Bali will celebrate Nyepi on 12^th March 2013, an auspicious occasion on the local calendar that is also reffered to as the day of silence. On the eve of this cultural holiday, giant monster effigies called ogoh-ogoh are paraded through the streets along with gongs and flaming torches in a noisy procession. The balinese believe that the ogoh-ogoh frighten away the negative forces of the underworld, which is an intrinsic component of the Hindu universe.

Traditionally, ogoh-ogoh effigies were created only in the lead up to Nyepi. However, the artistic spirit and sense of community that goes into the conception of these creatures has been recognised by the local government and there is now an annual ogoh-ogoh festival.

Bunga Kelapa Restaurant at Alam KulKul presents an interesting menu created to introduce guests to Mexican Food.

With the revelry of welcoming New Year 2013 well and truly behind us, it is now time to embrace what the next 12 months have in store. As the island of Bali is a veritable melting pot for people of many different cultures and religions, tolerance is a uniting factor. Therefore, the hospitality industry makes every effort to acknowledge both local and international holidays.

Followers of Islam will be celebrating the Birth of the Prophet Muhammad on 24^th January 2013. Although this is a public holiday, it is not essentially a festive time and many choose to respect the occasion by reading verses from the holy Koran.

Chinese New Year on 10^th February 2013 is typically a family holiday that involves traditional food, dragon dances and ang pao envelopes as a symbol of prosperity. The island’s Buddhist temples are decorated in vibrant colours with offerings of fresh fruit and sticks of burning incense. This year we welcome the Year of the Water Snake, and it is predicted to be a time of heightened community awareness and people coming together.

Bali’s Hindu community will have a lot to celebrate during the month of March with two auspicious dates on the local cultural calendar. Nyepi Day on 12^th March 2013 is the Balinese New Year and is also known as the Day of Silence where the entire island literally comes to a standstill for a 24-hour period. All forms of activity are prohibited and even the airport closes.

Then Galungan Day on 27^th March 2013 will see the Balinese return home to their ancestral villages to pray in their family temples and feast upon island delicacies such as suckling pig. This revered Hindu holiday honours the universal victory of good over evil.

Lastly, Good Friday falls on 29^th March 2013 and Christians everywhere will attend church services to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and his subsequent resurrection on Easter Sunday. In the modern world this holiday represents a delicious family lunch and chocolate Easter Eggs for the children.

1.    Tahun Baru Masehi (New Year’s Day)

11.  Tilem Sasih Kapitu (Balinese 7th Full Moon)

12.  Hari Raya Saraswati (Balinese Celebration for Knowledge)

16.  Hari Raya Pagerwesi (Balinese Thanksgiving)

24. Maulid Nabi Muhammad S.A.W (Birth of Prophet Muhammad)

26. Tumpek Landep (Balinese Celebration for Metal)

26. Purnama Sasih Kaulu (Balinese 8th Full Moon)

Saraswati Day (Balinese celebration for knowledge)

Saraswati is the Hindu Goddess of learning, knowledge and wisdom. This auspicious day on the Balinese calendar is celebrated at schools and institutes of education with simple flower offerings.

FEBRUARY

10. Tahun Baru Imlek 2564 (Chinese New Year)

10. Tilem Sasih Kaulu (Balinese 8th New Moon)

25. Purnama Sasih Kasanga (Balinese 9th Full Moon)

Hari Raya Imlek 2564 (Chinese New Year)

Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional chinese holidays. Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese new year vary widely. People will pour out their money to buy presents, decoration, material, food, and clothing. It is also traditional for every family to thoroughly cleanse the house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be decorated with red colour paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of “good fortune” or “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity.” On the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with families. Food will include such items as ducks, chicken and sweet delicacies. The family will end the night with firecrackers. Early the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in red paper envelopes. The Chinese New Year tradition is to reconcile, forget all grudges and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.

MARC

1.   Tumpek Wariga / Pengatag (Balinese Celebration for Trees)

11. Tilem Sasih Kasanga (Balinese 9^th New Moon)

12. Hari Raya Nyepi / Tahun Baru Caka 1935 (Balinese New Year Caka 1935)

26. Purnama Sasih Kadasa (Balinese 10^th Full Moon)

26. Hari Penampahan Galungan (Eve of Balinese Ceremonial)

27. Hari Raya Galungan (Celebration Day of Victory of Good over Evil)

28. Hari Umanis Galungan (A day for Asking and Giving Forgiveness to Relatives)

29. Wafat Yesus Kristus (Good Friday)

Good Friday

Good Friday is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday or Easter Friday though the latter properly refers to the Friday in Easter week.

