This past week was rather chilled – probably going parallel with the weather. I didn’t really go out at all and kept pretty much to gatherings of friends, which were kind of fun, especially a birthday party for a friend’s son down at Waterbom in Kuta. It was the first time I had been there for quite some time and I noticed how they have been open now for over 30 years. I think I can even remember when they opened back in ‘93, but what an outstanding facility it is. It is no wonder they continue to win any tourism prize there is in the country or even around the world. Awards like the ‘Asia’s Leading Waterpark 2025 in the World Travel Awards’, or ‘Super Platinum IV award in the Tri Hita Karana (THK) Awards’ and ‘#1 Waterpark in the World in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards’. The place is immaculate, professionally run and a credit to everyone involved. On the way home, we stopped at a music event on Kuta Beach put on by Havianas. A number of local bands were playing and as we waited for The Hydrant to kick off a humongous storm arrived and stopped the show in its tracks. Everyone, including us, ran for their lives, or at least, ran for cover. It’s a sign of the times, perhaps, but all good, it’s only a bit of water.
Photos Above: A bit of a family album this week. Walking the dog in Berawa. Hanging out in Waterbom. An early Christmas & Farewell Dinner at Rachel and Michael’s place – they both worked for The Beat and FRV back in the day and as you see we still hangout.
Extra Thought. I saw an article in one of the local news sites during the week, which said Badung government had secured Rp 2.83 trillion (approx 170 million USD) in loans for new road construction in the Badung regency. Further investigation showed that they have a plan to build new roads in Melasti, Pecatu, a Uluwatu-Balangan-Jimbaran Road, a road connecting Teuku Umar to Umalas and a new road connecting south Berawa to Umalas. This all sounds rather exciting and possibly a substantial step in the right direction to making the traffic around town more manageable. Quoting the article it says, “Through a regional loan scheme from PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero), the construction of nine strategic roads totalling 11.8 kilometers in North and South Kuta can begin immediately.” If you check the instagram video Badung posted this week in regard to the plan (check below) it seems most of the new roads will be cutting through open government land. This will probably mean less intrusion on the already impossible traffic during the process, or work, and possibly a bonanza for land owners around those areas.
Photos Above: An image taken from the Badung govt video on IG above showing the new road slated to connect Berawa to Umalas.
Have a good weekend you all!
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Highlights in the Bali nightlife this week? There are always plenty of parties and shows on around the island…. Bali never ceases to amaze! Check out all the events, both featured and regular, on thebeatbali.com/bali-events.