Maya Ubud Outing at Bali Safari & Marine Park

An outing in this December was held by Maya Ubud Resort & Spa for all its staffs at Bali Safari & Marine Park - a home to hundreds fascinating animals around the world.

The journey began by jumping in to the safari tram and riding through roaming Sumatran tigers, elephants in the jungle of Sumatra, hippos, cheetahs, leopards and many other wild animals; and then followed by watching beautifully themed exhibits by adorable elephants and monkeys.

We all have a wonderful day out. This safari is located on Gianyar area and is easily reachable from Maya Ubud Resort & Spa for approximately 30 minutes drive by car.

Tree Planting Program at Maya Ubud

Maya ubud Resort & Spa has been a regular donor to the Bali Bird Sanctuary for the past two years. All through a simple but great idea.

Guests of the resort are invited to plant a tree in the beautiful hotel grounds. For the cost of less than Rp. 195,000 (USD 20), a tree of the guest's choice is planted and a plaque installed with their name and special message engraved on it. Funds raised are then passed on to FNPF (Friends of National Parks Foundation is a local non-profit organisation working to preserve Indonesia’s wildlife and its habitat for her people and for the world). A gift that gives twice!

Since its inception the program has been resulted in millions if rupiahs to help plant trees as part of the Bali Bird Sanctuary reforestation program. This support means that we can increase the habitat for the birds who make their home in Nusa Penida (An island southeast of Bali island of Indonesia).

And the most popular tree selected... the mango tree.

Source: Newsletter of the Bali Bird Sanctuary 

Ubud Writers and Readers Festival Literary lunch: Indonesia at Home

As a part of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Maya Ubud Resort & Spa was held an Indonesian literature session with NH Dini, Laksmi Pamuntjak, Dede Oetomo, and Nurhady Sirimonok on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

NH Dini was born in 1936 in Semarang, Central Java. She is one of the few Indonesian authors who writes about social, cultural, and political injustices suffered by the country’s women. She has penned more than 20 books, and has been awarded the SEA Write Award and Best Literary Award from Ministry of National Education.

Laksmi Pamuntjak. Aside from writing the award-winning Jakarta Good Food Guide Series, she is also the author of two poetry collection, Ellipsis and The Anagram; a treatise on violence and mythology entitled Perang, Langit, dan Dua Perempuan (War, Heaven, and Two Women), and a collection of short stories, The Diary of R.S: Musings on Art.

Dede Oetomo co-founded Lambda Indonesia, Indonesia’s first gay organization in 1982, and Gaya Nusantara, the longest-running Indonesian gay organization in 1987. He is now undertaking research, training and mentoring Indonesian LGBTIQ activities and others concerned with studying sexuality critically.

Nurhady Sirimorok writes literary, history, and cultural critiques, short histories, and has translated several books on history and culture of South Sulawesi. He is currently doing his own research on history of social movement in the province, as a part a bigger wave of rewriting Indonesian history.

In this occasion a variety of Indonesia’s finest dishes were served as well. These include Bebek Betutu (Smoked Duck), Bregedel Tempe (Tempeh Fritters), Sate Lembat Ayam (Chicken Satay with Coconut), Pepes Ikan (Grilled Fish in Banana Leaves), Urab Pakis (Fern Coconut Salad), Nasi Putih (Steamed rice), accompanied by Rujak (Chili-Tamarind Fruit Salad), Sambal (ingredient that contains a large amount of chilis), Kerupuk (Crackers), Ikan Mekuah (Fish Soup), the dessert of Dadar Unti (Green coconut crepes served with caramelized bananas and black rice ice cream), and Balinese coffee and tea.

Gala Opening of 2009 Ubud Writers & Readers Festival

Ubud writers and readers festival is the annual event that brings together writers, readers, artists and performers from Indonesia and around the world, in the spirit of encourage cross-cultural sharing of ideas, stories, and voices. This year is the sixth festival that has been held with the special theme of Compassion and Solidarity. Compassion and solidarity (Suka Duka) is an ancient communal wisdom that for centuries has been one of the main pillars of Bali’s traditional institutions and communities, such as banjar (neighborhood organizations) and desa pakraman (customary villages). The detail information can be found directly on its website at http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com.

The 4-days festival began on October 7, 2009 with the Gala Opening Ceremony that was held at the Ubud palace featured local and regional dignitaries as well as traditional and modern Balinese dances.

Solo Painting Exhibition by Dewa Sugi

Maya Ubud Resort & Spa is featuring a solo painting exhibition by Dewa Sugi, titled “Spirit of Bali” from September 17 – October 30, 2009.

Born in Pengosekan Ubud in 1970, Eewa Sugi combines a high degree of Balinese traditional technical painting skill with his imaginative sensitivity resulting in modern-traditional artwork that is representative of his views and the spirit of Bali.

Dewa Sugi is displaying sixteen (16) of his unique art works at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa. In the creation of his works, Dewa Ougi is influenced by traditional Kamasan inspiration with Japanese motifs that make his work unique and enjoyable to view. Throughout his works of art, Dewa Sugi concentrates on events and figures that influence the Balinese way of life, such as the barong, epic stories and mystical deities.

Community and Charitable Activities

As part of community-led environmental and charitable activities initiated by UHA (Ubud Hotels Association) - a non-profit and non-government organization whose regular membership are comprised primarily hoteliers and allied members who actively service the hospitality industry, Maya Ubud participated in the humanitarian charity and tree planting.

Visitation & Donation to Yayasan Senyum - the smile foundation of Bali. Yayasan Senyum helps people with craniofacial disabilities by facilitating operations for cleft lips and palates which is financed mainly by Smile Shop that sells particular second-hand goods and old stocks gathered from local business. 

Visitation to the temple of Pura Gunung Rawung at the village of Taro to pray and plant 300 white Cempaka trees, often planted near Hindu temples and being used as an offering to the Gods.

Balinese Table Set Up Competition

Maya Ubud has participated in Balinese Table Set Up competition held on August 16, 2009 as part of Sanur Village Festival. The fourth Sanur Village Festival was set on August 12-16, 2009 at Sanur’s Mertasari Beach. This festival offered numerous activities, including Balinese art and cultural performance, music performance, fashion show, food bazaar, cartoon exhibition, kite competition, and many more.

The contestants demonstrated their competences to create unique Balinese table settings. The winners were selected based on the selection criteria such as creativity, innovation, as well as aesthetics. Maya Ubud was selected as one of the winners.