EAM MESSAGE   

 Warm greetings from AlamKulKul Boutique Resort.

It gives me great pleasure to present the latest edition of KulKul Beat. Read on for the very latest news, events and special promotions direct from our resort located in the evolving tourism district of Kuta.

 We are at the start of another year and there will be lots happening on the island over the coming 12 months. There is much excitement surrounding the imminent launch of our new look airport, which is expected to be operational in time for the APEC Conference in September. All eyes will be on Bali as we host world leaders and heads of state for this prestigious international event.

 As resolutions are being made for the year ahead, AlamKulKul will be continuing its quest to ‘re-green’ the island in an effort to counteract the impact of rapid development. To date we have planted tens of thousands of trees and have been duly rewarded for our efforts with several prestigious environmental awards. As an older property with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, we feel that it is our duty to lead the way by carrying out eco-friendly initiatives.

 The New Year also marks a fresh cycle of festivities on Bali’s cultural calendar. The local community perform elaborate rituals with offerings of fruit and flowers to celebrate auspicious dates in accordance to the Hindu religion. However, being a travel destination that welcomes guests from all walks of life, most international holidays are also observed.

Kind regards,

Hery Andizar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Executive Assistant Manager

Balinese Roast Duck

Bebek betutu (spicy duck roasted in banana leaves) is considered a Balinese delicacy. It is prepared for religious ceremonies and festive occasions as a special treat rather than as an everyday dish. Many restaurants in Bali serve bebek betutu on request when ordered at least one day in advance due to the preparation time required.

Ingredients

• 1 duck, whole
• 18 shallots, peeled and chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 3 stalks lemon grass
• 5 kaffir lime leaves
• 6 candlenuts
• 2″ ginger, peeled and chopped
• 3″ fresh turmeric, peeled and chopped
• 3″ kencur, peeled and chopped
• 5 Thai chillies
• 1 tsp. black peppercorns
• 1 tsp. coriander seeds
• 2 tsp. shrimp paste
• 1 1/2 tbsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. oil
• banana leaves (aluminium foil can also be used)

Method:

• Place the shallots, garlic, lemon grass, candlenuts, ginger, turmeric, kencur, chillies, peppercorns, coriander seeds, shrimp paste, salt and oil in a blender or food processor and grind into a paste.
• Wipe the duck dry and rub this spice mixture on the outside.
• Place the remainder of the mixture into the duck’s cavity. Close the opening of the duck with a satay skewer.
• Wrap the duck in banana leaves or aluminium foil and puncture several holes in the bottom.
• Steam the duck for 50 minutes. Put the duck in a roasting pan and roast at 350f until done.

The flavour of the duck will enhanced if the final roasting is done over a slow charcoal fire rather than in an oven; be sure to turn the duck several times if cooking over charcoal.

Santa Claus or Father Christmas is the mythical figure who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to the homes of good children during the overnight hours of Christmas Eve – 24^th December. Santa Claus is generally depicted as a plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red costume with black boots. The modern portrayal of Santa Claus shows him listening to the Christmas wishes of young children.

We are just about ready to finish another wonderful holiday in Bali and say goodbye to our friends at AlamKulKul  and thank them for making our time here a memorable experienced once again.

We have been to Bali many times and although we have looked at other resorts we have always chosen to stay at AlamKulKul with its traditional Balinese style and beautiful gardens and pools. The rooms are spacious and always very clean.

The resort is located across the road from the beach which is great for surfing, close to restaurants, shops and markets but far enough away so that the sellers are not in your face the minute you walk onto the street.

A must try at the resort is the Jamu Traditional Spa. You may get a massage cheaper on the street but Jamu give the best massage I have ever had.

If you want the best pizza in Bali then you have to go to Pappa’s at the front of AlamKulKul.

But most of all the reason we stay at AlamKulKul is because of the wonderful staff nothing is ever to  much trouble they are always happy and eager to help in any way they can, and if they can’t  help they will find someone who can and always with smile.

Vince and Denise Naimo

P.S we have been coming here for the last seven years but don’t just take our word. Give it a try and we know you will feel the same.