Indonesia on 17 Augusts 2007 is celebrating the 62^nd independence with various ceremony are executed throughout the state to commemorate the struggle of all warrior. The commemoration of the 62^nd Independence Proclamation of Indonesia Republic is centered in Jakarta that is generally led by President of Indonesia, Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who takes a part as ceremony inspector. This ceremony is started precisely at 10.00 am and it is marked by the 17 times of cannon thumping, siren and bell sound. In the especial honorable podium, the Presiden is consorted by Mrs. Ani Yudhoyono and the vice president Mr. Jusuf Kalla is consorted by Mrs. Mufidah Jusuf Kalla. It is also attended by all ministers of Indonesia Cabinets, a number of parliaments, head of state institutes and also all ambassadors.

Indonesia Independence Day in Bali

The celebration of Indonesia Independence Day is also executed in Bali with several of activities. In this island, Bali societies execute the flag ceremony to commemorate the Proclamation Day of Indonesia Independence which is held throughout this island. The ceremony is performed every year and usually the various races are executed in some local community ‘Banjar’ and various place like government office or in private sector. The competition type which is performed in this event like bag racing, climb the areca, eat the crisply, decorative bicycle and others. Besides of race, there are also social activities like blood donation, clean the area etc. Flag Ceremony is also executed in the regency of Gianyar which is performed in the Astina courtyard. The governmental functionary of Gianyar regency, invitation and all combatant perform the socialize program and give the prize to all independence combatant. In total of 70 independence combatant obtain the present from local regent. Each combatant obtain the present in form of money. In the event, the regent is feel moving emotionally of hotly patriotic of all combatant in their struggle to protect the nation and it is become the good example for the new  generation in build the country.

How is the Indonesian Independence Day Reflecting to the Convict in Prison?

Commemoration Ceremony of the 62^nd Indonesia Proclamation is also executed by the convicts in prison of Kerobokan, Denpasar Bali. The chief of prison, Mr Bromo Setyono say that the convict amount which is involved in this event is limited because its field is not enough and narrow. A number of convict get the ‘Remising’ (penalization pardon) because during serving time they have presented the good deed and attitude, but for non good action convict, of course they do not get that privilege. This Remise is also passed to the terrorism convict except which has been sentenced of death or for a lifetime penalty.

Saraswati Day is a special day that according to Balinese Hindu belief is descending the science from the god. On this day the Balinese Hindu in Bali is doing the special ceremony that is executed in the school temple. All schools in Bali are doing ceremony in their temple while the children bring the offering from their home. All learning activities are unscheduled at this time in order to the children can focus of this ceremony. Saraswati Day is a good moment for all children at the school to thank to the god because they have been a lot of information and knowledge from the science. Saraswati it self is symbolized by a beautiful goddess bring the learn equipments.  Saraswati Goddess is reflecting the beauty of the science that all people in the world seek it.

Ogoh – Ogoh Performance

Ogo – Ogoh is giant monster idol symbolizing the evil influence. Its performance is held the day before the Nyepi Day / silence day by pageant this idol to surround the village and accompanied by the noise of Balinese Gamelan. This event is executed in conjunction with Tawur Kesanga by scarification ceremony that commonly called Caru. Villagers will hold a colorful and noisy procession with fire torches and Ogoh-Ogoh giant monster effigy prepared painstakingly in advance and taking the form of demon characters as symbol of evil. The spirits are neutralized by symbolically burning the Ogoh-Ogoh. The day after the Ogoh-Ogoh Pageant is the main holiday that is called Nyepi Day or silence day where all activities are stopped within 24 hours with no fire, no work, no entertainment, no traveling and no pleasure. On this day, all Balinese do the meditation to introspect them self from the activities they have done last year and hope that they can obtain a better life with a good manner.

Nyepi Day or Silence Day

Nyepi Day or silence day is the most important day for Balinese Hindu in
Bali where they conduct very unique activities before, on the day and after the day. On Nyepi Day or silence day there are no traffics, activities, pleasure, sound and lights are allowed in the entire island of Bali. At the night of the Nyepi Day, the entire of Bali is black out. Nyepi Day is a new year for Balinese Hindu and it based on the Balinese Calendar that is celebrated every 1 year. 

Melasti Ceremony 

Before the Nyepi Day some of ceremonial processions are executed in Bali like Melasti Ceremony and Ogoh – Ogoh performance. On the day of Melasti, effigies of God and temple accessories of each village are brought in a long and colorful procession to the beach or water sources. It is accompanied by Balinese gamelan orchestra and followed by all villagers dressed in traditional temple cloths. This rites is designed to cleanse of all impure things human as well as the universe and to take the essence of life from the ocean which is the symbol if life it self. Melasti Ceremony is one of the important rituals are executed in Bali involving entire Balinese Hindu in the island including children together makes the line along the road. Each of individual do each participation on this ceremony like carrying the god symbol. The god symbols are carried like Umbul-umbul, flag, harpoon, keris (of a kind of twist and turns sword) and holy idols.

Tragedy Garuda
Indonesia in Yogyakarta, Center of Java

  The plane of Garuda Indonesia with flight number GA. 200 fly from Cengkareng (Jakarta) to Yogyakarta have experienced of the super accident when that plane land at Adi Sucipto Airport - Yogyakarta on 07 March 2007 at 07.14 am of local time. It is reported there are 133 passengers on the plane and at the moment 76 passengers just been evacuated with serious injured while the other are being seeking. That plane is direct burst and break the fuselage become a lot of shiver. This occurrence result the fire and scorch the whole plane body. The plane is owned by Garuda Indonesia with Boing 737 A400 type experiences the problem when try to land at airport. According to eyewitness that has seen the plane, that this Garuda flight have experienced of the super wobble before landing at the airport and finally dragged down into the rice field about 300 meters from the airport. That occurrence begins when that plane land and at the time of next wheel from that plane land, suddenly, jerked and release the fire sprinkling. Even after plane reach about 2/3 landing basis, there is a big fire. The fuselage then glides and exits the landing basis until 300 meters from back part of landing basis. From the occurrence, second visible plane machine release and left behind about 25 meters from fuselage. From the fuselage, see remained only part of plane tail.  

From this accidence, the Yogyakarta’s airport is closed temporarily for all flights until the condition up to normal. All the victims have been taken care at the hospital nearby while the identification of them is still continued. - Released by Balistarisland.com

Thai Executive Golfers Led by Mr. Napapadol Sukkasem

Recently, 16 Thai Executive Golfers has visited Bali to join the Golf Tour in three different golf course in Bali. Bali Handara Kosaido is the most liked by all participant due to the weather is cool and the landscape are very beautiful. It is located in the mountain area and closed to Bedugul and Beratan Lake, the famous places of interest in Bali. It has 18 holes of green fee with comfortable accommodations that make all participants enjoy on their game. The group is led by Mr. Napapadol Sukkasem - the director of Golf Alliance Travel based in Thailand and coopperated with Bali Star Island Tour (www.balistarisland.com)

Bali is thenew golf tour destination for the Thai Golfers and based on their comments that they will visit Bali soon. The golf experience at Bali Handara Kosaido has given the exciting memory for all golfers on their golf tours in Bali.