, Assistant Head Denpasar, Primary School, Bali. Congrats on getting a seat on the A380 flight Sydney - S'pore next year. All best, Herman - Jakarta Warm wishes..... Enjoyed this Month's newsletter! Les - Lembeth Resort Bitung, N.Sulawesi, Ind. I read the November KHO News, I couldn't believe that you had to wait so long for a booking on the A380, that WILL be an experience. Very interesting history of aircraft in the newsletter, enjoyable as always. Geoff  Paynesville, Aus. Thanks again for the  KHO  News, a very good  read. All the best  mate - Geoff & Yenni, QLD. Aus. Great read, can't wait for next months - Bart Jason. Aus. Have been reading your news on and off for a couple of years. Don't know why I didn't subscribe sooner - it's always entertaining! Thanks. Wendy Aus. Your KHO News does a lot to advance AUS-INDO relations. See you in Bali John - Kevin, ACT Aus.

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 11   The Bali Sunset Road Food Court We reported a few months back the opening of the Sunset Road Food Court,  just a few hundred meters before Carrefour. Last week we thought, now it has been open for a while we would give it a try. The Food Court Entrance Ample Parking -The KHO Jeep The Food Court has about twenty stalls selling a variety of food from Indonesian, to Chinese, Japanese & even one selling Pizza and Pasta. The Beverage Bar The food court is on a large block of land with the stalls and undercover eating area running down each side, with the beverage bar in the centre lawned area and a stage at the far end for concerts. The Japanese Stall Jamal checking out the fare Jamal and Dede opted for the Indonesian Padang food stall.  Jamal had Nasi Campur, chicken, tafu and vegetable Rp18,000 (A$2.25)  Nasi Campur Small bottle soft drink, Coke, Fanta etc. cost Rp5,000 (A62c). A large Bintang beer Rp16,000 (A$2). Dede had Ayam Rica Rica - sweet & sour chicken Rp18,500, (A$2.31)  Ayam Rica Rica Dede "Mahal" - Expensive John had shrimp and broccoli from the Chinese stall Rp22,000 (A$2.75),  Shrimp and Broccoli plain rice cost Rp3000 (A37c) extra. We visited on a week day and it was very quiet, some stalls were closed. Staff told us it gets busier on Saturday nights and Sundays.  The food is good but not cheap by local standards, however a bargain compared to tourist restaurants.

Kerobokan Home Office News - June 2007 Page 12   OASIS  flies 10 times a week Hong Kong - London Gatwick MANY EUROPEANS complain to the KHO about the high cost of getting to Bali from Europe these days. At the KHO Travel Dept. we have put together a package that is both affordable and interesting, especially if you have time to spare. This is a trip you'll never forget. We utilize two low cost carriers for this trip, our old friends at AirAsia and 2006 start up OASIS HONG KONG owned by the Reverend Dr. Raymond C. Lee, and his wife, Priscilla H. Lee  Rev & Mrs Lee Our plan is that you fly from Gatwick's London airport to Hong Kong. Have a few leisurely days there, even visit China, then you take the high speed ferry to Macau  where you might like to spend a  couple of days exploring the old Portuguese colony and even have a wager at one of the many casinos. Jamal in Hong Kong Hong Kong-Macau Ferry John at the Macau Casino Then you fly AirAsia down to Kuala Lumpur, where you might just want to see the sights of KL, as it is known to the locals or even a week visiting the Cameroon Highlands, Melaka, Penang or Langkawi.  Modern Kuala Lumpur Then you fly direct to Bali again with AirAsia. After you pleasant vacation in Bali you retrace your steps back to Europe. What a fantastic trip and you wont believe the price. You can make all the bookings and pay on-line at Air Asia and OASIS HK. To obtain the best fares it's wise to book well in advance and keep your eye out for specials and avoid peak holiday periods.  We spent some time checking out next February and this is what we came up with. Example Itinerary LGW - HKG Jan 10 20:10-15:40 MFM - KUL Jan 15 17:50-21:35 KUL - DPS Jan 20 16:40-19:40 DPS - KUL Feb 20 13:55-16:55 KUL - MFM Feb 22 15:35-19:20 HKG - LGW Feb 23 00:50-06:20 Legend: LGW-London Gatwick, HKG-Hong Kong, MFM-Macau, KUL-Kuala Lumpur, DPS-Denpasar OASIS - 2 free hot meals & soft drinks, snacks at reasonable prices. Free headphones, seat-back 16 channel TV, blankets and pillows. AirAsia - Snack Attack menu at reasonable prices. Fare Breakdown London  - Hong Kong US$ 354 Macau - Kuala Lumpur US$  73 Kuala Lumpur - Bali  US$  56 Bali - Kuala Lumpur US$ 65 Kuala Lumpur - Macau US$ 60 Hong Kong - London US$ 442 Total US$ 1050 All LCC fares vary from time to time, these fares were found on-line Nov '07, for travel Feb-Mar 2008. E&OE The KHO is the affectionate name of our house in Bali, this is a non - commercial site, to keep our many friends in touch  with the local scene. Our aim is to help the local people through promoting tourism.  If you would like to subscribe (it's free) and receive notification of a new edition email us at:jbsymons@indo.net.id Check Past Editions Copyright ©2007 The Kerobokan Home Office - All Rights Reserved