Maluku holds Ambon Bay Festival 2006

Maluku Governor Karl Albert Ralahalu officially opened the first Ambon Bay Festival 2006 here on Wednesday, aimed at promoting tourism in the former sectarian conflict-torn province.

The festival was organized in the Ambon Bay area, featuring a number of Maluku art and cultural performances as well as traditional food.

"The event is aimed at promoting Maluku tourism to domestic and international tourists. We want also to inform the world that Maluku is now safe following the end of the sectarian conflict in 1999," the governor said.

Maluku whose more than 90 percent of its area is made up of waters is rich in marine ecosystem.

He expressed hope that the first festival ever held in the province could help attract businessmen to invest in marine-related projects, including marine tourist resorts.

Maluku waters is clear-blue, free of pollution and rich in marine flora and fauna, including beautiful and colorful coral reef and fish.

The festival which will last until November 17, will also be highlighted with various activities, such as a decorated boat competition.

Source: www.antara.co.id

Arts festival opens in Yogya

In an effort to revive the tourist sector following the devastating May 27 earthquake, the city will host a four-day international performing arts festival.

The chairman of the festival's organizing committee, Bambang Paningron, said the Asia Tri Festival already made stops in Korea and Japan in September this year.

Now it is making an appearance from Nov. 18-21 at the Kaliurang tourist resort, on the slopes of Mount Merapi. The name of the event is Asian Arts for Yogya's Recovery.

The Asia Tri Festival was started in 2005 by Indonesian, Japanese and Korean artists. The goal of the festival is to develop arts in Asia.

In addition to involving artists from the three countries, local residents will also participate in the event, including Mount Merapi caretaker Mbah Marijan, who is scheduled to open the festival.

On the festival's opening day, Japanese artist Yoko Nomura will present a musical piece, followed by a shadow puppet performance by Ki Dalang Seno Nugroho. A carnival and traditional performances will be featured Sunday, along with screenings of independent films and other performances.

Source: www.thejakartapost.com

Water park to make splash in Serpong

Jakartans may soon be able to plunge into the fun at the Ocean Park Water Adventure in the Bumi Serpong Damai housing complex in Serpong, Tangerang.

The management of the water park, "Southeast Asia's largest", say it will open to the public by the end of the year.

The Rp 80 billion park, which is located on a 3.5-hectare property next to the German Center on Jl. Raya Serpong, can accommodate 4,000 visitors a day.

Dhony Rahajoe, the general manager of corporate communications at PT BSD, said the water park would be far larger than Sunway Lagoon in Hong Kong, Genting Highlands in Malaysia or Wild Wild Wet in Singapore.

He said the park was child-friendly as it included areas for all ages. "Visitors are in for an unforgettable experience," he told The Jakarta Post. They can set off an adventure to explore the wreck of a pirate ship or the 500-meter-long Caribbean River.

But the breathtaking Pacific wave pond, which can generate 1.5-meter-high waves, is the park's main attraction.

Dozens of families from Greater Jakarta visited the park during the Idul Fitri holiday.
However, they were turned away at the gates because it has yet to open.

Workers have been patiently explaining to irate fun-seekers the park is still under construction.
"I was misled by media reports that said the park would be open in time for the Idul Fitri holiday," Adam Muchlis, who took his family to the park from Rangkasbitung in Lebak regency, told the Post.

Source: www.thejakartapost.com